Rosa.
Tamales.
Seriously though, great post.
Help! I'm in ketosis and my friend invited me to dinner. She's serving lasagna!
Regina
(Empress of the Unexpected)
#42
I agree with everything you have said up to the above point. First, it’s a group dinner - I don’t think anyone will be staring at the OP. And I don’t think picking at food, or even pretending to eat rises to the level of a lie. However, I do agree with you that these occasions will keep coming up unless the OP speaks up. This seems to be a one-time last minute emergency for the OP as she is striving to get back into ketosis. I don’t know the OP, or the group dynamics, just tossing out some of my thoughts.
Rclause
(Scott)
#45
Go and don’t say anything about keto. Hopefully it will be a buffet serving setup. Get some extra salad and pick around the noodles. Say the meat and cheese is wonderful and if asked what’s wrong just explaine pasta is something that are not able to include in your diet.
kandescent
#49
Maybe her friend wouldn’t, but the one I mentioned in my post for Christmas dinner notices everything everyone eats from what she prepared. I’m not talking about other attendees. Plus, the Christmas meal I was talking about also had a lot of people.
Everyone is free to behave as they wish. I just choose to be straightforward-- set my boundaries. I prefer people to deal with me with integrity, so that’s how I approach others. ymmv
I’ve always had a thing for remembering people’s food allergies or just foods they don’t like. I don’t take it personally. I find it odd that people do take it personally if someone says they can’t or don’t eat something, particularly if it’s health related. But, really, I don’t even care if it’s just a preference. I just like to let others be.
Regina
(Empress of the Unexpected)
#52
I do totally agree with you there - I am very vocal about keto.
juice
(Running from stupidity)
#56
My wife, eating her dinner last night, which was Spaghetti Bolognese made with zoodles: “I like this so much more than when it’s made with pasta. It just tastes way fresher.”
But now you know it’s just the stupid big-brother software 
islandlight
(Laurie)
#57
I’ve had friends who don’t eat pork, for religious reasons or health reasons or just because they don’t like it. If they’re invited where pork is served, they either don’t go, or they go and don’t eat.
I’ve had vegan friends. They don’t suddenly eat meat because that’s what’s served.
I’ve had friends who don’t tell you what they can or can’t eat–they just refuse the invitation, or they don’t eat the food. They smile and say “I’m good, thanks.” These actually seem to be the most gracious people. Somehow, people who say “I don’t/can’t eat ____” seem to be opening the door for an argument, whether intentionally or not.
Sure, sometimes I give in to pressure or temptation, but then I have to live with the consequences. Each of us needs to consider whether it’s worth it or not, and whether we’ll be able to deal with it. Planned cheats and so on work for some, but I’d like to avoid them if I can. When I do give in, it’s from weakness, not strength, and the results are not so good.
In addition to the other suggestions, you could say, “I can’t come for dinner, but I’ll join you after.”
PortHardy
(Heather Meyer)
#60
I have brought my own food before to peoples houses in a tupperwear container and when i get their and find out whats being served… iask for a plate and put my stuff on the plate and sit down and eat my own stuff while everyone else is eating theirs…
I’m always sharing my appreciation to the cook for what a lovely meal it looks like and how good it smells… because i can comment on that much. If there is an option to eat somthing…i will add it to what ive brought too.