Anyone host the holidays?

(Bob M) #1

We always host the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas (though we have Catholics, non-practicing Catholics, atheists and Jewish relatives, too, so I generally refer to these as the “holidays”). I was particularly struck this time comparing eating habits.

We had a brunch for instance, and I ate basically frittatas and ham. I went higher carb by having salsa and some siracha. Everyone else had muffins, bagels, even cereal, orange juice, possible along with some frittatas and ham (if allowed for the latter).

During dinners/lunches, I basically ate all meat with few to no vegetables. After my sixth piece of meat, I would see people looking at me strangely. But I only eat two meals a day, and I eat until I’m full. That amount of meat is not unusual for me. I did eat some salads, though, which I now consider to be nutritionally void and useless and filled with too many anti-nutrients. But they do taste good sometimes

Anyway, I realized I’m in the far left field/wing of eating. Anyone else have similar realizations?

(Katie) #2

I was the organizer for a 15 rig potluck Christmas dinner here in the desert.

I made turkey legs and a small roast. Enough for about 8 people (my ovens are rather small). But, everyone made food. One fellow with a large RV made a whole turkey.

I only ate a turkey leg. Yes, people looked at me like I was nuts…worse yet, I think they thought I didn’t trust anyone’s cooking because I made that turkey leg.

I lone ago quit telling people about my diet. I just stated that I was only in to for the turkey. Let them think it is a joke or whatever.

#3

My inlaws actually hosted Christmas dinner. I wasn’t sure if I was going to have to work, so I didn’t offer up much to make except for a salad. My SIL made lasagna, and I just ate the filling, skipped the bread, had a little salad, cheese. Wasn’t super hungry.

The oldest son and his family came up on the 27th for a couple days. I hosted that crew. They noticed my weight loss, inquired and responded with the usual “OH, I could NEVER do that.” After I made a massive frittata though, I think they were rethinking things, briefly. I had to work, so they ordered pizzas, and ate some serious carrbage while I was gone. I was scratching my head a bit…we’ve got 2 freezers full of beef…steaks, burger, etc…but they’d rather order pizza. Go figure. After they left, I pulled out steaks to thaw. We had Porterhouse, Ribeye, and Filet Mignon - for one meal.

*My husband has committed to going full carnivore from Jan 14 to Feb 14 - just to see how he feels. I am going to gradually Keto-fy his meals starting now, so he doesn’t get a massive oxalate dump when he enters the full carnivore phase. =)

(Jack Bennett) #4

We were on “foreign soil” at my mother-in-laws place but I’m comfortable enough there to bring and cook my own stuff (politely offering to share) and make protein shakes. If I look eccentric, I’m ok with that… I get along with her family so it’s fine.

I stayed on keto except for Christmas day proper, where I ate a bunch of high-carb mains and dessert at dinner. Back to keto and IF the next day until now, with no apparent prolonged effects.

#5

Hi!
I did not host, but was invited in the family for the traditional Christmas dinner, which consist in tons of different food put on the tables and we can all serve ourselves. That was ideal because, during dinner, nobody noticed or cared that I only put meat on my plate.
The funny thing is that, like every year, I was put at the kid’s table (even if I’m a fully grown 28 years old adult). At the end of the meal, the family realized that our table was the only one who did not touch the vegetables! Now, they still don’t know that I do keto, but they definitely think I deserved my spot at the kid’s table for not eating my vegetables! :smiley:

(Carnivore for the win) #6

I told my family ahead of time, that I wouldn’t be eating anything other than a lot if meat and a little bit of cheese. I asked them not to be offended that I didn’t want any of their vegetable dishes. They were very accommodating and bought me lots of meat when they were shopping.

My brother and my mom’s boyfriend are eating keto now, so they were happy to go meat heavy, and I cooked some keto veggie side dishes for them.

My mom and Dad are still addicted to carbs and constantly hungry. They just suck the carbs down at a crazy pace. It reminds me of me a few years ago when I thought I was eating healthy. Oh well. Fortunately, they don’t try to push their eating on me. At least I can lead by example with my improved health and weight loss.

(Troy) #7

Family Traditional Dinner Eve Dinner
I did not host though
Foods include Pierogies, sauerkraut w pork and kielbasa, stuffed bell peppers, and shrimp scampi
Some other small sides…green beans and bacon and mashed potatoes
Tons of sweets
Not your run of the meal ham and turkey spread :rofl:

I just had some scampi and the pork and kielbasa
Some summer sausage too
Worked for me
Yes, others were watching me
" will he dive in to the family tradition and eat the carb pierogies "?
NOPE
They are all accustomed to my WOE
No harm, no foul

Kinda ackward, but I always prevail!!
Can’t break me
Keto-Carnivore -ish :muscle: strong

(Bob M) #8

Where do you live? When I was in eastern PA, that’s what we ate. I loved pierogies at the time. I still eat sauerkraut with pork and kielbasa, as cooked sauerkraut does not seem to cause me issues (raw sauerkraut, meanwhile, does).

In fact, on the first of the year, you’re supposed to eat pork (good luck) and not eat chicken (you’ll scratch all year/have bad luck). So, we’re having pulled pork today.

(Jill F.) #9

I hosted Christmas dinner at my house this year. I made pot roast, steamed veggies, salad, green beans, had a veggie tray, and got a few carb items for them.
My old green bean recipe was green beans, bacon, and tons of brown sugar. This year I made it with the Splenda and brown sugar mix and no one knew the difference, lol. I also made yams with it and they loved them. Several commented that they were the best they ever had! People get scared of keto ways, but when it comes to it they really COULD eat that way if they chose to.

(Troy) #10

CA
My dad and grandfather grew up in PA? :smile:
Patton, PA
My grandfather was a coal miner, then later moved to CA in the 1950’s after he served in WW2

Yes, that’s where this Tradition all started of the Slovak heritage and pierogis

(Jack Bennett) #11

My wife’s background is German and Dutch and so we normally do the pork and sauerkraut thing for NYD. Happy new year! :grinning::pig2::tada:

(Marianne) #12

Yes, we hosted Thanksgiving. My brother commented that all I was eating was turkey, cole slaw and black olives. It was delicious to me. Christmas was rib roast, cole slaw and sauteed brussel sprouts. Again, very satisfying. Everybody else was carbing out.

(Marianne) #13

Has he been following keto already? I think if people would just try it, the majority would actually like it.

(Marianne) #14

With so many people in your family doing keto, chances are good that at some point they may decide to get on board.

#15

He followed Keto for 3 days or so, and then went into McTosis - with his stealthy trips to McDonalds. He has done some fasting with me, but found it more difficult than I did. I think his caloric needs might have been higher, or he was supplementing with enough salt. Whatever the case, he ended up drinking clear juice about 2 1/2 days through a 5 day fast.

So, now, I’m weaning him off breads and sugar, then potatoes and pasta. He is pretty competitive, so if he knows I can do it, then he will be more inclined to try to best me. The hardest thing I think he deals with is the habit of using bread a conduit for eating meat. Burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, etc. It will take some getting used to, eating every meal with a fork and knife. I’m fine peeling buns back from a burger and eating it like a round banana. He, on the other hand, will need to force himself to remember to do that. and be very intentional in his avoidance of carbs. This is not going to be easy for him.

He travels a decent amount for work, and eats out ALOT. I’m not there to guide him, so it will be difficult. He is the Dir. of Hospitality for a real estate/devel. co . and oversees ALOT of hotels. When he stays overnight, he ends up with the continental brekkie - which is usually carb-filled. If he can remember to, there are usually hard boiled eggs there- but he is not a huge fan of those. If there is a hot breakfast, then, eggs and sausage are typically served, but they also serve the fried potatoes. He loves those, and making sure he doesn’t eat any will be hard.

When I go on the trips, I get the hard boiled eggs, pop open a pack of butter, slap it on, salt it and eat. He’d never go for that. Hoping I can train him. =)

(Bob M) #16

To me, the best breakfast is no breakfast. I will, however, eat breakfast if we go somewhere or if I think I won’t get a good lunch. Also, if breakfast is “free” and I’m out, I will sometimes partake if there are any low carb options. This is because if we have to eat bfast, lunch and dinner out (on vacation, say), it gets too expensive to eat meat-based meals out. So, I get extra calories for bfast, knowing I won’t be able to get much for lunch or dinner.

(Marianne) #17

Good luck. I hope he finds alternatives to some of the things you mentioned. If he starts to feel better and see results, that will be a good incentive to continue.

#18

THAT must be never ending A Catholic, A Jew and an Atheist walk into a bar… I’d love to be at that table!

(Carnivore for the win) #19

I hope so. They both have health issues that could easily be cleared up with diet changes. But they are both healthcare professionals and worked in diabetes clinics, so they are set in the everything in moderation and exercise makes everything better mindset. After delivering those messages to thousands over the years, I’m not sure they will be able to change. I don’t push it on them. They will figure it out, or not, as everyone around them gets healthy.