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.

A little bit. We’ve stocked up sensible from different supermarkets even in different towns over the last 3 weeks and DS (10) is the kind of kid who has his nose in the carrier bags seeing what he can hoover up whilst I’m still unpacking! He does struggle to maintain his weight so needs good portions but I’ve had a gentle conversation with him about taking what he needs eg 2 biscuits instead of just taking the whole jar, 1 ice lolly after dinner etc. I’ve been careful to explain that he doesn’t need to worry, we’re not short of food and we won’t run out but we need to be fair for everyone’s sake.

I’m in a permanent diet anyway so I’m always careful, although it’s my first day WFH today and I’ve managed a bike ride before starting work, yoga at lunch time and Insanity just now so I am a bit hungry!

DH has probably eaten more lunch items as he’s been WFH for 2 weeks already but hasn’t had many snacks.

So overall, we’re being sensible but not overly tight.

Yes, I’ve got weight to lose so it’s a good excuse

This thread is mental. There are NO indications of food shortages, anywhere.

You'll be fine.

Honestly, the excessive panic on here has to be the result of the UK government's compete mismanagement of this crisis. Here in Ireland, everyone is clear about what they are doing, I'm not saying there aren't concerns but they relate to the actual illness and not this scare-mongering.

Yes definitely

Yes but not because I am scared of the shops shutting. I have had to close my business, I don't know when I will start bringing in money.

I am but only because I don't want to gain weight as I'm being less active. I still plan to go for my usual long run on Sunday.

Trying to eat less, as we are usually a very active family, so currently struggling to cut down, kids' appetites still seem very large. We definitely don't have 2 weeks' food in the house without some very strange combinations! I worry about the availability of fresh food, combined with us being able to get out to it if one of us gets symptoms.

@EarringsandLipstick I don't think that's fair. The reason we are being careful not to waste is we don't want to shop again until stocks are properly replenished and panic buying stops. I'm not concerned about food supply long term, but I don't want to exacerbate the current problems by wasting food and making it harder for those in greater need to be able to find what they need.

What are you all on about? No country with an outbreak has experienced supply issues at any point. There are demand issues caused by panic and the confusion over what lockdown means. No food shops have been shut, at any point, anywhere in the world. I now can't buy eggs purely because people just have all decided they need 48 eggs at a time.

We don’t have 2 weeks food in the house. If we fall ill / go into quarantine we will only have a couple of days of food. I thought it would be ok as family could leave on the doorstep but how can they do that when everyone has bulk bought food and supermarkets are rationing? They can’t even get enough for their own families let alone mine too 😢

Play I don't want to get fat whilst moving so much less....

@EarringsandLipstick lots of us are going to be out of work. There are different reasons for cutting back.

@Tootletum ... That's exactly the problem I am trying to help with by being careful with what we've got and not wasting. It means we'll be going out to the shops a few days later than if we'd been wasteful and hopefully you egg problem can be resolved

I’m being very careful not to let food go off, checking on the contents of the fridge and making sure we don’t wage anything. We are pretty good anyway, but now we are scrupulous. Today I took all the food out of cupboards to audit it. Amazing what you find st the back...

I am being careful because I don't want to have to queue outside a supermarket. I want to make what I have last as long as possible to avoid going out.

We've not cut down on portion size but I'm making sure not to waste anything and we've had a lot less main meals and more soup, beans, and sandwiches rather than big cooked meals.

I do think it would help the nation to know what it 'might' look like here - so supermarkets open, three items per customer, one person going out per day.

I first prepped in Feb so haven't had to go out as much, but when I went to Morrisons it freaked me out, so just visit smaller shops for bits.

I've shown DH the thread and he's coming round.

I'm being careful a) because it'll help me lose weight and b) we're self-isolating so I need to make sure there's enough food for DS and DH (who has bowel issues and needs to eat often) until we can get more in by some means.

Yes definitely.

Eating things in order of what's going to go off first.

No less do DC but less for DH and I.

We have plenty of food at the moment but I don't want to shop again for as long as possible so really trying to be economical with what we're doing.

Tomorrow is pizza night. Normally that means I cook 3 pizzas for us.

Tomorrow I may do 2 as we have some veg to use up and cake to eat for pudding.

Then I can keep the 3rd frozen.

So we're not being hard done by at all. Just in honesty the way I should've been doing things.

@KatnissMellark well it would probably help if my indolent sister could stop frying up two eggs for breakfast every day. I took her on a little trip to Morrisons. She's horrified.

@KatnissMellark same here. No worries about supply issues I just want to limit going to the shops to once a week maximum. I hate food waste anyway.

I don't think there is any need to if you are prepared to shop little and often. It's just impossible to do a full shop but stuff is about.

Little and often is riskier than going less frequently

What are you all on about? No country with an outbreak has experienced supply issues at any point. There are demand issues caused by panic and the confusion over what lockdown means.

But there are current shortages, because of the people panic buying. It is happening, now. I can't bloody wait for it to stop...

Anyone got any idea how much longer it will be?

When I was younger and thought I was fat (I wasn't), I daydreamed about being locked in a spa for a month where I could only eat small portions of healthy food. I would be able to exercise all day. No temptation or choices to make. Easy weightloss. Talk about be careful what you wish for.