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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:
TooGoodToGoto · 13/05/2025 19:48

itsgettingweird · 13/05/2025 19:45

A thermos is your friend here then.

I have porridge with hot water every day for lunch and make it before work in a decent thermos.

it’s still steaming hot at lunch. The reason I take soup, pasta, porridge in a thermos is exactly because of queuing for microwaves.

But if you don’t get paid for lunch and don’t want the alternative or being provided food for giving up that time you can always ask for time to go and heat it or heat it at 10.45 before the meeting and put it in a thermos then if it won’t stay hot from home.

Exactly this, treat yourself to a food flask!

hot meal ✅
macros met ✅
no queue at microwave ✅
no cold lunch ✅
no unhealthy lunch ✅

🤷‍♀️

surreygirl1987 · 13/05/2025 19:48

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.

You don't like cold lunches.

I'm sorry, but that's a 'you' problem.

You are being ridiculous. I'm sure you could survive a cold lunch just once a month.

Illyna · 13/05/2025 19:48

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

It's not about disliking successful women 🙄

It's about you being rude about your colleague's sizes whilst trying to justify your eating disorder.

Landoftherisingsun · 13/05/2025 19:47

Azandme · 13/05/2025 19:37

Oh op, it's nothing to do with you being slim and (allegedly) successful...

It's because you're a twat.

HTH.

This a million times

Brefugee · 13/05/2025 19:47

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

we LOVE successful women.

We don't like nasty bitchy whingers tho

viques · 13/05/2025 19:47

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.

It is only “dictating” if you demand that a meal is provided that fits with your specific needs because you refuse to eat the food that your colleagues are happy to eat.

It isn’t “dictating” if you put forward a suggestion that the communal meals include a healthier option that everyone who wants to can eat, or that people’s dietary needs due to religious, moral or health issues are considered.

🙂happy to help, management relationships can be hard to negotiate if you are unsure of your role and/or your ability to fulfil it.

IberianBlackout · 13/05/2025 19:47

MN tried to censor me, but I stand with you, OP! These are trying times for you non-porky, superior beings (who somehow can’t just get their lunch like a functioning adult lol).

Youcan Do It Pop Tv GIF by Schitt's Creek
Feetinthegrass · 13/05/2025 19:46

I haven’t heard that term since I was 12!!!!

Brefugee · 13/05/2025 19:46

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

blimey, i hope they're not paying you for your problem-solving abilities!

Feetinthegrass · 13/05/2025 19:46

Porkers!!! 😂

DelusionalBrilliance · 13/05/2025 19:46

Right now she’s gone, can anyone help with my dilemma? My 12 figure salary job have taken away the crayons and now I don’t know how to write my name at the bottom of very important corporate letters. Anyone been in this situation before?

P.S no replies from anyone who’s ever gone above their birth weight.

8misskitty8 · 13/05/2025 19:45

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

Your hardly supporting the woman in your work calling them porkers.

itsgettingweird · 13/05/2025 19:45

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.

A thermos is your friend here then.

I have porridge with hot water every day for lunch and make it before work in a decent thermos.

it’s still steaming hot at lunch. The reason I take soup, pasta, porridge in a thermos is exactly because of queuing for microwaves.

But if you don’t get paid for lunch and don’t want the alternative or being provided food for giving up that time you can always ask for time to go and heat it or heat it at 10.45 before the meeting and put it in a thermos then if it won’t stay hot from home.

nomas · 13/05/2025 19:45

Haha OP was a troll. I was about post there is no way she is management.

Feetinthegrass · 13/05/2025 19:44

Bye bye op 👋🏻

MrsPlantagenet · 13/05/2025 19:44

I often arrange CPD events for my team and fairly often, the providers will provide something like Domino’s. Similarly, we do ‘working lunches’ with sandwiches and quiches provided. I just don’t eat it! It’s really not hard.

8misskitty8 · 13/05/2025 19:43

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+!

Size 14 ? What’s wrong with that ?

It’s only 12 days a year, Just bring your own lunch in on that day. Problem solved. Or eat before or after the meeting.

Ceska · 13/05/2025 19:43

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:34

Eh? Where was that?

That will be the comment that MNHQ deleted for being rude.

You may have memory issues, but most of us saw it.

Over40Overdating · 13/05/2025 19:43

@LilyMumsnet but being mean to slim successful trolls is the only exercise some of us salad dodging porkers get 😭

ChocolateCinderToffee · 13/05/2025 19:43

DelusionalBrilliance · 13/05/2025 19:42

But I just got the pizzas in! 😂

And the popcorn!

Feetinthegrass · 13/05/2025 19:43

My pity lies entirely with your new colleagues! What a joyless piece of macro hard work you are op! Maybe a slice of cake would offer the energy rush for you to crack open a smile. To be a fly 🪰 on the wall….

ilovesooty · 13/05/2025 19:42

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

I support women who are worthy of my support, not people who can't solve a simple problem, expect others to bend over for them and sneer at other people's bodies.

DelusionalBrilliance · 13/05/2025 19:42

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.

But I just got the pizzas in! 😂

pizza fire GIF
Iceandfire92 · 13/05/2025 19:42

Is this some sort of humble brag that you count your macros and couldn't possibly stomach the beige monstrosities that your portly colleagues devour once a month?

Azandme · 13/05/2025 19:42

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.

Beautiful work Lily! 👏