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In my circle of friends and family I am the only one, who eats paleo (I tried to explain the idea of the paleo diet to them, but they call me crazy... maybe, but I have a healthy lifestyle lol).

Next month I am invited to a big birthday party and a wedding and my problem is, what should I eat? Should I take my own food with me (I am sure they will make jokes about me all the time lol), fast or pick out the stuff I could eat (the problem will be that they have a special menu with lots of sauce, pasta and milk). What is your suggestion?

By the way: Happy Easter to all of you!!!

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9 Answers

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Happy easter, cavewoman :).

Should I take my own food with me (I am sure they will make jokes about me all the time lol)

It looks like they wouldn't mind it at all. I'm sure you know what crosses the line. If you'd go to the party with a bag of gelatin, you'd get some weird looks, but if you know what foods they have on their menu, you can just pick what you want from it and "supplement" with paleo foods.

It's really hard to answer you, because I know I could get away with going to a wedding with a bag of gelatin and a bottle of OJ (used to be extremely shy so most people don't care what I do, as long as I don't become awkward again), but I doubt everyone can. One thing though : try to shut your mouth about health and diet while you're there. Enjoy the party!

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I wish it was a happy easter btw. First time in my life I don't get to eat easter eggs. This year it's gonna be easter oysters. – Korion Apr 5 2012 at 8:38
I couldn't stand all the extra attention, haha. YES, I completely agree with Korion. It's definitely the wrong time to bring up health and diet. – Sunny Beaches Apr 5 2012 at 8:39
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Yesss, you are right lol I will shut up and bring my own food with me (good reason to take a big purse with me) – Cavewoman Apr 5 2012 at 12:38
You'd probably survive the event just not eating -- talk a lot about what the other people are interested in and "forget" to finish your plate. – gydle Apr 5 2012 at 13:08
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Unless you have serious health issues, I'd try to eat what's there. I think it would be a little rude to bring your own stuff at the wedding. Whipping out your own tupperware and telling the bride and groom that you think their food is unhealthy might not go over well. A birthday party sounds a little less formal so I guess it wouldn't' be that big of a deal.

You could eat your own food before so that you'll be full...only have to graze a little at the wedding on foods you're okay with. Maybe they'll have salad, meat dishes, fruit etc. It's only one meal and I don't think you should worry so much.

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Most people eat junk everday and it still takes a while to kill them. At a wedding I'd probably just eat what's there (the least pasta-ish item on the menu) and suffer the consequences for the next couple days. – Derek Apr 5 2012 at 10:09
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Bring some food in the car to eat between the ceremony and reception. Then graze on fruit/salad bar / meat as needed. – Chris Apr 5 2012 at 12:55
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  • Before the event: If you are hungry eat something
  • During the event: Pick the most paleo-like food you can find and enjoy.
  • After the event: Bring some macadamias/dark chocolate/beef jerky for the return trip
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just fast, if there is nothing you want to eat, don't eat.

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+1 for not making a simple situation more complicated than it needs to be. – gydle Apr 5 2012 at 13:10
Amen to this one. I've developed a very low tolerance for feeling sick - I value my well being and I don't care how that effects other peoples feelings. – sherilynn Apr 5 2012 at 14:36
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Every wedding I've ever been to, if it's a buffet-style dinner, has at least two meat choices and salad, and sometimes even mixed veggies. It's pretty easy to stay paleo at a wedding if you skip the rolls (which are always like bricks) and cake (which never tastes all that good anyway). Granted, you can never know how the foods were cooked, but I don't think it's worth the hassle to make the food an issue if you don't have a very serious allergy and especially if you aren't very close with the couple (i.e. going as someone's date).

As far as a birthday party, I suppose it depends on the menu. Are they serving a full dinner? if so, stick with a meat dish and maybe salad or veggies. If it's just appetizers, steer clear of the fried stuff and try to stick with the relish tray, meatballs, chicken wings (if they aren't breaded) and things like that. You probably won't know what the sauces and condiments are, and they probably aren't paleo, but you can stay pretty close to your goal.

If it is appetizers, offer to bring something paleo and awesome like bacon-wrapped asparagus. Or, just eat before you go. Nobody will notice if you aren't eating finger foods but they will notice if you skip an entire dinner when everyone is seated around tables together. If it's a home-cooked dinner and you actively choose not to eat anything, you will offend your host. You have to decide if it's worth it.

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Paleo is no reason to be come a social pariah. Unless you're celiac or extremely sensitive to gluten, just eat whatever (within reason) and recover.

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for most people I would think this would be a beginners recipe for disaster. eat before you go, Drink water while there, keep something small like almonds etc in your pocket/purse. if you dont feel comfortable eating your paleo goods around others eating NON paleo then go to the bathroom and eat a handful there....but this is a great way to either gain strength in these situations, becasuse lets face it....all offices, families, etc have these types of food gatherings...you have to learn now how to be successful :) – paleoprimal Apr 5 2012 at 14:06
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I swear, I thought this was the paleo diet, not the squirrel diet where you pull nuts out of random places and stuff them in your mouth... Most people can handle a "glutening" without issue. Most people can handle getting "soy'ed" or "conventionally oiled up"... If you're not most people, by all means, stick to the squirrel diet. – Matt Apr 5 2012 at 18:39
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Salad and Shrimp. If they don't have shrimp, bring some nuts, fruit, and bacon stripssss.

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It's up to you what you decide to eat, but if you want to stay paleo, then I suggest you eat before you go so that you don't have a rumbling tummy around foods you don't want to eat.

When you're there, as others have said, pick the things that fall in line with what you are willing to put in your body. If nothing else, I'm sure they'll have a veggie tray or salad.

I wouldn't bring your own meal to either event, but putting a baggy of jerky or even homemade paleo trail mix in your purse might be a good idea.

Fasting might be an option, as long as this won't be your first attempt. It wouldn't be fun to be at a party when you find out you don't like fasting!

This is, of course, your life. If you decide to have a slice of cake or some saucy entree, do it and enjoy it!

Good luck and have fun! 8)

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If it were me, I'd eat a good lunch before you leave for the wedding, eat what you can from what they serve, then whip something up as soon as you get home.

Good luck and Happy Easter!!!

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