Okay, so I need some advice from all you single gals and guys out there: How do you date while staying on the wagon and eating healthy?
First, there's the aspect of the ever-alluring menu. For some reason, there's a neurological pathway that's been carved connecting going out on a date = having fun = eating something indulgent/that lights up my dopamine receptors. (This same phenomenon happens when I combine TV/radio/writing/other engagement with eating. I'm more prone to grab something that lights up my pleasure centers to "double the pleasure" of the other activity I'm also enjoying.) I'd like to be able to enjoy and revel in a date and all the great things about him while also eating a healthy meal. Recently, I did have one date that was in great alignment: He said he wasn't that hungry (= appropriate appetite instead of indulgent, normal American appetite), we split two healthy dishes - a main and a side - and we really enjoyed each other's company as well as the meal. Should I make some sort of light-hearted declaration before a date that I'm interested in eating healthy & modestly, that I love splitting dishes, and that I don't drink very often? Would weeding out guys who are just interested in getting a drink unnecessarily exclude guys who are health-minded but are just following our social dating norms?
Second, I tend to overeat if the date is not turning me on or interesting. This kind of speaks for itself right? It's the "waiting room" effect. I know that I won't be going out with him again. The date will take as long as it takes. I'm trying to pass the time somehow, and there's the food, right in front of me. What should I do? Order more hot water with lemon? Go to the bathroom twice instead of once just to have something to do?
It seems no matter how intent I am on not ordering a drink while out on a date, I still wind up getting a drink. The only time this doesn't happen is if it's a daytime first date (yawn.) or if the gentleman is a teetotaler (which is awesome) or on the wagon (even better). Now, there's nothing wrong with having a bourbon from time to time or a glass of wine with dinner, but I want to detox for the next two weeks. How can I do that without totally shutting down my dating life?
The last point I want to drive home is that I can't do this by myself. I might have a shot if I'm detoxing with other people and am able to pre-date and post-date pep talk. Or if I have a date who's already on board with the above-mentioned intentions, then we're in agreement and are swimming upstream against social norms together (Yahtzee!)
Perhaps even you partnered folks can tell me how you go out to dinner with your partners when they're not teetotaling or actively choosing whole foods. Any suggestions for how to date while detoxing would be very much appreciated!