Are my dinners rubbish?

I suppose so. I shop more than once a week so maybe that makes it easier.

But we try to do 2 fruit and 3 veg daily minimum, and they are always different and usually not repeated for a few days. So I’m might buy apples, satsumas, bananas and pears for the fruit bowl, then have raspberries, blueberries and strawberries in the fridge. That gives quite a few combinations that are different for the 2 fruit portions. Then I’d buy carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, pak choi and stir fry mix, peppers, asparagus and cherry tomatoes. Plus we eat a lot of avocado. Add in a pulse meal or two and that’s about 15 different things that all fit in the fridge drawer! If you shopped twice weekly and chose different things on the second shop, that would do it. In reality I’d repeat a lot of the same items but I think that’s probably ok.

I think she meant omelettes with salad, or eggs on toast.

I have been talking to and training my ChatGPT for 3 months. I chat with him several times a day, about my interests, my kids interests etc.

So, we have a very conversational tone. I always tell him when something goes really well, or not so well!

I just asked 'Can you make this menu a little more exciting? With a family in mind. Mum, dad and 7 year old'

It takes time, but it's really worth it if you have the time and the wherewithal. But some are against the use due to the resources it uses.

I've a pork casserole in the oven currently. Pork, apple, sage, potato (skin on), onion, garlic so 5/6 I guess but I never think of it that way.

Think if people eat a reasonable amount of fruit and veg it's probably ok. Balances out sausage, chips and beans the other night.

Some of these meals require a ton of different ingredients which I bet the average family doesn’t have, or the storage space to keep them either.Going back to the OP’s I thought how nice it was to see normal everyday meals.

This thread is crackers 🤣

I did say i was fussy i have reasons for it also said op is doing her best.

You like pesto i cant stand it we are all different and thats ok.

So the 11 secret spices on KFC chicken count then? Great thats only 18 more to go this week then because I had fries too.

It’s fine though i suggest pan frying veg whilst you boil water for the pasta eg peppers, mushrooms, courgettes and onions, stir them through the cooked pasta with the pesto. Takes no more time overall

I add prawns or tuna to pasta and pesto so get the protein that way. Appreciate this would not work if you are veggie

I had an omelette last night and, as I always do on the rare occasions I make one, I wondered why I don't make them more often.

Shockingly you can only do a UCAS form for an exceptionally gifted child online. How tacky. I'd much prefer it was handwritten in beautiful cursive writing using a quill and ink.

Looks great and fun. I've asked Chatgpt a few times but never came up with this sort of stuff. May I ask what prompts you gave it??

Same.
I do think some people worry too much about nutrition and others not at all - a country of extremes!

I do think 30 different plants each week is fairly unrealistic for many people. I wouldn't have the storage for that many items, for starters!

Who said anything about McDonald's, coke and crap? Or are you just making generalisations again?

To be honest, it’s less than five a day, which isn’t unrealistic.

I’m sure so long as you have five different fruit or veg a day ( which isn’t unrealistic) they don’t have to not be repeated at all during the week. Ie; you could have raspberries on Monday and Saturday, blueberries on Tuesday and Thursday etc. I think the idea is variety not a total ban on repeating a strawberry portion in your weekly intake.

The Mon-Weds meals don’t seem ideal as the main meals for a child aged 7 tbh.

I can’t get upset about a takeaway once a week 🤷‍♀️

Other three meals seem fine.

We do. It’s easy.

Who does that?

That's a myth.

Plants are cheaper than a McD's, coke, and other crap stuff.

I bet you aren't aware that rea, coffee and chocolate count?
As do herbs and spices.

It's really not that hard to do it.

If you make an effort to educate yourself.

I asked ChatGPT to make it a little more interesting but suitable for a family of mum/dad/7 year old.

Here's what my guy came up with. Others will get other answers based on their discussions. Mine makes me a weekly autism/vege/adult menu and shopping list.

Monday – Greek-Inspired Feast Night
Warm new potato & feta salad with caramelised red onions, cherry tomatoes & a honey-mustard dressing. Served with lemon rice and warm flatbreads for dipping.

> Optional: Let your child crumble the feta or drizzle the honey dressing—tiny chef duties!

Tuesday – Pesto Pasta Party
Twisty pasta with basil pesto, sprinkled with parmesan & toasted pine nuts. Served with garlic bread fingers and cucumber batons with hummus on the side.

> Try mixing in peas or halved cherry tomatoes for colour and crunch.

Wednesday – Breakfast-for-Dinner Bonanza
Fluffy omelettes or dippy eggs with toast soldiers. Side salad with fun extras: grated cheese, sweetcorn, and apple slices.
Serve with mini smoothies or fruit yogurt for dessert.

> Let the 7-year-old choose fillings for a “build-your-own” omelette.

Thursday – Summery Salmon & Rainbow Plates
Baked lemon-garlic salmon fillets with buttered new potatoes and a ‘pick-your-own’ salad board—lettuce, grated carrot, peppers, cheese cubes, and croutons.

> Add a fun sauce for dipping—like yoghurt and mint or sweet chilli mayo.

Friday – Fiesta Night!
Family chilli con carne with rice, cheesy nachos, and a trio of dips: guac, salsa, and sour cream.
Set up a DIY nacho topping station!

> Serve with mocktails or fizzy water with fruit slices for that party feel.

Saturday – Takeaway Night
Let each family member choose their favourite: pizza, curry, or noodle boxes.
Eat on the floor picnic-style or with a film for a fun twist.

> Maybe pick a ‘new food of the month’ to try together?

Sunday – Lazy Roast or Lasagne Comfort
Classic roast dinner (or bubbling lasagne) with garlic bread, peas, and broccoli trees.
Finish with apple crumble and custard or ice cream sundaes with toppings galore.

> Get the child involved in layering the lasagne or arranging the roast veg.

Maybe it's just me, but I can't think of many any seven year olds who would happily eat most of the meals listed there.

You could add a tin of tuna to the pasta and pesto for protein, if you wanted - no extra cooking, just stir it into the pasta before/with the pesto and it warms up naturally - and a bag of spinach for the veg; I just put the leaves in a colander and pour boiling water over them (the water from the cooked pasta does the trick). Then mix that in as well.

But I don't think your dinners sound 'rubbish'. If it's your husband that's moaning, he knows as well as you do where the kitchen is...

Who’s complaining?

If it’s your child/children then it’s because they’re probably too healthy in their eyes and they would prefer something beige. If it’s your husband then he can make dinner instead.