Hard time turning down free food

Saramelie
Saramelie Posts: 308 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Is it just me, or it's hard to turn down free food? I mean, I LOVE going to restaurants but I'm trying to cut down on it because it's high calories and high everyting else (sodium, fat...). It's my b-day in a couple of days and I'm receiving this email form Boston Pizza offering my favorite dessert, with a purchase of a meal, and it gets me thinking : why is it so hard for me to turn down free food?? I mean, I am already going to the restaurant THREE times this week, I don't need a fourth, but I'm still thinking about it..... grrrrrrrrrrr.

Replies

  • swaymyway
    swaymyway Posts: 428 Member
    I work in a Chinese Takeaway and not only do we get a meal each day we also get any 'mistakes' that are made - I turn down 90% of it and it's pure torture not only because I love food but also because I love freebies and bargains and saving money!
  • motivationforme
    motivationforme Posts: 2
    Ask if you can receive a discount on your meal instead of a dessert. Many restaurants will do this. Say 15% so it doesn't feel like your trying to take advantage. Then, keep with a salad or something lighter for your main meal.
  • Jestinia
    Jestinia Posts: 1,153 Member
    It took me awhile to learn to turn down free pounds and inches, too.
  • bogo_baby
    bogo_baby Posts: 82 Member
    Many times they will use the value of the free food as a discount toward another meal... it's at least worth it to try, they want you to eat there :)
  • Krista916
    Krista916 Posts: 258
    Well, if you ask me, that's not really "free" food. I say skip it. You'll thank youself for it later.
  • lynn1982
    lynn1982 Posts: 1,439 Member
    Can you fit it into your calories? I mean, if it's your birthday then it's a treat... I have a hard time turning down free food (mostly for financial reasons), so I just work it into my daily calories.
  • Saramelie
    Saramelie Posts: 308 Member
    It took me awhile to learn to turn down free pounds and inches, too.

    Seen like this.... yeah, I love it! ""No thank you for the free fattening calories, I'll pass"" :-))... I"ll go delete the email NOW and empty the trash can!
  • jadeblue14
    jadeblue14 Posts: 182 Member
    I'm the same way. My office always has a lot of free feed that people bring in. I've just tried to make it a habit to ignore it. Some days I absolutely cave and eat the free food. And I think that's key. Resist %90 of the time, cave %10. One bad decision won't screw you up as long as the rest is good.
  • fishgutzy
    fishgutzy Posts: 2,807 Member
    I thought free food was calorie free too :bigsmile:
  • Pearsquared
    Pearsquared Posts: 1,656 Member
    I feel ya. I'm getting better at saying no when the food doesn't fit well into my day, but the frugal person in me doesn't want to "waste" the food, even when it'll probably get eaten by others anyway. It doesn't even have to be traditional "junk" either! Right now, there's a pear sitting in the work fridge that was from a Christmas gift basket, and I really feel the need to eat it even though my day is already planned just because it's a free pear!

    Not to get deep, but my grandparents grew up during the depression, and while their frugality with food has become gentler through my parents, it still sticks through the generations, and the idea of saying no to food when it's put in front of you (as if it might not be there tomorrow) is rather ingrained. It's still the worst feeling when I have to throw away food because I don't have enough calories in the day to finish it. Leftovers where there's not quite enough left for a full meal are the worst - I just want to finish it, but I plan out my days and I don't have room for it.
  • nancybuss
    nancybuss Posts: 1,461 Member
    Free dessert I can pass up (Unless I'm already at the restaurant) . I am with you though, my financial side has a hard time turning down something free. Free pizza at work or go get my salad.... free please.

    I guess the plus is I don't have many chances at free food
  • emilyisbonkers
    emilyisbonkers Posts: 373 Member
    you could turn it down and have a free sexy body too.. your choice
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    OK- If I was given a birthday coupon I really wanted to use (and I was still losing weight) I would look up the nutritional info on the dessert, and go hit the gym BEFORE (either earlier that day or the day before) and earn those extra calories first, then enjoy the dessert.

    It's a self-limiting approach- when you see how hard you actually have to work for a restaurant dessert, you won't be inclined to do it that often.
  • jess17587
    jess17587 Posts: 153
    once outside tesco they were handing out free mini magnuim icecreams and my mum and sister took one and ate it in the car and i just sat there with a moody, pissed and jelous face :( lool
  • Jestinia
    Jestinia Posts: 1,153 Member
    It took me awhile to learn to turn down free pounds and inches, too.

    Seen like this.... yeah, I love it! ""No thank you for the free fattening calories, I'll pass"" :-))... I"ll go delete the email NOW and empty the trash can!

    :smile: Happy to help!
  • Erikalynne18
    Erikalynne18 Posts: 558 Member
    I work as a manager in a restaurant and am entitled to free food EVERY DAY. I love free stuff!! But after a few years guess what happened? Now I am very picky about what foods I will eat at work.



    However.... on my b-day I am going to Pizza Delight for my free meal and enjoying it!! But it's been at least 6 months (or maybe 10?) since I went to Pizza Delight so I won't feel guilty :)
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    I feel ya. I'm getting better at saying no when the food doesn't fit well into my day, but the frugal person in me doesn't want to "waste" the food, even when it'll probably get eaten by others anyway. It doesn't even have to be traditional "junk" either! Right now, there's a pear sitting in the work fridge that was from a Christmas gift basket, and I really feel the need to eat it even though my day is already planned just because it's a free pear!

    Not to get deep, but my grandparents grew up during the depression, and while their frugality with food has become gentler through my parents, it still sticks through the generations, and the idea of saying no to food when it's put in front of you (as if it might not be there tomorrow) is rather ingrained. It's still the worst feeling when I have to throw away food because I don't have enough calories in the day to finish it. Leftovers where there's not quite enough left for a full meal are the worst - I just want to finish it, but I plan out my days and I don't have room for it.

    Oh I can relate to this as well! I think for me it's all about being poor for much of my adult life. Especially when I was in college and shortly after, I was single and struggling to make it and I really did not have enough money for the groceries I needed or wanted. So even now, financially solvent at 37, when I am out to dinner with friends who order a $14 plate of food and just pick at it around the edges or eat one item on the plate...that really bugs me, especially if they don't take the leftovers home. I don't think less of them but it still bugs me. I could never waste money like that, personally. If I don't have the calories or appetite for a big meal AND I don't want to take home a box of leftover food, I will just order the smallest appetizer or something a la carte.

    As for the birthday freebie emails etc, I used them all this year. Just worked them into my calories. Some things though, like Cheesecake Factory...no. I don't have an extra 700 cal to use on a dessert and it's not close to home, either, so I just delete that stuff. But a Schlotzsky's small sandwich or Moe's naked burrito bowl? Heck yeah.

Categories