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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:
crumpet · 13/05/2025 18:52

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.

Then do as others have said - eat before, or after, or bring in a flask of soup/stew on those days. It is once a month only.

Livpool · 13/05/2025 18:52

Respectfully, this sounds like disordered eating of a slice of pizza it a sausage roll once a month throws your macros off to make a difference.

And you couldn’t possibly have a cold lunch ONCE a month?! This is just you being fussy

MJMaude · 13/05/2025 18:52

Respectfully, if you can't go without food for a few hours once a month perhaps you're as greedy as you consider your fat colleagues to be.

JudithOnHolidayAgain · 13/05/2025 18:51

You are being very precious!!!

You can forsake your hot macro counted meal once a month for a cold macro counted meal!!

I wouldn't want to eat a greggs sausage roll either but I would just quietly take my own lunch on that day.

NicolaCasanova · 13/05/2025 18:50

Bring your own lunch or eat a slice of pizza once a month (unless you have an allergy).

Utterlyincandescently · 13/05/2025 18:50

louderthan · 13/05/2025 18:46

But OP doesn’t LIKE cold food…

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.

Utterlyincandescently · 13/05/2025 18:50

louderthan · 13/05/2025 18:46

But OP doesn’t LIKE cold food…

Show quote history

Just cold lunches. Maybe other meals of the day are okay to be cold? 🤔

minnienono · 13/05/2025 18:50

What’s a macro ? Anyway if it must be warm, bring it in a flask

MayaPinion · 13/05/2025 18:50

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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If you need to say, ‘respectfully’ it isn’t respectful. Don’t be ‘that’ judgy person. Life’s too short for sneering.

OK, so you have such a rigid diet that you can’t either be flexible once a month, and you can’t bring in a suitable alternative such as a salad or wrap because it’s not hot, and you can’t bring in food to microwave because there’s a queue. Can you eat half before 11am and half after 3pm? Eat your meal prepped food cold? Excuse yourself for 10 minutes to go microwave something?

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.

ZepherinDrouhin · 13/05/2025 18:48

This is the easiest way to single yourself out as the office pain in the arse. Go right ahead op, particularly as you're singling out people's unhealthy food choices & dress sizes.

I take it you haven't passed your 6 month probation period yet if you only started in Feb.

ThejoyofNC · 13/05/2025 18:48

DelphiniumBlue · 13/05/2025 18:46

I’d ask for a low carb or gluten free option to be made available. I actually have done this, it wasn’t an issue, you’d probably find that other people would opt for that too.

Oh bugger off. There's no obligation for them to provide a free lunch in the middle of a work day. Don't like it? Don't eat it. People who go out of their way to be difficult just end up spoiling it for the rest when it's inevitably cancelled.

feelingbleh · 13/05/2025 18:48

You know a healthy diet is a balanced diet your eating sounds extreme and disordered i hope if you have kids you are not banning food and making an issue of it.

minnienono · 13/05/2025 18:48

Bring in a salad, it’s once a month

Jobsworth7 · 13/05/2025 18:48

You can meal prep something cold then.
You're not one of those people who microwaves egg and fish, are you?

CopperWhite · 13/05/2025 18:48

It’s fair enough for you to not like the lunches provided. But if you really can’t bring yourself to eat whatever’s there or bring a packed lunch once a month, then you come across as uptight.

Ponderingwindow · 13/05/2025 18:48

I’m pretty sure you can tolerate a cold lunch and figure out a way to create one that provides your macros for the day.

you don’t have an actual medically required diet. If you did, then you would be well within your rights to request that the workplace provide you with an appropriate meal. This is a preference, so pack a lunch and get on with things

louderthan · 13/05/2025 18:46

PeloMom · 13/05/2025 18:37

I also track macros and would hate the lunches you describe. But there are many ways around it -salad w grilled chicken; turkey sandwich; you can have a bigger snack before the meeting and eat right after; normal snack before, protein bar in the short break and proper lunch after. I’m sure there are lots of other variations if you wish to be a little flexible once a month.

But OP doesn’t LIKE cold food…

EffortlesslyInelegant · 13/05/2025 18:46

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.

Quite right too. Don't want your chakras getting all ballsed up and flying all over the place and you certainly don't want your yin and yang spitting tacks at one another. Keep within the macros or shit gonna get bad!

DelphiniumBlue · 13/05/2025 18:46

I’d ask for a low carb or gluten free option to be made available. I actually have done this, it wasn’t an issue, you’d probably find that other people would opt for that too.

Whoarethoseguys · 13/05/2025 18:46

77Fee · 13/05/2025 18:27

Can't you just bring in a cold packed lunch on those days?

This. Just say you have specific dietary needs and take your lunch to eat while the others have their sausage rolls or pizza. You don't need extra time

Sofiewoo · 13/05/2025 18:46

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’re being incredibly difficult.

TickTickTock · 13/05/2025 18:44

RareGoalsVerge · 13/05/2025 18:29

I'd be taking in a box of salad. This isn't rocket science.

That's a fantastic pun

ilovesooty · 13/05/2025 18:44

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.

Well take a hot meal in a flask then. It's one lunch meeting a month and there's no reason why your request for a longer break needs to be accommodated.

supersonicginandtonic · 13/05/2025 18:44

I wish my employers would treat us to pizza once in a while. I've been there 8 years and it hasn't happened once

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