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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:
Original poster
AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:01

shuggles · 13/05/2025 18:56

@AliceSeal I would have thought that even a healthy diet would allow for bad food once a month or so.

I have a cheat meal weekly, but would rather that was one of my choice and usually on a weekend, rather than whatever junk someone has decided on bringing in to the office.

OP posts:
KnickerlessParsons · 13/05/2025 19:01

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.

That does sound a bit pretentious @AliceSeal. It’s just one meal a month.

Megifer · 13/05/2025 19:01

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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Too soon op, too soon. You should have dragged it out a bit more.

Bye bye thread 👋

itcouldhavebeenme · 13/05/2025 19:00

Jamandtoastfortea · 13/05/2025 18:48

I think you have issues with food. Working lunches are a thing, you either eat what’s offered or you bring something. You don’t hold up the meeting to make your lunch and you certainly don’t look down on your colleagues for enjoying a treat and being a size 14 - ffs! This is part of your work culture. Deal with it.

I have to agree. It's really odd to worry about pizza etc one day out of 30/31!!
Really disordered in my view.

If you really wanted to be the 'odd one out', why not just by a protein shake, have that and then take a slice of pizza and nibble on it, hide it under the serviette if need be.

Just don't be that person in the room. Especially if you're a newbie.

Butchyrestingface · 13/05/2025 19:00

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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Would you like to borrow my mechanical digger?

I don't think that spade of yours is quite large enough to get the job done.

ThejoyofNC · 13/05/2025 19:00

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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You're just taking the piss now.

Wobblemonster · 13/05/2025 19:00

We get it, you’re a slim & superior being!

JoyousEagle · 13/05/2025 19:00

Just meal prep something that can be eaten cold and taken to the meeting. I couldn’t eat any of those lunches as I’m coeliac so I’d have to take an alternative in.

OverpricedCupcake · 13/05/2025 19:00

Once a month you have to see unhealthy food?
Sending thoughts and prayers.

Lollipop2025 · 13/05/2025 18:59

Just have a late breakfast then a late lunch after with a snack when everyone else is eating.

Dagnabit · 13/05/2025 18:59

Ah, ok, we got to the crux by post 3. You just wanted to tell us how unhealthy and fat your colleagues are. Gotcha 😉👍

WheresThe · 13/05/2025 18:59

No, I wouldn't ask for a longer break so you can get your own lunch. If you don't want to eat the food they provide or eat at another time then you need to bring something with you.

Asking your bosses to change the whole event to suit you could come across as entitled and brand you a troublemaker or incapable of using your own initiative. If you like the job, I wouldn't risk that.

UseNailOil · 13/05/2025 18:59

Tell them you suspect you’ve got some intolerances and are trailing a special diet. Bring a healthy salad in a Tupperware.

Theroadt · 13/05/2025 18:58

If you “don’t like” cold lunches so won’t bring your own, and won’t eat what is provided (fair enough) you are being a bit princessy.

hangingonfordearlife1 · 13/05/2025 18:58

what a sad sad life. having to count everything and worry about such pedantic things. we are all going to die one day, we don’t know when. just relax abit. my uncle was like you and tracked everything. run marathons, was always picking at his slightly overweight wife. he died age 52 with brain cancer. btw size 14/16 is not something to sneer at its very normal size

Butchyrestingface · 13/05/2025 18:58

Going forward, I think OP's company should add a questionnaire to their candidate screening protocols for potential new employees. Easter Grin

My top suggestions straight off the bat would be -

On a scale of 1-5, (1 = hard disagree, 5 = hell yeah), how strongly do you agree with the following statements:

  • My body is a temple. Neither Gregg's sausage roll nor Domino's pizza shall ever pass my lips. Not even once a month at my new team's planning meetings. No siree.
  • 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.
  • Woe betide you if you are a dress size 14/16+. I shall take to MN.
Original poster
AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 18:57

northernballer · 13/05/2025 18:42

Offer to take over the ordering yourself and get a Nandos so you can get something healthier.

I suspect this post was actually just an excuse to slag off your colleagues for being fatties though, which is strange behaviour.

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

OP posts:
Scottishgirl85 · 13/05/2025 18:57

Sorry OP. Your sound difficult and like you're looking for problems (and potentially have serious issues around food?). This is seriously a non-issue that happens max 12 times a year. There are workarounds and any normal person would be flexible and not cause a scene.

shuggles · 13/05/2025 18:56

@AliceSeal I would have thought that even a healthy diet would allow for bad food once a month or so.

Hollietree · 13/05/2025 18:56

Take some warm soup in a thermos.

Or go really wild and have a cold lunch one day per month.

shuggles · 13/05/2025 18:55

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

I also thought that people outgrow alcohol by their early 20s, and yet, this site is full of people who have continued consuming alcohol into adulthood.

Springhassprungxx · 13/05/2025 18:54

Well no wonder they are size 14 /16 if they eat pizza once a month. (Sarcasm in case anyone didn't get that)
Ffs - totally 1st world problem - respectfully op- get over yourself.

FOJN · 13/05/2025 18:54

Oh FFS eat the pizza, take a salad or go hungry. It's once a month and yet it seems that despite being an adult it is an insurmountable problem for you. How to you manage to hold down a job?

No one cares about your macros. Your diet, your choice, your responsibility to sort out.

Feel free to complain and let the entire office know you are bringing insufferable main character energy to the meeting where you will spoil their once a month junk food binge.

Whoarethoseguys · 13/05/2025 18:53

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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Respectfully you sound extremely judgemental.
And people who feel they have to say respectfully are.probably not being respectful

Delphiniumandlupins · 13/05/2025 18:53

Eat the supplied lunch, take your own lunch (cold or in a vacuum flask) or go hungry. Do not extend the meeting for everyone else. Perhaps whoever is currently ordering lunch for the meeting would gladly have you take over?

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