How Not to Overeat When You're Socializing

Why Socializing Makes You Eat Too Much: Experts say that one of the biggest
reasons you eat more when you're socializing is that restaurants and parties
tend to offer an overabundance of delicious food, making it more difficult
to limit yourself to reasonable portions. You feel obliged to eat everything
on your plate, no matter how much it is, says Michael J. Hewitt, Ph.D.,
health and healing director at Canyon Ranch Health Resort in Tucson, Ariz.
And you may not recognize when you're full while you're busy talking with
friends.

Drinking alcohol before a meal compounds the problem. Not only is alcohol an
appetite stimulant, but it also makes you feel less inhibited so you're
likely to order more in restaurants and take excessive helpings at parties,
says Hewitt.

     What to Do Before You Go Out: Experts emphasize how important it is to
anticipate the pitfalls of eating out and to take steps to avoid them. Don't
arrive feeling famished. Have a cup of tea or a piece of fruit before you go
out so your stomach feels less empty and you won't be as tempted to snack on
bread or on hors d'oeuvres.
     To keep eating in check at a restaurant, call before going and ask the
host to fax you a menu. Peruse the selections and choose a sensible meal.
Then stick to your choice once you get to the restaurant.

     How to Curb Your Eating When You're Out: If you're going to drink
alcohol, have it with your meal, not before. Instead, drink club soda or a
glass of water with lemon or lime before eating. You'll think more clearly
as you order.

     The simplest way to counter the large meal sizes at some restaurants
is to reduce your portions as soon as your plate arrives, recommends Diane
S., an active member of Overeaters Anonymous in Boca Raton, Fla. (it's the
policy of Overeaters Anonymous not to give out the complete names of its
members). When the waiter brings your meal, put a third or half aside before
you start eating and ask the waiter to wrap it to bring home.

     When you're faced with a plate loaded with too much food, remind
yourself that this isn't the only good food you're ever going to eat,
advises Hewitt. It's just as wasteful to eat something you don't want as it
is to throw the food away, he says. And when you overeat you have to waste
time working off the extra calories.