Drinking instead of eating

I remember when I was a student everyone wouldn't eat before drinking because it makes you get drunk a lot quicker and the night out ends up cheaper. 

I'm like you and I HAVE to eat!  I went to GNC here and bought Definity Crisps cranberry protein bars. They are small and can fit in a pocket.  Maybe buy a small purse to carry with you so you have a place to put food?  I can't be without something to eat or my blood sugar and protein level will plummet.  My husband can also go without food for long periods of time. It isn't good for the body!  People end up with diabetes from their insulin fluctuating wildly with long hours in between meals.  Maybe that's one reason more people are being diagnosed with diabetes over here.

Specific example.

I recently joined a choir and tomorrow is my first concert. We have to be at the venue to prep by 5:30, and the concert doesn't end till around 9:30. Then we are supposed to go to one of the choirmembers' homes (not near the venue) for drinks and crisps.

Considering that I have to travel to get to the venue, that I don't want to eat after I've got my outfit on to prevent getting food on it, and that I can't eat while I am standing on stage singing - when am I supposed to eat? Crisps are not enough for me.

I suppose I will just have something to eat around 3-3:30ish before I go, and then after the concert get something myself to eat first and then meet up with the others afterwards, if they are still there.

If this were in the US, we would all have gone out for a nice meal in a restaurant afterward.

I think in the US places stay open a heck of a lot later to serve food, while here pubs stop serving about 8/9pm and most proper restaurants finish at around 10ish.. Like back home, I could always walk into Fridays or a pizza place and theyd still be open at 11pm, but here I probably be told only take away is available.

Maybe in the future (as this is old thread) bring an insulated lunch bag with a drink and sandwich? Use a large handbag and keep it in there?

The people I know here either go to pubs that don't serve food or don't sit anywhere near the area for people who are eating. They are sit close to or stand at the bar type  people who just order one drink after another. It's not so much the alcohol; I don't know how people can go so long without eating.

When we used to have Sunday tea at MIL's she would serve a big meal for us at around 4PM. DH never understood why I had to make another meal for myself before bedtime; why I couldn't go from 4PM until the next day without food.

My husband is weird with food. If I ask him if he's hungry, he looks at the clock first.  It's like he can't just eat if he's hungry... it has to be near a scheduled time of day to eat.  His mother used to be the same way... but plenty of day trips into the city centre with me.. a few chinese buffets and bottles of wine at 3pm.. and she is used to it now.. (evil grin).  Hubby doesn't budge though.  He can be starving at 3pm and insist on waiting until "tea time" to eat a meal. But, he will stuff himself with junk food until then.  I just don't get it. Why not break the rules and eat a meal when you're hungry?  

ETA--- he won't eat directly before he plans on drinking beer, lager, or vodka either. He won't eat after drinking.  Maybe they prefer the quick buzz from drinking on an empty stomach?

I found this quite a lot when I lived in the UK - even my friends who were adventurous eaters seemed to either 'do a meal out' or 'go out to drink'. Herein the US, usually at least one person will get a plate of nibbles if it's not a meal out and share with everyone.

I don't buy the whole Brits drink more than Americans theory, but I do see differences in the drinking culture.

I can't eat if I'm going out to drink. It's either one or the other. If I eat, I will be tired and will want to go home and sleep. Hahaha. Therefore, if drinking is involved I will go for drinks and that's it. Eating can come after, on the way home.... 24 hour McDonald's or Taco Bell. Oh yeah we don't have those here. Haha.

Eating can come after, on the way home.... 24 hour McDonald's or Taco Bell. Oh yeah we don't have those here. Haha.

Yea, don't you miss the 24 hour eateries? I even miss diners! and 31 flavors ice cream, and... Dairy Queen...  well I'm hungry now. lol

24 hour McDonald's

We have those here.. In fact, in Sheffield, I think theres 3 and you can sit down as their dining rooms dont close (unlike back home). Sheffield is no where as big as London either... Unless Sheffield is just full of fatties or too many students.

Though the one on the high street closes, the ones that remain open have drive thrus...

The Floridian Diner
Downtown Ft. Lauderdale
Open 24 hours
a drunkard's dream

Yea, don't you miss the 24 hour eateries? I even miss diners! and 31 flavors ice cream, and... Dairy Queen...  well I'm hungry now. lol

Omg yes I miss late night Taco Bell especially! The only time I could eat it though is after a night of drinks. Lol.

We have those here.. In fact, in Sheffield, I think theres 3 and you can sit down as their dining rooms dont close (unlike back home). Sheffield is no where as big as London either... Unless Sheffield is just full of fatties or too many students.

Though the one on the high street closes, the ones that remain open have drive thrus...

Lucky! I live near a "24 hour" Asda, and guess what. After a night of partying in Wapping, we stopped by there at midnight and they were closed.  ON A FRIDAY NIGHT no less....

We're out for an evening of drinks and a meal with friends. We'll be doing the drinking first and then the eating. There will be no point in eating before we go since we will be eating a few hours later, and after a big, late breakfast I won't want a snack this afternoon. Sure hope I don't get too goofy too early. 

Even though you can order takeaways late, sometimes you just want to sit down somewhere and eat instead of taking it home and it being half cold by the time you get there.

I too miss the late night Taco Bell runs. Sigh.

I miss Taco Bell and often say they should put one in my town. I know you can buy the El Paso taco kits here, but it's just not the same. I even looked up how to make the Taco Bell sauce (on the internet).  I also miss iHOP and so does my husband!  Pecan syrup over their buttermilk pancakes... yum!

I miss Taco Bell and often say they should put one in my town. I know you can buy the El Paso taco kits here, but it's just not the same. I even looked up how to make the Taco Bell sauce (on the internet).  I also miss iHOP and so does my husband!  Pecan syrup over their buttermilk pancakes... yum!

Yes! The 24 hour Ihops were the best. And Village Inn. Oi. I can't wait to get back to Vegas next month. I think I'm going to gain at least 10 pounds in the two weeks we're there. Lol.

I miss Taco Bell and often say they should put one in my town. I know you can buy the El Paso taco kits here, but it's just not the same. I even looked up how to make the Taco Bell sauce (on the internet).  I also miss iHOP and so does my husband!  Pecan syrup over their buttermilk pancakes... yum!

Back home, even with Taco Bell just a 10 minute drive across town, if we were making our own I would buy the Taco Bell kit. I agree that Old El Paso isn't the same, but I make do with it here.

I'd give much for IHOP at the moment. I have been craving their pumpkin pancakes for weeks now, with thoughts of the ooey gooey Cinn-A-Stack pancakes from time to time. I love the pecan syrup and the blueberry syrup.

ETA: We've decided to have soup, since it will be 9 or later before we eat. That would be just too long to go, since we're drinking.