Can you eat three course meals anymore?

Depends on the type of place. If it's a pub that does massive portions then maybe just a main. If it's the sort of place where the menu is more balanced for people to have two or three courses then I would have a starter and a main, and see how I feel about desserts- depends how good they look/sound.

But also when I know I'm going out for a meal I don't eat much during the day so I can comfortably then put away a big dinner.

My heart started to sink the other day when we were out in a really special place with MIL who doesn't eat much. The starters looked amazing and she started to say "I don't think I'll have a starter..." but the consensus in the group was for starters. Hurrah.

If it's the sort of place with a really boring chain pub menu I'll sometimes have two starters or a starter as a main course portion if allowed as they are often the most interesting thing.

I'm 48 and exercise regularly. My TDEE is about 2200 calories a day on average, even though my job involves a lot of sitting down.

When I was a kid it was a big treat to go to Berni Inns. I could eat three courses from being about eight years old.

Nowadays my stomach doesn't like too much rich food and would certainly complain if I really stuffed my face. But it would take a lot of calories to make me feel uncomfortably full.

I can but usually have cheese rather than a sweet desert hence why I'm fat

I hope your plate isn’t one of those ghastly modern giant dinner plates. That’s plain greedy! Tut tut.

Yes, but I’m not size French and I don’t start shaking and sobbing if more than one lettuce leaf appears on my plate.

Yep. Me too 😍

I think if it was more accepted that some women (like me) struggle with their gut health from peri onwards, and sometimes following gynae surgery, then these women might be less inclined to enter into 'disordered eating' as a response.

I'm actually scared of being physically hurt by food but years with NHS services have been futile because of the piecemeal approach to gynae, gastro, rheumy issues. So the physical issue can become a psychological issue, and a cycle develops.

Edited to say: oops, far too serious ^^ sorry!

Well I am of a similar age to most of you posting as are many of friends and never mind 3 courses, just let us loose in all you can eat 😉

Just to counteract the teeny tinies who cannot possibly eat more than a bite, my appetite is fine thanks. If I was in a restaurant with huge portions, I might struggle to eat 3 courses. That said, I’m a bit non plussed with dessert (unless it’s cheesecake or tiramisu !) and would rather have extra sides or something.

Nope. I used to be able to easily but now, no chance. I can't even manage two full courses, I feel bloated and in pain!

I've already 'fessed up to it.

One roast potato for Christmas dinner?

This isn't about portion sizes in restaurants supposedly getting larger, this is yet another post bordering on disordered eating and the bat signal has been lit.

"I've never seen a person cut a caper in half."

Maybe you're Maris Crane (aka Maris Crané)

The thing is, I'd happily eat a dessert like at 3pm or something. That's when I crave and want sweet stuff. I love desserts - a lovely bowl of homemade crumble with ice cream is my favourite!. What I don't understand is eating something like that after a big meal. I just have no desire for it and can't stomach it. Maybe the problem is I eat too much for my main course!

I've never eaten a 3 course meal in my life. I'm a grazer so eat little and often. I don't think I've ever even finished a meal let alone 3 of them in one sitting.

Thank goodness for that! If I'm eating out then I want a decent portion size. I think most people in real life rather than Mumsnet could manage to eat a three course meal 😆😆

I like the French way of a small salad type starter, a main with a little carbs and a small pudding. Their set lunches are a thing of beauty. You could fit it all on one plate but stretching it out makes it seem more of an occasion.

I have struggled to eat a full meal since I had gallstone pancreatitis about three years ago. It got to the stage I asked for tests to rule out ovarian cancer (as I have most of the symptoms listed above) but nothing came back. I’m 48. Somehow I am also still fat.

And you still get full when you have this one slice if turkey, one roast potato etc?

I do! Spin classes mostly. 30-45 mins aren't too bad but the 90 min ones I am ravenous after

I struggle these days. Can still eat a tub of Haagen daaz in one go though!

It depends on the restaurant. A lot of the cheaper chain restaurants serve starters that look like lunch to me, but that's not what a starter should be.

I'm 55 and can eat a 3 course meal no problem! I love a good carvery where I can pile my plate!

I have found the same as I have got older.

Starters are def bigger now. I have digestive issues (reflux) and def can’t manage massive meals. Even before my issues arose I used to share stater, have a main and share dessert. Starters are often nicer than mains anyway! I did like a nice dessert but now my stomach says no 😞