Are you being careful with how much you eat?

[middleager]

I find I am already 'rationing' in my head - one less slice of bread, no bag of crisps (children might want them), using that manky old pepper instead of chucking it etc.

Kids and DH still feasting and while I want to keep things looking normal for DC, I can't help but mentally prep for what lies ahead.

I'm also saving 'treats' for when I might appreciate them more. By treats I mean normal eggs for the kids (we have six eggs) rather than biscuits etc.

Is anybody else doing this? Perhaps you've been doing it for days/weeks.

I can eat quite frugally (Veggie) but the other 3 are in for quite a shock.

DH is still rolling his eyes at my warnings about how bad it could get, so eats with no such thoughts.

Yes, I've cut down on portion size and I'm being strict with snacks. Partly to make the food I have last longer (as my local supermarket has been sold out of pretty much everything for quite a few days now) and partly because I will be doing a lot less exercise than usual and I don't want to put weight on. I used to be a terrible comfort eater (and was 40kg heavier then than I am now). I don't want to go back to being that person.

Absolutely yes, I already tried not to have food wastage here but have now also started focusing more on really nutritious food for the kids and modest portions for me (curbing my normal overeating at last) , so actually some good habits getting embedded. I’ve been low carbing since Jan and it’s worked very well but think that’ll start to get trickier without lots of fresh veg. Planting salad veg seeds in troughs in the kitchen this weekend though as a boost!

Yes, smaller portions for me and DH (not DC, who aren't big eaters anyway), and no wasted food. I skipped lunch today and didn't miss it much - though I'm feeling dreadful so little appetite.

Yep. Even found myself putting breadcrust in the freezer today mentally thinking we might be thankful of those soon.

Yes I have been ! right down to telling family to watch their bogroll usage! Its been quiet rationing , more my own food portions as I have a young teen boy with a mansize appetite! I need to lose a bit of podge, so its not exactly hurting me lol. I`ve never been 1 to waste food, but I am definatley watching that like a hawk.

Yes, I plan out our food each day and that's it, nobody is allowed to fossick in the fridge for top ups.

First I plan around whatever fresh fruit and veg we have, for better nutrition and to reduce waste. Then add in anything else that needs using up. And trying to work with what's still available in the shops so I can keep my freezer and pantry stock for tougher times.

Well, given that most of our fresh fruit and much veg in winter comes from abroad I am expecting interruptions to supply. Of course. If countries like Spain and Italy and Morocco are badly affected I hardly think their priority will be exporting food to us. So I am ready for that. (In response to the pp who blithely states that the supply chain won’t be affected— it isn’t just a question of panic buying right now. No way.)

But I am also rationing food a little because I don’t want to have to go out shopping to a germ ridden supermarket! Will do us no harm. I have shopped for two elderly households recently and I was a little humbled by how modest their requirements are compared to ours....

I'm reducing my own portions and cutting the kids' snacks down. Saw half a hot cross bun in the bin after breakfast my DD threw away. I could have eaten that! Went without myself. It's hard getting it through to the DC. Trying to reduce their wanton loo roll usage too!

I've already started rationing myself. I no longer wander into the kitchen looking for things to nibble. I now think, 'no, I might need that when I'm really hungry later'. Lost 2lb since Monday.

I'm struggling to properly meal plan though, as every time I think I've assembled all my ingredients on my tesco list, they go out of stock! I'm scared to use up my flour on 'luxuries' like sauces or cake as I might need it later for basic bread making.

On the bright side, I suppose if they make us queue up outside supermarkets and only allow a few in at a time, we might all get a fairer share, plus shelves are more likely to get refilled.

Yes, we are.

I have been eating one full meal a day and have reduced the portion size. I need to ensure my children are fed and the less I eat the more they have.

I was watching a news article from somewhere in Europe where they still couldn't get eggs or pasta or flour.

I am going to have to raise this, but no matter what I raise, I get looked at like I'm a killjoy.

I might hide some of the kids' treats. They are 13 and eat like ganets.

Tonight I baked two potatoes, fairly small. I might have had both but will freeze the other.
I scooped less ratatouille over it than usual.

It's good (but equally depressing) to see I'm not alone.

Like pps, I will appreciate food more. I was always a dieter and used to portion control. I'm a couple of stone overweight and the worry and stopping of snacks has meant I've lost a few pounds.

But alcohol on the other hand...

I'm gone the opposite way, eating too much. Still healthy b,l,d but I am definitely eating a lot more tasty treats. Just had a jam pastry after dinner and kids baked banana bread and red velvet muffins yesterday so eating those too plus crisps and other junk.

I've lost about 5 lbs in two weeks so I am definitely eating less.

Yes, but I've had to ration food before. It's a good lesson to learn in my opinion. There's really no need to keep snacking or have massive portions, just take what you need.

I don't eat a lot anyway. Trying to maintain my weightloss and DS never eats all that much.

I'm not worried about food, we're not fussy and there will be things to eat, just not necessarily what we usually do. The only thing I am a bit anxious about is cat food, one of mine will only eat basic whiskas

I will add, DH doesnt get it. He has never understood the concept of using perishable foods first and tried to open a pack of long dated pitta breads I bought yesterday when we had a fresh loaf that needed using (not for a meal, just a snack after work). He will also leave potatoes to go bad and have say rice instead with a chilli I have made. I will base meals around what needs using.....he gives the kids one of the long dated yoghurts instead of the ones with today's date etc etc....gonna be a frustrating 12 weeks....

@Nearlyoldenoughtowearpurple rather than going in a bowl in the fridge to quietly die, leftover meal portions are properly packaged, labelled and put in the freezer.

This made me laugh so much, going in a fridge to quietly die

Also I've done the exact same thing this week, nothings going in the bin.

I'm over eating I'm stressed it stops tomorrow there is no need for me to do this !

I was watching a news article from somewhere in Europe where they still couldn't get eggs or pasta or flour because people are selfishly buying more than they need, rather than a genuine shortage of food anywhere. Borders are still open for goods, food production is still going on in Italy, Spain etc.

We are in Italy under lockdown and can go to buy food (though we are encouraged to go once a week not every day and that might be formalised shortly), there is no hand sanitizer but pasta, loo roll and flour have come back in stock after the initial panic-buying mania, I'd expect it to calm down in the UK very soon.

Yes.

Sent my husband to supermarket to get some supplies he came back with :

Jelly Babies
Bombay Mix
Angel Delight
Ginger Nuts
Diary Milk
Discos
1 bag of pasta

FFS - how is that going to feed family !!

Yes much more thrifty. The sight of bare shelves in 6 different supermarkets I looked in this afternoon has spooked me.

wow... pasta!!

this situation might well slim the nation into a healthier diet so something positive might come out of this business