To pick at my dinner over a long period of time

[andymoan]

Anyone else the same? I'm never able to sit and have a big meal in one sitting but I could finish it over the course of the night by just picking at it even if it's cold. I've even seen myself not being able to finish it that night and having the rest for breakfast/lunch the next day. Anyone else?

No, I personally hate cold food which is supposed to be served hot.

Why don't just do for a small meal or even do a grazing platter for dinner instead of cooking a meal you know you won't eat?

When you say a “big meal” - do you mean a huge portion - in which case can you just have a more manageable portion?

Or is it a normal sized portion that you are struggling to finish?

If the latter, then you need to look at why this is? It is very reminiscent of my daughter when she was struggling with anorexia. Are you otherwise well?

Regularly eating left over dinner the next day, unless it’s absolutely delicious, or you are very short of money, is not particularly customary as regards eating habits.

How big is your dinner then?

Urgh at "picking at it". Eat what you want, put the rest in the fridge for left overs the next day.

I don't like big portions so I just make smaller ones. Picking away at cold food that's been sitting there for hours isn't appealing at all.

Why op?

I would much prefer to have smaller portions, or cut out snacking if that's the reason you don't feel hungry at mealtimes.

Not for me but YANBU, it's your dinner eat it however you want.

No, and it’s a bad example if you have children.

Just serve a portion that looks like the amount you want to eat. The picking at it and the eating it again for breakfast sounds quite disordered.

@LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood

When you say a “big meal” - do you mean a huge portion - in which case can you just have a more manageable portion?

Or is it a normal sized portion that you are struggling to finish?

If the latter, then you need to look at why this is? It is very reminiscent of my daughter when she was struggling with anorexia. Are you otherwise well?

Regularly eating left over dinner the next day, unless it’s absolutely delicious, or you are very short of money, is not particularly customary as regards eating habits.

No a regular sized meal, I just get full really, really quickly but definitely not an eating disorder. I can finish a sandwich etc no problem but dinner I just can never seem to manage it all at once. I am well otherwise just aware this isn't a normal thing.

You’d annoy me. But each to their own. And if you have young children or planning to have children you’re setting yourself up for a lifetime of pain in the ass at dinner time children.

Here we cook dinner, eat it at the table, then tidy up once we’re finished. I’d hate that someone’s plate was left out and didn’t get washed with everything else.

Just cook and serve yourself portion you can eat. That's a problem sorted?
Obviously the portions are big for you. Everyone has different appetite

I do this sometimes! I have IBS and sometimes my stomach is quite swollen and uncomfortable, but I am also hungry and obviously need to eat to function. So I sometimes graze on my dinner over 2 or 3 hours, so I stay comfortable. I love dinners that have gone cold anyway so it’s no problem for me - picking at a cold roast dinner is my favourite!

@SchrodingersImmigrant

Just cook and serve yourself portion you can eat. That's a problem sorted? Obviously the portions are big for you. Everyone has different appetite

Agree. Just have a smaller portion surely?

My toddler does this and it drives me mad! Depending on the food it’s not great food hygiene to keep it uncovered and unrefrigerated. Also not good for your teeth to eat little and frequently. I guess fundamentally it’s up to you but if I wanted to do family meal times with the whole family one person acting like this would be annoying.

Feeling full quickly can be indicative of quite a few health problems so I would mention to gp.

I just have a small portion, you can always have seconds if still hungry but I certainly wouldn’t fill my plate and ‘pick at it’ over hours.

I know what you mean. If drink wine I can’t eat a big meal. On the (fairly rare) occasion this happens I tend to have a small meal and then also a supper later.

I’m the same

Is this a stealth boast about what a small appetite you have?

I have always struggled with this and OH serves me really big portions that I can’t manage. But I can eat a regular dinner.

I can always manage pudding . It’s just a heavy meal I struggle with.

If you can’t finish a ‘regular sized meal’ if you haven't eaten for a while then that’s not ‘normal’. I’d see a doctor for advice.
But maybe the portion is bigger than you think, people tend to eat too much.

@LagunaBubbles yes that's exactly what it is