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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:
Jaggy1 · 13/05/2025 19:32

Size 16 is the UK average so don’t really understand the need to point out that there’s people that size in your office, no shit!

Do whatever you like, don’t judge anyone for enjoying these lunches, how do you know that’s not their ‘cheat meals’ and the so called ‘porkers’ don’t eat just as well as you do normally. You don’t need to tell everyone about your macros to have a balanced diet.

Remove the stick and pack a cold lunch ffs.

Poonu · 13/05/2025 19:32

Scarfitwere · 13/05/2025 19:26

Your entire attitude and writing style would indicate you are not top level seniority in any business (except maybe some mlm scam) so I call 🐴💩

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This times 1 million

ObelixtheGaul · 13/05/2025 19:32

Megifer · 13/05/2025 19:15

I really really doubt that, you can't even work out how to resolve this issue that my dogs turd she's just shat out could overcome 😂

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That was a truly hilarious comment.

dickiedavisthunderthighs · 13/05/2025 19:31

FYI, the zeroes that come after the decimal point don't count hun x

Runb2 · 13/05/2025 19:31

I cant believe you're posting about such a non issue. Eat a large mid morning healthy snack. No one is forcing you to eat the food provided. I imagine you sneer at those who decide to do so....

ZepherinDrouhin · 13/05/2025 19:31

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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Exactly so keep your mouth shut and concentrate on passing your probation & being a team player. You haven't passed your probation yet so keep your head down & your opinions about people's dress sizes to yourself.

Original poster
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

OP posts:
CanadianHobbit · 13/05/2025 19:31

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.

What’s a macro?
no cold lunches? Isn’t that what lunch food usually is?

Cucy · 13/05/2025 19:30

Pop your food in the microwave and go to the toilet.
It will be ready by the time you’re done.

I’m not sure what the big issue is.

If people don’t have enough time to go to the toilet before the meeting, then that is definitely an issue that I would bring up.

But the monthly meetings with food provided is not an issue because you’re not being forced to eat it and still have plenty of time to warm up your food.

IwasDueANameChange · 13/05/2025 19:29

Its once a month. Just take a packed lunch in if you are so weight obsessed you can't handle even a single day eating a small portion of less healthy food.

thedeadneverdie · 13/05/2025 19:29

I couldn’t eat a Dominoes especially if everyone else had dived in. Take a salad in. Nobody will care. Say you have a digestive condition.

Riaanna · 13/05/2025 19:29

It’s once a month…

LimeOrca · 13/05/2025 19:29

Oh how I’d love to know what the OP’s new colleagues think of her!

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 13/05/2025 19:28

You seem terribly keen to tell us how great you are, OP, and equally keen to put others down.

That's usually a sign of insecurity, in my experience. Counselling might help.

Zone2NorthLondon · 13/05/2025 19:27

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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I think you’ll find on a six figure salary you’re expected to have initiative and get stuck in.

LimeOrca · 13/05/2025 19:27

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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Quite the imagination you have OP 😂

MuffinsAreJustCakesAtBreakfast · 13/05/2025 19:27

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

I say this as someone who is also slim and athletic - this is a horrible thing to say.

I'd advise you to work on your insides as much as your outsides.

(p.s I too have been in the phase where I was very tuned into macros and I always found a way around things if I wanted to. Some of the suggestions here are good)

Mrsttcno1 · 13/05/2025 19:27

This is a total non-issue surely?

We sometimes have similar lunch meetings where dominos is ordered in, a few of us still just bring in our own lunches. I meal prep but I can’t think of a single one of my meals that wouldn’t be fine to eat cold for one day, or I could eat it early before the meeting if I wanted to, or just pack a sandwich/wrap for that day?

ResidentPorker · 13/05/2025 19:27

You jumped the shark way too early there OP.

LakieLady · 13/05/2025 19:26

Oystersandchampagne · 13/05/2025 19:07

Cannot believe this ! I work in an environment where the staff would be fucking thrilled to be treated to ANY food by the owners ! Be thankful that you have a considerate boss and stop whinging.Take in a flask of green soup if you are so traumatised by a once a month’treat’ .

Quite! I work in the third sector and all we get is £10 per person towards a meal at Christmas.

DrPrunesqualer · 13/05/2025 19:26

It’s just about having the ability to compromise once a month.

think yourself lucky you’re not a vegetarian stuck on site surrounded by bacon butties

Scarfitwere · 13/05/2025 19:26

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

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Your entire attitude and writing style would indicate you are not top level seniority in any business (except maybe some mlm scam) so I call 🐴💩

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 13/05/2025 19:26

Surely bringing in a cold, healthy lunch once a month isn't a great hardship? If you're controlling your 'macros' to the extent that a salad once a month messes with your plan, frankly that sounds obsessive.

Dearover · 13/05/2025 19:25

Zone2NorthLondon · 13/05/2025 19:24

Six figure salary consultant and you can’t problem solve what to eat during working lunch
Do they let you see the excel spreadsheets?

Perhaps that's where they record their macros 😁

MyDeftDuck · 13/05/2025 19:25

I would bloody hate this crap food too….whatever are management thinking? Just because one person likes beige edible shit doesn’t make it right for everyone else to have no choice in what they eat……and the restricted break period cannot be legal surely? Hardly enough time to go for a piss! Someone’s definitely taking the piss!