New job - already fed up with unhealthy ‘working lunches‘

[AliceSeal]

I’ve been in my new job since February and in the main really enjoy it. However, we have monthly ‘planning meetings’ which so far are always scheduled to run through lunch (usually 11-3) and the bosses arrange for a lunch to be provided. Last month, it was a job lot of Greggs ‘beige’ - sausage rolls etc, and today it was stacks of dominoes which everyone could pile in to.

I haven’t said anything so far as I don’t want to appear ungrateful, and the majority of my colleagues seemed ecstatic with these choices, but as someone who is quite big on health and fitness, this is really irritating. We get a 5-10
minute break from this at most which isn’t enough time for me to do much more than go to the loo (big office with microwave facilities downstairs and always a queue over lunch).

Would you ask to get a longer break so I can have my own lunch? I’m just conscious this will delay the meeting for everyone else so very wary of asking.

Because people who work in offices are adults?

Yeah, I get that. I still think we need a culture change, just like has/is happening with alcohol.

Let's face it, the NHS is collapsing under the stress of so many unhealthy people, people that wouldn't be in that situation if they just had a better diet. A concerted effort has been made to start kids off with a good diet, in the hopes that the coming generations will be healthier and still have a health care system to look after them. Then they go to work and all that work gets un done.

Screw that. I can't be bothered with those sort of careers anymore. I'm.off to build a temporary campsite today 😎

surely there's more than five minutes from the point the pizza/ greggs or whatever arrives whilst someone sets it up, and everyone helps themselves where you can go "I'm just gonna pop downstairs and microwave my lunch, as I don't eat XYZ" No need for everyone to have to have a longer break, or for you to make a big fuss, there'll probably be a few minutes once everyone's got their food where there's no actual work happening too, so if shouldn't matter if you're not back as soon as they sit down.

Surely that'd be exactly the same as if someone went 'sorry guys, I just need to fill my water bottle up/ run to the loo quickly'. I really doubt there's a 4 hour meeting with only enough of a break for everyone to put some pizza on paper plates or run to the loo.

Just let them have at it, why are you letting it bother you?

I really would not say anything to your place of work they are putting on ‘free’ lunches once a month which I presume they don’t force you to eat - simple option if you don’t like the ‘free’ lunch option once a month take a pre made healthy option and just say you’re on a health kick … problem solved!

@AliceSeal I am a successful woman and am not going to apologise for being a size 14. I am not, however, ungracious or precious about food.

Take a salad or something healthy to have mid morning and a smoothie as suggested by others. It's once a month and it isn't all about you.

I don't think it's fair for you to 'have' to eat something that you don't enjoy, for whatever reason (I get that you're not being forced). Rather than asking for extra time in the meeting, could you speak to management about other food options? Surely they could order in from a place that caters for all?

I'm not a health or fitness lover at all. I'm overweight and under-exercised 😂And I love junk food as much as anyone, but I really would not want to eat Greggs or Domino's for lunch, even if it was only monthly. Eating something like that would make me sluggish and full the rest of the afternoon.

If it was me, I'd ask for alternative options - you can only ask. If they can't do this then I would bring something from home. Or, if your job allows, I'd take a short break before the meeting to run out and grab something hot.

Don’t be ridiculous. One unhealthy meal a month isn’t going to ‘undo’ anything

Yet unable to work out that a tuppaware full of tuna salad would entirely solve this dilemma 😂

How well do you think complaining about the food provided which your colleagues clearly enjoy,is free of charge and likely seen as a perk is going to be perceived by your colleagues? You would be setting yourself up to be viewed as not a team player.

Instead of asking to be treated differently (which absolutely is how this will be perceived) find a different solution.

Imagine how your bosses would feel, and how unproductive the meetings would become if others followed your lead and demanded their own choice of food. Because you can bet your bottom dollar it wouldn't all arrive at the same time, it would take significantly more time to get the right food to the right person and a fair few would forget what they had ordered and start eating someone else's lunch. Your 10 minute lunch would become closer to an hour and piss pretty much everyone else off because of wasted time.

There are thermos flasks for food easily available if you have to have hot food. If these don't keep food hot enough from home, microwave it just before you go to the meeting.

Or take a tub of couscous with healthy veg, nuts and seeds. Add boiling water when it's time to eat and you have a healthy lunch ready in 5 minutes. Take a travel kettle if there isn't any boiling water facility.

If you can’t adjust your diet for one lunch a month then it’s most sensible for you to bring something with you. The obvious choice it is salad, wrap, sandwich, crackers, etc. Given you don’t like cold lunches maybe you could invest in a thermos and bring soup/pasta/noodles/rice/casserole/etc from home.

YABtotallyU! It’s a monthly meeting, for God’s sake. If you don’t like it, take in your own lunch. It would look like a complete pisstake to ask for longer.

I just what to know what on earth you eat then if you can't eat anything cold and it can't go into a thermos flask or container. I'm very very curious

My work does exactly the same. I reckon if you say to them, ur grateful but trying to eat healthy and could you have them order something in for you (of your choosing). I don't think you're being unreasonable at all and I'd bet there would be some other people would want to follow suit

The world has gone mad……….

Perhaps get some info from other caterers that could provide some cold meats, salads etc M&S do a service I think.

I totally understand this, and like you say it's not everyone's choice I find shared meals at work challenging and they aren't even every month as never my choice. Could you maybe get a SHO food flask and you can take that into the meeting with your own food in. Not ideal as it will all get mixed up a bit but the food flask will keep it warm and enable you to enjoy your choice of lunch.
https://shoreusable.com/products/your-food-flask-by-sho?tw_source=google&tw_adid=665949591493&tw_campaign=20376833240&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20376833240&gbraid=0AAAAADMdlSWy4dtGL9R5xFTxrckVGNiHT&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiqbBBhCAARIsAJSfZkZc4TXWv-QFRGNAm301c1TKAAqQkF5qk3BPEixqO2wWjZyRZj8MMXAaAuSLEALw_wcB&variant=47349114831156

We occasionally have a shared lunch at work and they get sandwiches in which I can’t have as I dislike butter/ margarine. I’ve asked before if there could be some wraps but it gets forgotten so I just bring my own. It gets tedious explaining.

Men sized 14 to 16? Is that a collar size?
Women I'd struggle to guess at dress sizes though.. if they are also a 14 to 16 then that's an average healthy size so I'm not sure what your point is.

You must have had an incredibly smooth career path to be so successful when one unhealthy lunch once a month is such an issue for you. Sorry OP - be grateful for your situation and just suck (munch) it up!!!

I was following on from my previous post, talking about the bigger picture of unhealthy food in offices in general. Cakes, biscuits, pizzas, it is a bigger problem than just one takeaway a month. If you're trying to follow a healthy diet it can be very difficult with the consultant influx of cakes and sweets from birthdays and holidays, added to that the 'reward' foods that bosses lay on like pizza, and enless rounds of sausage rolls and pastries. It is a 'thing' in many offices. My point was that we've moved away from this in schools, where we expect better healthy foods for our kids, then we go to work and pile on the fat and sugar. Offices have moved away from the booze culture, and I think it's time to move away from using unhealthy food as a reward too.

People seen to be getting very snippy on this thread, it's weird.

But office workers are adults and eating treats is a choice, not so much for school lunches.
Just because you have a problem with it, don't inflict your issues on other adults. Let people make their own decisions, who wants a nanny state making every choice for you?!

How am I inflicting my choices on other people, where did I say the state needs to get involved?

It's just an opinion that there's a culture of unhealthy food in offices that effects our health. We've moved on from the booze culture, why not unhealthy food too? No bans or legislation needed, just a bit of awareness and thought.

I'm sorry, the world is clearly not ready for such a radical and controversial opinion.

Why are people still commenting when the OP was booted off ages ago?? 🤣