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6
Woman Tells Husband She’s Done Attending In-Law Dinners After Being Left Without Food One Too Many Times
If you choose to host guests at your home, it’s very likely that you want them to feel welcome and accommodated. This can entail many things, from cleaning your home and stocking up on essentials to preparing food and drinks, while considering preferences, allergies, and restrictions. However, not every host is considerate of these things, even though they should be.
Like this MIL, who, no matter how hard her DIL tried, couldn’t get her to accommodate her dietary restrictions. Finally, having had enough of leaving her family dinners always hungry, she decided not to attend ever again.
RELATED:
Good hosts should consider their guests’ dietary preferences and restrictions
Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)
This MIL completely ignored this, leaving her DIL starving at every family dinner
Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)
Image credits: dandyrose05
“I believe the host should have at least one dish that can accommodate restrictions”
Image credits: unsplash (not the actual photo)
As we can see from the story, living with dietary restrictions often presents challenges to people. Some of the most frustrating, perhaps, are navigating social situations and dealing with a lack of understanding from others. Since people with not-self-chosen dietary restrictions already have a lot on their plate, overcoming challenges daily, the least their loved ones could do is make them feel like a welcomed and accommodated guest in their home by honoring their dietary restrictions, with many experts agreeing with this.
“As someone who plans a lot of menus and hosts a lot of dinners, I regard it as an affirmation of friendship and support to accommodate and celebrate my guests’ dietary restrictions,” said Brian Theis, author of the book “The Infinite Feast: How to Host the Ones You Love.” “I even think of it as an inspiration and a challenge.”
“In my opinion, if the host is aware of certain food allergies or dietary restrictions prior to the gathering, I believe the host should have at least one dish that can accommodate those restrictions,” agreed food blogger Gabrielle Lask.
To accommodate dietary restrictions successfully, experts say that hosts should encourage guests to share their nutritional needs ahead of time, and the guests should feel comfortable doing so.
That said, the hosts shouldn’t be forced to alter all their dishes to meet one person’s dietary needs, but if they choose to do so, everyone can enjoy the menu without announcing the accommodations.
A similar thing also applies to personal dislikes, which hosts shouldn’t bend over backward to cater to. “Most cooks respond well to accommodating a true dietary restriction,” food columnist Lynn Schwartzberg said. “Sometimes a guest may share a personal dislike. I would not feel compelled to accommodate this. Adults can just grow up.”
Guests with dietary restrictions should have an option to bring their own food, but it’s not mandatory
Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)
If hosts can’t accommodate guests’ dietary needs, they should let them know about that in advance.
“This way, guests with dietary restrictions can plan accordingly. Or they might even offer to bring their own take on that dish to share, making your job as a host a little bit easier,” said Diana Edelman, founder of the food blog Vegans, Baby.
As Edelman mentioned, guests with dietary restrictions should have an option to bring their own food, but that shouldn’t be mandatory.
“It’s not rude to bring your own food, as long as it’s handled appropriately such as asking the host first and making a dish that others can enjoy, too,” said Olivia Wyles, keto diet blogger and founder of Easy Keto Recipes Made For Real Life. “It’s also important not to draw attention to yourself. Make it about the event and not your diet.”
“Bringing your own food and sharing this with others also often sparks curiosity and creates a conversation about those dietary restrictions and chosen lifestyles,” she said.
But in more extreme cases of food allergies, the guests may want to eat beforehand, Schwartzberg suggested. “If the allergies or condition is so severe that bringing one’s own food is the only solution, that person should eat in advance and simply enjoy the social event, perhaps nibbling something that fits their restrictions.”
Many commenters sided with the original poster
While some thought she could’ve let it slide
Some even blamed both sides
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What do you think ?
J R 1 month ago
NTA. This is seriously rude and inconsiderate. If you invite someone over to your house for a meal, you should make sure they have something to eat that they enjoy. It would be one thing to do this accidentally; no one's perfect. But if you know they have dietary restrictions and keep ignoring those, it's intentional. And her husband sounds like an a*****e, too. He's fine with his wife being uncomfortable because he gets fed.
Amused panda 1 week ago
If it were me, with this blatant use of an allergen on all the side dishes, I wouldn't even trust the bread. After all, bread can be enriched with milk, butter or other dairy-based products.
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Zoe Vokes 1 month ago
She needs to take a Tupperware with her own food and have snacks in her bag. When they look at her oddly for eating her own food at the table she needs explain again that there is nothing for her and daughter to eat without making daughter ill. Bring food every time. I would be past caring if they’re offended because it is their own fault.
Jeremy James 1 month ago
I would take it a step further and order myself some Chinese food to be delivered to their house, and time it for around when lunch would be served. Really make a spectacle of it.
Load More Replies...
Kate Johnson 1 month ago
Easy solution. No more meals at FILs. Hubby will explain as it's his stupid family, but I'd just tell him neither me or my child will be eating at their house ever again. He's welcome to go alone, but since he's too much of a pathetic loser to stand up for his wife, why should she give a s**t what his opinion is on the subject. No means no.
J R 1 month ago
NTA. This is seriously rude and inconsiderate. If you invite someone over to your house for a meal, you should make sure they have something to eat that they enjoy. It would be one thing to do this accidentally; no one's perfect. But if you know they have dietary restrictions and keep ignoring those, it's intentional. And her husband sounds like an a*****e, too. He's fine with his wife being uncomfortable because he gets fed.
Amused panda 1 week ago
If it were me, with this blatant use of an allergen on all the side dishes, I wouldn't even trust the bread. After all, bread can be enriched with milk, butter or other dairy-based products.
Load More Replies... Zoe Vokes 1 month ago
She needs to take a Tupperware with her own food and have snacks in her bag. When they look at her oddly for eating her own food at the table she needs explain again that there is nothing for her and daughter to eat without making daughter ill. Bring food every time. I would be past caring if they’re offended because it is their own fault.
Jeremy James 1 month ago
I would take it a step further and order myself some Chinese food to be delivered to their house, and time it for around when lunch would be served. Really make a spectacle of it.
Load More Replies... Kate Johnson 1 month ago
Easy solution. No more meals at FILs. Hubby will explain as it's his stupid family, but I'd just tell him neither me or my child will be eating at their house ever again. He's welcome to go alone, but since he's too much of a pathetic loser to stand up for his wife, why should she give a s**t what his opinion is on the subject. No means no.
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