To not eat when we go out for dinner...

[Goodnightjude1]

tomorrow night??

I know it sounds odd...going out for a meal and not eating but I have (what I think) is a good enough reason.

Some friends of ours are in town this weekend and we arranged a couple of months ago to go out for a meal at a favourite restaurant of ours. I’ve had a few health problems recently and one thing I’ve found that really helps is not eating after about 3pm. I’ve done this for the last few weeks and the pain and discomfort I’ve been suffering through the night has definitely lesend.
Unfortunately they already have other plans for the rest of the weekend so we can’t do lunch on another day but AIBU to still go but just have a drink and chat while they eat? I don’t think they’ll mind at all, I just don’t want to come across to anyone that I don’t want to be there!

If I was your friends I'd feel uncomfortable. Maybe change the plan to meeting up for a drink?

I’ve worked in many restaurants and this wouldn’t be an issue at all. If you’ve found something to stop you being in pain there’s no point jeopardising that just for one night.

we need little and often
sorry kateandme but you're way behind the times on that theory, it's been thoroughly disproved. As have theories that any kind of 'one size fits all' diet exists, as every body's body behaves uniquely to them. Some more general theories about eating are more widely scientifically researched though such as benefits of overnight fasting and time of eating being more important than what is eaten - see eg Dr Satchin Panda / also Dr Rangan Chatterjee.

It'll be fine... I do this all the time, restaurants don't care Aslong as someone In your party eats.

I think you will be fine with a glass of water ( or stronger) I think the only problem would be is if it was a buffet type senario, where you go and help yourself to as much food as you like.
Then I can see the restaurant would expect you to pay, no matter what you ate.

I don’t think that is a problem, but just let the people know why you are not eating (and order a starter to share).

YANBU. I had a friend at school who had an eating disorder and she would often do this.

Having worked in restaurants and and also been out for many meals where friends/family have done this I can tell you no one will bat an eyelid! Definitely don't phone the restaurant to warn them, they'll think you're a nutter

Oh also...yanbu

DH has recently discovered his awful gut pain is massively better if he doesn't eat after 5pm, or sticks to a small bowl of natural yoghurt only. Otherwise he's up at 4am, groaning in pain.

YANBU I have a hiatus hernia allergies and GERD etc etc so have changed my food routine and diet just a drink and a snack at the most is ok

Sounds fine, I did this regularly when went out with friends for lunch and just had a soft drink as I couldn't eat without vomitting it back up and nobody had a problem with it.

I wouldn't ring the restaurant and ask as it's not going to make any difference to them. It's not like they'd seat a complete stranger at the table instead of you, just because they'd buy something to eat.

However, I'd probably order a starter and offer it to the others just because I wouldn't want to 'explain' to the waiting staff.

kateandme, lots of people naturally go long periods between eating. I have dinner at 5.30pm and don't eat breakfast because I'm just not hungry for it. I eat an early lunch at about 11.30am the next day.

When I was unable to eat restaurant was fine x

Could you not eat something light such as a salad?

OP yanbu
I suffer with absolute shitty digestion (Not sure what you suffer with) and don't like eating after 5/6pm max
If I do it upsets my stomach and digestion later on and can cause a flare up of my non existent gall bladder (It's been removed for 19 years but I still have unresolved issues urgh) There's no real reason why, it just does!
So I'd do the same in your shoes.