Enough Food

[LaGiaconda]

Have been out at work today.

The job involves a lot of being on my feet, lifting, carrying, walking round the building. Suspect I put in several miles in an average day.

I had a not huge breakfast at 7.30 am, I had a sandwich and some fruit for lunch but arrive home tired and hungry.

Partner, who had been at home all day, announced proudly, 'It's going to be a vegetarian supper tonight.

They had got out some rice noodles and had chopped up a bit of veg - peppers, carrots, cabbage.

There was no source of protein - eg chicken, prawns, bean curd.

I said, 'It's not going to be enough.' (No dessert on offer)

They got really huffy and sulky 'I don't know what's got into you etc.'

Would you find that enough?

I dont think I said they had to spend all day preparing a meal did I?

I said they had all day to do it.

Or hospitality
Or carer
Or builder
Or factory worker

I could go on......,

I dont think I said they had to spend all day preparing a meal did I?

I said they had all day to do it.

And they did. 🤷🏻‍♀️

People nowadays are needlessly obsessed with protein.

I know, it's only what we're made of. What's the big deal? Who needs skin, blood, muscles, nerves and all that nonsense?

Isn't it amazing that we don't need to eat skin and blood and muscle to make our own

Look at the average bull - plenty of muscle from eating grass

The bull manages that by eating grass all day long. Not very practical for most humans. Anyway, there are good concentrated sources of protein which are plant-based or don't involve killing the animal that provides them.

No one who is eating enough is in danger of not getting enough protein. Particularly not from having one meal without a so-called ‘protein’ added to it! (Every food contains protein to varying degrees)

I thought this was going to be one of those threads where an OP was wondering if she’d got enough food in for a party/buffet, leading to hundreds of elaborate replies detailing about 30 different things they’d serve, while simultaneously bragging about competitive under eating. I am disappointed.

Nor does it make it a really low unsubstantial meal.

That's true as far as it goes, @JanesBlond. But I worked mine out the other day. Despite eating a hefty carnivorous meal most days, I'm coming in short of the 50-60 grams I need to average. I've bought a protein shake powder (tastes of hay with added cocoa). I actually think people don't attach enough importance to protein.

Someone doing a job like @LaGiaconda DEFINITELY needs a lot of protein, most likely somewhat more than the RDA for their weight.

Also - alongside fibre, protein is what makes us feel 'fed' and satisfied. When our bodies need energy, they make us wants carbs because that's readily-available calories (energy). If you're genuinely getting enough full-spectrum protein, you're much less likely to crave too many carbs.

I am a nutrition bore

If I was the cook, I'd be offended that you weren't politer/more grateful about me cooking for you.

It I was the worker, my answer would a) depend on portion size. I could be filled up with veg stir fry easily if the portion was decent. And b) why I didn't eat a decent breakfast and decent lunch. I would prioritise breakfast if I was doing physical work. You can't expect your partner to mind read that you hadn't eaten much all day, that's your responsibility.

@GarlicGrace

I eat a vegan diet and easily get 45g of protein a day, (without protein powder) and thats a bit more than what I need probably. I’d have thought eating meat it should be even easier to do.

Exactly, it's the job of the person cooking to plan the meal, popping out for suitable ingredients if necessary

I would if I'd had dinner at lunch time, like a Sunday roast, then I'd have something small and simple for supper. I would usually have my main meal in the evening though, so if I'd had a light meal at lunch then I wouldn't eat similar for dinner.

just lie because adults can't handle the truth?

yes but not as the main meal of the day after a long week of work

So did I, @PromSeason! I was wrong, though. If I were eating my preferred diet of a lump of quality meat every evening, or even every 2 days with a few other proteiny bits in between, I'd be golden. I don't because of budget, effort and variety. I'd wildly overestimated the value of eggs, they average a measly 6-10 grams.

I can't eat dairy or pulses any more, which must be what's made the difference. Pulses can go fuck themselves anyway afaic, but NO CHEESE!!! 😭😭😭

Do you live there or is it partners home?
if you live there surely you wouldn’t need dessert to be offered?
in my house I would open cupboard, take out nuts, eat nuts. Open fridge, take out yogurt, eat yogurt. Open fridge take out cheese, cut some off, eat cheese.
It’s irrelevant what you’ve been doing all day you’re still an adult and responsible for yourself, nice that your partner is including you in a meal they are making, it doesn’t need to cover every food group though because you are an adult and capable.

Yes exactly.

If OP is still hungry afterwards he can make himself a snack.

I do a similar job and day, I can understand the frustration but honestly just get a snack.

Mine went to top up shop today and my tea tonight had no sandwich as he forgot to get a loaf of bread and all I had was mouldy bread rolls.

Add a fried egg on top- 2 mins, sorted

I think it's important to know if there is a mismatch of effort involved. If the OP makes a decent meal for their partner when it's their night to cook then they should expect the same without having to take responsibility for themselves. If they make a similar effort then fair enough!

Yes, I’m quite surprised at how many people don’t seem to know this.

I eat a high protein, low carb diet so if I eat something low protein and high carb, like what’s described in the OP, I feel crappy afterwards because my body isn’t used to the blood sugar spike and crash. Not only do I get hungry again right away, but I also feel lethargic and tired once my body burns through the quick hit of sugars/carbs.

are you saying you don't live off ginkgo nuts and The Force like the rest of us? shame on you

lol if I had done that much physical activity, I would get hungry if not properly fed. definitely a big protein containing meal and dessert needed.

when I do oncalls (7-8 miles walking in a bug hospital plus very physical job) - I eat at least 2000 calories that day and loads of protein. and often will indulge in a take away on those days.

maybe pre-prep some extra bits for yourself so you can supplement your dinner eg. marinated meats etc.?

Perhaps the partner was being passive aggressive?

Perhaps OP usually cooks meat heavy meals that leave the partner feeling crap ( and struggling to crap)