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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:
Onthemaintrunkline · 13/05/2025 20:40

Don’t make an issue. Simply bring a cheese and tomato sandwich.

MrsMitford3 · 13/05/2025 20:39

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 18:57

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

Show quote history

@AliceSeal

Every time you post you come across as more and more insufferable.

I'd give you a biscuit but don't want to upset your macro...

Hobnobswantshernameback · 13/05/2025 20:38

So if this is bollocks
why is it still here

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.

Beryl23 · 13/05/2025 20:36

Can you not get a thermal lunch box for those days?

HeartyViper · 13/05/2025 20:36

It’s one lunch each month.
Bring your own if it bothers you that much.

First world problems!

Hulabalu · 13/05/2025 20:36

Jom222 · 13/05/2025 20:23

I'd think hard for something I can carry that day and do that. You gave a slightly rigid eating plan which may be fine for you but there must be SOMETHING you can carry and eat cold one day a month that won't wreck the rest of the day's eating plan. I don't know the ins and outs of your diet so won't bother suggesting anything but I think you can come up with one lunch a month.

Of course if the opportunity ever arises you'd want to suggest they try food that's healthier, or even adding salads to the pizza order, would that help? That wouldn't be out of line to request imho.

I had a job once that would take us all to a shitty buffet quarterly for lunch, I'd get sick and be shitting all afternoon so decided to fib and say I wanted to do some quick shopping over the lunch break and carried a sandwich. The idiots I worked with decided for whatever batshit reason, that meant I was pregnant. I laughed and laughed and told the moron ringleader, well I didn't want to complain that the crap food gives me the runs but here we are. They'd all be so excited for that terrible food, I hated to pop their balloon.

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!!

Glitchymn1 · 13/05/2025 20:35

Flask of hot soup.

lifeonmars100 · 13/05/2025 20:35

I'm a size 14 and have been known to scoff the occasional slice of pizza.

CorbyTrouserPress · 13/05/2025 20:33

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:13

I’m in a six figure management role for a very recognisable company, thanks for your concern though hun x

Show quote history

Are you bollocks

MoominMai · 13/05/2025 20:33

TheHerboriste · 13/05/2025 19:10

Once a month you can't bring a salad? Or some soup?

I'd peg you as a troublemaker if you started agitating about what is catered in. It's a courtesy, they aren't force-feeding you.

Agree. I initially thought it was weekly but monthly is almost a non issue especially if you do eat junk yourself albeit strictly controlled etc. If it were me as a new team member I would probably take in my pre warmed meal prep in a food flask and prob grab a communal roll or pizza and then the next month once people get to know me and that I’m not stuck up or owt I’d stop joining in completely and just eat only my own food. If you really can’t stand the hot flask then after a few months once you’ve proven yourself already as a good team player/worker, I guess you could ask then and it wouldn’t seem so strange or that you don’t want to join in.

Boreoffwithyournakedpics · 13/05/2025 20:32

OP I'm not a porker, I meal prep based on macros, I am very committed to health and fitness, I'm a successful entrepreneur... But you are a dickhead.

northernballer · 13/05/2025 20:31

Did you used to be fat OP? Most people I know with a such a restrictive diet are ex podgier ladies themselves, a bit like when ex smokers suddenly become anti smoking evangelists.

Thoughts and prayers on the lunchbox anyway.

Bestfootforward11 · 13/05/2025 20:30

I guess it’s intended as a kind of cost effective ‘treat’ but I get what you mean. But as it’s only once a month I think there needs to be a little flexibility on your part if others are ok with it. Eat before or after and/or bring healthy snacks. It’s one meal in a whole month. I understand you have a clear eating plan but it does seem a little rigid if you can’t be flexible on one day. Best wishes.

arcticpandas · 13/05/2025 20:29

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

You're funny. I'm all for supporting women but not when they are unreasonable. You are clearly orthorexic (which is an eating disorder) or you wouldn't mind eating less healthy once a month. Even so, pp have told you to bring a cold lunch in but Madame doesn't like cold lunches 🙄. You're just hard work and I'm sure you're slim but I highly doubt you're succesful in life being so entitled and hard work.

OneFineDay13 · 13/05/2025 20:29

Veganvenitia · 13/05/2025 18:30

Are your Colleagues all teenaged boys? I thought people grew out of this sort of diet by 20.

Edited

Why would you think that ?

Horses7 · 13/05/2025 20:28

🤣 once a month!! Take a salad or a bag of nuts and veggies. Glad it’s a first world problem you’ve got 🤣

OneFineDay13 · 13/05/2025 20:28

catgirl1976 · 13/05/2025 18:28

Take a picked lunch or once a month eat some shite. It’s not hard to pick either of those options.

exactly

ThinWomansBrain · 13/05/2025 20:28

Maybe they'll treat you all to MacDonalds next month 😁

Lost20211 · 13/05/2025 20:28

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

Whatever happened to women supporting women?

This, from the woman who referred to her colleagues as “podgy” and “porkers”.

You’re rightly getting a hard time for being awful.

ScrambledEggs12 · 13/05/2025 20:26

I look back fondly on the days I had a job where there were free lunches at times....

CleanShirt · 13/05/2025 20:25

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

Like how you supported the "larger ladies"?

ilovesooty · 13/05/2025 20:24

If any of her colleagues see this they should email her tomorrow and sign it "Resident Porker".

Hulabalu · 13/05/2025 20:24

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 don’t think you’re being unreasonable OP. I don’t like to eat that kind of food either , not even as a treat!
Doesnt sound like much you can do other than take in a cold packed lunch or , ask if you can have extra time to heat your lunch downstairs.
If they ask why you don’t eat the lunch provided you can just say “ sorry I don’t really like pizza / sausage rolls ”
I’m not a fan of Working lunches , I want to get outside and be active on my break, rather than be sedentary and cooped up.
Also, no idea why you’ve had some weird comments as replies 🤔

zeibesaffron · 13/05/2025 20:24

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 18:57

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

Show quote history

Well aren’t you a delight - what a nasty comment.