Food Waste Frustrates Me

[sillykitty 10,787]

I knew going into this that there was going to be some food waste. I really didn't think it would bother me. But it does.

I eat out very frequently due to traveling for work. Even appetizers are much more than I can consume. For instance at an Italian restaurant I ordered meatballs, it came with 5, I could eat one. I've ordered carpaccio, seared tuna, etc, even smaller appetizer portions are wasteful. I do best with a cup of Soup, but more often than not it's cream based it seems.

Of course sometimes the appetizers are either not appealing or not a healthy-ish choices, so I have to order a main. That is even more waste. It is ridiculous to have a whole plate of food be tossed after eating only about 2 oz of it. This also keeps me from sometimes ordering what I really want, like fresh fish or lamb. Even though it's not my money, I can't justifying ordering a dish that costs $40+ just to see it thrown away. I'll order the chicken or a salad instead..

The eating out waste even happens when I'm home. I'll take home leftovers but not have time to eat most of it before I have to leave town.

Unfortunately this issue even spills over when I'm at home too. Cooking is discouraging because small portions are hard. Two oz dried Protein Pasta, 2 meatballs and a half cup of sauce is 4 meals. Some of my favorite meals in the Instapot or slow cooker are just impossible to scale down. I only have so much freezer space. Fortunately I have a good rotation of prepared or simple food that are healthy in the house. But I miss some of the things I used to cook.

Last week when I was traveling I struggled with hunger. I'm unsure if it was real hunger or head hunger, since they are sometime tough for me to distinguish between. I made some not so smart choices with what I ate. So I wanted to set myself up to eat healthily this weekend. I grilled some fish and veggies. I peeled and sliced up a cucumber. I made some fat free coleslaw. And now I'm leaving in the morning, and most of that is going to go into the trash.

I know I can somewhat control the waste at home. I need to buy chicken tenders, instead of full breasts for instance, buy just a few spears of asparagus. But it just feels like the rest of it is going to be my life forever now. I'm not even getting into the attention my eating habits attract when I'm dining with colleagues and customers.

I don't regret my sleeve at all. I love being satisfied after eating so little. I am just taken by surprise how much all the food waste I generate gets me down.

[Orchids&Dragons 9,047]

I totally get you! I hate to eat out if I can't go straight home afterwards to put the leftovers in the fridge. I am rational, I understand that leaving food on the plate isn't going to help any starving children in 3rd world countries, but still, the waste! I would almost rather go and pay full price at a buffet and feel free to take my piddly 2 oz serving! I do ask the waitstaff to leave off the rice or potatoes. They try to insist that it's included in the meal and I explain that I just don't want to waste it because I won't eat it. But, I understand you wouldn't want to do that while eating out with clients.

At least if I do get my food home all right, I know my ravening hoard will take care of the leftovers. (3 boys ages 22-24)

[Creekimp13 5,841]

eggs Benedict is one of my all time favorite things to get at a local restaurant. Even if I get the half order...which I'm glad they offer...I still have left overs, and Eggs Benedict really doesn't reheat or travel well.

I get that it feels like a shame scraping that into the trash.

Ask anyone at your table if they have a dog. If I have leftovers we can't eat, pretty often my puppy gets a treat.

And yep...she loves Eggs Benedict.

At least someone gets to enjoy it that way:)

Edited June 11, 2018 by Creekimp13

[Pearldrop 164]

2 hours ago, sillykitty said:

I knew going into this that there was going to be some food waste. I really didn't think it would bother me. But it does.

I eat out very frequently due to traveling for work. Even appetizers are much more than I can consume. For instance at an Italian restaurant I ordered meatballs, it came with 5, I could eat one. I've ordered carpaccio, seared tuna, etc, even smaller appetizer portions are wasteful. I do best with a cup of Soup, but more often than not it's cream based it seems.

Of course sometimes the appetizers are either not appealing or not a healthy-ish choices, so I have to order a main. That is even more waste. It is ridiculous to have a whole plate of food be tossed after eating only about 2 oz of it. This also keeps me from sometimes ordering what I really want, like fresh fish or lamb. Even though it's not my money, I can't justifying ordering a dish that costs $40+ just to see it thrown away. I'll order the chicken or a salad instead..

The eating out waste even happens when I'm home. I'll take home leftovers but not have time to eat most of it before I have to leave town.

Unfortunately this issue even spills over when I'm at home too. Cooking is discouraging because small portions are hard. Two oz dried Protein Pasta, 2 meatballs and a half cup of sauce is 4 meals. Some of my favorite meals in the Instapot or slow cooker are just impossible to scale down. I only have so much freezer space. Fortunately I have a good rotation of prepared or simple food that are healthy in the house. But I miss some of the things I used to cook.

Last week when I was traveling I struggled with hunger. I'm unsure if it was real hunger or head hunger, since they are sometime tough for me to distinguish between. I made some not so smart choices with what I ate. So I wanted to set myself up to eat healthily this weekend. I grilled some fish and veggies. I peeled and sliced up a cucumber. I made some fat free coleslaw. And now I'm leaving in the morning, and most of that is going to go into the trash.

I know I can somewhat control the waste at home. I need to buy chicken tenders, instead of full breasts for instance, buy just a few spears of asparagus. But it just feels like the rest of it is going to be my life forever now. I'm not even getting into the attention my eating habits attract when I'm dining with colleagues and customers.

I don't regret my sleeve at all. I love being satisfied after eating so little. I am just taken by surprise how much all the food waste I generate gets me down.

I used to travel for work a lot B4 sleeve and it was tough, I’m not sure I could do it now, so congratulations on trying to find a workable option. I have some ideas, that might be possible.

When you travel is it often to the same places, and do you frequent the same restaurants? If so, you could have a chat with the restaurant and see what options may be available. They may be able to offer you smaller portions, and by being a regular you won’t need to constantly explain at time of ordering. A reminder at booking may be enough. Is it a requirement to wine/dine client? Is it possible to change up the location or activities?

The home cooking can be a challenge, and again I have no idea of your arrangements so feel free to ignore. You could check to see if there is a shelter or a Ronald McDonald type of housing in your area. You could cook up your favourite dishes, take a serve or 2 for yourself and drop the rest off. This way families staying in short term/supportive housing benefit from a home cooked meal and the food isn’t wasted.

Best of luck and let me know how you go.

[sillykitty 10,787]

Thanks for empathizing everyone, and for the advice.

Funny @Creekimp13, I was thinking today that I wish my dog were still alive, she'd be loving all the Proteins she'd be getting, and I wouldn't feel near as guilty!

@Orchids&Dragons I totally love buffets. I feel like people pay far less attention to what's on your plate, and I create very little waste. And I wish I wasn't single right now. Then I'd be able to cook and send almost all the leftovers home with him!

As for the work travel thing, it's complicated. When I'm eating alone I customize the crap out of my meals. But when I'm dining with others I do so only minimally. First I don't want to attract any more attention than necessary to my eating habits. It's also not viewed favorably at all with in my company to be "picky and demanding". I have a peer who customizes everything, but not due to any dietary issues, just because he is a self absorbed PIA. He is definitely looked down up by our management, and it is viewed as unprofessional. Being able to be flexible and go with the flow is highly valued where I work.

@Pearldrop I unfortunately don't go any single place more frequently than quarterly. Even in the same city I don't have a lot of frequent repeats, unless it's the hotel restaurant, lol. I think the hotel chain I stay at sent me a summary last year saying I stayed in 54 different cities. Since I am traveling to my customers or collegues area, it is customary for them to pick the restaurant. Wine and dining is a requirement, I'm afraid. But it is not only customers, but colleagues as well. Going to a nice dinner with drinks flowing is a way to relax and break down barriers, and form relationships with people you deal with frequently but see infrequently. My company is very frugal in a lot of ways, but I have no T&E budget, and have never been questioned on a dining expense, so that's how important it is to our corporate culture. (Also part of why I needed WLS!)

I'll definitely have to look into the shelter or Ronald McDonald House idea. I like it a lot, it's killing two birds with one stone. I've just never heard of any place being willing to take home cooked food. I think in the US we might be too afraid of liability for a charity to accept such a thing. I'll look into it though!

[Orchids&Dragons 9,047]

8 hours ago, sillykitty said:

I'll definitely have to look into the shelter or Ronald McDonald House idea. I like it a lot, it's killing two birds with one stone. I've just never heard of any place being willing to take home cooked food. I think in the US we might be too afraid of liability for a charity to accept such a thing. I'll look into it though!

Maybe you or one of your friends knows someone disabled or elderly who would appreciate some home cooked meals? Or, another example, every Sunday my church brings a home-cooked meal to a local children's hospital for families who have children in the cancer ward since hospital cafeterias are quite expensive and the families are already so stressed.

Edited June 11, 2018 by Orchids&Dragons

[Frustr8 7,886]

Wow what a beautiful thing to do, those cancer mommies, And daddies have got to appreciate the sharing/lessening of that burden.