Page 13 | To take DD 5 to McDonald's every other weekend?

quincyquince · 2025-03-27T18:51:31+00:00

She's gluten free, so has a portion of small chips and either a small mcflurry or orange juice or sauce with the chips. We go after swimming. This is ok, right? My friend thinks it's awful that she goes twice a month. But it's not like she's having the processed bread and cheese and stuff all the time?

arethereanyleftatall · 27/03/2025 21:51

TeapotTitties · 27/03/2025 21:23

It's a personal thing though isn't it?

My friend sees a spa day as a 'treat'.

I'd rather do 9 weeks community service in the pouring rain.

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Yes, a treat is a personal thing. That’s why I don’t agree when parents say to their kids ‘let’s go to Macdonald’s for a treat’ before they’ve even taken them for the first time. Take them to McDonalds if you wish. Let them decide for themselves if that was a treat. I just don’t like the kind of brainwashing (too strong a word I know) that McDonald’s is a treat. I don’t think it is. It’s junk food, which can be quick, convenient and temporarily tasty, if it’s hot, although it’ll sit heavy in your tummy. I reckon many 5 yr olds would prefer some luscious strawberries for example. But we don’t tell them that’s a treat. I’m rambling. My point is - I don’t agree with the automatic association of mcds = treat

LlynTegid · 27/03/2025 21:51

The OP asked for opinions.

I don't think you should be going to a company that does little to stop young female workers being harassed by male members of staff. That's before you consider the food they provide.

RiversofOtter5 · 27/03/2025 21:51

I like fast food sometimes but use the local chippies and avoid McDonalds because of how the business is run -- my parents encouraged me to think about this and went out for family treats
https://www.hazards.org/insecure/mcburned.htm

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c337m3v3mgzo

McBurned? Abused fast food workers have got a beef with McDonald’s - Hazards magazine

https://www.hazards.org/insecure/mcburned.htm

Namechange6578 · 27/03/2025 21:51

DrPrunesqualer · 27/03/2025 21:06

Not unusual @Glovescarf

Heres a list of post swim snacks OP
Unless dd is doing several mega sessions a day she won’t need the meal, but I’ve included it anyway.

So you could mix it up a bit OP, if you like.

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Would other people's 5 year olds eat smoked salmon, quinoa, curry after swimming?? (honestly asking as mine usually have a cereal bar, chocolate rice cakes or scotch pancakes 🙈)

Coffeeishot · 27/03/2025 21:51

TeapotTitties · 27/03/2025 21:20

There's a Wimpy near me.

It still tastes the same, but you need to take out a 25 year mortgage to be able to afford it.

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Is there ? I'd take the mortgage out the onions through the burgers were amazing!

medlobath · 27/03/2025 21:49

Why does someone keep suggesting cake when she wants gluten free? Last I checked cake was mostly flour. Ignore (not really) friend OP

GFBurger · 27/03/2025 21:46

You can check with your local McDonald’s, but in my experience McDonald’s in the UK structure their production lines to put the buns on last. So it should be Coeliac safe (as much as anything outside of your own kitchen can be) as the bread doesn’t become involved until the last minute.

So you can order the burger without a bun, but double check the sauces I can’t remember about the Big Mac sauce. Although, shock horror if she does dare to eat a burger obvs!!

Also… hash browns are gluten free and the Coeliac McDonald’s breakfast of champions (sausage and egg and 2 hash browns instead of the bun!!) should be experienced when you are a hungover adult for sure!!

Spankmeonthebottomwithawomansweekly · 27/03/2025 21:43

I object to food being a 'treat', food is food. It's healthy, or perhaps should be in your diet less frequently. A treat after exercise seems a bit perverse to me, but I get the desire to spend special time together.

Personally I love a McD's but I might get one once or twice a year maybe as we have a family tradition, McD's on the way back from holiday. I'

I think it's what you are creating as a 'norm'. Fast food that frequently to me is too often and therefore that's why I wouldn't do it, but I accept I'm in the minority.

Food is so emotive and as a society we really don't know how to deal with it.

GFBurger · 27/03/2025 21:39

MrsSunshine2b · 27/03/2025 21:34

That's what McDonald's chips are. Potatoes, cut and fried. They are cut somewhere in a factory and brought in in massive frozen bags before frying, but all they are is potatoes.

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Just to back this up. Having worked for McDonald’s, as I am sure lots of people have.

They really are just potatoes. They spent ages finding the right potatoes and testing them to get them super light and fluffy.

Cutting them thin means they can cook at the right temperature to make sure they are also light and fluffy. McDonalds spends a lot getting things right.

Swonderful · 27/03/2025 21:35

TheCountofMountingCrispBags · 27/03/2025 21:24

A chip is only a chip if made from (raw) potatoes, peeled, cut and fried. From a proper chip shop or home made.
Skinny shit made into fries are an abomination in any establishment!
But don't stop treating your DD, nothing wrong with it occasionally!

Yes but most chip shops aren't gluten free!!

Flyboyblue · 27/03/2025 21:35

arethereanyleftatall · 27/03/2025 21:14

@faerietales
these threads always go the same way. The op asks for ALL opinions. Most think it’s fine. Some don’t think it’s fine. Then the most round on the some hurling various insults in their direction, making stuff up about kale and lentils etc. I’m never sure why - guilt? Don’t know. When the reality is that there’s quite a large gap in between giving a 5 year old a mcds every fortnight, and never ever allowing them a single bit of junk ever. Which absolutely no one here has said. They have simply said they wouldn’t give it every fortnight because it then becomes a habit.

Why would anyone feel guilty? Nice little passive aggressive dig there.

MrsSunshine2b · 27/03/2025 21:34

TheCountofMountingCrispBags · 27/03/2025 21:24

A chip is only a chip if made from (raw) potatoes, peeled, cut and fried. From a proper chip shop or home made.
Skinny shit made into fries are an abomination in any establishment!
But don't stop treating your DD, nothing wrong with it occasionally!

That's what McDonald's chips are. Potatoes, cut and fried. They are cut somewhere in a factory and brought in in massive frozen bags before frying, but all they are is potatoes.

Swonderful · 27/03/2025 21:33

Bearbookagainandagain · 27/03/2025 18:58

I don't have any issue with the snack itself, for me it's that McD is selling absolute shite and I don't want my kids to think this is "food".

But it's the only cheap place that reliably does gluten free! It's better than being poisoned somewhere else!!

OldCottageGreenhouse · 27/03/2025 21:33

Notashamed13 · 27/03/2025 21:19

My parents used to withhold shit food from me, I never had a maccys until I was 15!!!!! Junk was completely forbidden fruit for me and subsequently made me binge and binge and binge it when I could......ignore your friend....I wish I had been taught "moderation", id probably be a normal weight and eater x

Exactly!! Same here 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

DrPrunesqualer · 27/03/2025 21:32

FiveWhatByFiveWhat · 27/03/2025 21:22

Ha ha I absolutely love this 🤣

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Exactly
Just as @arethereanyleftatall said 😆

faerietales · 27/03/2025 21:31

DrPrunesqualer · 27/03/2025 21:28

and long enough to not give a toss either 😉

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I’m just amusing myself while the Apprentice is on, lol.

TheignT · 27/03/2025 21:31

TeapotTitties · 27/03/2025 21:20

There's a Wimpy near me.

It still tastes the same, but you need to take out a 25 year mortgage to be able to afford it.

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I haven't seen a Wimpy in years. My husband loved a Wimpy.

TheignT · 27/03/2025 21:31

TeapotTitties · 27/03/2025 21:20

There's a Wimpy near me.

It still tastes the same, but you need to take out a 25 year mortgage to be able to afford it.

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I haven't seen a Wimpy in years. My husband loved a Wimpy.

Weepixie · 27/03/2025 21:30

quincyquince · 27/03/2025 19:10

Luckily she's not coeliac, just has an intolerance. So we don't have to worry about cross contamination, but she can't have much there.

She can have the veggie dippers, but they're not very nice.

She'll sometimes have the grilled chicken salad too.

Edited

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But is it a Mumsnet chicken that you can share with the rest of your street when you get home?

Jeschara · 27/03/2025 21:29

I have a MC Donald's once a week, I love it, I am out until 7.30 pm as I look after my Grandchild once a week, buy a take away, no cooking,partner has eaten, bliss and no washing up. Partner hates it though, oh well.

TheignT · 27/03/2025 21:28

TeapotTitties · 27/03/2025 21:23

It's a personal thing though isn't it?

My friend sees a spa day as a 'treat'.

I'd rather do 9 weeks community service in the pouring rain.

Show quote history

That sums it up perfectly.

I see a spa day as a waste of money but if people enjoy it good for them.

DrPrunesqualer · 27/03/2025 21:28

faerietales · 27/03/2025 21:24

Oh, I know, I’ve been around for long enough to be able to almost predict them, lol.

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and long enough to not give a toss either 😉

Teaandtoastserveddaily · 27/03/2025 21:27

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 27/03/2025 19:00

But why can you not do a treat that's not full of rubbish, like taking her somewhere that does proper cake made with real ingredients?

Because they don't want that.

Mcdonalds is nice, familiar and comforting. It's cheap and cheerful and fun and no frills.

And probably much better for you than most of the processed 'healthy' stuff these days.

DrPrunesqualer · 27/03/2025 21:27

arethereanyleftatall · 27/03/2025 21:14

@faerietales
these threads always go the same way. The op asks for ALL opinions. Most think it’s fine. Some don’t think it’s fine. Then the most round on the some hurling various insults in their direction, making stuff up about kale and lentils etc. I’m never sure why - guilt? Don’t know. When the reality is that there’s quite a large gap in between giving a 5 year old a mcds every fortnight, and never ever allowing them a single bit of junk ever. Which absolutely no one here has said. They have simply said they wouldn’t give it every fortnight because it then becomes a habit.

This is exactly what happens every time on MN 🤣🤣

Nanny0gg · 27/03/2025 21:26

Tbrh · 27/03/2025 19:10

Personally I think you're setting her up for bad habits in the future. Occasionally sure, but every second weekend, no way.

Oh dear