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AIBU?

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Original poster

Avoiding UPFs at breakfast

395 replies

Ayechinnyreckon · 05/01/2025 20:17

After breakfast we eat virtually no UPFs but the kids breakfast is a huge issue.

They wake early and are hungry. They're 9&6 so can be trusted to go downstairs, get themselves some cereal and occupy themselves in the morning until we get up.

They eat cereal and pastries mainly until we get up and make a more substantial breakfast if they want it) 90mins - 2 hours later.

AIBU to want quick and easy breakfast that the DC can get themselves? So I don't have to get up at 5.30!

OP posts:
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Original poster
Ayechinnyreckon · 05/01/2025 21:33

Wizzardry · 05/01/2025 21:30

Why not make them overnight oats?

Porridge oats soaked overnight with fruit added. Make in individual small pots.

Loads of recipes online.

But TBH your kids need 'training' to get up later when you do.

Trust me, I've tried and it's more trouble than it's worth. Like I say 6yo will often sleep later (8.10 on Friday!) but the 9yo likes his sleep routine and changing it creates much bigger issues elsewhere.

OP posts:
Wizzardry · 05/01/2025 21:33

devilspawn · 05/01/2025 21:31

Nutella is super easy to make and only a couple of ingredients make it taste like the real thing (compared to all the garbage extras they put in the jar).

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Nutella is very high in sugar- it's dreadful stuff.

Presume you mean you can make your own nut butter?

There are plenty of lovely nut butters like almond butter - Meridian- that is 100% nuts .

Devilsmommy · 05/01/2025 21:32

MumofCrohnie · 05/01/2025 21:23

Me, I care, because my daughter aged 11 weighed 4 stone, required a bowel resection and narrowly avoided a stoma.

I don't restrict my whole family's diet because of it; however, I have adapted the whole family's diet, for the better.

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Didn't mean it towards people in your position. Obviously there are many illnesses that mean major diet changes are needed.

Wizzardry · 05/01/2025 21:32

Also, wholegrain Wheatabix isn't ultra processed.

Or you could make sandwiches and leave them overnight in the fridge- wholegrain bread, nut butter, with a banana or an apple.

BaconMassive · 05/01/2025 21:32

Bacon sandwiches all round. No sauce.

devilspawn · 05/01/2025 21:31

sweetpeaorchestra · 05/01/2025 20:26

I make scones and the kids have these for breakfast. (Though they’ve started having them with Nutella instead of just butter and jam so it’s backfired somewhat. )

Nutella is super easy to make and only a couple of ingredients make it taste like the real thing (compared to all the garbage extras they put in the jar).

MumWifeOther · 05/01/2025 21:31

Ayechinnyreckon · 05/01/2025 20:17

After breakfast we eat virtually no UPFs but the kids breakfast is a huge issue.

They wake early and are hungry. They're 9&6 so can be trusted to go downstairs, get themselves some cereal and occupy themselves in the morning until we get up.

They eat cereal and pastries mainly until we get up and make a more substantial breakfast if they want it) 90mins - 2 hours later.

AIBU to want quick and easy breakfast that the DC can get themselves? So I don't have to get up at 5.30!

My kids have Greek yogurt with honey and berries most school mornings, my eldest also has scrambled eggs on sourdough. We also sometimes have porridge (organic oats and organic milk, with a little honey). On the weekend I make them pancakes cooked in butter x

Original poster
Ayechinnyreckon · 05/01/2025 21:31

I could also put the smoothie ingredients pre measured in to the smoothie cups and the 9yo could blend them.

If they're blended the night before they separate and aren't nice the next morning.

OP posts:
nopdhhd · 05/01/2025 21:31

Oh and granola is really easy to make as well and keeps well so you can make in a big batch. I use Nigella's recipe.

I absolutely do care about UPF, more fool those who don't.

Delphiniumandlupins · 05/01/2025 21:30

SchoolDilemma17 · 05/01/2025 21:27

Get up and make them breakfast then

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Even if OP got up at 5.30am to make breakfast it's likely her children would still need some sort of snack before they leave for school more than 3 hours later

Wizzardry · 05/01/2025 21:30

Why not make them overnight oats?

Porridge oats soaked overnight with fruit added. Make in individual small pots.

Loads of recipes online.

But TBH your kids need 'training' to get up later when you do.

Iwishiwasagiraffe · 05/01/2025 21:30

I would let them have the cereal. I wouldn’t give them 2 breakfasts if I’m honest. You can have healthy cereals. Then they could have a healthy mid morning snack

Sunholidays · 05/01/2025 21:29

Bake a batch of this once or twice a week https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/banana-blueberry-muffins

katter · 05/01/2025 21:29

There's lot of muesli without UPF or you can just make it yourself. I just throw together some oatmeal and some dried fruits.
Also a nine year old is probably old enough to make themselve and his brother/sister a smoothie or a banana milkshake. Just have some frozen food in the freezer.
I have now clue about UPFs but clearly choco pops are sweets and should be treated as such.

Differentstarts · 05/01/2025 21:29

Ayechinnyreckon · 05/01/2025 21:27

They won't - her butler will do it (it's how she describes the 9yo).

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I'm not trying to be horrible but it's not fair for your 9 year old to look after your 6 year old and make them breakfast while you sleep in. Your the parent

nopdhhd · 05/01/2025 21:28

I'm sure this has been suggested but I make mine overnight oats; peanut butter and banana, or honey and cinnamon, peanut butter and cocoa powder. Fridays I put chocolate chips in (UPF but only once a week!)

Cornecopia · 05/01/2025 21:28

PCOSisaid · 05/01/2025 21:19

Anything really you can make it sweet or savoury; so fresh berries and maple syrup or dried shrimp and seaweed. Its a very plain prrodge, but since it’s made out of rice it can take lots of really intense flavours

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Fab thank you. I’m going to google a recipe now

Original poster
Ayechinnyreckon · 05/01/2025 21:27

Differentstarts · 05/01/2025 21:26

I wouldn't want a 6 year old using a toaster unsupervised

They won't - her butler will do it (it's how she describes the 9yo).

OP posts:
SchoolDilemma17 · 05/01/2025 21:27

Ayechinnyreckon · 05/01/2025 20:42

They can't do those themselves.

They go to school at 8.45.

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Get up and make them breakfast then

Differentstarts · 05/01/2025 21:26

I wouldn't want a 6 year old using a toaster unsupervised

Sinkintotheswamp · 05/01/2025 21:26

UPF isn't bullshit. Salt, sugar and fat aren't the problem here.
Watch the Royal Institution Xmas lectures as it explains it well.

Original poster
Ayechinnyreckon · 05/01/2025 21:24

And before some poster pile in - DC2 is a fussy eater regardless of what is offered, not just because she won't eat my chickpea and quinoa falafel casserole on a bed of wheatgerm and spinach leaves.

OP posts:
BusyPoster · 05/01/2025 21:24

Frittata in the fridge

Homemade bran muffins

JustSawJohnny · 05/01/2025 21:24

sloecat · 05/01/2025 21:05

He’s actually not prescriptive about people eating UPF at all and says his own children eat them.

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Exactly!

I bet that nutritionist, like the majority, have their research partially funded by a large food company.

No conspiracy, just reality!

Also, CVT isn't selling a diet or product. He's selling knowledge and doesn't even tell people to go UPF free, just to make unprocessed meat/fruits/veg/nuts etc the majority of their diet.

I find it astounding that people want to protect the food industry so much, to be honest. Is it really shocking that they'd aim to make foods as cheap as possible to make and as addictive as possible so they sell more?!

MumofCrohnie · 05/01/2025 21:23

Devilsmommy · 05/01/2025 21:17

Even if something is ultra processed who cares so much that they restrict their whole family's diet for it🤷

Show quote history

Me, I care, because my daughter aged 11 weighed 4 stone, required a bowel resection and narrowly avoided a stoma.

I don't restrict my whole family's diet because of it; however, I have adapted the whole family's diet, for the better.