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.

Tell them you suspect you’ve got some intolerances and are trailing a special diet. Bring a healthy salad in a Tupperware.

No, I wouldn't ask for a longer break so you can get your own lunch. If you don't want to eat the food they provide or eat at another time then you need to bring something with you.

Asking your bosses to change the whole event to suit you could come across as entitled and brand you a troublemaker or incapable of using your own initiative. If you like the job, I wouldn't risk that.

Ah, ok, we got to the crux by post 3. You just wanted to tell us how unhealthy and fat your colleagues are. Gotcha 😉👍

Just have a late breakfast then a late lunch after with a snack when everyone else is eating.

Once a month you have to see unhealthy food?
Sending thoughts and prayers.

Just meal prep something that can be eaten cold and taken to the meeting. I couldn’t eat any of those lunches as I’m coeliac so I’d have to take an alternative in.

We get it, you’re a slim & superior being!

You're just taking the piss now.

Would you like to borrow my mechanical digger?

I don't think that spade of yours is quite large enough to get the job done.

I have to agree. It's really odd to worry about pizza etc one day out of 30/31!!
Really disordered in my view.

If you really wanted to be the 'odd one out', why not just by a protein shake, have that and then take a slice of pizza and nibble on it, hide it under the serviette if need be.

Just don't be that person in the room. Especially if you're a newbie.

Too soon op, too soon. You should have dragged it out a bit more.

Bye bye thread 👋

That does sound a bit pretentious @AliceSeal. It’s just one meal a month.

I have a cheat meal weekly, but would rather that was one of my choice and usually on a weekend, rather than whatever junk someone has decided on bringing in to the office.

Nailed it

OP is just stealth bragging about how oh so healthy she is and how awful and terribly unhealthy these middle aged size 14/16s are who like pizza and Greggs!

It’s one day a month, if you absolutely cannot abide the idea of eating the unhealthy meal then you should compromise by taking in a cold lunch that while not your favourite is something that you can still eat. A salad, overnight oats, a wrap. Any of those would do for 1 lunch in a 30 or 31 day period.

I am astonished by your lack of problem solving skills.

Even a 5yo could work this one out.

And no, your employer isn't required to give you reasonable accommodations for your "macros".

Never heard of a hot food flask ?

On standby to hear what the issue is with that !
Probably disturbs the chakras 😶

It’s once a month - take a packed lunch! I count macros too but goodness once a month isn’t going to be a problem. And your comments about size 14/16 are very telling….it sounds as though you are very judgemental of those you don’t see as healthy even though size 14 is completely normal.

Just tell them that you are scared of ending up as a massive porkster like them if you eat that crap. How to win friends and influence people!

Have a healthy snack before and after the meeting. You don’t have to eat what is provided

Could you get one of those portable, mini rotisseries? You could buy a small chicken on the way into the office and cook it whilst the monthly meeting rumbles on, you may have to baste it occasionally, but no matter.

Actually if you put some of those mini/baby/genetically modified potatoes at the bottom, they will cook at the same time and be drenched in lovely, tasty chicken fat.

Then, you can just decline those pale, flaccid sausage rolls that you are offered, and be the envy of the meeting...

So if this is real, take your own lunch in.

I was going to ask if you're fairly senior where working lunches are kind of expected but it's very apparent you can't be in a high level role

Either have a big breakfast or bring a cold lunch. No one is forcing you to eat the takeaway. You sound very hard work and making problems where there aren't any.

Put it in a thermos that keeps it warm. This is a problem that is easily solvable. It’s once a month and not a big deal…signed someone who is heavily into health and fitness but also knows that one day a month will make zero difference to you.

So just take a packed lunch and stop making such a fuss.

Or get help with your disordered eating if you need it.