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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think a leftover happy meal isn’t the worst packed lunch you could have?

439 replies

Tulipdreams · 21/03/2026 12:00

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/teachers-share-students-worst-packed-36878989.amp

Hear me out first. Of course the article is pretty terrible, children being sent into school with only packets of biscuits for lunch, stories of children having no milk for their cereal and bringing in energy drinks.

But one example was a child took a leftover happy meal to school. Aibu to think that this isn’t the worst thing you could have?

No I have never sent my child into school with a cold takeaway for their lunch, and it would be concerning if it was happening all the time. But I would eat leftover McDonald’s if I hadn’t eaten it the night before. It’s probably no worse than taking a ham sandwich and a packet of crisps (which would be deemed as acceptable).

When I was a child most kids took meat paste sandwiches and a wagon wheel and that was a completely normal lunch.

Teachers share students' worst packed lunches and contents are heartbreaking

Teachers share examples of unsuitable packed lunches children bring to school in the UK, including energy drinks, cold fast food and alcohol – with some pupils making their own meals

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/teachers-share-students-worst-packed-36878989.amp

OP posts:
Overthebow · 21/03/2026 12:30

Tulipdreams · 21/03/2026 12:20

All I am saying is that as a one off it isn’t actually harmful and I feel as though the outrage comes from a snobby pov, it gives rage headlines and gives people something to judge about.

It could be nuggets not a burger. The child might want it.

Show quote history

Surely if it’s nuggets and the kid really wants it you could send the nuggets with some fruit and veg rather than cold soggy chips though? You wouldn’t just bung a whole cold happy meal into their lunchbox?

Franpie · 21/03/2026 12:29

Tulipdreams · 21/03/2026 12:10

Ok but presuming that the child usually has a nice balanced lunch, but on this occasion they had a McDonald’s that they didn’t eat the night before.

Presuming it’s been refrigerated it’s not going to do any harm.

Show quote history

I seriously doubt that the types of parents who would give a left over McDonalds to their child in their school lunch box is also the type of parent who usually gives their child nice healthy balanced meals the rest of the time.

Original poster
Tulipdreams · 21/03/2026 12:26

ForeverAPuppy · 21/03/2026 12:23

I think a leftover McDonald’s wouldn’t keep very well.

If the child hadn’t eaten it the night before, they may not eat it the next day either.

If they hadn’t eaten dinner, there is more need for the next days lunch to be something they’ll eat with more nutritional value.

Whyvwas it ‘leftover’? Had an extra one in fact been ordered for the following days school lunch?

Lunches like this are often part of a bigger picture that is already problematic unfortunately, chaotic and neglected childhoods, lack of parenting, some sort of issue at home that needs addressing anyway for the good of the child.

Very valid points and I could imagine something like this being part of a bigger picture.

OP posts:
Thepeopleversuswork · 21/03/2026 12:26

All I am saying is that as a one off it isn’t actually harmful and I feel as though the outrage comes from a snobby pov, it gives rage headlines and gives people something to judge about.

If disapproving of people giving their kids a cold Happy Meal for lunch makes me a snob so be it, I can own that. Unless someone was living in a moment of extreme crisis and did it as a one off, there’s just no justification for it.

If a person can’t draw some lines around what is or isn’t acceptable parenting, he or she lacks the maturity and commitment to parent.

LassiKopiano24 · 21/03/2026 12:26

As a one off if it’s the kids birthday and they’ve requested it fine, maybe the child is Autistic or has AFRID etc we don’t know. Maybe they had no money and a friend or relative got the family a Mcds the night before or it could just be lazy parenting, it’s easy for people to judge without knowing the full situation.

If the parent was struggling financially I believe most schools will give free school dinners as long as they let the school know.

outerspacepotato · 21/03/2026 12:24

A Happy Meal is going to go bad before lunch without refridgeration so the kid would possibly get food poisoning. Unsuitable, definitely.

ForeverAPuppy · 21/03/2026 12:23

I think a leftover McDonald’s wouldn’t keep very well.

If the child hadn’t eaten it the night before, they may not eat it the next day either.

If they hadn’t eaten dinner, there is more need for the next days lunch to be something they’ll eat with more nutritional value.

Whyvwas it ‘leftover’? Had an extra one in fact been ordered for the following days school lunch?

Lunches like this are often part of a bigger picture that is already problematic unfortunately, chaotic and neglected childhoods, lack of parenting, some sort of issue at home that needs addressing anyway for the good of the child.

Original poster
Tulipdreams · 21/03/2026 12:23

Thepeopleversuswork · 21/03/2026 12:19

Presuming it’s been refrigerated it’s not going to do any harm

“Its not going to do any harm” is a pretty low bar to approach childhood nutrition.

Also not necessary. If the Happy Meal was the simplest option it might be excusable but it’s not. Its cheaper and easier to but a loaf of bread which will do most of a week for the child, with something to go in the sandwiches and some fruit. You can probably do packed lunches for a week per child for under a tenner.

If money is the primary concern there are cheaper options which are more nutritious. The only reason for giving a kid a refrigerated Happy Meal is just the parent not having their shit together.

I’m not saying that it’s a good option or a good idea or that there aren’t lots of better options. Of course nutrition is important so I am not saying that it’s not.

I’m just saying that the outrage feels misplaced.

OP posts:
Lomonald · 21/03/2026 12:22

Op you seem hung up on the fast food reasturant and not the actual point of the article, kids eating fast food fine , kids being sent in with cold chips and a burger not fine.

QPZM · 21/03/2026 12:22

But one example was a child took a leftover happy meal to school. Aibu to think that this isn’t the worst thing you could have?

Who has said it's the 'worst thing'?

If we took everything that wasn't ok and compared it to the worst thing ever as though that makes it ok, the world would fall to shit.

It's just a silly way of justifying crap.

Original poster
Tulipdreams · 21/03/2026 12:20

Lomonald · 21/03/2026 12:14

You are presuming a lot, honestly theyshould just bin uneaten burger and chips and make a sandwich. It is the same as sending uneaten home cooked burger and chips in isn't it ?

Show quote history

All I am saying is that as a one off it isn’t actually harmful and I feel as though the outrage comes from a snobby pov, it gives rage headlines and gives people something to judge about.

It could be nuggets not a burger. The child might want it.

OP posts:
Thepeopleversuswork · 21/03/2026 12:19

Presuming it’s been refrigerated it’s not going to do any harm

“Its not going to do any harm” is a pretty low bar to approach childhood nutrition.

Also not necessary. If the Happy Meal was the simplest option it might be excusable but it’s not. Its cheaper and easier to but a loaf of bread which will do most of a week for the child, with something to go in the sandwiches and some fruit. You can probably do packed lunches for a week per child for under a tenner.

If money is the primary concern there are cheaper options which are more nutritious. The only reason for giving a kid a refrigerated Happy Meal is just the parent not having their shit together.

Overthebow · 21/03/2026 12:18

There’s something seriously wrong if a parent can’t or isn’t bothered to cobble together something for their kids lunch that isn’t a cold leftover McDonald’s.

Sadcafe · 21/03/2026 12:18

Can’t think of many things worse than a cold McDonald’s, though reading the original article there clearly are.

Butchyrestingface · 21/03/2026 12:18

Tulipdreams · 21/03/2026 12:13

But the truth is that a large proportion of the population do like McDonald’s.

If you can eat it for dinner why not for lunch.

Show quote history

Because by then it will be cold and disgusting.

AgnesMcDoo · 21/03/2026 12:18

MotherofPufflings · 21/03/2026 12:17

Does burger and chips ever feature on school lunch menus these days?

It certainly does

cheeseburger and chips alternates with pork sausage and chips

AgnesMcDoo · 21/03/2026 12:17

The worst packed lunch is lunch.

anything after that is better and may be necessary

MotherofPufflings · 21/03/2026 12:17

Does burger and chips ever feature on school lunch menus these days?

PashaMinaMio · 21/03/2026 12:16

Thepeopleversuswork · 21/03/2026 12:09

No sorry. If you can afford a Happy Meal you can afford a loaf of bread to last the week, some sliced ham or cheese, an apple and possibly some nuts or crisps which is healthier.

Theres no nutritional content at all in a Happy Meal, its just fat and salt. Also I think sending a child into school with last night’s cold, slimy leftovers suggests such a lack of care. Its one thing if its just bought but someone’s rejected food is pitiful. Yes it’s marginally better than nothing but if you can afford bread and basic groceries you can do better than this.

I agree. Lazy parenting. ^

EwwPeople · 21/03/2026 12:16

Tulipdreams · 21/03/2026 12:10

Ok but presuming that the child usually has a nice balanced lunch, but on this occasion they had a McDonald’s that they didn’t eat the night before.

Presuming it’s been refrigerated it’s not going to do any harm.

Show quote history

Occasionally, and if the kid actually likes it , then there’s no issue.

Lomonald · 21/03/2026 12:14

Tulipdreams · 21/03/2026 12:10

Ok but presuming that the child usually has a nice balanced lunch, but on this occasion they had a McDonald’s that they didn’t eat the night before.

Presuming it’s been refrigerated it’s not going to do any harm.

Show quote history

You are presuming a lot, honestly theyshould just bin uneaten burger and chips and make a sandwich. It is the same as sending uneaten home cooked burger and chips in isn't it ?

Thechaseison71 · 21/03/2026 12:14

Tulipdreams · 21/03/2026 12:03

If you are voting yabu what exactly is it about the McDonald’s that is so terrible?

Is it that you wouldn’t eat McDonald’s at all or is it because it’s cold?

Probably the fact it's cold McDonald's doesn't travel well from the counter to the table never mind lunch next day.

Now cold pizza on the other hand is fine

murasaki · 21/03/2026 12:14

Tulipdreams · 21/03/2026 12:13

But the truth is that a large proportion of the population do like McDonald’s.

If you can eat it for dinner why not for lunch.

Show quote history

Fresh for lunch, every now and then, ok.

Cold, claggy and because you couldn't be bothered to make your kid a fresh lunch, bad parenting.

murasaki · 21/03/2026 12:13

Leftover Chinese, Indian, pizza, great.

Leftover burger, even if it's a good one, yuck.

Original poster
Tulipdreams · 21/03/2026 12:13

Waitingfordoggo · 21/03/2026 12:09

McDonald’s is rank when it’s fresh, I doubt it improves after being in the fridge overnight.

But the truth is that a large proportion of the population do like McDonald’s.

If you can eat it for dinner why not for lunch.

OP posts: