Eating's Cheating

[RaraRachael]

Anybody familiar with this phrase?
I was at a 40th birthday party recently and didn't have much tea as I expected there would be nibbles, cake etc at the party. Whole party came and went and no food whatsoever appeared. When I mentioned this to somebody who'd been there, she said "Oh no, eating's cheating". I've just seen it on a local FB thread of somebody asking for meal suggestions before a concert.
I can't make any sense of it.

You don't get as pissed if you eat so ... eatings cheating.

Must admit I've not heard it since my Uni days and wouldn't expect it at a 40th!

LOl it would be lost on me as I barely drink! It's still alive and well in the North East.😄

Ha- yeah- I remember it from Uni/ early twenties. You’d ask someone if we’re getting food or just going to a bar and they’d say “ saying’s cheating” , meaning no food, just drinking.

I'm very south and eating's cheating is definitely something I've heard many times!

Common phrase you get more pissed more quickly if you don't eat. Terrible advice for me these days but followed religiously as a late teen 😆

I just couldn't believe we'd been invited to a party and nothing to eat and given this as an excuse - which meant absolutely nothing to me.
Thank goodness the kebab shop was open on the way home 🤣