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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:
Missj25 · 15/05/2025 10:57

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

🤣 🤣

ChellyT · 15/05/2025 04:03

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

Respectfully you judging other people because of their size is disgusting!

At my skinniest I was so unhealthy and well underweight but people around me spoke about how good I looked. AND I know there are a lot of people out there that have the same story.

Boo hoo the health princess can't have a cold lunch once a month... I do not doubt a lot of others in the office have notice your distain

FreezeDriedStrawberries · 15/05/2025 01:01

LilyMumsnet · 13/05/2025 19:41

<dusts sausage roll crumbs off keyboard>

Hi OP,

On behalf of us resident porkers, let us take a heathy, brisk walk... to the door.

OP has now been banned, as we doubt very much that they were posting with the best of intentions.

Oh FFS

FreezeDriedStrawberries · 15/05/2025 01:00

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.

If it's once a month, it's not going to hurt - it's not every day or even every week.
YABU

Jillybloop393 · 15/05/2025 00:07

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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It must be nice to be as perfect as you. Apart from the fact you're rude and more than a little 'precious'!

InWalksBarberalla · 14/05/2025 22:21

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:12

Usually microwave meal prepped lunches - healthy and cost effective

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Then what is the carry on? Just microwave your lunch before the meeting and take it in with you.

Hulabalu · 14/05/2025 21:54

SparklyBrickViper · 13/05/2025 21:43

Can’t you just do an extra hour in the gym on the dreaded Greggs day? Or whatever successful skinny woman do to offset the calories?

Thank you for this thread, it’s genuinely made me chuckle.

Maybe giving into the temptation of beige food occasionally would be good for you?

what an odd comment

Hulabalu · 14/05/2025 21:51

MayaPinion · 14/05/2025 21:23

I just thought she was a bit of a dick until she mentioned she was on a 6 figure salary 😂😂😂 Can you imagine someone on a six figure salary being anxious about not wanting to eat a sausage roll 😂

well it’s all relative isn’t it, if she lives in London & earns 100k a year then it’s not going to get you far & your standard of living likely lower than someone who earns £60k elsewhere in country

Charlotte244 · 14/05/2025 21:43

Bring your own lunch AND a microwave to the meeting - job done!

Shotokan101 · 14/05/2025 21:40

letsgojo · 13/05/2025 19:42

I wish there were reactions on here, would laugh at so many of these funny comebacks! 🤣🤣🤣

There are..... and of course you can also just post emoticons......
.

😀😃🫠😉😄😊😇😁😆🥰😍😅🤣🤩🤪😜😛😋🥲😙😚🤑🤐🫡🤔🤫🫣🫢🤭😚😙🥲

MayaPinion · 14/05/2025 21:23

I just thought she was a bit of a dick until she mentioned she was on a 6 figure salary 😂😂😂 Can you imagine someone on a six figure salary being anxious about not wanting to eat a sausage roll 😂

Hulabalu · 14/05/2025 21:10

Zone2NorthLondon · 14/05/2025 17:29

In summary op was a troll who made up he was a corporate titan surrounded by fatties eating UPF on the company tab
Whirlwind of posts by op who called his colleagues a porker
op then whined we all hate successful and slim women as we are fat jealous unsuccessful dullards
MN then banned op

Gosh well I guess I can’t spot a troll then, I thought she seemed legit wanting advice.

Hulabalu · 14/05/2025 21:08

grumpygrape · 14/05/2025 20:53

This is what subsequent posters have missed ...

Show quote history

Oh I did see that but I didn’t know the PP was mumsnet. I personally cannot understand why OP has been banned.

GiveDogBone · 14/05/2025 21:04

Can’t you just bring your own lunch and eat it at the same time? You’d probably end up doing that if you had an allergy.

littlemisspigg · 14/05/2025 20:55

RareGoalsVerge · 13/05/2025 18:29

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

'rocket'......🤣🤣🤣
Nice one @RareGoalsVerge !

grumpygrape · 14/05/2025 20:53

LilyMumsnet · 13/05/2025 19:41

<dusts sausage roll crumbs off keyboard>

Hi OP,

On behalf of us resident porkers, let us take a heathy, brisk walk... to the door.

OP has now been banned, as we doubt very much that they were posting with the best of intentions.

This is what subsequent posters have missed ...

NoSoupForU · 14/05/2025 20:49

Yes you'd be unreasonable to expect everyone to prolong the meeting to accommodate your wants (not needs). For 1 day of the month you could have a salad or just eat the pizza. Life is far too short to live it so militantly.

Beautifulweeds · 14/05/2025 20:48

I always take in my own lunch because there is barely enough time to eat it, also a fladk of coffee, every day! That enables time to rush to the loo, every second counts lol 😆

So just take in your own? Xx

Toptops · 14/05/2025 20:35

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.

What are macros anyway?
Don't ask for an extension to heat up your own food!
This sounds like a lot of fusspottery!

anon666 · 14/05/2025 20:29

Just discreetly bring your own amd say you're on a special regime.

It's not all about you. We're all different, some people might not mind and others might like it.

It's a gesture.

What's the world coming to?

Bunnycat101 · 14/05/2025 20:18

Look you have a few options but are being a bit difficult in trying to not go for a sensible compromise. There is no reason why you can’t being in a packed lunch. You might prefer a hot one but if you really can’t stand the catered food then you just need to bring your own or ask if they’d be able to rotate or try something different one month.

fetchacloth · 14/05/2025 19:58

I've been there before. I used to take my own pack up.
If anyone said anything (rarely) I replied that I was on a diet and no one seemed bothered as I wasn't the only one who did the same.
Pizzas and other biege foods are fine for younger people who maybe don't have to watch their weight but not great for others.

Insertcreativenamehere · 14/05/2025 19:58

Just take a lunch in with you…..

Zone2NorthLondon · 14/05/2025 19:44

I love that posters are still helpfully sharing tips and brands of flasks etc to an inactive thread
op was a hairy handed troll who has now been banned

Mumoftwoandcats · 14/05/2025 19:42

I got fed up with cold lunches, espcially in winter, and I wouldn't use the microwave at lunch (don't ask!)...I bought a SHO food flask and take in my lunch to work, mostly left overs from last night, or something I've pre prepared and defrosted, heated up in the morning. My food stays hot from breakfast until lunchtime. Try one of those.