How to handle a party with category of food I can't stand

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There's going to be an in-house party at work in a few weeks where the food is in a category I can't stomach (sorry for being vague, my company does not know I am something like an Aspie and I don't to out myself if anyone from there stumbles across this). Chances are that I may go down with my colleagues and there's nothing I find palatable. I know it's supposed to be a treat for us staff, but I am not exactly anticipating it. How do you handle such situations (at work or otherwise)? Thanks.

It can certainly be a struggle. A couple thoughts. Beverages can often be a safe option. If you are standing around with a drink in your hands people won't ask too many questions about it. When it comes time for the line through the buffet just break off at that point, you can say something like, I might come back when the line dies down a bit, and most people won't even notice.
Depending on the function, I generally try to show up for a bit, talk briefly to a couple people, then fade away silently. Key points are that people will expect to have seen you there, and nothing more. So as long as they saw you there, they won't notice anything amiss or even think about it.
So, basically, pretend to enjoy yourself, have a beverage in your hand, mingle briefly and move around a bit, then leave when appropriate (don't be the first to walk out, and don't draw attention to yourself, a cell phone can be useful here as well, if needed, since if you have to take a call it's expected to move somewhere more private, then just don't return.)
Anyway, good luck and stay safe.

Bring your own food--enough for everybody.

Who knows? Maybe they will like what you have, and change their dietary habits.

Dont eat it. Stand around with a drink in your hand. If there is a side dish you can handle have a little of that to look busy. Eat your real lunch later if needed, but not there. Bringing your own food or lunch would be weird unless this is really junky food they are having and you could pass off your food as healthy because you are watching what you eat.

Thanks for your replies. I think I need to give a few more details about the situation I will be facing. For discussion purpose I am going to say it's a cake party, something where everyone is probably getting their proper lunch elsewhere after that. (Though if it were a cake party I wouldn't start this thread in the first place, since I actually like most types of cakes.) To CWA who asked if the food is really junky, the actual food will be healthier than cake.

Say I can't stand the smell and texture of practically every sort of cake, except for a few flavours that usually aren't served at parties. There are going to be three types of cakes at the party with no drinks, it's not quite a buffet with a queue. I already know there is definitely one kind I can't stomach, and so does another person who is NT (she might be able to eat the other two types though). I guess I will be seeing how the other lady handles it. I will have my phone, so I can pretend to leave to take a call if I have to and then go buy my real lunch.

It's a company level event, so bringing my own food to the party and enough for everyone is out of the question. In any case, bringing your own food to parties is almost never done where I am (unless it's a potluck) - the only times I have seen people do this is when they have a baby to feed.

You could still just not eat it. I doubt anyone will notice, and if they do, just tell them you're not hungry. Or you could say that you can't eat certain foods because of a health condition - they'll probably assume you're allergic or something.

Also, eat before you go. It's a lot easier to handle not eating when everyone else is if you're not hungry.

I thought this as well. Just say that (fill in the blank with whatever food it is) gives you "stomach issues" or IBS symptoms or whatever.. I mean who's going to probe for details with IBS?

This is really risky but you could say you're prepping for a colonoscopy / endoscopy and not allowed to eat anything

Yes I was wondering what would be so wrong about just telling them the truth, that certain foods don't agree with you. I know NTs can be a little hive-minded about things, but I suspect it's not all that extreme and pervasive. Depends on the particular group though.