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.

I think it is rude to make a big deal of not eating much if going out with friends for a meal. I tend to be guided by who I am with as regards having a pud or not. If with my diabetic friend I know she can’t so I wouldn’t either.
If with my other friends I would have a pud.
I have never bothered with starters but if a friend wanted to I would agree.
I do think mumsnet has a lot of competitive under eaters though as someone else has already mentioned.

I definitely can’t eat as large a meal as I used to. I can do starter or dessert, but not both and only if the main course isn’t too big. I put it down to menopause and just not needing the same amount of food. I’m 52 and have noticed a change in the last year or so.

Those commenting on the “one slice of meat and one roaster”, did you not see all the other trimmings included in the OPs plate - hardly competitive under eating.

Thanks I appreciate that. I don’t know how - my appetite appears to have dismissed as I have got older, is it the same for you? Turned into this nonsense! I eat plenty and it’s nothing to do with competition in either direction. I also don’t order stuff I know I can’t eat because I hate waste.

Can't eat anywhere near as much nowadays. It's just nature. Your stomach gets progressively smaller with age because it gets drier. But I'm not complaining it's like a free gastric band.

Thanks I appreciate that. I don’t know how - my appetite appears to have dismissed as I have got older, is it the same for you? Turned into this nonsense! I eat plenty and it’s nothing to do with competition in either direction. I also don’t order stuff I know I can’t eat because I hate waste.

Definitely less of an appetite, I do better with smaller meals throughout the day, I just can’t eat a lot in one sitting any more. I tend to order a couple of smaller plates/tapas type things now because I hate seeing waste when I’ve only eaten half a meal.

I also don’t order stuff I know I can’t eat because I hate waste.

It doesn't need to be wasted - you can ask to take it home.

Where did I say that? I would just take home any leftovers and have them the next day, or give them to DH, or the dog.

I used to be able to,up until about 10 years ago (I'm now 60). But nowadays I struggle to eat 2 courses. I remember the days when I would go to a Harvester restaurant and could eat a bowl of salad from the salad cart,a main course and a dessert. Now,I can only manage the salad and main course,and after that I'm absolutely stuffed. When this first started happening,I was a bit worried,as I'd read that feeling full very quickly could be a sign of ovarian cancer,but I had it checked out and all was fine.

If I’m know I’m going to have a 3 course meal in the evening, I’ll eat breakfast but won’t have lunch. Then I’m usually hungry enough! Even then I will choose a light starter such as soup.

Totally agree. No idea why but been a few years I can't eat more than main and something pudding..

I could eat it, but god I’d suffer all night and next day if I did!

Same here

I’m about the same age as you OP and my ability to eat is no less than it used to be! I might not want dessert but that would be because I’ve stuffed myself with savoury food, I’ve never had a particularly sweet tooth.

I find it depends on how hungry I am on a given day. Sometimes im more hungry than others. Some days I’ll polish off 3 courses, coffee and a chessboard. Other days I’m full after a starter. But then I’ve always been like that!

No I'm lucky if I can eat a starter. I often opt for.kida meals when out due to the size. (Or my kid eats them).

In fact we had a family friend kick off because she saw me order a kids meal and an adult meal at a restaurant that insists the children's meals are for under 12's only. So when waitress brought them we waited till she walked away and I swapped my plate with my DS11 as he's the size of a man and eats much more. Sometimes I pick at mine then top his plate up but others we just straight swap. Friend insisted we were literally robbing from the restaurant and wouldn't take it in that my son was eligible for the meal anyway so we weren't robbing anything.

I used to be able to eat huge amounts (and was sadly skinnier back then)…was always tempted to try a food challenge I could eat that much. I really can’t eat as much having kids…could push myself to but it gets so uncomfortable.

Would have to be a main and dessert for me - always have room for dessert!

What?

You didn't notice how hugely portion sizes have increased? And sizes of dinnner plates have nearly doubled.

Did you not see that post of person intent on glutony from a single plate piled high and wide the other day?

Portion sizes have more than doubled, which is why there are so many obese people waddling around everywhere.

It's never about how many courses - it's about the quantity you're actually eating. And the less active you become, the less you should be eating.

😀
Sorry, I know it's just a typo, but the image of someone polishing off a chessboard with their after-dinner coffee made me laugh!

The answer OP is

Yes, I can. Are you offering me one?! 🤤

My now deceased friend, Norna, used to say she could eat 3 potatoes more than a pig but like all of us, as she got older she ate much less.

Very rare that we do and then only if we're eating with friends (at their place or ours) when you can take hours over a leisurely meal. In restaurants, I usually only manage one course! Two is a rarity but that's fine - I can always have a snack later if I feel hungry again.

Or a glass of orange juice - a classic 70s starter 🍹😆

I have a number of favourite restaurants. One I can manage all three courses. It is French cooking and the owner/chef focuses on quality not quantity. Some people do not get it but as he says if you want half a chicken and a massive portion of chips go elsewhere. The other is an Italian and with the mains there is no chance of eating all three courses. I usually go for a starter and main although I have had the anti-pasti starter (cheeses, salamis, cured meats, olives, artichoke hearts, etc. and bread) and dessert only. Another that is French/English has a fixed price taster menu and I can then manage all three there. What I have found as I age is that I have to avoid spicy dishes or I get half way through and become quite uncomfortable!

What's the MN Salad?!

It was a thread years ago where a poster complained about the size of the massive salad she was served in a restaurant and could only eat half of it.