To think it's impossible to eat a UPF free diet as an ordinary person?

I rarely roast meat, hence that not really being an option for me. Stock cubes aren't the devil incarnate though, they're fine every now and then.

I know, I first had it in Italy and wanted to recreate it, couldnt believe the price of it and it was 1.5x the price at the butchers than in Sainsburys, so Sainsburys got my pennies that day

But is it? Who has 6 hours free to make a sourdough every few days?!

It's a nightmare. It shouldn't be this expensive to eat real food!

I know it isn’t, I was just trying to be nice.

but also re the ‘life’s too short to make stock’ type comments. You just take the carcass of whatever meat you’ve had (a roasted chicken, a leg of lamb whatever) and dump it in some water. 2 mins tops.

I know! I couldn't believe it when I dropped by the butchers the other month. I remember when we were first married I'd use it loads because it was so cheap and delicious. I left without it 😩

@MyHealthyMission My get around for stock, is making my own. But I don't put any effort into it.
I simply keep the juices from any roasted meat. I separate the fat and the good stuff, but that's about it. I keep the fat for roasting potatoes, etc, and I keep the juices and jelly for stock. I keep it all frozen in small bags, so it doesn't take up much room.

You can make sourdough without rye, I prefer it without.

It isnt impossible on a budget and no one needs to eat 4 eggs in a sitting, they might want to but its not required for health reasons or anything.

Its much more possible to save money and have cheaper grocery costs by eating a low or lower processed diet. Veg, pulses, lentils, some nuts, some fruit, some tinned fish, some fats. Thats it.

It isnt impossible on a budget and no one needs to eat 4 eggs in a sitting, they might want to but its not required for health reasons or anything.

Its much more possible to save money and have cheaper grocery costs by eating a low or lower processed diet. Veg, pulses, lentils, some nuts, some fruit, some tinned fish, some fats. Thats it.

You're completely right.

Except about the oxtail, its quite expensive per kg compared to some other meats.

Yes, there are alternatives, my point was really that some folk are privileged enough to be able to make health the first priority in decision making, when the budget is less of an issue. Others have to make budgeting the top priority.
As for 'if I really want to learn', that's quite patronising tbh, I'm not asking anyone to teach me anything. I'm perfectly able to cook healthy meals, but am not super focused on every single meal being super healthy!

There are many people who could think of alternatives, though, to suit their circumstances and budget. I don't think the PP was recommending it as the best, most accessible diet for all, more giving examples of UPF free diet. Anyone else is free to take that info and adapt it to suit their circumstances - I don't think it's the posters job to do that for other people every time they post. And anyone who genuinely wants to learn can Google what a soffrito is in the time it takes to post a reply.

For example, just off the top of my head, four eggs could be substituted for two eggs, one slice of bread, an apple and a glass of milk. I'd go so far as to say that'd actually be healthier anyway.
Blackberries could be substituted for bananas, tinned peaches or frozen berries.
Oxtail is fairly cheap, or used to be. Boiler chickens can be available cheap from the butchers for stews, or a high fibre/protein alternative is a stew with a soffrito (celery and onions are cheap) made from tinned beans and a dash of oil. And dried herbs are obviously available more cheaply than fresh.

Seriously, I get it can be frustrating when you're restricted, but it really isn't every posters responsibility to make sure their circumstances are also easily accessible for everyone else. Especially as there was no judgement from her about what others do/don't do. If you genuinely want to learn from others, it can be actually helpful to hear what others do, because you can adapt it to suit you. If you want to, that is.

I get it. I don't like foccacia. Like you I have tried an artisan version and made my own.

I think its definitely a marmite food but often its the rye in sourdough that people dislike. Personally I can't stand even the smell of rye. While I know its said to be "healthier" than the same ingredients made into normal bread, even though I enjoy it, I am unconvinced about the health benefits.

That’s a valid point. I was just surprised by the number of ‘its impossible’ comments, so I guess the caveat could be ‘it’s impossible on a budget.’

Soup should be made with stock. Cubes are disgusting & full of crap.

Just keep the bones from whenever you have meat, make stock & freeze it for when you want soup. Boiling bones is so easy!

There are many people who could think of alternatives, though, to suit their circumstances and budget. I don't think the PP was recommending it as the best, most accessible diet for all, more giving examples of UPF free diet. Anyone else is free to take that info and adapt it to suit their circumstances - I don't think it's the posters job to do that for other people every time they post. And anyone who genuinely wants to learn can Google what a soffrito is in the time it takes to post a reply.

For example, just off the top of my head, four eggs could be substituted for two eggs, one slice of bread, an apple and a glass of milk. I'd go so far as to say that'd actually be healthier anyway.
Blackberries could be substituted for bananas, tinned peaches or frozen berries.
Oxtail is fairly cheap, or used to be. Boiler chickens can be available cheap from the butchers for stews, or a high fibre/protein alternative is a stew with a soffrito (celery and onions are cheap) made from tinned beans and a dash of oil. And dried herbs are obviously available more cheaply than fresh.

Seriously, I get it can be frustrating when you're restricted, but it really isn't every posters responsibility to make sure their circumstances are also easily accessible for everyone else. Especially as there was no judgement from her about what others do/don't do. If you genuinely want to learn from others, it can be actually helpful to hear what others do, because you can adapt it to suit you. If you want to, that is.

@OtherS When you say ‘oats with milk’ do you mean just that? I’d love to eat porridge as I like the taste of oats but struggle massively with the warmth and texture of it.

Even the thought of ‘overnight’ oats with yoghurt going claggy and separated in the fridge turns me off.

Just oats with milk could be a go - er!