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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to cook dinner early so I can portion some off for my lunch tomorrow?

39 replies

Doowopthatthing · 10/12/2019 16:36

DP is here tonight. When I cook, no matter how much I cook, and we finish eating he will have whatever is left as seconds. He does ask me first and it's partly my fault as I feel like it would be selfish of me to say no so I do say yes but it's a bit irritating (not to mention expensive!).

I always give him a more than generous portion in first place before anyone accuses me of underfeeding him ☺️.

Tonight I'm making a curry with three large chicken breasts. I would give him a large portion in first place, I would have less with enough left for my lunch at work tomorrow.

If I left it in the pan I'm certain he'd have seconds. If I portion it off in advance and stick in fridge he won't have the chance.

Am I being a horrible grinch?

OP posts:
TeapotCollection · 10/12/2019 16:39

Definitely do it, I would

EL8888 · 10/12/2019 16:42

Go for it. My partner is a glutton so l often do similar!

christmassymcchristmas · 10/12/2019 16:42

Curry is better reheated anyway so I'd do it

ringletsandtwiglets · 10/12/2019 16:43

I would cook it at your normal time, then when serving, dole out his and your usual servings, portion off however much you want for lunch into Tupperware to cool, and leaving some in the pan for his second helping. Treat tomorrow's lunch as a third person when serving, and tell him that he can't have it!

selmabear · 10/12/2019 16:43

Definitely do it.

Teachermaths · 10/12/2019 16:43

Just box it up as you serve, then there's none left!

Purpleartichoke · 10/12/2019 16:44

I’d just start cooking bigger meals so there is enough for him to eat his full and enough to have leftovers.

MustardScreams · 10/12/2019 16:45

Absolutely do it. Tell him to pick up some extra naan if he is big eater.

Original poster
Doowopthatthing · 10/12/2019 16:47

Purple I do cook bigger meals, far more than is needed for two adults, with the express intention of having the leftovers next day.

Three large chicken breasts (plus veg and rice) is more than one meal for two people by anyone's definition surely?

He sees anything left after eating as a challenge that needs to be finished!

OP posts:
ChipsAndKetchup · 10/12/2019 16:47

Portion your lunch up as your serve up. Give him a smaller portion and leave some in the pan.
Sometimes seconds is only about scratching a psychological itch rather than a genuine hunger one.

Crunchymum · 10/12/2019 16:47

Just portion up your lunch as you serve dinner and pop it out of sight.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 10/12/2019 16:49

Treat tomorrow's lunch as a third person when serving, and tell him that he can't have it!

I like this way - be upfront about it. Assuming your relationship is going to last awhile, then it'd be better to be upfront as 'sneaking' your own food will get tedious very soon!

lettersbyowl · 10/12/2019 16:49

Either portion up as you serve, or when he asks you say "yes so long as there's enough left for my lunch" - don't over complicate things Smile

EvaHarknessRose · 10/12/2019 16:50

I always fill my lunchbox when I am serving out (and I serve on plates these days and don't put leftovers out so we control portion size better).

charley50 · 10/12/2019 16:50

I just put my portion in a Tupperware, otherwise DS might eat it. He wouldn't dare touch it once it's in the Tupperware. Grin
My sibling will just keep on eating and eating and eating. He can't help himself.

PooWillyBumBum · 10/12/2019 16:50

I portion for lunch the next day when the meal is ready. So I ladle onto plates and into Tupperware at the same time. If DH is still hungry he can have fruit/nuts/bread or something else. I find often he isn’t hungry but will just eat something because he likes the taste and there is more there!

CakeandCustard28 · 10/12/2019 16:50

Just hide it in the fridge. If he’s a big eater maybe suggest he picks up dinner in future before coming over and make him pay for it.

embarassednewname · 10/12/2019 16:51

It's one of those things when you just need to be upfront. A casual the rest is for my lunch type response is perfectly fine!!

speakout · 10/12/2019 16:52

You have very understanding workmates that allow you to eat curry in the office.
I wish I had worked places like that.

PhilomenaChristmasPie · 10/12/2019 16:52

Just ask him to leave you enough for lunch tomorrow.

AlwaysThereForEveryoneElse · 10/12/2019 16:53

Cook. Normal time and put some straight into a tub without lid on..

Butterisbest · 10/12/2019 16:53

You said DP is here tonight, does that mean that you don't live together? And he's coming to you for his evening meal, what does he do when you don't cook, does he ever cook for you? Or offer to buy a takeaway.
Do you share expenses for meals, he sounds like a very greedy person to me, I'd definitely put your lunch in a container out of his eyesight.

Butterisbest · 10/12/2019 16:55

Sorry for all the questions

CoffeeRunner · 10/12/2019 16:57

I agree with putting a little less on DPs plate to start with (a similar amount to your own), then putting your lunch into a Tupperware straightaway & leave what would be the rest of DPs food in the pan.

The finishing up what’s there may well be more psychological/habit based than because is actually still hungry.

GingleJangleScarecrow · 10/12/2019 16:58

He is just greedy. Tell him that the leftovers are for your lunch.
If he hasn't had enough to eat then maybe he could cook next time.