Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Are there people who aren't fussed by food?

146 replies

Martacus · 18/09/2023 22:56

I'm someone who loves food. I'm often thinking about my next meal and I get excited when my local deli does a new sandwich filling.

I wondered if there are many people who are not like me, and don't get that much pleasure out of food? (Just like I don't get pleasure out of e.g. watching sport, which loads of people love).

Are there people who eat mainly to not be hungry anymore and don't think food is very exciting? Or does everyone love food?

OP posts:
Readingineading · 19/09/2023 07:55

I swing between both. As I get older Im getting less interested in food. Its probably hormone driven for me. Over the winter last year Ì was hapoy with a couple of biscuits and a cup of tea in the morning then a bowl of porridge/ nothing for tea. My DH was quite worried but I was fine, just not at all hungry. Then my merina coil was re fitted and my appetite came back.

DinnaeFashYersel · 19/09/2023 08:00

My son is like this.

No interest in food. Eats to live. Eating gets in the way of doing more interesting things. Stops eating as soon as he is full. Prefers mostly plain.

Babygirl888 · 19/09/2023 08:04

Me. I eat only because i have to. Have always been like this. If i could press a button to rid having to eat, i would. I drink loads of water and find a couple days fasting no problem at all. I wish i enjoyed it but never have.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General food
Girliefriendlikespuppies · 19/09/2023 08:05

gogomoto · 19/09/2023 07:44

My dd doesn't feel hunger, she has to remind herself to eat and happily goes about her life without food. There's things she likes to eat but she doesn't crave things. It's a real problem because she's underweight and I literally nag her to eat.

How old is she?

Saying I'm not hungry and avoiding food can be signs of an ED.

ungryHippy · 19/09/2023 08:08

Pokske · 19/09/2023 07:54

I do not use my car frequently so I only need to go for fuel every two months or so. If I could eat every two months as well, that would make me happy. Or just take a pill every day with all that is necessary in it.
The time "wasted" buying the food, preparing it, eating it, ... boring.
I eat because we as humans need fuel.
As for the things I eat, I prefer them to be as simple and bland as possible.
Going out for a meal is to meet up with other people - the food as such is only a reason to get together. I would be as happy going for a coffee, a walk or a visit to an exhibition or museum.

Yes, I'm the same. I rarely feel hungry but need to eat enough to avoid weight loss as always been thin . I resent the time that's wasted having to eat at regular intervals (+ shopping, cooking, clearing up) when there are more interesting things I'd rather be doing.

felisha54 · 19/09/2023 08:09

I know someone like this. Batch cooks meals for young kids, but doesn't eat it themselves and often have a cereal or toast for dinner. I love food and can be very specific about what I want to eat based on the day.

TerfTalking · 19/09/2023 08:13

Oh deffo not. I love to cook, eat, go to restaurants, try new food, travel involves a lot of nice local eateries.

food is one of my greatest pleasures. Yesterday I made a chilli with the sole purpose of making it into a chilli and nacho tart that I saw in M&S at the weekend. I’m very excited to bake it this afternoon and eat it tonight!

AbbeyGailsParty · 19/09/2023 08:13

Me. I’d be very happy if there were food pills, knock back a couple and feel full for hours. I don’t even like eating out as food is just food wherever it’s served 🤷‍♀️. Cooking programmes, why all the fuss about making a bit of dinner.

TGGreen · 19/09/2023 09:02

I had a total vagotomy which takes away all cues around food, both hunger and being full. Even before that I always had to remind myself to eat and never saw food as a treat. DH is 'normal' but our three young adult DC seem to have inherited my position. To them food is a chore you need to survive.
Both DH and I are qualified chefs and guests love eating here. It's just our three DC that don't enjoy it, viewing food as fuel. They don't have disordered eating but anything will do. They view all meals the same. Maybe because I'm a chef great food was never a treat and now all food is boring. I feel guilty that they feel this way. They're all slim too and struggle to understand how someone could eat their way into ill health so it's swings and roundabouts. I'd hate to be constantly thinking of food and craving it.

SuddenlyOld · 19/09/2023 09:08

Givemepickles · 18/09/2023 23:11

Me. If I could take a pill instead of having a meal I'd probably do that several times a week. I find eating a bit relentless and hunger quite annoying.

Also me, never understood the attraction of food. A pill every morning to give me nutrition and I'd happily avoid food forever. I've always been this way. Coffee and chocolate are the only foods I enjoy. (I even hate drinking water).

andrainwillmaketheflowersgrow · 19/09/2023 09:15

MN appears to be full of people like this but in real life, everyone I know loves food and going out to eat.

Personally I hate cooking but I love the end result 🙈 my fantasy life involves me having a private chef on hand 24-7 like they have on Below Deck 😂

AffIt · 19/09/2023 09:16

To an extent.

I like food and I enjoy cooking and eating out, but to me food is 95% fuel. I don't spend hours thinking about it, I eat when I'm hungry and stop when I've had enough.

I don't eat if I'm not hungry, don't snack, have never had any cravings or a sweet tooth.

I'm not a fussy eater (although I don't eat meat these days) and I'm a good enough cook to be able throw together easy, healthy meals with minimal ingredients or planning.

God knows I have my issues, but I have a very straightforward relationship with food which I'm thankful for, having seen what friends with disordered eating habits go through.

yellowsmileyface · 19/09/2023 09:19

I have a friend like this. She's said that if there were a pill she could take everyday that would give her everything she needs she'd happily take it, that preparing and eating a meal is just a chore for her. When she does eat, she prefers quite plain food. She's NT as far as I know.

I'm the opposite. I love food. Cooking, exploring new recipes and discovering new places to eat is a hobby of mine. It annoys me when people say foodies aren't real because everyone loves food, because as this thread reveals that isn't the case at all!

Fallenangelofthenorth · 19/09/2023 09:20

My boyfriend's like that. He was really poor growing up and neglected really so he puts it down to that.

VeridicalVagabond · 19/09/2023 09:23

My older brother. His exact words:

"Eating is a stupid obligation and I hate it".

He's said when they invent some sort of nutrient pill or paste that gives you all you need in one go, he'll never eat again.

He just gets no joy out of food, he sees it as fuel and nothing more. He's an amazing cook too so it's not like he just hasn't had good food, he knows how to cook it, just has no interest in it himself.

He eats basically the same thing every day. He's extremely fit and healthy as a horse though so his attitude is probably better than mine!

WeWereInParis · 19/09/2023 09:24

I'm like this. Weirdly I enjoy cooking and baking, but I'm not fussed by eating. I eat to not be hungry, but even if it's food I like, I'm fine to stop when full.

Saschka · 19/09/2023 09:29

Yep - I think that is how really thin people are so thin (excluding those who do loads of exercise).

I have a friend who could spend all morning making a Sunday roast, eat two bites and get distracted, wander off, then come back 20 mins later and bin it because it had gone cold. Then not bother with tea “because she had that massive roast dinner”. Forgetting she hadn’t actually eaten it.

It’s possible she was hiding an eating disorder, but I got the impression she just didn’t pay much attention to food or eating.

Elphame · 19/09/2023 09:31

. I can cook very well but I don’t enjoy it and I’m happy with a slice of toast or a sandwich for a meal.

I do actually eat a lot better than that (usually) because I know I should but it’s a chore not a pleasure

AvengedQuince · 19/09/2023 09:33

Saschka · 19/09/2023 09:29

Yep - I think that is how really thin people are so thin (excluding those who do loads of exercise).

I have a friend who could spend all morning making a Sunday roast, eat two bites and get distracted, wander off, then come back 20 mins later and bin it because it had gone cold. Then not bother with tea “because she had that massive roast dinner”. Forgetting she hadn’t actually eaten it.

It’s possible she was hiding an eating disorder, but I got the impression she just didn’t pay much attention to food or eating.

Edited

Sounds like an eating disorder to me. People who are thin/underweight without an eating disorder would normally try to put weight on.

Wishimaywishimight · 19/09/2023 09:41

I'm a bit like that. I love a nice evening meal but not bothered during the day although I try to eat well for health reasons e.g. tuna salad for lunch etc. when at home/work.

Currently on holiday - as an exampe, yesterday I had fruit and yoghurt for breakfast, a banana and a bar of chocolate at the pool then a nice dinner of fish, risotto and vegetables in the evening.

I have little interest in eating when I'm not actually hungry.

LostCats · 19/09/2023 09:50

I haven’t read all the messages yet as was so excited to see this!
This is me! I eat purely to survive. Food gives me no joy unless it’s one particular item which I want at that moment. And even then it’s extremely fleeting. I can cut off hunger pangs until the screaming to eat in my head gets too much.
But it’s a weird existence as everyone else seems obsessed with food and I feel like I’m standing behind glass looking at everyone thinking ‘why?? Why do you care about food so much??’

It is also a problem having DC as I need to really concentrate on feeding them. As a result they do eat crazy healthy as I find the only foods I actually enjoy are non-processed things.
But it’s lonely. You’re cut off from a lot of society.

Janieforever · 19/09/2023 09:53

I think many people are at neither extreme but in the middle. I don’t regularly think about my next meal or get excited about food, however I also don’t have no interest.

i really don’t think it needs to be either extreme.

PureAmazonian · 19/09/2023 09:58

My mother eats to survive. She would be happy if she could take a pill to fill her up for the day and give her all the nutrients she needs.
I on the other hand am an absolute foodie. Always thinking about it. Have to plan my meals every day to avoid indulging unnecessarily. I got to 18 stone a few years back, so I have to really think it all out to stay a healthy weight now. I also lack the ability to recognise when I'm full. I can genuinely eat and eat and not have the feeling of fullness. I have to just stop when I think the portion I've eaten should be about right. I have spoken to a dietician about this and she said it's due to ignoring the signals for such a long time throughout my life that I no longer can register them. Luckily I managed to control my weight and make much better food choices now (most of the time).

AffIt · 19/09/2023 10:09

Janieforever · 19/09/2023 09:53

I think many people are at neither extreme but in the middle. I don’t regularly think about my next meal or get excited about food, however I also don’t have no interest.

i really don’t think it needs to be either extreme.

I agree - as with most things in life, the majority of people fall within a bell curve.

Disturbia81 · 19/09/2023 10:10

Most people I know love food but I've known a few who aren't bothered, one exists on coffee and one wishes she could take a pill with all her nutritional needs on it. H