to think that £500 a month is enough for a child at uni

So rather than studying students should spend all their time thinking about shopping and presumably batch cooking even though they will have very little freezer or fridge space? I'm a vegetarian and I think I spend at least 35 pounds even if being relatively frugal.
Yes, OP is being quite generous and no-one is suggesting 500 a month is not enough but as it is not just for food I don't think it's too much either. It's a realistic amount and will be similar to students on a minimum loan if their parents pay for accommodation which many do.

Honestly? Not if you have take-aways and McDonald's etc- but it is perfectly possible to eat for £20 a week with a bit of clever buying and cooking, and using mince, eggs, beans and other pulses, and veg. But we are talking here about 125 per week, without no accommodation or fees cost. If anyone can't live on that, they shouldn't be at Uni!

Undernourished, wow!

I'm not the one who mentioned sadism. I only commented that 20 pounds a week for food is not enough as a couple of people seemed to think it was. Batch cooking is not practical either when you have very little fridge or freezer space. Young active adults generally need a lot more food than children or older less active adults.

That’s because it’s not a meal planning thread, nor a shopping thread 😅But if you want one, go start one! I am sure people will be happy to oblige.

I conclude that you also didn’t see any posts where people were suggesting to restrict students food budgets to £20 per week, or any evidence of sadism.

When did "your generation " go to university. I went in the 80s and my parents in the 60s and we were much better off than many students today. Definitely not scraping mold off things.

I didn't see a menu that would be healthy long term. Only one that seemed to involve having the same meal every day and also not very substantial. I've yet to see a five pound fruit and veg box that will last for a week either.

The dramatics on this thread 😅

When most of my generation were students they were scraping the mould off cheese and living off beans, and yet, they've not all got scurvy and rickets.

We live in an affluent area and I have been surprised by the number of parents who seem to take positive pride in not supporting their DC at Uni ,while driving expensive cars and going on overseas holidays
Each to their own I suppose
I was skint at Uni and don’t want that for my DC

I wonder if you could point out who you think is being sadistic. Maybe re-read the thread 😅.

One poster pointed out that her DD happily only spent £20 on food. No implication at all that she had to. Cue others saying that she would be malnourished, countered by others (myself included) saying that it is perfectly possible to eat healthily for £20 a week.

Who has said they are restricting their kids to a £20 per week food budget? Nobody.

It's not just for food. Why do people keep saying that? It is for everything other than rent.

That's more than some families have to spend on food for a month
Is is a sort of humble boast? This wad of money is all we can afford to give our son, is it enough (accompanied by much wringing of hands)

What would you do then?

My daughter is off to Uni in Sept, and once her accom is paid, and I've done a store cupboard shop the rest is up to her. Theres no spare at home to keep her !

Are you paying her rent?

Is she getting a loan?

OP's dc won't get a loan though.

A streak of ill disguised sadism I would imagine.
My mother was the same.

I agree. I dont have £500 a month for food and entertainment. ALL students ( with the exception of perhaps medicone) can find time for part time work and leisure activities. Presuming they are not running a car if in halls. Bus pass is far cheaper to get around. Working more than 5 days a week at uni leaves evenings and weekends , I think you are being very generous st £500 a month. My daughter is off to Uni in Sept, and once her accom is paid, and I've done a store cupboard shop the rest is up to her. Theres no spare at home to keep her !

It depends on expenses. If they are in London it is more expensive than other places, i can do £15 a day just on travel.

The money is not just for food.

When you say "way above" how much above do you think?

Big difference between £20 and 125 as in OP.

Way above necessary if fees and accommodation paid!

They shouldn’t be surprised if they were to fall on hard times in their elderly years, if their children insist a diet of porridge and potatoes is fine. That is basically just sugar and devoid of macro or micro nutrients. The really healthy stuff like nuts and seeds and fruit and veg are unfortunately very expensive now.

The meaness of some people is truly astounding, and regarding their own children! How do they feel about underprivileged strangers then? It’s scary.

Yes, some act as if they are doing their DC a favour. Probably just trying to make themselves feel better but if not they are very deluded.

How old are your DCs? Have you any idea how much a young adult eats?

Students also have the issue of not being able to bulk buy or do loads of batch cooking. They have very limited storage space - normally a cupboard in the kitchen for all cooking utensils, crockery a dry ingredients, and a shelf in the fridge and a drawer in the freezer if they are lucky. It makes it even harder to eat on a budget.