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AIBU?

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Original poster

New job - already fed up with unhealthy ‘working lunches‘

613 replies

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 18:25

I’ve been in my new job since February and in the main really enjoy it. However, we have monthly ‘planning meetings’ which so far are always scheduled to run through lunch (usually 11-3) and the bosses arrange for a lunch to be provided. Last month, it was a job lot of Greggs ‘beige’ - sausage rolls etc, and today it was stacks of dominoes which everyone could pile in to.

I haven’t said anything so far as I don’t want to appear ungrateful, and the majority of my colleagues seemed ecstatic with these choices, but as someone who is quite big on health and fitness, this is really irritating. We get a 5-10
minute break from this at most which isn’t enough time for me to do much more than go to the loo (big office with microwave facilities downstairs and always a queue over lunch).

Would you ask to get a longer break so I can have my own lunch? I’m just conscious this will delay the meeting for everyone else so very wary of asking.

OP posts:
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LilWoosmum82 · 20/05/2025 09:00

I would either go with the flow and have this one unhealthy lunch a month, which the rest of the team clearly enjoys. Or just make an excuse. Clearly they provide it as trade off to working through lunch

blueshoes · 19/05/2025 02:06

Verbena17 · 13/05/2025 20:59

Sneaking in an exclamation mark after you write 14/16+ defo isn’t ‘respectfully’ 😉

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Agree.

And signing off with hun x after a six figure salary is an oxymoron.

Thalia31 · 19/05/2025 01:44

What does their size have to do with anything you tedious person?

Lilywc · 19/05/2025 00:50

Don’t eat it ,
bring your own stuff
say you have a digestion problem

BluesBird19764 · 18/05/2025 21:29

This thread is ridiculous even for MN. It this is a genuine AIBU then you need to grow up. If, as you claim you are a successful exec then I would suggest getting a grip and speaking up for yourself. Though i can’t imagine any high end firm ordering in Greggs? Still I’m sure you aren’t just a wum looking for attention and this is a super serious (first world) issue for you.

HiEarthlings · 18/05/2025 17:50

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 18:57

Not at all, I like my colleagues, regardless of whether some are a bit on the podgier side!

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Wow. Just. Wow.

smithsgj · 18/05/2025 17:48

RareGoalsVerge · 13/05/2025 18:29

I'd be taking in a box of salad. This isn't rocket science.

A box of rocket.

Tessiebear2023 · 18/05/2025 17:47

Cherrytree86 · 18/05/2025 17:14

@Tessiebear2023

surely the only view is that Op is a prick and she should bring in a salad or a sandwich on that one day of the month if she doesn’t want pizza or sausage rolls. Like what else more can there be than that??

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What is this, the conversation police? 😂

Cherrytree86 · 18/05/2025 17:14

Tessiebear2023 · 18/05/2025 14:52

Sharing views, obvs. Op is irrelevant now.

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@Tessiebear2023

surely the only view is that Op is a prick and she should bring in a salad or a sandwich on that one day of the month if she doesn’t want pizza or sausage rolls. Like what else more can there be than that??

Tessiebear2023 · 18/05/2025 14:52

Cherrytree86 · 18/05/2025 11:40

Why are people still commenting when the OP was booted off ages ago?? 🤣

Sharing views, obvs. Op is irrelevant now.

Olive123456 · 18/05/2025 14:44

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 18:32

I don’t really like cold lunches, I meal prep and have something which fits my macros for tracking too so eating junk isn’t really an option.

Take a flask of soup then

Trillie · 18/05/2025 13:17

Have you ever heard of a packed lunch? Say you are trying out being vegan if you are self conscious about it.

Lalalalalalalalalalaoohoohwee · 18/05/2025 12:41

I can't believe you really couldn't think of a sensible solution to this without mumsnet....it's once a month. Just take in a salad or sandwich on that day.....seriously 😣

Cherrytree86 · 18/05/2025 11:40

Why are people still commenting when the OP was booted off ages ago?? 🤣

Tessiebear2023 · 18/05/2025 11:20

JohnMajorsChicken · 18/05/2025 11:09

But office workers are adults and eating treats is a choice, not so much for school lunches.
Just because you have a problem with it, don't inflict your issues on other adults. Let people make their own decisions, who wants a nanny state making every choice for you?!

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How am I inflicting my choices on other people, where did I say the state needs to get involved?

It's just an opinion that there's a culture of unhealthy food in offices that effects our health. We've moved on from the booze culture, why not unhealthy food too? No bans or legislation needed, just a bit of awareness and thought.

I'm sorry, the world is clearly not ready for such a radical and controversial opinion.

JohnMajorsChicken · 18/05/2025 11:09

Tessiebear2023 · 18/05/2025 10:49

I was following on from my previous post, talking about the bigger picture of unhealthy food in offices in general. Cakes, biscuits, pizzas, it is a bigger problem than just one takeaway a month. If you're trying to follow a healthy diet it can be very difficult with the consultant influx of cakes and sweets from birthdays and holidays, added to that the 'reward' foods that bosses lay on like pizza, and enless rounds of sausage rolls and pastries. It is a 'thing' in many offices. My point was that we've moved away from this in schools, where we expect better healthy foods for our kids, then we go to work and pile on the fat and sugar. Offices have moved away from the booze culture, and I think it's time to move away from using unhealthy food as a reward too.

People seen to be getting very snippy on this thread, it's weird.

Show quote history

But office workers are adults and eating treats is a choice, not so much for school lunches.
Just because you have a problem with it, don't inflict your issues on other adults. Let people make their own decisions, who wants a nanny state making every choice for you?!

Tessiebear2023 · 18/05/2025 10:49

Roseyposey11 · 18/05/2025 01:25

Don’t be ridiculous. One unhealthy meal a month isn’t going to ‘undo’ anything

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I was following on from my previous post, talking about the bigger picture of unhealthy food in offices in general. Cakes, biscuits, pizzas, it is a bigger problem than just one takeaway a month. If you're trying to follow a healthy diet it can be very difficult with the consultant influx of cakes and sweets from birthdays and holidays, added to that the 'reward' foods that bosses lay on like pizza, and enless rounds of sausage rolls and pastries. It is a 'thing' in many offices. My point was that we've moved away from this in schools, where we expect better healthy foods for our kids, then we go to work and pile on the fat and sugar. Offices have moved away from the booze culture, and I think it's time to move away from using unhealthy food as a reward too.

People seen to be getting very snippy on this thread, it's weird.

Seelybee · 18/05/2025 09:38

You must have had an incredibly smooth career path to be so successful when one unhealthy lunch once a month is such an issue for you. Sorry OP - be grateful for your situation and just suck (munch) it up!!!

JWhipple · 18/05/2025 08:54

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 18:33

No, mostly middle aged and a mixed of genders believe it or not. Respectfully, the average size is probably 14/16+!

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Men sized 14 to 16? Is that a collar size?
Women I'd struggle to guess at dress sizes though.. if they are also a 14 to 16 then that's an average healthy size so I'm not sure what your point is.

greengreyblue · 18/05/2025 08:54

We occasionally have a shared lunch at work and they get sandwiches in which I can’t have as I dislike butter/ margarine. I’ve asked before if there could be some wraps but it gets forgotten so I just bring my own. It gets tedious explaining.

greengreyblue · 18/05/2025 08:27

Perhaps get some info from other caterers that could provide some cold meats, salads etc M&S do a service I think.

Lovehascomeandgone · 18/05/2025 07:58

The world has gone mad……….

3girlsmyworld · 18/05/2025 07:26

My work does exactly the same. I reckon if you say to them, ur grateful but trying to eat healthy and could you have them order something in for you (of your choosing). I don't think you're being unreasonable at all and I'd bet there would be some other people would want to follow suit

YellowOrangePink · 18/05/2025 07:08

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 18:25

I’ve been in my new job since February and in the main really enjoy it. However, we have monthly ‘planning meetings’ which so far are always scheduled to run through lunch (usually 11-3) and the bosses arrange for a lunch to be provided. Last month, it was a job lot of Greggs ‘beige’ - sausage rolls etc, and today it was stacks of dominoes which everyone could pile in to.

I haven’t said anything so far as I don’t want to appear ungrateful, and the majority of my colleagues seemed ecstatic with these choices, but as someone who is quite big on health and fitness, this is really irritating. We get a 5-10
minute break from this at most which isn’t enough time for me to do much more than go to the loo (big office with microwave facilities downstairs and always a queue over lunch).

Would you ask to get a longer break so I can have my own lunch? I’m just conscious this will delay the meeting for everyone else so very wary of asking.

I just what to know what on earth you eat then if you can't eat anything cold and it can't go into a thermos flask or container. I'm very very curious