Brother and I can’t eat in public

I get this. I like to enjoy my food when I eat so why would I eat if I can't relax? I also don't really snack eg I don't eat crisps or on the go type foods. I often just wait, there's no issue with it just don't go into situations. I only eat when I'm actually hungry as well, not just because the clock says it is what society considers and appropriate time for a meal. It's fine, do what suits you.

No, never heard of this. I think it's very likely you've both internalised some fixed ideas from one of your parents or some atypical childhood experiences. The fact your other brother hasn't got this issue doesn't argue against that.

People can have all sorts of quirks around food and family patterns and traditions. I think the only question really is are you both happy with this one or do you want to change it? It sounds very limiting not being able to enjoy eating ever in places you spend a good chunk of your life.

Find it odd personally! As a teenager I was a bit funny with eating round people – but that more social anxiety (and unwelcome).

That being said, I do prefer it sometimes to eat something really delicious quietly. Sometimes DH waffles at me and distracts from the experience 😂

This can’t be good for you - what do you eat for your tea during the week?

I don't like eating in public at all
My brain says people will be looking at me thinking "that's why she's fat" and stuff like that

Do you have the recipe by any chance? 😅

Healthy weights perhaps but not healthy minds.

Why don’t you eat breakfast at home before work then?
Edit: I see you have already answered this, sorry!

I think the opposite of that is true, actually. Evidence suggests that shovelling food in while doing other things is what leads to lack of appetite control, and that taking time to sit and eat properly and mindfully will result in you consuming less.

Eh?

That makes me hungry just thinking about it! I can't leave the house without breakfast and I would be absolutely ravenous if I didn't eat during the day at work. I've only heard about people being like that when they have eating disorders or if sometimes if they have been shamed about their weight, but evidently not the case here.

I don't understand the need to 'enjoy' every morsel of food you eat. Why can't you just eat a banana for sustenance or some popcorn or a few crackers or whatever just because humans need to eat food or it's sociable to have a coffee and scone with your colleagues or to have a piece of birthday cake with Susan from accounts.

Why don’t you eat breakfast?

Do you ever eat at someone else’s house? Do you ever have a picnic?

Will you change your eating habits if you have children?

Oh so you binge eat then, that's not good having a disordered eating pattern.

You might both be a healthy weight but eating no breakfast or lunch everyday and drinking loads of coffee means your body is not healthy. You need to both think back as to why you might be like this. It's likely something from your childhood. Do you really eat nothing all day 5 days a week?

Do you drive to work? Eat in the peace of your own car, take a book or download something on to a tablet and watch a show what ever gets you to fuel your body.

I can understand as PP said preferring to eat at home in a relaxed way. I don’t understand why you skip breakfast though@Voi surely you would be having that at home before work? I know plenty of people who have a good breakfast and then don’t eat again until the evening when they get home. I would feel so ill if I had to go without food from one evening to the next but maybe I am a greedy bugger😂.

I feel like this about puddings and sweet treats; I was starting to think I was odd about it! Although I don’t feel like that with lunch at work as I couldn’t go to work all day and not eat

All my meals are "yummy". Why would I make food for myself that I didn't enjoy the taste of? If someone else makes me food it might not be "yummy" but when I am in control of what I am eating of course it is going to taste good!!

OP if this isn't affecting your life adversely then I wouldn't worry about it, yeh it's a bit odd and I'm not entirely sure I follow the reasoning, but I don't need to cos it's not me reasoning it 😂

I understand, prefer eating food on a relaxed environment. It's not that I can't eat in the work canteen etc, I just prefer not to.

I kind of get this, but it’s anxiety-based. So most out of the home situations make me anxious and I can’t eat when anxious.

I cant eat in the morning before work. I can’t eat during working hours/at work. I can’t eat at events like weddings.

But I can eat if I feel comfortable - a nice meal with my close family at a restaurant, McDonald’s with DH etc. But we’d both rather get Deliveroo than eat out!

i have difficulties with public eating. I am very fussy too- both are due to shame around food as a child. I was always told I should eat what I’m given or it’s ’that or nothing’. I was also quite neglected and underweight (not strictly due to lack of food but high cortisol most likely). This meant my parents felt embarrassed by my size and took great delight in telling everyone how much I ate and how greedy I am etc to price I wasn’t underfed.
This made me super self conscious.
im aware my eating habits aren’t normal but I know why

I used to have food anxiety. I put it down to never eating out as a child, and my parents generation it was normal not to eat out or walk around eating.

Also it was seen as the trend not to eat much as a teen.

As ive got older and realised how weird it is, ive given myself little challenges like having a coffee out and small things to make myself more comfortable about something that should be enjoyable.

I agree, I don't enjoy my meal if eating in a loud environment, I'll suck it up if it's cheap or a necessity but Five Guys or similar is actually quite expensive so would get to take out or go at a quieter time. A proper quiet sit down restaurant is fine. I also find the mouth feels of wood/bamboo cutlery ruins the taste / experience too so have camping cutlery with me - there is plenty of research covering that though. The heavier the cutlery you use the more enjoyable the meal is.

DD is autistic and won't eat inside a McDonalds or the school canteen as it's too loud, will happily eat in the car or school field though. DD also loses her appetite quite quickly particularly if she sees someone / child eating messily with it around their face.

So I imagine it links to a sensory processing disorder with too much input ruining the meal. You should be finding ways during the week to correctly fuel your body though.