Dealing with food preferences- aka not being a pain in the butt

Every food out there has at least one person who doesn't like it, who won't eat it or who is allergic to it.  Some food item bear the brunt of this say brussel sprouts, meat or peanuts and others live in the rarely disliked category things like pasta and chocolate.  So you don't like, are allergic to, refuse to eat on moral grounds,  are on a diet, whatever; there is a certain etiquette for attending dinner parties when expressing your food "issue"

1. If you just don't like something.  In this case suck it up.  Taking a couple of bites won't kill you and chances are you'll find something to eat.  Quietly sit their and munch on a roll.  In this case you don't let anyone know about your distaste for the item.  Be an adult and take a few bites or load you plate with things you do like.  Never ever mention your dislike of oranges or broccoli or whatever the food is when it's being served.

2. Moral food choices.  Ok, some of you out their are vegetarians or vegans.  This is a fine decision but don't make everyone else's life difficult.  If you're just a run of the mill vegetarian, that's fine and eggplant parmesan or veggie lasagna can usually accommodate.  Make sure you call the hostess as soon as you get the invite to let her know.  Always offer to bring a dish for everyone to share (have a few in mind and she can choose one that best coordinates with her menu) or offer to share recipes if she would rather do the cooking.  Also, make sure you explain what kind of vegetarian you are.  Many people these days are giving themselves the label of vegetarian when they're either not or are a little more extreme.  Do you eat fish? eggs? cheese? be specific if you're special.  This advice also goes for any religious food choices.

Now if you're a vegan you're going to have to offer to cook.  Apologize for the inconvenience and under no circumstance tell the hostess or guests how great you feel/how they're killing innocent animals/etc. You are entitled to your views but it's inappropriate conversation for someone with a mouth full of hamburger.

3. Allergies.  Definitely let the host/hostess know.  If you're allergic to a number of things or to something the hostess may not know how to work around offer to bring something.  If you're allergic to something that definitely won't be in all the dishes and doesn't give you an allergic reaction just by being nearby, just eat other things.  The hardest allergies are probably nuts since you never know when they're the secret ingredient.

4. You're on a diet.  Oh my God, these people drive me bonkers.  So you're own a specific diet like South Beach and you can only eat specific foods in specific quantities.  Good for you trying to be healthy but no you cannot ask the host to make you something from your diet and you cannot bring your own food.  I have a secret for you, all a diet is is eating less calories then your body consumes.  It doesn't matter if you don't have the specific soup at 3 pm.  Make healthy choices from what your hostess offers.  It's fine to turn down a piece of cake but to bring you're own salad- that's completely rude.

Living with allergies or certain dietary restrictions can be tough, but it's not fair to place too much burden or guilt on the person nice enough to invite you over for a meal.