I am happier, more energetic, less stressed, and better cognitively when I fast. I broke a 17-day fast a few weeks ago and want to continue, but I recently started a new job and it seems as though my mentor actually wants me to eat in the cafeteria as a way of meeting his coworkers (I’ve tried everything: saying that I eat in my car, I usually don’t lunch, etc.). I’m not really interested in something like Intermittent Fasting since I don’t think that it helps my mind as much.
My question is this: have any of you experienced this? What can I eat that will make my boss happy but will still be fasting (or very close to it)? I wouldn’t mind eating some sort of salt/electrolytes if it could somehow resemble a food lol!
Doctor’s orders! Them’s the magical words! Your doctor has you on a VERY strict diet and meal times, you can only drink black coffee, tea or water. Even if they ask for what, tell them it’s just for medical reasons. No one at your job is entitled to know specifics, not even your boss, so if they insist then try to change the subject, or outright tell them you prefer not to discuss it.
I stick to a diet coke or a La Croix when I need to socialize at work . If anybody asks me about it I’ll mention an “upset stomach. “ Every few months somebody notices how often I don’t eat. I just say I practice intermittent fasting “because of digestion issues.” At this point don’t usually ask questions.
Another tactic is to plan interesting lunches with coworkers on days you are eating. I would plan dim sum, tacos or some other interesting lunch every couple of weeks. Everyone would remember me as the guy who knows cool restaurants but didn’t remember my empty plate in the break room. I hope that helps good luck!
This is your life dude! Don’t surcum to please your boss. Don’t justify why you aren’t eating just say no thank you. But like someone else said he doesn’t care if you’re eating he just wants you to connect with your collegues. Good luck and congrats on the 17 day fast!
I’m not an expert on longer fasts, but what about bringing some kind of bone broth? You’d get salt and some electrolytes and it looks more or less like food. You could also drink herbal tea or coffee, and depending on your workplace, you could tell people you’re fasting—I feel like it’s entered the culture so much so in certain circles that people will just want to learn more about it. But you know the vibe at your job best. And your boss doesn’t care what you eat—just go sit with your colleagues and make connections.
Like many others had suggested, I actually did it in the office a couple of times: I said causally - I’m fasting, but I’d join you and have a cup of tea. None of my colleagues asked any further. It was easier than I thought.
I work at a restaurant that caters to the staff including myself and rarely ever eat the food despite it looking absolutely delicious but I stick to my meal at home. People ask me why I don’t eat and I just tell that I fast and don’t eat until the night, after my shift. It’s not weird rather your body will most likely thank you for it over time. I don’t think we’re acquired to be eating constantly throughout the day to be fair. If I eat while I’m at work, I get lazy and what not due to going hours without eating and not eating some form of pure fat or protein first to ease the insulin spike.