Medication and Dinner Time

When preparing dinner for guests, one thing that many hosts and hostesses often forget to think about is that some guests will need to take their medication at dinner. Having one's medication with dinner is not uncommon. In fact, a glance at most prescription pill bottles, such as that of generic Viagra, will say "take with food and water." It is good dinner etiquette, then, if you know that someone at your table will be using medication, to find out what they need to make taking the medication easier and if there are any dietary or drink related restrictions that go along with using the medication.

The example of Viagra was used earlier. Going further with that, when patients buy Viagra, they are usually told not to take the medication with alcohol. Those who read further about Viagra online or who seek special advice from a traditional or online pharmacy have likely heard that their medication is less effective when combined with very fatty or oily foods. This is something that you, the host and/or chef, would need to know about the person and his diet ahead of time, in order to avoid an uncomfortable faux pas for everyone involved.

While it is not up to a host or hostess to ask a guest what medications he or she is taking, the host should generally ask if there are any medical, health, or dietary concerns present. Without probing, this will show a host's concern for the guest and will allow the host to make the guest as comfortable as possible, allowing everyone to enjoy a delicious and very thoughtfully prepared dinner. Also be sure to pay attention to what time guests are accustomed to eating, what traditions they may have surrounding food, and any food allergies or preferences that are present as well.