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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to tire of moral superiority around meals?

187 replies

Spinmerightroundbaby · 28/07/2025 21:09

I think if women/mothers have the time to spend cooking nutritious meals and enjoy doing it, that’s a beautiful thing. I have noticed though, there’s a tendency just lately for judgement towards parents who sometimes opt for frozen foods, takeaways or less healthy options.

AIBU to think that as long as there is a balance and your family isn’t on KFC every day, people should keep snooty attitudes to themselves as the odd frozen meal or microwave dinner isn’t a big deal? Especially if it means you have more quality time with your children rather than fussing about in the kitchen? Especially for working mothers too who are generally time poor and low energy.

It just feels like it’s the whole BF versus formula feeding disagreement but it’s become a bit more prevalent (in my locality at least) and I find it a bit tiresome. To me it feels like mostly now, this isn’t even about women wanting to do right by their children, it is about perception. They want to be perceived as ‘good’ mothers when children care more about quality time with their parents.

OP posts:
Enrichetta · 28/07/2025 21:33

A lot of take-away are just not very good, apart from being unhealthy. And do you even know what’s in them.

in the time I heat up a bunch of ready-meals or frozen food I can rustle up a meal.

Planning helps: batch-cooking protein and carbs, making a week’s worth of salad dressing, using bagged salad and frozen veg, keeping it simple and using herbs, spices and ‘ethnic’ sauces for flavour.

Pennyforyourthoughtsplease · 28/07/2025 21:28

I don't think we shouldn't normalise eating poorly. I'm not one of the cooking from scratch people, but I'd like to be. Processed food is really bad for you and should not be eaten regularly, that's just a fact, there's nothing morally superior about it.

TheGentleButFirmMadonna · 28/07/2025 21:27

We don't cook meals with too many ingredients but every night we have chicken or fish with various vegetables. Obviously I'm working so I'm not cooking lunch either. But ! Because my husband insists on buying fresh , his food budget has been crazy recently. He doesn't want to change it, so I let him get on with it and save some money just in case this organic extravaganza ruins his finance

YetAnotherNewUserMoniker · 28/07/2025 21:27

YANBU. It’s not a recent thing, though, my eldest is 17 and judging was around long before she turned up!

Sunflowersurprise · 28/07/2025 21:25

Stripeysockspots · 28/07/2025 21:11

Quick meals are fine I think but KFC etc are garbage. Fine once every few months or something but you can knock up an omelette, beans on toast etc far quicker and cheaper than KFC.

I do think the people who get all uppity about citric acid in tinned tomatoes need to get out more though.

Agreed. Most takeaways are total shite. KFC being one of the very worst!

Helpmeplease2025 · 28/07/2025 21:24

Ready meals - no for us. But the kids love the occasional fish finger wrap with a potato waffle. And some cucumber and lettuce to balance it out.

Quick dinners after clubs are more likely to be scrambled egg on toast/pasta and pesto with sweetcorn and chicken (usually have some in the fridge), frozen dumplings in the steamer or even porridge.

I don’t like ready meals though, so the kids have never eaten them and now won’t.

Hollowvoice · 28/07/2025 21:23

Honestly I couldn't give a rat's ass at this point what anyone thinks about my DCs diets. Both autistic with different food issues, takeaways don't happen but there is a fair degree of premade/ processed food involved because if it's not a "safe food" they simply won't eat it.
I like cooking so I'd love to be "fussing around the kitchen" making things they enjoy but that is not my reality, I make nice things for me and DH and I make whatever I can for DC

VayCay · 28/07/2025 21:22

Stripeysockspots · 28/07/2025 21:11

Quick meals are fine I think but KFC etc are garbage. Fine once every few months or something but you can knock up an omelette, beans on toast etc far quicker and cheaper than KFC.

I do think the people who get all uppity about citric acid in tinned tomatoes need to get out more though.

Ain't that the truth (re the citric acid I mean).

Greencustardmonster · 28/07/2025 21:21

I don’t know anyone who’d comment or have issue with the odd freezer tea or occasional takeaway.

I do know people who think beige food, pot noodles and takeaways are a normal way to eat every night, and while I would never comment, yes I’d inwardly think it wasn’t great. Sometimes it’s the best that can be done in people’s circumstances (homelessness, disabilities etc), but I do also think some people have a somewhat warped idea of a typical healthy diet.

It’s not that time consuming for most adults in normal circumstances to cook an omelette or a stir fry and I’m not buying that for most people having to make a simple dinner is a significant reduction in the quality time they could spend with their kids - cook with the kids!

Notmycircusnotmyotter · 28/07/2025 21:12

There's a balance. Feeding your children nutritious food that isn't full of crap is pretty important.

Stripeysockspots · 28/07/2025 21:11

Quick meals are fine I think but KFC etc are garbage. Fine once every few months or something but you can knock up an omelette, beans on toast etc far quicker and cheaper than KFC.

I do think the people who get all uppity about citric acid in tinned tomatoes need to get out more though.

SleeplessInWherever · 28/07/2025 21:10

We have reduced takeaways, but do air fryer teas at least twice a week, and have absolutely no shame in that.

Tonight’s was home made. But it was home made on Saturday when I could be bothered.