Dining out with PCOS

Life will always present opportunities to derail best intentions, including eating healthily.  Often, when we are busy during the week with work, we can remain organised and focused with our meals; but what happens when someone brings morning tea to work to celebrate a birthday, or we are invited out to dinner, or to a party?  Having a few strategies up your sleeve for these times will help you enjoy yourself without feeling stressed about choosing the healthiest food options.  This blog will hopefully prepare you for those times so you can stay on track and eat foods that are best for you. 

Office celebrations

This can be tricky because you don’t want to offend the person who provided the treat, nor do you want to miss out on all the fun, but at the same time, you don’t want overeat or eat foods laden with unhealthy fats or sugars.  My go-to tips include the following.  If you have others than work for you, let me know and I’ll include them in the list to help others in a similar situation.

• ·         Have snacks in your desk drawer just for these times; try a sweet protein bar (my favourite is Quest Bars) that you can cut up and put on a plate or napkin and nibble on.  They last forever, don’t need refrigeration and they actually taste great!

• ·         Slowly sip a hot drink, such as a herbal tea of your choice.  This technique keeps your hands busy but you can still take part in the festivities.

• ·         Eat before you go.  You are less likely to want to snack on foods on offer if you aren’t hungry and it’s easy to keep your resolve when your tummy is full.

• ·         Bring along a plate of food that meets your dietary requirements.  It’s a healthier option for you and also for your work mates.  My  Low-carb Peanut Butter Cookies are perfect when you need something sweet or this low-carb and gluten free tabbouleh salad is great when you need something savoury. 

Restaurant Dining

Dining out doesn’t have to be awkward or avoided.  Sometimes it just takes a little forward planning so you can arrive at the restaurant feeling relaxed and ready to enjoy yourself.

• ·         If you know which restaurant you’ll be going to, look at their menu online and see what they offer.  Most restaurants cater for special dietary requirements and will state this in their menu.

• ·         If you can’t find something suitable online or they don’t supply an online menu, give the restaurant a quick call.  I’ve often called ahead of arrival and asked if they can make a few changes to meals, and they are always more than accommodating. 

• ·         Order a starter for your main meal.  A smaller meal is still going to be enough for dinner and it will help you remain within your energy requirements.

• ·         Is that dessert menu screaming your name?  Ask someone to share with you.  That way you get to savour the flavours without eating too much and sending your blood sugars skyward!  Or, order a sweet tea or coffee to sip on if others are still eating.

Parties

Parties are a time of celebration and, as I say to all my clients, I don’t want you to feel like you’re missing out, or just a party-pooper for not devouring everything in front of you. 

• ·         Offer to bring a plate.  Again, you can then be in charge of some of the food on offer and eat knowing you are still looking after yourself and your health.

• ·         Like I said earlier, eat before you arrive.  It doesn’t have to be too substantial, just enough to take the edge off your hunger so you don’t feel the urge to hang around the buffet table.  Try snacking on a couple of boiled eggs, or even a cruskit cracker or two topped with a can of flavoured tuna (don’t forget the breath mint!).

• ·         Summon support.  Let your friends know you have a nutrition goal you are aiming to achieve and ask them to help you stay on track.  We all do better when we have a cheer squad cheering us on.

These are just a few ideas to get you started.  Remember, your good health is your most important goal, and it should be bigger than a single event.  Eating is a part of life and can’t be avoided.  We are always going to be tempted by the abundance of foods available in the 21^st century, and navigating through these choices is just a matter of having a few of the above strategies available for you to use.

Cheers for now

Annie