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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:
RJnomore1 · 05/12/2021 22:51

A red flag for who exactly?

You do realise loads of us were and stil are being raised on Iceland and farm foods?

2319inprogress · 05/12/2021 22:55

This is how my DH was raised - either frozen stuff that went in the oven or microwave meals (which were considered a bit fancy). He was adored & very well cared for but his mum didn't & doesn't cook and his Dad who will occasionally make boil pasta worked long shifts.

I wouldn't consider it a "red flag" at all.

Lorriestakingppe · 05/12/2021 22:58

I hate that stupid expression 'red flag' Hmm

I'd live on ready meals if I lived alone tbh

Babyiwantabump · 05/12/2021 23:01

Don’t know if it’s already been said but some children can be really fussy . My middle child only eats 4 main meals . Chicken curry , tuna pasta , pizza (pepperoni only) and spag Bol . Sometimes he will also eat sausages with carrots. Believe me I have tried and tried to get him to eat other meals but at this point I’m just glad he is eating something! If he is not given one of those for dinner he would rather not eat anything at all. It’s really distressing for me as I would rather he eat what the rest of us are having but at least I know he is getting something (and am getting better at sneaking veg in)

Maybe the child will only eat those meals ? Maybe they are just glad that their child is actually eating something?

NotagainTuesday · 05/12/2021 23:19

Not at all, my child has one most days and has done since I decided that I can’t do everything and upon the realisation that the stuff I made needed with periodic vomiting.

The ones I buy (Annabel Karmel, Little Dish & M&S Taste Buds) have good veg portions.

NotagainTuesday · 05/12/2021 23:20

Ended up* not needed - damn autocorrect!

MolkosTeenageAngst · 05/12/2021 23:23

It would depend on the ready meal. A bargain family sized lasagne from Iceland every day isn’t great but you can buy organic kids ready meals (Eg: Ella’s kitchen, Annabel Karmel) which are probably healthier than many home cooked meals. For myself I choose ready meals such as Bol and Wicked Kitchen which are full of fresh veg and don’t have loads of added fat/ salt and are healthier than anything I have time to cook at home.

immersivereader · 05/12/2021 23:24

No. Its not ideal, but it's fine.

MrsSkylerWhite · 05/12/2021 23:24

I’d be concerned in a personal level because a diet of microwave ready meals isn’t good for anyone.

Red flag (presumably you’re thinking abuse?), no

BurntO · 05/12/2021 23:24

I wouldn’t be deeply concerned, no.

My other thoughts would be they can’t cook, they’re knackered, they don’t have the time, they have other priorities but are making sure their child is fed, they have a fussy eater, they can’t deal with the dishes of cooking etc

All these would come before neglect….do you have other concerns?

JeffThePilot · 05/12/2021 23:25

Deeply concerned? Red flag?

No. Don’t be daft.

slaybell · 05/12/2021 23:27

It may be the only things the child will eat.

I have incredibly fussy eaters and I would love for them to eat the meals I make for DH and I but they wouldn't touch them, so beige oven food it is.

Deeply concerned is a very dramatic reaction.

Gingernaut · 05/12/2021 23:29

I found Aldi's Cajun style Quinoa & Lentil 'sachets'.

Fibre, protein and carbs all in one.

Add a bag of salad and it's a relatively healthy meal, as long as there's no sauces, dressings and sources of salt.

As long as the child is being fed, isn't nutritionally deficient, has a variety of meals and isn't clinically underweight or overweight, that's fine.

Cooking is an important skill, but maintaining a balanced diet is crucial

AdventStar · 05/12/2021 23:32

I don't approve to be frank but I wouldn't be deeply concerned. The kid is being fed, which is far more than some.

CouncilHousedAndViolentBaby · 06/12/2021 00:22

Can't believe what I've just read tbh
Red flag?????🤣🤣🤣

Christmasiseverywere · 06/12/2021 00:28

Of course not!

Christmasiseverywere · 06/12/2021 00:29

I mean its not a red flag

julieca · 06/12/2021 00:51

My first proper boyfriend's mother was a terrible cook, seriously awful. Daily ready-made meals would have been a big improvement.

TurnUpTurnip · 06/12/2021 00:56

Nope 🙄 my kids love Mac and cheese ready meals, they don’t have them everyday but some days when I’ve been too busy to cook or we’ve got in later so going to take too long, stop looking for things that aren’t there. Yes everyday isn’t ideal but no it’s not abuse.

julieca · 06/12/2021 01:01

I see a lot of kids diets on MN that are far worse than daily ready meals.

PinkSyCo · 06/12/2021 01:11

Honestly I might be a bit judgemental, depending on the persons circumstances. So long as the child was cared for well in every other respect I would not be deeply concerned though.

Sodullincomparison · 06/12/2021 02:06

My mum can serve a frozen pizza which is burnt on top and still frozen underneath in the centre.

Cooking was not one of her many skills so ready meals would have been such an improvement growing up.

This one factor without any other context would not be an indicator of abuse at all.

There may be many reasons for this: time, money, the parent’s relationship with food, cooking abilities, child’s preferences etc

Eastie77Returns · 06/12/2021 02:48

I would be worried, yes.

An occasional ready meal is not a problem but if a child is literally being fed microwave meals every single day of the year then of course it’s a concern!

Failing to feed a child properly is usually accompanied by other types of neglect.

CallMeRisley · 06/12/2021 03:31

It’s just food Hmm

DBI78 · 06/12/2021 04:34

That alone isn't concerning from a neglect perspective. I would assume it's more down to ignorance or inability to cook. I would try to be supportive.