This may sound a little silly, but there are FOOD PUSHERS in my extended family. I take a _very_ small spoonful of say mashed potatoes, then I just simply spread it around without actually eating it. Yes my plate may look a bit messy, and this technique will not work if you have to be a member of the clean plate club. But this way you can say that you took some of Aunt Edna's double dredged, flour packed, sugar laden dish! (Just be quiet about the not eating bit) And if anyone does the " you didn't eat much... say the ham (or appropriate protein) was FANTASTIC and I just HAD to have another slice. BOY am I stuffed. " I second wbahn's technique of "saving" desert. That's always been sucessful for me!

You can do it!!! Let us know how you did!