Summer BBQs Without Food Rules: How to Enjoy the Food and the Company
BBQ season is one of the best parts of Summer. Longer evenings, time spent with friends and family, and plenty of delicious food make for some memorable moments. But for many people, these types of gatherings can also bring up anxiety.
Maybe you’ve caught yourself wondering:
Should I skip lunch so I have room later?
Am I eating too much?
Should I avoid the bun or dessert?
If any of those thoughts sound familiar, you’re not alone. Diet culture has a way of turning what should be an enjoyable gathering into something that feels stressful.
The good news? It doesn’t have to be that way.
Remember: It’s One Meal, Not a Test
A backyard BBQ isn’t a nutrition exam. You don’t earn points for choosing the salad over the burger, and you don’t lose points for enjoying dessert.
Instead of trying to make the “perfect” food choices, give yourself permission to think about what will help you enjoy both the meal and the experience.
Don’t Arrive Starving
One of the biggest mistakes diet culture encourages is “saving up” calories before a gathering that involves unfamiliar foods. While it might seem like a good idea, arriving overly hungry often makes it much harder to tune into your body’s hunger and fullness cues.
Having a balanced meal or snack beforehand can help you feel more in control and allow you to enjoy the foods you actually want instead of feeling like you need to eat everything as quickly as possible.
A simple snack with protein and/or healthy fats before heading out is a great place to start! Examples:
Greek yogurt with fruit
Crackers with cheese
Apple slices and peanut butter
A handful of trail mix
