DS1 is eating approx 10 meals per week from McDonalds

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He's 18yo and I suppose it's his problem but....

He's working there. It's not supposed to be long term but while he applies him self to achieving his dream. I can;t knock him for that, he's working hard both at work and on the "project" and paying his way. He's also doing well at McDonalds with management opportunities etc.

However, he gets one free meal per shift and a staff discount. So he's basically having the free meal in his break and buying another either at the beginning or end of his shift, depending on the timings, every day he's working. He's mostly working late shifts, so he's not at home for our home cooked family dinner, although I do leave him a plate to warm up next day, which he usually eats, so he's getting maybe 4/5 decent meals a week.

So far there doesn't seem to be any adverse affects. He's still tall and slim, his skin's fine, he's well, he's still playing sport at a fairly decent level.

How long until it start's taking it's toll?

I wouldn't worry too much, I reckon he will sicken himself on them before it starts affecting him in any way...

I suppose it depends what he is actually eating but he might want to think about it a bit more as it is excessive

I agree, the novelty will wear off.

I would be concerned about gallstones as the gall bladder bile gets thicker if it’s used to producing a lot of bile to break down a fatty diet. How long has he been doing this for?

Since he left school, in July

Does he have burger and fries every time or go for a wrap etc sometimes? (I’m guessing probably not the salads...). If he mixes it up and sometimes has a grilled chicken thing it’s not too bad, at least not in comparison with the diets of every other 18 year old boy out there.

I wouldn't worry too much. When I was a student I ate 6 days a week at Pizza Hut as that was where I was working. The novelty soon wore off and I switched to salad.
The salad ingredients on a pizza base was an interesting transitional period though.....

I would maybe make him a sandwich or some tuna pasta or something to eat for the second meal. I know you shouldn't have to at 18 but it would half the number of mcdonald meals. I am a softie and he is still getting used to working full time so if I had the time I would take ownership for getting the second meal ready for a few months. Then do a few months of nagging him to do it the night before. Then cross my fingers he listend. I cant talk I am so lazy with making healthy meals to take to work and spend a fortune on rubbish food when I am there as a result. So I understand why he does it. Its convenient. Make it just as convenient to have a healthier meal and I think he will. He can enjoy 10 McDonalds a week he must be sick of them but it's easy and fills a hole (for an hour or so anyway. I dont find McDonalds filling tbh). Good luck.

This is probably quite common and as long as he varies it up and tries to get enough veg etc he should be fine, particularly if it's not long term.

Massively depends on what he's eating and drinking.

Chicken wrap and water/coffee/sugar free drink or bacon double cheeseburger, large fries and a milkshake?

If you're still concerned, put examples of what he's actually having into the nutrition calculator in the app or on the website.

Do you have an 18yo Halo? DS1 id generally a "good" boy but he's not going to take a salad to work with him. He's certainly not going to make it himself when there's free/cheap food available.

"If you're still concerned, put examples of what he's actually having into the nutrition calculator in the app or on the website."

What would that tell him? It's clear he's not eating too many calories, he's very slim. He's on his feet all day and running a lot in his time off. It's probably impossible for him to eat too many calories, it's the nutritional value of them that worries me.

He's eating burger and chips, the bigger the better.

Get him to take a multi vitamin so he’s not missing out on anything important. And maybe bung an apple at him when he comes home.

Tbh many kids his age won’t be eating much better than that and they don’t have the excuse that it’s free! Eating tuna and pasta or a sandwich isn’t much better than a burger - it’s just carbs and protein either way. Plenty of people eat a sandwich and a bag of crisps for lunch, so a burger and fries is no worse than that nutritionally. Don’t worry about it.

Obviously it isn't great but it isnt that uncommon so I wouldn't worry too much.

I did a stint in a bakery as a teen and we could have a free meal. First couple of weeks I got sick of the pastries/pasties etc and would just have a side salad etc. Novelty wears off eventually!

No I dont have an 18 year old son. But I was 18 once and if someone made me a salad I would have eaten it rather than had the same thing 10 times a week. After a while even teenagers begin to crave a vegetable. No? If you are saying there is no alternative that he is always going to pick the free/cheap food then there is nothing you can do and obviously 10 McDonalds a week will take its toll pretty quickly I would assume.

My DS would live on pesto pasta/mac cheese and a McDonald’s every day given half a chance. I bought him some vitamins and let him get on with it!

Two McDonald's isnt great but he's getting them so cheap/free I suppose what can you do except ensure all other meals are wholesome and he has plenty of fruit and veg

I worked in MCD as a teen and did the same, god I loved it yum

I lived to tell the tale

I'd not worry unless he was overweight

Don't worry OP, he'll never eat another once he sickens himself....give him til Christmas and he'll be over it.

Has he watched 'Supersize Me'? Might be fun.

McDonald's food really isn't as bad as its reputation. It's not healthy healthy of course but it's not a death sentence either.

Unless he sustains this diet for several years I highly doubt there'd be any adverse long term effects.

And he'll likely have a new job or get bored of it long before that!

I was going to suggets the same, @lottiegarbanzo. Show him Supersize me, the documentary about eating exclusively MacDonalds for a month.

I'd make sure he has a lot of fresh stuff to balance it out - crunchy lettuce leaves, carrot, cucumber, pepper and celery sticks as ready made snacks in the fridge, a bowl of fruit to snack on.
Maybe encourage him to start the day with a fresh smoothie and a vitamin supplement. And suggest he tries some of the wraps/salads etc not just the burger and fries.

It's up to him at that age. He'll know the theory about nutrition etc. Nagging him may make him dig his heels in. I may be tempted to watch 'Super Size Me' whilst he's about though!

Believe me, he'll soon get sick of it. 😂

Some of it is better for you than other bits but once you've worked there a while even the smell is enough to put you off 😂

Guess where I work?

But he's not eating exclusively McDonald's is he?

Nor is he, to our knowledge, supersizing said meals.

And nor will he be adhering to the low exercise regime used in the Super Size Me experiment, as per the OP he plays sport at a decent level, and of course has a job where he's on his feet all the time.

Very different conditions and I doubt watching the documentary would be helpful to be honest.

I'm not saying McDonalds is a great diet but at 18 it really won't kill him to eat a lot of it for a little while. (And you should see what some students eat for months on end!)