Eating needs/preferences?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Eating needs/preferences?
12
Sun, 09-04-2005 - 1:50pm
If you're invited to someone's house for dinner, when, or do you ever, tell them what you can't/won't eat?





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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 09-04-2005 - 2:13pm

That's a hard one Jean.

~Kiervin~

Co-author of:  MONSTER'S INK HORROR ANTHOLOGY By Cyber-Pulp Press

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-27-2003
Sun, 09-04-2005 - 4:33pm

Funny, I'm usually appologizing for dh because he is so picky and won't try anything. My usual response is to tell them that he doesn't eat most of the stuff I make either. Usually that will start a conversation or laughing, either way everybody starts to feel better. We try to entertain here as much as possible to avoid any of that.

Paula

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Sun, 09-04-2005 - 6:30pm

when they invited me, i would have told them i'm vegan and offered to bring food to share. probably when you offered to bring food they were just being polite when they said no and they would have accepted if they had known that you wouldn't be able to eat what they are cooking.

i think it is much polite to be honest than not to tell people and let them feel bad when you don't eat anything and also potentially waste money on food that goes uneaten.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Sun, 09-04-2005 - 6:31pm
i agree that joking about it and being self-deprecating is a good way to make sure there's no hard feelings
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Sun, 09-04-2005 - 8:27pm
Thanks everyone--good suggestions.





iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2004
Sun, 09-04-2005 - 8:55pm
That, I think is where you draw the line. If you're doing our normal healthy gymrat type of eating, I don't think it's necessary or polite to say something (depends on how well you know the hosts too). If you have an ethical or health issue with meat/nuts/gluten/etc., I think it's both polite and appropriate to mention your eating habits (and offer to bring something).
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 09-05-2005 - 12:29am

That's a good point!

~Kiervin~

Co-author of:  MONSTER'S INK HORROR ANTHOLOGY By Cyber-Pulp Press

Avatar for soleilune
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 09-05-2005 - 10:44am
Great advice from all. Oft times even if people are somewhat aware of your dietary needs/preferences they make an effort to accommodate you, but may not be aware of little things that might be a problem. (My MIL: "You said you don't eat red meat, but pork isn't red meat is it?" OR Practically Everyone: "You're vegan? You still eat eggs & dairy, right? What about fish?") Say for instance w/ your daughter's allergies, they may figure if they put nuts on top something she can just pick them off. However if she's like a lot of folks w/ this allergy the tranfer of oils, etc. will still cause a reaction. In your situation I'd say, "Thanks for the invite, we'd love to come. Would you mind if I brought something along? My daughter has food allergies & I'm vegetarian, but I don't want anyone to put themselves out catering to our needs."
Soleilune
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Mon, 09-05-2005 - 12:17pm
Good response--I'll keep that in mind.

Jean,






iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Mon, 09-05-2005 - 12:29pm
Good distinction.





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