As for not offending them, having a full stomach lets me better control just having a couple of bites of their food. Most people who pressure you to eat their junk buy into “eat everything, but in moderation” theory. Say you are eating moderately, and they can better accept it. It is especially good if you can put a pious, Puritanical spin on it.

I went through a vegan phase recently and tried some new recipes, one of which was for zucchini bread. The recipe made two loaves, so I shared one with my sister-in-law for her and my brother and their kids. The first thing out of her mouth when I handed it to her was, “Don’t try to convert me.”

Nevermind that it might be taste good and also be good for them; she just didn’t want anyone invading her comfort zone.

That was a lesson learned.

At family gatherings now, I try to make the best of the available offerings. I don’t take things I don’t want just to be polite. Because I won’t eat them in the end, and it’s rude leave someone’s dish on my plate and worse to be seen throwing it away.

There’s always a little something I can have (even if I load up on the baby carrots that are left next to the dip) and then I eat something else when I get home.