Can you eat three course meals anymore?

[Arlanymor]

I used to be able to, but these days no way would I manage both a starter and a pudding and sometimes I can’t even finish my main. I don’t have any dietary issues and I’m not watching my weight (although probably should be!) but I just can’t manage it anymore.

I tend to eat tapas more and more because then I don’t run the risk of wasting anything. But even if I am really hungry, I just can’t manage much more than one course, unless the starter is a salad or something similarly light. I’m 45.

This is how I’ve eaten for around three years (mid forties), I genuinely physically can’t eat like I used to, I’m certainly not competitive or smug about it, in fact I’m quite worried and have been to the GP. And I’m not a teeny tiny, I’m size 22. So actually in some ways it’s quite reassuring to hear other people around my age saying similar things.

I'd struggle tbh

I usually just order a main

I can't anymore and haven't for a few years. I wish I wasn't able to in my 20s and 30s because now in my 50s I'm a little pudding.

Seriously? There are always loads of threads with MNetters backslapping each other for binge eating chocolate/pizza/cakes etc.

There was one a couple of weeks back where the OP was roundly applauded for binge eating a large amount of Cadbury's Creme Eggs.

There's always been a firm balance of undereating/overeating threads on MN.

I'd like to.. but I'm in my 50's and just don't need so much food anymore.
Think you need less as you get older.

Never have. Used to like a stater and main but it’s all so expensive that we only ever go for main now and even that’s ££££!

Yep, sadly, I can. I had goats cheese and ratatouille tart, grilled chicken, potato fondant and veg, and millionaire chocolate dessert and wine.
Were reasonably small portions but polished it all off.

Am 52 and can eat three courses and enjoy every mouthful. If I don’t order three courses it’s because I am trying to avoid perimenopausal weight gain. Not because I can’t eat it. I reckon I could eat four courses. I am slim but have a big appetite and eating out is a pleasure.

I forgot to add that I have started getting some indigestion when I eat lots, but I am a fighter and plough through nonetheless 💪

I'm not fond of puddings so never order one and find a starter and main fine, but that's been for years now and I haven't noticed a pattern of eating less now I'm nearly 70. Far from it.

You don't need a lot less unless you move a lot less.

Health permitting, I hope to be doing the same amount of exercise or more in my mid fifties and beyond as I do in my late 40s. Looking at the TDEE calculator, there is very little difference in what my energy needs will be.

My mum still has a really good appetite and she's 84.

I usually have just a main. If there’s a cheesecake for dessert, I might have some but I’m usually full really.

Same, also in my early 40s, and really struggle with three courses, never really order three these days (even when it's a posh restaurant with fairly small portions - I think the richness of the dishes probably means they're more calorie dense and that's why I'm still stuffed even though volume wise they look quite small). And I definitely don't have a MN teeny tiny appetite! (And definitely do need to eat less than I currently do anyway as am overweight).

Just depends on the place and how big the portions are. I normally just have two courses - main and pudding if it's somewhere with good puddings! If it's Chinese, Thai etc I have starter and main.

Places with 3-course set menus do tend to do smaller portions and I'd eat all that.

On the one roast potato thing...

It could be my memory but I think many moons ago roasties were bigger - I know it's a bit uncouth to have them like boulders but often when eating out they're not much bigger than the size of baby new potatoes.

I do remember once when as a teen a posh lady hosting Sunday lunch asked if I wanted 'one roast potato or two' I said two please but in my head I was thinking well 4 would be OK with me!

I doubt there's a right way to tell someone who wants to eat three courses themselves that you can only manage a starter and dessert that won't get their back up if they're that way inclined. Because for the most part, this is about women thenselves feeling they shouldn't eat much, and their own feeling that a small eater shows them up as being greedy. Very similar to the way people who like to drink feel about those who dont.
The response is to project on to the small eater all this business about being 'teeny tiny' and performative with a lot of bluster about how much they can eat and how joyless the person who doesn't eat is.
I dare say there are some women who make a point of how little they eat, but everyone refusing food they dont want isn't doing so for that reason. So, if I could only manage one roast potato, how should I only eat only one without getting peoples backs up? What is the non performative response to 'is that all you're having?'

‘Struggle to eat’?

Not struggle to eat in general, would struggle to manage three courses.

Hyperbolic much?

All that’s ‘fairly telling’ is that you are one sandwich short of a picnic.

Oh I can eat a whole sandwich by the way… just for avoidance of doubt!

My word…

I'm using that! 😂

So, if I could only manage one roast potato, how should I only eat only one without getting peoples backs up? What is the non performative response to 'is that all you're having?'

Just order a normal meal and leave the parts you don't want?

Portion sizes are often just much bigger now, esp. if it’s pub-grub type food. And more than once I’ve had a starter that was easily enough for a reasonable main.

OTOH I have been served a truly minute ‘main’ course in a fashionable and expensive restaurant. And I do mean minute!

I give my extra potatoes to DH if they are on my plate. I get given any unforeseen mushrooms. Everyone is happy.

My mother is 68 and the amount she can put away is impressive. We took her to a bbq place and she ordered the biggest meat combo, finished the lot. It was amazing. She is naturally petite, has a big breakfast, no lunch, big evening meal at 5pm. She doesn't snack either.
I am not naturally petite ha. I can do a starter and main easy but no dessert. Also, no bread. Bread finishes me off if I have it with a starter.
I have noticed my body doesn't like me eating later anymore though. 7pm is latest I can do without feeling uncomfortable.
I'm not a snacker but I eat 3 meals a day.

So your answer is to waste food? That’s disgraceful. Asking for one less potato is no different to asking not to have dressing on something. It’s just tailoring your meal to avoid waste. They can’t resell food that has been on your plate.

Which works perfectly if you are dining with people who can/will eat these on your behalf.

It seems that the majority of the population don’t see a reduced appetite as they age. The majority are overweight or obese.

Yhis must be a MN thing.

Figures from last year.