How to politely request healthier food choices when meeting clients?

[Lemonthyme]

How do you politely say to a company "please don't feed me beige food"?

I was with a client yesterday and they asked before I arrived if I had any allergies etc. Which I don't. But when food came it was chicken nuggets, chips and crisps. I kid you not. It was like being in a wacky warehouse.

I've now been on such a healthy diet for a while, I ate some and it was only because I was hungry that I did eat, if there had been a fruit bowl I'd have only eaten fruit. I just didn't want to be doing it and felt awful physically afterwards. I know one meal of crap like that isn't going to make a difference to my weight but I don't like feeling like I'm bloated with that rubbish afterwards. Calories you just don't enjoy aren't fun are they? And I want to get better at asking for something less crap in future.

Do you think it's rude to say "can I have something healthy?" or "please can we have some fruit or vegetables?"

While I've barely eaten any bread for months, I still would have preferred a sandwich to that pants stuff. I work from home a lot of the time so it's not a big issue but it's surely possible to try and get something a smidge healthier.

Huh? That's worse than chips???

You've been a bit nasty so I won't take advice from you on how to act with others. But you still haven't answered my question which I think is because you don't have one. Not eating UPF is a choice and isn't criticising other people that do. It's just like taking a box of fruit and saying I prefer to eat fruit. It sounds like you're defensive about eating UPF if you take it as a criticism.
But I was giving my experience and choices to the OP and hope it was helpful for her.

God people are weird on here.

could you just not eat it?

I used to say I was vegetarian and the best thing would be a salad.

Can't believe all these incredulous posts saying who gives you nuggets and chips! Believe me many clients do this- mostly in hotels or conference centres where they have ordered the cheapest menu available. I used to eat with clients a couple of times a week, different ones, and the amount of mass produced food in breadcrumbs or filo pastry was huge.

I did. But it has been weeks no, probably months since I'd eaten stuff like that and it was just so disappointing and made me feel horrible.

@Notmycircusnotmyotter I read that as you asking why @Lemonthyme just didn’t eat it? Which would have been my suggestion!

You didn't write that you'd say those exact words. No. I was advising you there wasn't a polite way to do so easily.

Because your OP was about how to raise/address the fact the food at client meetings wasn't to your standards?

Bring your own if you feel you can't say anything about it.

Problem is that as I've already said, I fast 1 day a week and this is a hugely intense day. While I cope ok on a fast day, if I'm going to make it a "proper" fast day that's going to be coping with a huge mental load of an intense, often 8, 9 hour day and often a 3 hour drive on top. Or if it's not a proper fast, I'm having to do a fast another day etc.

It's just not going to work for me.

Tell them you’re gluten free so then nothing beige will appear!

Christ alive, I wouldn’t eat that shit. There is a long way from obsessive of healthy eating down to chicken nuggets and crisps. Who the hell serves chicken nuggets at work meal?

@Lemonthyme then take your own lunch and say “thanks I have mine here” , no need to suggest your clients offerings are unhealthy?

I’m no fan either, but suggesting to the people offering it (your client in this case) that it’s dreadful stuff you wouldn’t dream of eating? Not exactly the best way forward..

Eat before you go and then just politely nibble on an eighth of a chicken nugget

Do you feel you can take your own lunch?

I would just answer:
No allergies but a salad or a soup would be preferable. Many thanks

Then you can just eat a soup or salad at meeting, and take own pre packed extras for after if you prefer.

A small food thermos with couscous and roasted veg, with falafels or similar is my go to for busy long days out if no fridge. It’s fine eaten hot or cold. And doesn’t smell ie on train. Take some fruit

As much as that would be nice for them to cater to you, you have to take responsibility too OP. You didn’t have to eat it you chose to (whether due to hunger or something else) - that was your behaviour choice. Nobody forced you.

You could say you’re allergic to a common preservative or something and then suggest ‘but fruit or salad is always safe’ as that way they’ll do that as it’s easiest.

Things I have used in similar circumstances, which are ok out of the fridge for a few hours (travel with a cooler and cool packs). Baby Bel and bits of other harder cheeses, small pots of Greek yogurt, nuts.

Thanks. I'm trying to take responsibility. 🙄

Also this is a cognitively draining day. I fast one day a week as I've already said on this thread. It's something I can do but not when faced with a hugely difficult day.

I was asking for help...

Anyway. While it might not be with a client, I'm sure everyone has faced a similar situation with friends or family. But I guess you need zero support on your weight loss journey?

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Sheesh...

Ok. Asking for help is now self indulgent.

You know you don't have to reply right?

I did eat before I went. The session started at 8am and finished at 6pm. I had a home made bircher muesli at 7:45am in my car.

Just take your own sandwiches or whatever im. Easily resolved.

Could you bring your own food for however many days and leave it in their fridge on site. Just say you have to eat a specific diet and don't elaborate.