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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:
AthWat · 13/05/2025 20:55

Hulabalu · 13/05/2025 20:36

I really think companies need to encourage healthy eating , not any old crap. Schools aren’t allowed to serve up unhealthy food to children. Employees need to have autonomy over what we put in our bodies and not be pressured to eat junk. If we eat junk it should be when we want to and junk food of our own choosing!!

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They provide pizza; they dont force people to eat it.

But you carry on; if your company suggest getting pizza, you stand up in front of everyone and start yelling that you'll report them to somebody if they do. You'll be popular with everyone!

Helloworlditsmeagain · 13/05/2025 20:55

Don't eat you can survive until after the meeting or when you get home.

MonGrainDeSel · 13/05/2025 20:54

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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No idea what this has got to do with it! I am a size 8 and would happily eat pizza or sausage rolls. Maybe both in the same meal, if offered.

MissHarlott · 13/05/2025 20:53

I know people who won't entertain this sort of food for various reasons. A couple for religious reasons, others because they have food intolerances, and then there are those that would like to eat it but can't because of issues with digestion. They have to avoid it on medical grounds due to gallbladder problems, high cholesterol, or IBS.

All you need to do is to decide what you want to do, then let the others know your decision and do your own catering.

As many others have mentioned, a small box of what you'd like to eat is far better for you.

If your colleagues know this is what you prefer, and you don't want them to try and cater for you, they should respect your decision.

If they don't and start complaining about your 'attitude' and start trying to force you to join in with the stodgefest, then point out it could be seen as harassment or workplace bullying!

Hulabalu · 13/05/2025 20:52

Tickyandtackyandjackiethebackie · 13/05/2025 20:37

Just take a thermos if your lunch needs to be warm - my daughter takes hot soup to school in hers - it stays warm for hours.

This is a good idea!
I once worked for a very small company who did regular team building (cheap) nights out for pizza and (cheap) alcoholic drinks. I don’t really like pizza 🍕 - nor alcohol that much, but they were all excited about it 🙄. I had to suck it up to fit in, but I look forward to a time when there are progressive HR policies about against basically forcing people to eat unhealthily.

Skippydoodle · 13/05/2025 20:52

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:31

Blimey, I knew MN’ers disliked successful women, but I underestimated the pure vitriol being slim and successful would result in!

Whatever happened to women supporting women? Xx

Surely if you are very successful at being slim and in a high role (as am I) you can figure out how to have a lunch once a month with the correct macros. If not maybe you need the chop.

TakemedowntoPotatoCity · 13/05/2025 20:52

Wind 'em up and watch em go,eh OP?

honeybeetheoneandonly · 13/05/2025 20:50

I wanted to remind OP that she is hardly the only slim, successful person on MN but then I remembered that I am neither of those things and I happily scoff free work pizza, so I fear OP might have had a point all along.

Pippa12 · 13/05/2025 20:49

How about getting a food flask from somewhere like ‘sho’. They are very effective and keep food warm for 8hours?

CleverButScatty · 13/05/2025 20:49

If you eat 3 meals a day you have 1095 meals per year. This is 12 of them.

Just take something from home, or have your lunch at 3pm.

MrsMitford3 · 13/05/2025 20:48

Over40Overdating · 13/05/2025 20:45

As the OP has been banned for being slim and successful, I’m happy to take over with the ‘slim people are just better’ troll bingo.

My colleagues are all over their birth weight and spend all their time scoffing and scarfing and stuffing their faces with UPFs the disgusting pigs.

If only they were as disciplined and virtuous as me. It’s one lick of an almond once a day, twice on Sundays and Christmas. Anything else is gluttony!

Well my family all shares the same almond-we would never manage two licks on any day-including Christmas.

Some ppl can't help flaunting their largess

Tbrh · 13/05/2025 20:48

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.

Surely you can managed a packed lunch once a month? I think you're making an issue over nothing

Gonners · 13/05/2025 20:47

LilyMumsnet · 13/05/2025 19:41

<dusts sausage roll crumbs off keyboard>

Hi OP,

On behalf of us resident porkers, let us take a heathy, brisk walk... to the door.

OP has now been banned, as we doubt very much that they were posting with the best of intentions.

Oh, you rotten spoilsport! i was just about to ask if he shouldn't be revising for his GCSEs rather than posting here.

Skippydoodle · 13/05/2025 20:46

It’s monthly - 12 times a year, you will probably miss a couple with annual leave. I’m sure you will live.

JohnMajorsChicken · 13/05/2025 20:46

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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Shock 😲 horror 😱 imagine a size 14 person!
How do you cope bring in a room with such peeps 🙄

Over40Overdating · 13/05/2025 20:45

As the OP has been banned for being slim and successful, I’m happy to take over with the ‘slim people are just better’ troll bingo.

My colleagues are all over their birth weight and spend all their time scoffing and scarfing and stuffing their faces with UPFs the disgusting pigs.

If only they were as disciplined and virtuous as me. It’s one lick of an almond once a day, twice on Sundays and Christmas. Anything else is gluttony!

footpath · 13/05/2025 20:44

It's once a month...

JazzyBBBG · 13/05/2025 20:44

I think you need some Greggs in your life. May make you more chilled.

Fiftyand · 13/05/2025 20:43

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.

Can you take your food in a flask?

MoominMai · 13/05/2025 20:42

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:25

As I said, I’m barely in the role having been head hunted late last year and no one likes someone who has just come in and starts dictating things, regardless of their salary.

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But in your original post, you said you started in February? Also, why do you mention you were ‘head hunted’ lol? It’s like you’re trying too hard to ‘prove’ you are what you say you are whilst struggling to figure out a monthly lunch solution which maybe why so many MNers are calling BS…

Zone2NorthLondon · 13/05/2025 20:41

Hobnobswantshernameback · 13/05/2025 20:38

So if this is bollocks
why is it still here

To teach all mn porky underachievers a steely lesson about being a six figure titan in the corporate world. Lesson that doesn’t include lunch provision though

CorbyTrouserPress · 13/05/2025 20:41

Awwww just seen the MNHQ message. I was too late to join the (pizza) party. Booooo.

LlynTegid · 13/05/2025 20:41

I think asking for a longer break would delay matters, or a later start. Probably a planning meeting that could be done in half the time with a good person chairing it, though I doubt you could get that to happen.

As for the unhealthy offerings, is there a local small business that could provide something that you could urge the company to adopt instead? Dress it up as helping the local community?

Threecraws · 13/05/2025 20:40

Get a thermos to bring in a heated home prepared meal or accept that cold meals are preferable to the bought in food.

Lost20211 · 13/05/2025 20:40

MayaPinion · 13/05/2025 20:08

Is it Greggs? 😂😂😂

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Just lol-ed in airport waiting room. Suspect people now think I’m mad, but thank you!