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Original poster

Would you be deeply concerned if...

71 replies

lookforthespace · 05/12/2021 21:53

You knew someone who only fed their DC ready meals? As in just popped it in the microwave and done, every day? For dinner.

With toast and a sandwich for lunch every day unless going out to eat

Wondering if this is a red flag type of thing really

OP posts:
freelions · 05/12/2021 21:57

I wouldn't be "deeply concerned" no

Not ideal or particularly healthy but none of my business and probably not that uncommon

Hobnobsandbroomstick · 05/12/2021 21:58

It's not ideal but it's not deeply concerning. A lot of people seem to live off beige oven food, which isn't much better.

GroggyLegs · 05/12/2021 22:01

No.
There are kids out there being starved to death.

If the kids are loved, safe and fed, it's not ideal but by no stretch a 'red flag'.

PurpleDaisies · 05/12/2021 22:04

It’s obviously not the best way to provide a healthy, balanced diet.
Plenty of people have sandwiches for lunch every day.
It wouldn’t be a red flag. The kids are being fed.

Why do you ask?

Heathcliff27 · 05/12/2021 22:16

I don't care what anyone feeds their family. I just care that they're being fed.

If they have the choice of ready meal or nothing then ready meal wins.

enjoyingscience · 05/12/2021 22:19

A surprising number of people can’t cook at all. I don’t think I’d approve, but as long as they are fed and healthy, it’s not a red flag.

Sandwiches are surely a fine lunch?

vodkaredbullgirl · 05/12/2021 22:22

No, at least they been fed.

VimFuego101 · 05/12/2021 22:28

I would say a ready meal with protein and veg is better than chips, nuggets and beige food.

Kanaloa · 05/12/2021 22:29

I wouldn’t be deeply concerned, no. It wouldn’t fit with what I try to do because it’s not that healthy and would be quite expensive since I have four kids, but if the child has a full belly then I wouldn’t find that deeply concerning.

NeedsCharging · 05/12/2021 22:32

What would the red flag be?

A microwave is just another way of reheating food. Would you feel better if they put the ready meal in the oven?

ponkydonkey · 05/12/2021 22:32

I would if they were really young 1-3 years
Too much salt
Also depends what sort of ready meal it is?
Ella's kitchen? Or value crap

50ShadesOfCatholic · 05/12/2021 22:33

No, it isn't ideal but what matters is they're being fed.

And even if you were concerned, what would you do?

We've just seen what happened to the parents of a boy who starved their child - nothing until he died.

gofg · 05/12/2021 22:35

No, I wouldn't be concerned at all. As long as they are being fed, and many ready meals are much more healthy than takeaways. And what's wrong with toast or sandwiches for lunch? It's what people have eaten for years.

SheWoreYellow · 05/12/2021 22:35

@VimFuego101

I would say a ready meal with protein and veg is better than chips, nuggets and beige food.
It’s probably nutritionally worse though. More fat and salt/added sugar.

To answer the question, I’d think it was pretty crap, but not bad enough to be seriously concerned about. Akin to babies having squash in bottles I guess.

KurtWildesChristmasNamechange · 05/12/2021 22:36

Wouldn't be concerned at all.

Ylvamoon · 05/12/2021 22:36

No not really. It's a hot meal per day for the child. Some children don't have that "luxury"

ElfontheShelfisLookingatYou · 05/12/2021 22:37

Doesn't it depend on the context?
I've deliberately got in all ready made this week as I don't feel well.

MushroomHunter · 05/12/2021 22:38

My mum was a hard worker and god love her a terrible cook. We were raised on ready meals, we’ve survived. As long as everything else is ok then no, I wouldn’t worry.

peachgreen · 05/12/2021 22:39

My DD had Annabel Karmel ready meals most days for about 6 months because I was still recovering from severe PND and trying to cook for her triggered the most horrendous flashbacks. I was so scared I wouldn't get it right, I'd get the wrong amount of salt or not enough veg and it just seemed so much safer to go with something somebody else had already researched. I can't really believe it now - the money I wasted, for a start! - but I really did (and do!) love my daughter, I just couldn't cope with that side of things.

I cook for her from scratch every day now, for the record!

Alltheblue · 05/12/2021 22:39

Not at all if they were loved, educated, clean and warm.

rrhuth · 05/12/2021 22:40

Red flag for what? A fair number of people live this way.

You can be well cared for and fed ready meals.

LittleOverWhelmed · 05/12/2021 22:41

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

DockOTheBay · 05/12/2021 22:44

Depends on a lot of things e.g. age of child, quality of ready meals, is it served with extra veg, do they eat fruit and veg as snacks or is that all processed too?

I would probably think its not great but I wouldn't be deeply concerned, unless there were actual signs of abuse or neglect alongside and this was part of a bigger picture. On its own, not a concern.

AnneLovesGilbert · 05/12/2021 22:46

It’s not ideal. If they can afford to eat out it’s not due to lack of funds.

Do the DC get any fresh fruit or veg, ever? Vitamins?

I wouldn’t be deeply concerned, they’re being fed, but it’s pretty crap if there are other options. Like the occasional banana or stick of cucumber, yogurt or whatever. None of that requires cooking.

SmellyOldOwls · 05/12/2021 22:48

'Depends on the quality of the ready meal' is so MN. Charlie Bighams lasagne - fine. Iceland sausage hotpot - red flag!