Wedding right after my first Whole30

[kaati]

Hi all, I'm currently on day 20 of my first Whole30 and am kind of freaking out about the reintroduction phase, since right after day 30 I will be traveling out of town for a wedding.  I had planned on making it a dairy test day, since my favorite ice cream is made near the wedding, but I'm afraid that I'll have a bad reaction and ruin the night.  I plan on drinking, so now I'm wondering if I should keep alcohol as the only "new" thing added to my diet, but that presents a couple of problems as well.  

 

First, I have no idea what they will be serving for dinner and whether it will be compliant.  Even if it's just chicken and veggies, I won't know if they used soybean oil, or butter, or whatever, and what if I have a soy or dairy issue?  I also don't want to be that weird person eating nuts out of my purse during dinner, having to explain to people I don't know my entire health history and the reasons behind my diet.  

 

Second, what kind of drinks are good to try?  I can't drink wine thanks to horrible migraines, so I generally stick to vodka or gin, but mixers are full of sugar, and then I'm testing alcohol and sugar at the same time.

 

Third, what if I just eat whatever the dinner is (assuming it's not pasta with cheese sauce!), and have a drink or two, and feel terrible the next day? Would a few days or a week be long enough to "re-reset" my system to try a proper reintroduction protocol or will I have wasted the last month of working so hard?

 

I would really appreciate any and all advice.  I initially thought my timing with the Whole30 was great, until I really started thinking about it in terms of an experiment--I'm a scientist and clearly testing more than one variable at a time is a bad idea.  Thanks!

 

 

[GFChris]

Can you call the site hosting the wedding and request a gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, grain-free meal?

 

Sugar doesn't need its own reintro, so don't worry about the sugar/alcohol separation.

[Physibeth]

My brother came into town for a couple of days right after I finished my W30 so I did the best I could without being "that person" while he was here than did 4 days of Whole30 again and then started introductions over. Something like that might be your best bet. I agree with GFChris about calling ahead and seeing what the menu will be like and what options you have.

[lexes42]

I would go with your first instinct and have the special ice cream... the day after the wedding.

 

I would not freak out about what the meal was cooked in (oil wise) and just eyeball it  - there will be meat and vegetables I would guess (unless the wedding party is vegan) and you can maybe avoid any breading or such that might be there.

 

If you feel icky the next day, you might not choose the ice cream after all (and if there's a travel issue, can the ice cream place pack it 'to go'? ).

 

I have to admit, I'm always worried about the folks that plan on drinking on Day 31.  I am NO tea-totaller... and I suffer migraines as well - yet really really hope that I can enjoy alcohol in the future.

 

BUT... after 30 days of clean eating .. that vodka will affect you faster / more powerfully then you might think.  Add that to the 'celebratory' social atmosphere... and maybe a champagne toast...   come on you have to have a piece of CAKE... it's only the best bread EVER.... and the one or two drinks become the portal to dietary hell.

 

You've come so far at Day 30 - what is one more day?  You won't be any more 'that person' then anyone with a nut allergy... this kind of food exclusion has become pretty common.  if it helps  practice a response.  I have used my migraines as an excuse on all kinds of occasions - they illicit sympathy and nods in a way that 'food intolerances' most certainly do NOT.  Heck if they're strangers tell them you're recovering from a terrible illness that is too hard to talk about - let them imagine what that illness might be.  

 

I know that around day 20 I was obsessed with reintroduction...  So make two plans.. One that is angelic and one that mitigates any slips.  If it all goes off plan and you have a wacky hangover from multiple things - do a whole 7 and reintro after that.

 

Large catered events happen all the time... this part of the day isn't 'special'.  If this isn't a reception where you get a few free drinks served by a hotel bartender... there will be another.  But maybe the dairy place is worth it... would be for me.

[kaati]

Thanks for the responses, I'm feeling a little less lost now.  I will try to call the reception location and see what the food options will be, I hadn't thought of that and didn't want to bother the couple about it.  

 

As far as drinking goes, because of the migraines I rarely drink to begin with and save it for special occasions, so I'm pretty good at pacing myself, though I'm sure I'll have to go even slower this time around.  And thanks to the Whole30 rules I've finally learned will power and am pretty confident I'll be able to say no to cake and bread and pizza, even with a drink or two in me (I also plan on ordering some Paleo Packs as backup).  I really like your suggestion, lexes42, to make two plans, hope I stick to the cleaner one, but know that if I do slip up, I can do a Whole7 and try again.  Thanks again!