How do we reconcile mindful eating and social eating?

I recently began practicing mindful eating, and I really enjoy it. I enjoy taking the time to think about my food while I am eating it, observing how good it feels to chew it slowly and swallow it, to breathe and allow my sense of smell to sense the taste, to relax my body while I am eating.

It seems that eating alone is more cultivating of mindful eating.

So what do we do, when our cultures consider eating as one of the most basic components of social events?

When people talk about the importance of spending time with family they mention eating meals together high on the list of priorities.

Social eating is indeed enjoyable and it does cultivate close relationships, but it does not mean eating a lot.

You can eat small quantities of food, while chewing it slowly and still enjoy the presence of the people you are eating with.

When someone asks you why you didn't eat very much, say, I enjoyed ever bit of what I ate. I don't have to eat a lot to enjoy my food.

When someone puts pressure on you to eat, as is done in Arab societies, tell them I am practicing mindful eating, so I value quality over quantity of what I'm eating.

Tell them that you are enjoying their presence and that is more important to you.

They might look at you as weird at first, but they will ultimately come to understand and respect you. Some might even admire and imitate you.

Be assertive. Tell them that you feel uncomfortable when someone pressures you to eat.

The fact is we live in a time where there is an abundance of food, so no one is saving you from starving if you don't eat what they offer you.