Anxious Eating (or how to not enjoy a burger)

hzm0016

I went to the grand opening of the Burger Fi in our town today, and it had an interesting effect on my eating that I noticed and wanted to share.

Being around a huge crowd of people, anxious to find seats/ get refills/ try the new menu, gave a very chaotic atmosphere to the whole restaurant. The service was moving so fast that they were trying to take our trays before we even finished eating.

I ordered a "healthier" option-- a veggie burger with lettuce instead of a bun, which was definitely tasty... but I found that half way through the meal, something was wrong. My friends had already finished their lunches and were waiting on me, and I think the servers wanted us to leave, but I had half a ($10 dollar) burger left to eat.

I felt this pressure to eat fast and finish my burger. When I did just that, I felt like I'd wasted my time, and I hadn't enjoyed the burger, which was sad because it was an unusual indulgence for me. I didn't want to cram the rest into my mouth and get the heck out, but I feel like the setting had a negative psychological effect on my eating.

I'm curious to see if any of you experience this in different settings. Where do you feel like you are pressured to eat fast/ excessively? Or, on a general scale, how do you think our culture and society are making us anxious eaters?

BigT555

in that situation i would have either packed up the burger or just eaten it at my own pace. unless you had somewhere to be theres no reason to rush, especially at a table of friends, its just more time spent talking and whatnot

eta; i can say i was always the first one done at restaurants (until i changed my habits while losing weight and learned to slow down) and i never minded waiting for others. screw the servers, if they rush you then they lose their tip

knitapeace

Last night my husband and I went out to our yearly "fancy" dinner, which we do when the kids are at camp during the summer. I also felt a real pressure to savor and enjoy everything we ordered, not only because of the price but because of the calorie indulgence. I can't imagine how much worse it would have been in a rush-rush environment where they were trying to turn tables so quickly that they were taking your trays before you even finished. (Our service was phenomenal, and we enjoyed every moment and mouthful!) I feel for both you and your servers in that situation.

I sometimes also feel pressure to make sure any other kind of indulgence is "just right" as long as I'm having it. I mentioned in the Talenti thread that if I'm going to work that much frozen deliciousness into my calories I don't want to risk trying a new flavor that I might not like, so I always get the same thing. Part of this whole weight loss "thing" is learning how not to let food be the boss of you...I'm still working on it!

hj1119

I typically pack half my meal to go - not because I'm not hungry enough to eat it, but because I eat at a leisurely pace and usually the family is done and I've still got food. Then I usually eat it between the restaurant and home or just after I get home. Rarely do my doggie bags make it to the fridge.

I'd have been very upset in your position. There's nothing worse than paying for a meal and not having a great time. I'd probably write a mean 2-star yelp review!

JTick

I never ate at the college cafeteria for that reason. It was so loud, and a ton of people around. There were always groups waiting to pounce on your table as soon as you were finished. I prefer to eat by myself or only with people I know, in a quiet place. I dislike loud restaurants for the same reason - it makes me anxious.

In situations like that, I just get my food to go. I've not found a better way of dealing with it. I'd rather not eat at all than have to deal with that.

MCW3516

Next time you'll just have to go alone! :P

Burger Fi is damn good. We just recently got one in Knoxville, TN too.

Kita328

No way. I eat fast. Always have. Always will.
Even if I plan on just eating half of my meal at a restaurant I always eat it fast. Im finished before everyone.

It hasnt stopped me from managing my calories- I just have to be more aware of the food I put in my mouth and quit when a serving is done.

astronomicals

beers when bar hopping.... it seems like a sin to chug any good craft beer and I dont buy macros


my 2 year old niece eats deserts faster than me... proven in real life scenario

hzm0016

Burger Fi is damn good. We just recently got one in Knoxville, TN too.

I KNOW!
For the record, the quinoa burger is the best veggie burger known to man (okay, known to me at least).

Lizzy622

I had something similar at a Red Lobster. I just took my time to the annoyance of the waiter. She kept trying to clear stuff before I finished and brought a box I did not use.