Pub drinks for LCHF? (UK)

Being with friends is probably one of the most difficult situations we low carbers face and the pressure to conform with what others do is always lurking in the shadows but there’s not a lot that will persuade you to ruin all the hard work that you’ve done.
I always find the best approach when in situations like that is to look the person in the eye and say “I’ve made a decision that my long term health both for me and those that I love is far more important than maybe a short term enjoyment. No I just don’t drink that sort of stuff anymore”- soda or whatever it is you fancy.
The most powerful way of dealing with this though is to actually be the first one to buy around the drinks. That way you set the pattern right from the get go and as you are the one who bought it and paid for it no one can really try and twist your arm that you should be drinking something else and of course once the pattern is set you’ll probably get comments like “Oh and I suppose it’s another soda for you?” or whatever else their drinking.
The key in any situation like this is to always take control and remain in control. Whilst you may be open for some public mickey taking you may well find as I have in the past that many of your friends will come up to you and maybe clumsily congratulate you for doing what you’re doing often finishing with something like “I wish I had your will power”.
Hope that helps,
Mark
This is a copy of another comment I made on a forum post about low carb diet