Why Can't They Understand

I was at a Wedding Reception yesterday, when I order my choices I asked for half servings.  The appetizer was fine, my request was respected but the entree was a full order.  When I reminded the server that I had requested a half order I was told it would be too difficult so just eat what I wanted of it and leave the rest.

I wonder if this is an issue for me but a heaping huge plate of food is overwhelming for me.  There is so much food on the plate I don;t know where to start.  OK so I know I start with the protein but its very "off putting".  Then comes the guilt that all this food is headed for the trash, where if they had served me a half serving as requested it may have given to someone requesting more.  Then dessert OMG I swear it was a 4 X 4 inch block of sticky taffy pudding,

Why in this age of health consciousness can we not just order half portions without explaining ourselves

Honestly, that is the very reason I won't go out to eat. The portions are just huge and even an appetizer seems so big now. I find I get overwhelmed very easily now when I'm presented with a lot of food. It happened last weekend at my brother's house. They had a large gathering for lunch & served everything family style. Seeing all that food on the table was almost too much for me. I took my portion and had to push the dishes away from me.

With weddings, most everything is plated ahead of time so it is difficult for the kitchen to cut portions. I just wish that they (and restaurants) would just serve ONE portion - not a plate that can feed 3 people!

Thanks Simona I was wondering if I had developed a food phobia or something ridiculous like that, glad to Kwow it bothers you too,

How are things going

It's definitely not just you. I've found that now I look at food so differently. It's just fuel. It's not entertaining or social for me anymore. If I didn't HAVE TO eat, I wouldn't. I even dislike grocery shopping now too. Too much food, too many choices. I really love my RNY! I've wanted to feel that way for soooo long!

 2 years out and I never lost the social side of eating out. . .just cause I am with those who came at as the please I still enjoy eating witb the.

 My teenage daughter is the same way.  If there is too much food she no longer wants to eat.  Still a foreign concept for me, but sounds like it may be a reality post-op.  

I have the same issue. I was taught to "Eat everything on my plate" and I get so discouraged when the huge 3-serving entree arrives. Then I eat too much & feel uncomfortable. Now, I simply order a take out container when I place my order to arrive with my entree. Then, whether I intend to take it home or not, I remove the portion I won't eat & close the lid. Out of sight, out of mind & I can eat everything that's left on my plate. Hope that little tip helps. It sure helps me.

A

I Totally get this.
As soon as i get my meal at the restaurant i ask for a take out container and put 1/2 of it away. then i can finish what's left on my plate and it doesn't both me. If it's still there you keep picking at it.

as mom used to say "Finish your plate or you don't get desert" What does that say, eat till your bursting and then you can burst some more with dessert.... dang, what a concept....

I can't believe the portion sizes these days, never noticed them before because i was eating everytihng put in front of me. Now it's just gross.

but i can't say that food disgusts me, i still love it, just alot less. I love to cook a big meal, lots of choices and have a spoon on each.

LOVE this  new lifestyle.

I see it completely different.

Being heavy, I was completely helpless in front of this plate of food. No matter how big it was I ate it all, ate all the leftovers from my hubby's plate and if I wasn't too embarrassed - I would order some more!

I often thought how wonderful it would be to poke in the plate and leave most off it behind, just like these skinny girls at the next table. Not to be embarrassed by my never satisfied appetite.

I LOVE being this peaky lady now. Love when the server asks me after the meal, whether I want to take out. And I really don't care if this an occasion, where take out is inappropriate (like wedding). After all, the difference bw full and half serving is rarely more than a few dollars, if any.

What I'm trying to say is, it is possible to have fun and enjoy in the same cir****tances, that you described, it's just a matter of "personal demons".

BTW, the "eat everything on your plate" is the most dreadful parenting mistake in my book. My daughter knows that she only should eat while she is hungry. Eating after that is WRONG! Moreover, I left these "instructions" in writing to her teachers in school and had a special conversation with teachers requiring NEVER forcing or encouraging my daughter to eat more than she does. It's officially her "special accommodation requirements", lol. Her teacher thinks that I'm paranoid... whatever, I'm!

I hear you girlfriend!  What I've done in the past is ask them for a smaller plate, transferred the food that I wanted and handed the server the rest.  I know it's a waste since they'll probably just chuck it, but better in the garbage then me feeling like I have 'empty the plate' syndrome.

Cheers!