Eating AIP at a Friend or Family Member’s House

First off I want to say that eating at a friend or family member’s house isn’t nearly as stressful as you are anticipating, provided you follow my helpful tips. Take it from me…I avoided going to my parents house for dinner for three months out of fear that I would accidentally ingest something that I shouldn’t. Once I figured out how to talk to family members/friends about what I was doing and why I was doing it, they seemed more open to hear my requests. Not everyone will be as accommodating but your good friends and family will be. Just give them time to adjust…it took you time too!

So here are my tips for eating AIP friendly at a friend or family member’s house:

1. Communicate- It is very important that you are up front about how you eat and why you are eating that way. Make it clear that you are not being picky and of course you wish you could enjoy whatever wonderful recipe they had planned. I always say it is easier for me to tell the host what I can have, rather than what I can’t have. If they still ask start by telling them you have a gluten/grain/dairy intolerance. You are further restricting potatoes/tomatoes/peppers/eggplant and have to watch nuts/seeds/oils. Tell your host that because you have a multitude of foods you are eliminating it is best for you to have simple individual ingredients without sauces. Remember to have this conversation in advance…don’t drop it on them last minute.
2. Offer to bring a dish or two- It can be overwhelming to a host to be told what you can and cannot eat. They may even be scared they might make you ill. Alleviate some of this worry by offering to bring your own spices/oils and or a side dish for everyone to enjoy.
3. Keep it simple- As much as we all love a dish with lots of flavors and ingredients….this isn’t the time. Tell your host that you can have whatever meat they are having, just keep yours plain with salt/coconut oil/olive oil etc. For example if they are having steak. Ask for yours to be BBQ’d plain with salt. Another go to is to have a baked sweet potato or sweet potato fries cooked in coconut oil. Salads are another great one, in fact a lot of people make buffet style salads so you can add whatever vegetables you like. Dressing on the side. If your host insists on making you a dressing opt for some olive oil and lemon juice or avocado and lime.
4. Dessert- If you are going to be tempted by dessert then bring a dessert you can enjoy. I find that now a days there is always at least one other gluten free or dairy free person who will also appreciate your dessert.
5.  Offer to help with the preparation or cooking- This can also alleviate stress for you and the host. At the very least bring a dish you can have in case there ends up not being much you can have.
6. Say Thank you- Express gratitude to your hosts for having you over and trying to accommodate your food restrictions. Cooking every meal for yourself all the time gets tiring and it’s nice to be treated to a night off of cooking. The more dinner’s you have with these hosts, the easier it will get (I love going to my parents house for dinner now because I don’t have to worry as they know what I can and cannot have!)

So there you have it! Do you have any other tips and tricks? Leave them in the comments below!

Meagen Ashley