Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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:
louderthan · 13/05/2025 18:44

Respectfully, you sound like bloody hard work.

Cheesyfootballs01 · 13/05/2025 18:44

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+!

Show quote history

Oh the horror….

Why would we not believe that a mixed group of middle aged people enjoyed a pizza?!

thesnailandthewhale · 13/05/2025 18:44

Boiled eggs? Protein shake? Overnight oats?
maybe have a larger meal for breakfast and a smaller lunch that day?
respectfully it sounds as though your mind is already made up that you don’t like whatever options you are given.

Heronwatcher · 13/05/2025 18:44

Once a month? Are you serious? Have a day off 🙄

Or, just eat macro food before the meeting, warm it up 10 minutes before the meeting and take it in, or wait to eat later (take a smoothie in).

If you complain you’ll just look like a virtue signalling whinger and spoil it for everyone else- the chain of events will go something like, person unwillingly forced to order chia seed salads and other macro foods, other people get involved and start making their own requests, costs go up, no one eats it, management get pissed off, food never ordered again.

margegunderson · 13/05/2025 18:44

Eat a slice of their hot pizza with your cold salad. You won’t explode if you fudge your macros once a month. I also prefer eating healthily but what you are describing sounds incredibly rigid.

BangFlash · 13/05/2025 18:43

thermos will do it

or look for another job

do not be difficult for the sake of once a month

TinyTempest · 13/05/2025 18:43

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

Spot on.

Surely no-one's this rubbish at problem solving?

ilovesooty · 13/05/2025 18:42

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

Really?

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.

Overthebow · 13/05/2025 18:41

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 hate all cold food? YABU, you can make people wait for you because you want a be try particular type of food when this is a once a month occurrence. What would you do if you were at a clients and the client provided lunch?

ThejoyofNC · 13/05/2025 18:41

I'm sorry, are they force feeding you?

AltitudeCheck · 13/05/2025 18:41

I'd think you were a total pain in the arse if you were a new hire and couldn't come up with a solution that didn't impact the rest of the team / time of the meeting! Eat before or after or take something to eat cold or suck it up once a month!

DonningMyHardHat · 13/05/2025 18:40

Literally just take something to eat. If you really can’t manage a salad, a sandwich, or leftovers cold; just take a tin of soup or whatever and ask if you can nip out to pop it in the microwave.

You are aware that 14-16 is around the average size in the UK, yeah?

louderthan · 13/05/2025 18:40

It’s once a month, suck it up. I’m in the public sector and we don’t even get tea bags provided. I’d love to get lunch at a meeting! If you really can’t eat it then take your own lunch. Out of interest what do they do about allergies/religious requirements?

TimeForABreak4 · 13/05/2025 18:40

You're in to healthy eating but don't like a salad? And your comment about your colleagues sizes was bitchy.

BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 13/05/2025 18:40

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+!

Show quote history

righty ho.

Landoftherisingsun · 13/05/2025 18:39

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 can’t possibly dislike all forms of cold food?! Just don’t eat until 3 if that’s much of an issue

ForgettingMeNot · 13/05/2025 18:39

I voted your not being unreasonable. It’s nice they provide food but you’re not paid during lunch so it’s wrong for them to do this.

TheDandyLion · 13/05/2025 18:39

I'd be more annoyed at the 5 mins break rather than the food options, the latter can be declined.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 13/05/2025 18:38

Do you have an eating disorder, OP?

It seems quite unhealthy to be so concerned about this when it is only a once a month occurrence. Even if you're not that keen on cold lunches, I'm sure you could manage once a month.

Hotbathcoldknees · 13/05/2025 18:38

It's once a month - take a salad or a sandwich. Or eat at 10:30 and 3pm.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 13/05/2025 18:38

If eating junk food ‘isn’t an option’ then what are you complaining about? One lunch a month eat something cold or eat at a different time. You wouldn’t be happy with whatever they provided anyway.

Cheesyfootballs01 · 13/05/2025 18:38

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.

Just skip lunch that day then?

Honestly, nobody is going to give a shit about your macros or that you track calories…

What are you expecting?

If I was getting a free Domino’s once a month for lunch, and then some melt whinged about it I would be pissed right off.

PeloMom · 13/05/2025 18:37

OchonAgusOchonOh · 13/05/2025 18:36

What are macros?

Pre defined amount of carbs, fat protein to achieve a goal.

Megifer · 13/05/2025 18:37

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+!

Show quote history

While legally you are entitled to your break, I wouldn't rock the boat as youre new and its once a month. You'll, rightly or wrongly, likely get written off.

What has their size got to do with anything except help demonstrate how so very healthy you are?

Swipe left for the next trending thread