Had a few comments about how I eat..

[Laiku]

Which include "are u a gerbil?' 'Are you autistic? (er, yes), 'How do you cope in restaurants?'
Never questioned it before but it's got into my head a bit now.
Usually by people I don't know too well, such as a neighbour popping in, visiting cousin, DP's sister..

My daily eating will go something like this:
Breakfast - 1 wholemeal seeded toast with peanut butter or marmalade. A couple of days per week I will have 2 scrambled eggs instead.

Lunch - working from home I wake late-ish so tend not to want any. Will sometimes eat a banana or pear.

Dinner (I have about 3 variations on rotation) ....
Small grilled flatbread (around 40g) topped with peppers, pesto, herbs, olives, tomatoes, onion, spinach, mozzarella and either chicken or fish.
A few nights per week it might be less complex rice, green veggies and mackerel.
Sometimes I will toss some mediterranean veggies in oil and eat with seasoned & baked white fish portion.
Now and again I will make my own coleslaw (cabbage, cress, radish, carrot, mayo) and have with chicken or cheese.

Supper - handful of berries and a bit of greek yoghurt with seeds, or a handful of nuts with figs, avo slices or slice of cheese.

If there's something 'off' about this, could you suggest some tips? I am always satiated and enjoy yoga and lots of walking, but don't have a demanding physical schedule. I prefer nibbly things with flavour so anything like Tapas or Sushi suits me, as opposed to large hot meals. I have never got along with larger cooked meals. I love taste so stuff like garlic, herbs and lemon, lime etc are my favourites.
Due to some of the comments I have started to worry a bit if I am missing something, or some essential nutrient? I really don't like porridge, red meat or pasta. I can't see how I could bulk up more, but do like fresh bread!

I think your diet is lovely. Lots of tasty variety and different textures. All sounds healthy enough.

I would enjoy that diet too so it’s set me thinking! I need to break out of the meat and two veg habit!

Take no notice of what others around you say. You’re doing fine and I expect other Mumsnetters will offer lots of inspiration to broaden your choices.

What seems to be the problem? I don't understand.

These people sound rude, I would ignore them. I can’t believe they say all this when they only see a snapshot of your day. Your diet looks fine, I can’t see what they are referring to, is it the pizza plus the chicken/fish, that’s the only thing that might be a bit more unusual? You get all the things you eat in restaurants so I don’t really understand their issues. I would just ignore them.

Sounds perfectly fine to me!

The comments are always friendly, but a few too many in the past few weeks got me wondering. I do try to vary my veg through the week but often repeat same meals as keeping a ton stocked up is costly. I wondered if I might need a bit more variety.

On the surface it looks healthy due to the veggies, but god knows. Treat wise I will have a cream and jan scone, or family sized Caramel bar maybe once a week. I used to love lemon sherberts until a dental examination put a stop to that!

There is nothing wrong with that
Maybe not the biggest variety but nutritious enough
Could it be lack of lunch causing comments because everyone else is eating?

Many eat lunch but no breakfast but no-one sees that to comment

Your diet sounds wonderful! Just ignore them.

Seems very light I admit, as in healthy meals, are you super skinny and can people worry about you?

Lacking variety doesn't mean there's anything wrong btw, just an observation. My dd has flat breads nearly every night and she's autistic

It's a homemade flatbread, just flour salt and water, bit of oil. Got the recipe yrs ago on Ocado So cheap and easy and low processing.

I gently grill one side, then turn over. Add a bit of roast garlic paste, chopped rosemary and basil, shreds of fresh spinach then the sliced veg, chilli's and olives. I split a couple of buffalo mozzarella balls over and season with pepper, drips of pesto and a tiny bit of cayenne.
Comes out so tasty and leaves a gorgeous aroma in the kitchen!

There are some cheap deli flatbreads (by deli kitchen i think) if you don't want to make your own, although a bit more additives in them. Can get a pack and freeze them for around £1.20.

I use tins of tuna or mackerel so nothing very Jamie Oliver going on here.

Lunch is alone when i am working really, so not out with others.

I'm another one who thinks your diet sounds lovely. Really tasty.

I do make porridge for breakfast but rarely have a cooked meal. Lots of salads though. You have inspired me to add a bit more variety.

@Laiku These comments probably stem from ppl being unable to control their own food choices and portion sizes. They’re jealous.

There is nothing wrong with your diet. You say you are autistic so is it possible that the comments have been conversation ice breakers or just meaningless/throwaway comments that you haven’t taken in the way they were intended?

Sounds tasty but not very varied. It’s odd to know the weight of your flatbread- sounds like you are overly focused on food.

Not sure, none of them have weight problems. One is smaller than me but prefers hot cooked traditional meals, I think it's the med style thing that she isn't as familiar with.
My cousin's comment was the gerbil one, although he is ex army!

Dp has never uttered a word, he's a good boy, lol.

Are you very very thin? Because the only possible issue with this is it seems quite light, but if you're healthy, fit, active and an appropriate weight, I think it's fine. There's a lot to be said for increased variety, of course, but I don't think this is the worst diet in terms of lack of variety.

That's because I either make it myself so know the ingredients or use a pack via deli kitchen. I didn't know how else to distinguish it from a typical pizza base which are often thicker.
The veg is fairly varied, if i add more to my shopping a lot would go off as i live alone. Not sure how to progress with that.

It sounds healthy but quite limited in terms of variety and portion size - but if it works for you then great.

If you're eating a wide variety of veg, plus a couple of different types of fish and some fruit, I'm really struggling to see the problem here. There are lots of people who prefer these sort of lighter meals - my dad being one (although he DOES like a cake/muffin/chocolate/generous portion of alcohol!

Overall though, not wanting to eat "heavy" meals or largely avoiding red meat isn't weird.

Sorry i didn't answer. I am 5'4 and 8st2. I always thought i ate as needed, as do increase when hiking or on holiday as I use far more energy.

Sorry, I meant that people might think it unusual to have pizza and chicken or pizza and fish, usually it’s pizza and salad or chicken and salad/rice! Apart from the weirdos who put chicken on their pizza 😂.

Yes, this is how we make pizza too, but we found the pan methods makes it even better, very light and airy and quick. Sadly I can’t have gluten anymore so we’ve stopped.

what is the pan method???

It’s fine but your very specific descriptions along with a pretty limited variety (sets of ‘safe’ foods) does make it sound like you probably have some issues with food. You are controlling your intake to a high extent. If you’re a healthy weight etc then I’m sure you’re fine but this level of control does indicate some food based issues. Which I suspect you know really, just hide with the ‘oh I just don’t get very hungry’, ‘I love taste’, ‘I just prefer nibbly bits’.

well i cant find a response to that tbh.
I love how i eat, and never consider it generally, get a few comments so ask on MN. I must have a disorder cos i know my flatbread size.

You are one of those lucky people whose body doesn't prompt them to overeat. Revel in your good fortune !Your diet sounds very healthy and the commenters are being extremely rude.
From another autistic person who sadly does have a tendency to overeat.