It would seem that I have a new disorder.

Oh I love it, you have all made me chuckle on what is otherwise a very miserable day. Thanks every one of you wonderful GNs.

There is less disgrace attached these days to having itllcomeinhandyitis, though, Willynilly, due to its similarity to don'tputthatintolandfillitis. You can always claim that is really your problem. The signs and symptoms are the same - cupboards that spill yoghurt cartons and toilet-roll inners, draining-boards piled high with sparklingly clean readymeal containers, supermarket trolleys stacked with desserts in lovely clear plastic containers with lids Visitors may jeer, but you always have something to entertain the grandchildren.

I have illstartadietnextweekitis. My friend has imbuildinguptoitis as we are both 70+. I fear a cure is unlikely.

I used to suffer from this dreaded disorder but found a cure. M&S, others stores are available, do very acceptable, note I avoided using nice, meals for one.
When all the family descend I treat them all to a Chinese take away or a meal out.
I’ve cooked for so many for well over 50yrs and once I was widowed I quit cooking anything much. Enough is enough!

(Folds arms over bosom, looks over both shoulders and leans in conspiratorially)...well now that you mention it...(hitches up bosom and purses lips), I’m going to confide that I too have a disorder. Yes, I know, it’s shocking. I’ve got... (looks around again to check no one can overhear)...itllcomeinhandyitis. You name it, I’ll have several of whatever weird and wonderful item you need. From odd sized pins to unusual spices, from silicone moulds the use for which I have no idea, to electrical items that have never seen the light of day since they were bought. I could open my own corner shop!

I am like that with pasta. Last week I ended up with enough to do three more meals. I then had to look up whether pasta could be frozen by itself and then had to look up recipes for using left over pasta. I think we need a break from pasta!

The problem is, "isthatenoughitis* can lead to another outbreak of Philpotts Syndrome, if, like me you can't bear to throw food away!

So, you decide to freeze the excess food, but need to find a container of the right size.......

QED, Philpotts Syndrome starts again. Sigh.

I suffer from ’toomuchontheplate-itis’ particularly with shepherds pie, fish pie, cottage pie ... anything with mashed potatoes.

My partner is no help, as he always manages to clear his plate with very little difficulty. The only draw back is that this ’itis’ usually elicits the suggestion “shall we have a/nother glass of wine?’.

There is no cure for me because I can’t bear a mean portion of mashed potatoes.

True Elegran
I have suffered from it. In fact only last night I cooked enogh rice for an army 4 and there were just the 2 of us.

And me, always buy too much, especially as late DH was terrified of not having enough, especially when we were entertaining. He always used to say he'd rather throw stuff out than be seen to be mean. Good job I've got a big freezer!

Elegran can't blame that in this case, second marriage and always been just Mr P and I in this house!

Elegran

It takes a very long time to adjust!

Experts note that notenoughitis is often associated with empty nest syndrome, as it usually becomes apparent after the last offspring has left home and the cook is adjusting to preparing a different amount of food to what she is accustomed to. It may have been latent before then, but the effects have been masked by the way any over-supply is instantly and invisibly absorbed.

Another long term fellow sufferer here. It’s an intermittent disorder, over the years I've tried and failed to identify the exact triggers which seem to bring it on. I can confirm that it bears no relation to the number of folk I’m actually cooking for but does seem to strike whenever lentils or vegetable chilli are involved....or if my freezer is already particularly well stocked. Faulty labelling leads onto another recurrent problem, noideawhatisinthetupperware! Should we form a support group or write a self help manual ?

Strangely enough, we are having a hot pot this Sunday (not our usual Sunday fare) and I stood at the meat counter wondering if one fillet would be enough for two then asked the butcher for another one.

Mr C will have to decide whether to use one or two as he'll be cooking on Sunday.

What about the swede phoenix?
Or that's not a swede, it's a turrrnip as I was told when I lived in Devon

Yep, I too am a sufferer (oh the shame of it!). My problem is two-fold; not only do I have isthatenoughitis, where I dither over whether I have bought enough meat (himself is a big meat-eater, so it's always on my mind) and also dither over the potatoes - being a big fan of carbs, I look at my paltry 4 new potatoes (himself is on a diet and cutting out carbs) and shove in another 4, just in case. But, where the DGC are concerned, I have the reverse itis - thatsfartoomuchitis. I constantly miscalculate how much they eat; sometimes I have had to resort to a bowl of cereal or porridge to complement my lovingly made, but inadequately portioned, cottage pie, cheesy pasta etc. I am loathe to get help from himself as I really don't want to give him the opportunity to give me advice!

Never suffered from either of those Phoenix but do suffer quite a lot from ivedonetoomuchitis and more so of oh dear iveeatentoomuchitis must do more exercise ?

I am a suffer too, if I am planning a meal it kicks in big time , so glad I have a freezer.
Roast potatoes are the worst thing, biggest pot I can find to pre boil, drives my husband crazy because he has to peel them.

Oh dear! I’ve never suffered from Phillpots Syndrome or Isthatenoughitis but I’ve frequently been known to suffer from a nasty case of the Buggerems.?

Yep I have suffered from isthatenoughitis for decades. We have a freezer full of the consequences of this dreadful infliction

I find a often calms the symptoms for the duration of the evening

Suffered with that for years phoenix!