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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

‘That’s me done for food today’ after a 3 course lunch

350 replies

Offred2 · 19/12/2019 16:23

I went to a restaurant with four friends for a Christmas lunch a few days ago. We all ate 3 courses and had a glass of wine each (none of us are big drinkers). The portions were decent-sized but not ridiculously big.

As we were finishing one of my friends said something along the lines of ‘that was lovely, I wont be needing anything else to eat today’. Following this all my other friends nodded/agreed.

While I didn’t say anything I was thinking that this is not the case for me at all! After that lunch at 1pm I ate beans on toast at around 7pm. I think of myself as someone with a pretty normal appetite, but if my friends were being truthful I ate a substantial amount more than them that day.

I remember a few years back my MiL making a similar comment after a restaurant lunch, that she wouldn’t need to eat anything else that day. However as we happened to be staying with her at the time I know she later ate sandwich and soup at dinner time.

So - my friend’s comment got me thinking. What do people actually mean when they use this phrase? Is it literal, as in ‘after this big lunch I will not eat any food until tomorrow’? Or do people simply mean that they won’t need to have a big evening meal, but might have eg a sandwich? Or is it something some people (women!) say without meaning it, to indicate they have a small/delicate appetite, though they may have every intention of eating something else that day.

For what it’s worth all of my friends in the restaurant are healthy weights, and as far as I know no one has any history of disordered eating.

OP posts:
goose1964 · 19/12/2019 18:42

I would have something small as I'm on meds that need me to eat 3 meals

RiftGibbon · 19/12/2019 18:42

I'd be hungry by 8pm, so would eat something light.

TheFairyCaravan · 19/12/2019 18:42

As you get older, being skinny does you NO favours.

Wtf? Hmm. Imagine if someone said the same about people who are overweight? The Internet would combust.

Original poster
Offred2 · 19/12/2019 18:48

I’m intrigued by the fact that some people don’t seem to count food as food unless it’s a cooked hot meal, as mentioned by the GP upthread. So maybe some people do say they won’t be eating again following a big lunch when what they actually mean is that they won’t be eating a ‘main course’ type dinner. But they could well be eating 200/500/1000 calories of food that evening.

OP posts:
thegirlanachronism · 19/12/2019 18:53

When I was working as a waitress I noticed people would use this sort of expression as a way of complimenting the food. For example when I asked how the food was as I cleared the plates I would get the answer of 'Lovely- I won't need to eat again today!'. So perhaps it's sometimes just a bit of a go to saying to indicate the food was enjoyable and currently they do not feel like eating more.

woodchuck99 · 19/12/2019 18:55

I think that they just mean they aren't going to have a proper evening meal i.e. they will just toast or something. Unless lunch was very late they will probably be hungry again by the evening.

FiveNightsAtMummys · 19/12/2019 18:55

My friend says this all the time but I'm not sure how truthful it is. I always have some kind of snack at least later.

Skyejuly · 19/12/2019 18:56

I dont eat another hot meal if I have a hot lunch but i would be peckish.

furrymulesandPJs · 19/12/2019 18:58

I often say that kind of thing after a big meal out with friends. 5 hours later though am peckish again. I can assure you I do not have a small or delicate appetite and am very overweight. Please do not read too much into this comment, OP. Basically what they meant is that they feel very stuffed. Nothing more.

RiddleyW · 19/12/2019 18:59

I’m very disappointed in mumsnet. Why has nobody pointed out already that if you’re stuffed after a three course lunch you’re not eating in a fancy enough restaurant.

Ragwort · 19/12/2019 19:03

I would never say anything like that but I am genuinely not hungry if I have eaten a big lunch, that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t eat again Grin I often eat even though I am not hungry because I am greedy. We had a big celebration lunch on Sunday & I didn’t eat again in the evening.

I haven’t actually eaten a lot today and am not hungry, but sadly I know I will go and cook a meal ‘just because items time for dinner’. And yes, I am overweight.

My friend is much more disciplined about eating, if she is genuinely not hungry she will not eat ... we often meet at lunch time & I will always eat but she is happy with a coffee (she is a healthy weigh and leads an active lifestyle, just doesn’t eat ‘to the clock’).

BrettAndersonscheekbones · 19/12/2019 19:04

God, no. That wouldn't do me for the day at all. I'd have something like egg or beans on toast also.

AhoyMrBeaver · 19/12/2019 19:07

My mum always says this, after even the most average lunch. She has to make that claim so we all remember she usually eats like a sparrow and we're gluttons for requiring 3 meals a day Hmm. Obviously she does eat later in the day, but not officially.

HelloDulling · 19/12/2019 19:08

I thinks it’s party an age thing. Since I turned 40 ish, I def can’t/won’t eat in the evening if I’ve had a big lunch, I just won’t have any appetite/room. Def not a thin thing, I’m far from skinny, and love food and eat a lot, but once I’m full I don’t want to eat any more.

TheReluctantCountess · 19/12/2019 19:08

@BrettAndersonscheekbones great name!

TheReluctantCountess · 19/12/2019 19:09

@AhoyMrBeaver I’m pretty sure that’s why my mum does it too.

Horehound · 19/12/2019 19:13

I had two courses out the other day and i didnt need dinner. I was full and don't need to stick to the "just have three meals a day" if I've eaten a fairly big lunch!

sleepingkat2020 · 19/12/2019 19:13

my DM has started saying this recently, after any form of hot lunch. Usually soup and a sandwich (so not huge). I never know what to say so usually just go quiet, to which she begin badgering me "I mean it you know, I wont. I cant eat any more once Ive eaten this. This is me done". Apart from "I dont give a shit", i never really know what to say.

Oddly she never said this when she was larger (size 16) and its since she lost weight (size 8). Ive often wondered if its connected and she feels embarrassed about her eating habits.

Maryann1975 · 19/12/2019 19:15

I’d think I wasn’t going to eat again after a 3 course lunch, but in reality, I’d probably say that, then pick and snack on crap junk food all evening. Which is obviously worse than just making something on toast.

NekoShiro · 19/12/2019 19:19

I would say something like that as a joke, like oh I've eaten so much, i'm so full, I won't need to eat again today haha

IvinghoeBeacon · 19/12/2019 19:20

I suppose the reverse is if you are going out for a three-course meal in the evening, do you eat lunch? Some people don’t, I know. I would probably have something lighter than normal. Likewise after a three-course lunch I would probably have something in the evening like a bit of cheese and a couple of crackers, especially now I’m pregnant because otherwise I wake up hungry in the night and that doesn’t help my insomnia.

BennyTheBall · 19/12/2019 19:23

I wouldn't eat again that day.

Knockalockin · 19/12/2019 19:27

I would say that and mean it.

Then get a bit peckish later on and have a snack but not a another meal.

I would really mean that at the time though, hate feeling really full! (And I'm a fatty)

ColdTattyWaitingForSummer · 19/12/2019 19:39

I generally only eat a really light lunch, so on the odd occasion I have a big meal at that time it really does fill me up, especially if I have a pudding. I’d maybe have a slice of toast or something for supper, but that’s about it. If I comment on it though it’s no judgement on anyone else.

Tabitha005 · 19/12/2019 19:39

My eating habits are dictated by my mood, largely. When I'm frustrated, angry, sad or anxious I eat... and eat and eat and eat and it wouldn't matter if I'd had a three course breakfast, lunch and dinner, I'd still be raiding the fridge at 10pm.