Birthday Parties as a test of concept in low-carb dieting

Last night was my first test of my new low-carb diet at a social engagement. The 60th birthday of a good friend couldn't be missed, and I, and another friend, were first to arrive at the French Restaurant in downtown Kyoto. The first test question was "Drinks?" "Do you have diet soda?" I ask. "No... " so, no rum and coke.  No diet beer either, though that too would hardly be Atkins.

 I suppose I could have ordered whisky and water, but not being much of a drinker that would have pushed me over the top too early. There was Perrier, but I personally hate carbonated water. I suppose I could have had a glass of water... but it was a party after-all. The moral of the story 'next time be prepared', with a greater knowledge of  appropriate liquid refreshments. Thus a new reference book...

Robert Cameron at 93 author of The Drinking Man's Diet. A book written in 1964 but still relevant today.

Drinking Man's Diet: Sample Menu ( from Alan Farnham's Forbes.com article The Drinking Man's Diet )

(With grams of carbohydrate) 

Menu planning, the Dean Martin way! 

Breakfast 

1/4 cantaloupe or 4 ounces of tomato juice (5)
Ham or bacon, 2 slices (0)
Egg, fried, boiled or poached (trace)
Coffee or tea (0) 

Lunch 

Dry martini or whiskey and soda, if desired (trace)
Broiled fish or steak or roast chicken (0)
2 glasses dry wine, if you wish (trace)
Green beans or asparagus (1)
Lettuce and tomato salad with French or Roquefort dressing (4)
Coffee or tea (0) 

Dinner 

Martinis or highballs, if you desire (trace)
Hors d'oeuvres of 2 stalks of celery stuffed with pâté (5)
Shrimp cocktail (4)
Beef, pork, lamb, veal chicken or turkey (0)
Green beans, 1 cup, brussels sprouts, 1/2 cup, or cauliflower, 1 cup (6)
2 glasses dry wine (trace)
1/2 avocado with French dressing (8)
Cheese: Roquefort, Camembert, Swiss or cheddar (trace)
Coffee or tea (0)
Brandy (trace) 

Total grams of carbohydrate: 33 

Robert W. Cameron, died November 10, 2009 at his home in San Francisco at age 98.