Other people eat so little

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
I attended the county volunteer luncheon this weekend. There were two menu choices - chicken piccata and vegetarian lasagna. The people at my table were about 50/50 on the choices; I opted for the chicken. However, I noticed everyone but me left food on their plate, some more than others. One woman that had the lasagna only took 2 or 3 forkfuls and pushed it away. She didn't even want it to take home the leftover part. I thought the portions were minuscule. The chicken was a white meat portion about 3 inches in diameter and then they cut it in half to make it look like more served with an ice cream-sized scoop of rice pilaf. I could have eaten three of those dinners! It looked lost on that 10" dinner plate. Even so, most people left a half to a third of what they were served on their plates. I also notice how slow people eat. Since I live alone, don't eat out much and am used to the portions I prepare for myself, I wanted to know if I'm a pig or other people are just fussy eaters.
 

debodun said:
I attended the county volunteer luncheon this weekend. There were two menu choices - chicken piccata and vegetarian lasagna. The people at my table were about 50/50 on the choices; I opted for the chicken. However, I noticed everyone but me left food on their plate, some more than others. One woman that had the lasagna only took 2 or 3 forkfuls and pushed it away. She didn't even want it to take home the leftover part. I thought the portions were minuscule. The chicken was a white meat portion about 3 inches in diameter and then they cut it in half to make it look like more served with an ice cream-sized scoop of rice pilaf. I could have eaten three of those dinners! It looked lost on that 10" dinner plate. Even so, most people left a half to a third of what they were served on their plates. I also notice how slow people eat. Since I live alone, don't eat out much and am used to the portions I prepare for myself, I wanted to know if I'm a pig or other people are just fussy eaters.
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I don't know what the age group was at the dinner group you were at, but a lot of elder people cut way back on portion sizes because they usually are not as active as they were when young
 

BlunderWoman said:
I don't know what the age group was at the dinner group you were at, but a lot of elder people cut way back on portion sizes because they usually are not as active as they were when young
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I think I was the youngest at the table and I'm 64.

When I was growing up, my mom prepared ample portions an I HAD to eat it ALL or sit at the table until I did (was anyone ever chided with the warning, "There are starving children in the world that would be happy to have that food!"?). It also seemed that I could never eat fast enough. My mom was always anxious to have everyone done and gone from the table so she could do the dishes, then relax for the evening. Then in school, we were given 15 minutes for lunch. If you had to wait in line at the cafeteria, it didn't leave much time for food. These circumstances made me a FAST eater, too.
 
There are as many reasons as there are women!

Maybe they did not care for it, are on a diet, vanity, etc...

I myself am cursed to have been brought up as a member, in good standing, of "the clean plate club"!!!!!!

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debodun said:
I think I was the youngest at the table and I'm 64.

When I was growing up, my mom prepared ample portions an I HAD to eat it ALL or sit at the table until I did (was anyone ever chided with the warning, "There are starving children in the world that would be happy to have that food!"?). It also seemed that I could never eat fast enough. My mom was always anxious to have everyone done and gone from the table so she could do the dishes, then relax for the evening. Then in school, we were given 15 minutes for lunch. If you had to wait in line at the cafeteria, it didn't leave much time for food. These circumstances made me a FAST eater, too.
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Oh, heck yes! I got the "starving children in Africa" who apparently lived in a village that could live for an entire month on what I left on my plate.

My late husband said he always got the "starving babies in China". I guess the starving children were divided up between the Protestants and the Catholics. The Protestants got Africa and the Catholics got China. My father once said that he got the "starving children in Armenia". For some reason the Methodists decided to claim Armenia?
 
I noticed that when we go to a buffet. I don't mean to say that just because you paid one price you have to stuff yourself. I see a lot of that also, but I have seen many people with a tiny bit on their plates and then they leave. Makes no sense to me. I like to try a little of this and a little of that. When I was a kid my Mom would say,"think of all the poor people in Europe". My Mom was also big on getting through dinner in a hurry. Even after she moved in with us and I would take my time she would say," clean up now and sit later."
 
Possibly elderly people are fussy eaters and have digestive issues and suspicious that it might not agree with them as well as being reluctant to try new things or might not like what is being served. And of course, they might not even by hungry. Then there are those who consider it guache to stuff oneself in public. Lots of reasons people eat little at these events.

Where I come from at a wedding or church event, the food was always ethnically familiar and pleasing to me and my family and of course we put it away like there was no tomorrow. My mother usually made the meals and we didn't snack in between, so I was always hungry and dinner time, plus she was an excellent cook so I always ate everything.
 
When we eat out I tend to eat much less than everybody else...always enjoy having the rest of my plate for lunch the next day. I always bring all the leftovers home, even salad and greens. If we don't eat whatever the dogs or rats will be happy with it.
 
fureverywhere said:
When we eat out I tend to eat much less than everybody else...always enjoy having the rest of my plate for lunch the next day. I always bring all the leftovers home, even salad and greens. If we don't eat whatever the dogs or rats will be happy with it.
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I always ask for a to go plate too. I don't waste food, but I don't feel like I have to stuff myself either. I brought a wrapped plate back from the baby shower yesterday. There was just too much food on my plate.
In my family they only made you finish all the vegetables on the plate.
 
I noticed the same thing Deb at a wedding I went to a few years ago. Many of them were much much younger than I, too. They sat there and pushed their food around on the plate and left quite a bit. I was tempted to say "Can I have the rest" as the serving sizes were tiny. We were taught about the starving kids of the world, too, not sure which country, though. As a kid I didn't often finish my plate but as an adult I'd finish my plate and another plate, too. But now as I'm really trying to watch what I eat I am trying to just have one plate full. And I do finish my plate!
 
A friend of mine usually orders her favorite dish at this certain restaurant when we go there. She has a martini, fills up on bread & butter, eats half her (generous) salad and maybe 2 bites of the actual entree, then says "I'm full", and brings the entire thing home. Every time!

Why even bother at all? We can sit home, drink a martini eat bread and butter and some salad, lol. That particular entree the next day, is never as tasty as when piping hot and freshly served.

I see nothing wrong or impolite about finishing one's meal in these days. I have read that it was proper to leave a few bites on the plate so as not to look like a glutton, but that was in a bygone era; a time when people ate 4 or 5 courses.

It seems at this luncheon, the food wasn't that great and some people were either not hungry or saving up so they could go home and gorge on cake and ice cream.
 
jujube said:
Oh, heck yes! I got the "starving children in Africa" who apparently lived in a village that could live for an entire month on what I left on my plate.

My late husband said he always got the "starving babies in China". I guess the starving children were divided up between the Protestants and the Catholics. The Protestants got Africa and the Catholics got China. My father once said that he got the "starving children in Armenia". For some reason the Methodists decided to claim Armenia?
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I got the starving children in Japan. It was not long after the war.
 
I have a good appetite and like good food, but if I'm out eating with other people in public, talking to them during the meal, etc., I tend to eat less. If it's something I don't like, I won't continue to eat it. As Aunt Bea said, many times for health reasons people are on some kind of diet and will not risk overating. If I'm just at a restaurant with my husband, I'll usually order something I like and finish the whole thing. I like the bread and butter and appetizers, but I make sure I don't fill up on anything before the main entree is served.
 
Perhaps there is a sense of obligation to attend and show the face, even tho not interested in the food nor the company.
 
One other woman at my table complained more than once "It's taking too long.", referring to the luncheon as a whole. She kept looking at her watch and fidgeting in her seat like she had ants in her pants. She calmed down when she was served, but resumed her fidgeting when she was done eating. I wanted to ask her if she turned into a pumpkin at 3 pm, but I did ask if she had to be somewhere else. She said "Not really."

Even though I was in no hurry, it did seem like the banquet staff took their time serving the meals. The people who were served first were done and had dessert before the last table was served. There were 4 waitpersons to serve 8 people to a table and there were 24 tables. I asked for a glass of water since I don't drink coffee. I wait about 30 minutes, then reminded the waitstaff again and it was another 10 minutes until I was served water. The whole luncheon plus the program too about 3 and a half hours.

I reiterate - why do these people attend if they are so distressed by it? It's like "The meal and I should hit the table at the same time, everyone should be finished eating in 5 minutes or less, have a 5 minute program, then let me outta here! I guess I'll never understand other people's attitudes.
 
After following the weight watchers program, I have been amazed at how little it takes to feel satisfied.. this after years of shoveling it in hand over fist until ready to burst. Eating slow also helps.. it takes 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain it is satisfied. Do you know how much you can pack in in 20 minutes eating fast? It's also important to stay mindful of your stomach and ask yourself.. am I really still hungry.. or am I just eating to be eating because it tastes good.

When hubby and I go out to dinner or breakfast, we split an entrée. Our favorite breakfast is a 3 egg veggie omelet with hash browns and an order of toast.. with an extra plate.. We each get half with one slice of toast and a small 6 oz tomato juice.. and I am amazed how full it makes me.
 
"..... The people who were served first were done and had dessert before the last table was served."

Well Deb, if the portions were as minuscule as you've described, and most people only ate a few bites, I shouldn't wonder.
 

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