Cooking Thanksgiving for Family Who Don't Know I've Had Surgery

[mnmlst 249]

We are hosting Thanksgiving this year, since my mother-in-law's Water heater exploded and ruined most of her kitchen.

I am cooking a ton of food today, and we're having 6 people over who don't know I've had surgery. I am almost 4 weeks post-op and very nervous. I'm worried I'll accidentally eat too much or too fast, and I'm worried my mother-in-law will try to push a bunch of food on me that I don't want to / can't eat.

Anybody else in the same boat? What's your plan? Any tips on how to handle in-laws who try to push food down your throat?

(PS - I already told her that my husband and I are dieting, and trying to stick to it even today, and her response was that she was bringing two Desserts and, "Come ON, it's THANKSGIVING!")

[samuelsmom 670]

Having the dinner at your house can be an advantage as you will be running back and forth, cooking, serving, etc.

That being said, I have found the perfect way to handle this--- I hope it will work for you too. When people try to push food, I accept it graciously and thank them profusely. Then I talk about how I am going to save it so I can really enjoy it and get the full flavor. I then wrap it up and put it away!

Hope this helps!

[sprocket 104]

No, thanks, I'm stuffed works for me.

Edited November 27, 2014 by sprocket

[Zane's Mom 184]

I tell my guests that I grazed all morning making most of the dishes and I don't want to overdue it.

I also really put meat and greens on my plate and said I'm really trying to do low carb and stick to it. So with will power, no desert.

I actually did a thanksgiving on strict Atkins years before and I didn't cheat. Same deal.

I know your dinner may be over, but Christmas is coming too.

[mnmlst 249]

Thanks for all the advice!

It turned out to be my best Thanksgiving ever as an adult! I didn't overeat (not even by one bite!), no one noticed how much I was eating or not eating, and I ended up eating about 350 calories for the Thanksgiving dinner. Just an estimate based on MFP, and *way* more than I usually eat for a meal now, but I feel great about it!

WOOHOO! Major success!