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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:
MidnightPatrol · 13/05/2025 18:37

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.

YABU.

Eating a cold lunch once a month is hardly some form of hardship. You can create that lunch yourself, so no need to eat junk.

Utterlyincandescently · 13/05/2025 18:37

OchonAgusOchonOh · 13/05/2025 18:36

What are macros?

Macronutrients. Protein, carbohydrates and fats.

cheeseismydownfall · 13/05/2025 18:37

You absolutely cannot ask to delay a once-a-month team meeting because you don't like either the free lunch provided AND you don't like cold lunches. Well you can, but honestly if I was chairing the meeting I would be rolling my eyes.

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.

OchonAgusOchonOh · 13/05/2025 18:36

What are macros?

SwanOfThoseThings · 13/05/2025 18:36

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.

Take a flask of home made soup.

KrisAkabusi · 13/05/2025 18:36

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.

It's once a month. It's not theur fault you are incredibly fussy, and it would be very unreasonable for you to make everyone wait for you.

TinyTempest · 13/05/2025 18:36

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

Grew out of what?

Sausage rolls or pizzas?

They just different food types, what makes you think people grow out of any kind of foods?

I think you'd get quite a shock if you went to Italy, where people eat pizzas past the age of 19.

hangingonfordearlife1 · 13/05/2025 18:36

can’t you just have a pre prepared salad with you and get it out when they are eating?

Orangemintcream · 13/05/2025 18:36

What a pizza once a month ? I think most people are fine with that.

Just take a smoothie if it bothers you that much. You not liking “cold” lunches in entirely your problem and not theirs to solved.

Theyre not there to cater to your fussiness.

BusMumsHoliday · 13/05/2025 18:36

I think your eating is too restricted for someone who isn't a professional athlete. Would any bought in meal meet your macros?

It's a free lunch - something that most people can eat, that can be bought in cheaply and easily. It's a small gesture of appreciation from the company and you will appear ungrateful if you complain two months in. Maybe in a years time you could suggest a local place you haven't done, but not now.

Buy a thermos food flask. Bring your warmed up food it in.

Missywelliot · 13/05/2025 18:36

I'd take a proper healthy salad lunch if I was you. I don't have time for following the crowd and eating beige food. I always take my own food to work.

I'd also expect a 20 min break for some fresh air and a walk.

sandrapinchedmysandwich · 13/05/2025 18:35

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.

Fgs it's literally once a month. It really isn't going to kill you to find an acceptable cold lunch or to time your lunch differently. You are coming across as eating disordered now

Utterlyincandescently · 13/05/2025 18:35

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 any cold lunches? 🤨

It you're that devoted to your macros, then suck it up for one day and take a cold lunch.

Arancia · 13/05/2025 18:35

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.

No, I would not ask for a longer break - I would just bring lunch from home.

CleanShirt · 13/05/2025 18:34

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

Fucking hell, how do they fit through the meeting room door? 🙄

HuffleMyPuffle · 13/05/2025 18:33

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.

More and more this is definitely a "you" problem...

WhynotJanet · 13/05/2025 18:33

Just bring your own salad/lunch on those days. Your colleagues won’t thank you for prolonging the meeting by going to warm your food up😂

Original poster
AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 18:33

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

No, mostly middle aged and a mixed of genders believe it or not. Respectfully, the average size is probably 14/16+!

OP posts:
HuffleMyPuffle · 13/05/2025 18:32

Most people are quite happy to be provided the terrible junk food that MN hates so much

Take your own food, claim it's for dietary needs and shut up.

StrawberrySquash · 13/05/2025 18:32

RareGoalsVerge · 13/05/2025 18:29

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

Rocket, cherry tomatoes, some tuna...

OP, I do think I'd want more than 5-10 minutes though. Days like this tend to be quite full on and you need a change of scene

sandrapinchedmysandwich · 13/05/2025 18:32

Brefugee · 13/05/2025 18:27

it is one lunch once a month. Take a salad and a green smoothie.

I was just about to say exactly this

Original poster
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.

OP posts:
fatgirlswims · 13/05/2025 18:32

You have many options other than requesting a longer break (I don’t even understand why you would do that if it was a working lunch)

  1. eat at 11am
  2. eat at 3pm
  3. take a packed lunch
  4. take a shake or smoothie
  5. eat a big breakfast
  6. don’t eat anything

why can’t you just take a pack up and eat it instead of the pizza.

Veganvenitia · 13/05/2025 18:30

Are your Colleagues all teenaged boys? I thought people grew out of this sort of diet by 20.