Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Unflip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Unflip

1 2 3 4 5 6

Original poster

to think good quality ready meals are quite healthy?

136 replies

Onlywayisupmaybe · 21/07/2024 12:09

My diet is pretty bad generally so I’m trying to change to have regular meals as a first step.

Am I deluding myself to think that ready meals from M&S healthy ranges (eat well and count on me) are quite healthy or do they count as UPF?

I don’t have the motivation to cook from scratch so any tips on easier options which are reasonably healthy would be appreciated.

OP posts:

HebburnPokemon · 21/07/2024 12:34

Mrsjayy · 21/07/2024 12:16

This,

These ready meals are feeding you and I actually think that's more important than worrying about UPF have some vegetables and salad alongside your food and you will be fine.

Show quote history

based on what source?

Sosorryliver · 21/07/2024 12:34

I really like the salads, whole grains and greens and then just put a bit of protein in the air fryer on a piece of grease proof paper so no washing up.

Mercurial123 · 21/07/2024 12:32

They are fine in moderation, and some are reasonably healthy. This is my favourite from M&S:

to think good quality ready meals are quite healthy?

GrandHighPoohbah · 21/07/2024 12:32

There is definitely a range in terms of the quality and healthiness of ready meals. The ones you describe are usually at the better end so that's a good start. As PP have said, add some vegetables if you can. You might find that if you end up with a few favourites, you would feel confident to try making the home-made version.

Mrsjayy · 21/07/2024 12:31

The noodle based ready meals are tasty I like those. What kind of things do you like to eat ?

PickAChew · 21/07/2024 12:29

Just add extra veg, as others have said. It can be salad, or frozen veg or something easy to prep and cook like spinach or broccoli. Some of the regular pasta meals are decent, high in protein and not too junky.

kcchiefette · 21/07/2024 12:24

Ready meals aren't so bad, but you can make them a bit healthier by adding some extra veg on the side. You will find that most dont have much included in them.

I am very suspicious of ready meals that have a use by date many days away, as it couldn't possibly be very "fresh".

DelilahBucket · 21/07/2024 12:20

The ingredients aren't bad in those meals but at most you get one portion of veg in them. If that is an improvement compared to what you usually eat then that's great. You can build on upping your veg quantity. The frozen microwave veg bags are a quick and easy way to do that.

BobbyBiscuits · 21/07/2024 12:16

If there are any ingredients you don't recognise and you wouldn't use to cook at home then it's UPF. I'm sure some ready meals are quite healthy, but I would always serve it with a big portion of green veg, cauliflower etc. they never give enough veg in those meals I reckon.