Eating paleo 24/7 is hard work. Even after you’ve adopted a paleo lifestyle and no longer crave non paleo foods, there are still a number of obstacles to overcome. Number one in my book is attending not-so-paleo parties. Whether it’s girls night in or a summer barbecue, it is hard to eat healthy, let alone eat clean. And now that summer is here the parties seem to get longer and the drinks, sugarier.
That’s why I have developed some pointers to help you eat paleo when attending not-so-paleo events.
1. Bring something. One way to ensure that there will be at least one thing on the menu that you can eat, is to bring it yourself. Ask the host/hostess if you can bring a hot dish, like barbacoa or pulled pork, or a yummy paleo dessert, like my version of paleo cheesecake or chocolate chip cookies. The host/hostess will appreciate the help and your non paleo friends won’t even realize they’re eating “paleo food.”
2. Dip smart. There will undoubtedly be a number of veggie, cheese and chip platters with a large array of dips. Go for the veggies and be careful what you dunk them in, a lot of vegetable dips are filled with cream which probably won’t leave you feeling too good later on. If you’re not sure what’s in the dip, just ask or offer to prepare a paleo friendly dip like guacamole!
3. Speak up. Let the host/hostess know that you have some eating restrictions in advance. Usually they are more than accommodating and will make sure that there is something at the party for you to eat, and if not at least they won’t be offended when you don’t try their award winning pasta salad.
4. Eat first. Although this isn’t my first choice, sometimes it is a good idea to eat before heading to the event. Whether you cook a full meal or just snack on an apple before you leave the house, it is always smart to have something in your stomach so that you aren’t starving at the party and tempted by the non paleo appetizers.
5. Skip the bun. The saving grace for paleo eaters at summer parties is that they tend to center around the grill. And that means meat. Whether you choose a burger or dog, just be sure to skip the bun (and cheese)!
6. Pack a snack. I always keep a small bag of trail mix or a Larabar in my bag just in case. Like I mentioned here, keeping snacks on hand is the best way to keep yourself full and satisfied. If you’re full the cherry pie isn’t going to be as tempting as it would be if you were starving.
7. Drink up. Drink lots of water throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated and full, but feel free to have a cocktail once in a while too.
8. Have fun! This is the most important advice I can give you. Remember that at the end of the day you are at the party to have fun! The best part of any party is the people, so don’t sit in the corner, get up, walk around and mingle!
Do you have any additional tips or tricks for staying on track at parties and events? Share below!