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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

do children ned a hot meal every night.

44 replies

AuntiePickleBottom · 19/07/2011 18:14

i really can't take another take away, the kitchen is in the middle of being done and is unsutiable to cook in

so i am thinking, chicken salad sandwich, banana, yogurt, crisps and a fruit juice and maybe a little ice cream for desset.

OP posts:

Sirzy · 19/07/2011 19:22

Sounds like a much better meal than a take away to me!!

floweryblue · 19/07/2011 19:26

I had to live with a camping stove for a year, it's amazing what you can do!

Original poster

AuntiePickleBottom · 19/07/2011 20:07

hopefully the kitchen will be done next week and i can go back to cooking a heathy evening meal.

tbh, i have notice a big change in my kids behaviour, and with a son who is hyper active any way it been a very stressful 3 weeks.

OP posts:

whackamole · 19/07/2011 20:09

Yes, or they will DIE.

There has been times when my two horrors have had weetabix for tea as the delicious meal I have served them has been rejected. They are still here.

And what you propose sounds lovely!

seeker · 19/07/2011 20:12

No, of course they don't!

And that microwaveable pasta is disgusting and really high in fat. Most kids prefer raw vegetables to cooked, so add some carrots (mine love grated carrot) andsome shredded cabbage and bob's you're uncle.

GeraldineAubergine · 19/07/2011 20:14

Children should have a hot meal at least twice per day and a heavy steamed pudding or cold jellied one at least once, otherwise their future prospects are ruined. I am basing this on the films bed knobs and broomsticks or Mary poplins though. So it may or may not be accurate.

NotADudeExactly · 19/07/2011 20:16

We only had cooked dinners on very rare occasions growing up. Both my sister and I have become health, lately well adjusted adults. Any issues we may have are entirely unrelated to food. :o

petitdonkey · 19/07/2011 20:17

Mine call it a snack plate and they love it! Often I don't even bother making sandwiches so may give them a buttered roll or a plain wrap cut into triangles, ham or chicken, sticks of cheese, cucumber, carrot, grapes, strawberries maybe even a few crisps. Add in a squeezy yogurt and they have had a very balanced meal with no fuss. Sometimes they have plain, cold pasta rather than bread, maybe a hardboiled egg.

The key component of our snack plate though is that they can eat it in the snug watching TV, I realise that is why they like it so much!! It really has saved my sanity at times.

NotADudeExactly · 19/07/2011 20:17

... healthy, relatively well adjusted ...

Pandemoniaa · 19/07/2011 20:27

The temperature of the dinner makes absolutely no difference to the nutritional value. Especially once it's been down Red Lane (as my grandmother always said).

sausagerollmodel · 19/07/2011 20:29

If theey have a hot dinner at school then they don't need a hot tea in the evening as well. Especially in summer.

Laquitar · 19/07/2011 20:37

I didn't have hot dinner until i came to UK and i'm ok (i think)

It sounds fine, however if you fancy something hot you can make cous cous with kettle boiled water - with veg/cooked chichen/tinned pulses/feta cheese.

squeakytoy · 19/07/2011 20:38

There is more nutrition in raw veg (peppers etc) than veg that has been cooked... so why anyone would think a hot meal is better than a salad, I have no idea.

rainbowtoenails · 19/07/2011 20:42

Nothing wrong with cold food but the crisps and ice cream should be occasional treats not part ofa normal days diet.

TastyMuffins · 19/07/2011 20:49

My ex SIL used to give the impression that some unspeakable horror would befall me and my DS if he didn't have a hot meal every day but she was a bit mad.

A colleague also rates hot meals more highly than cold and says her DS could not survive on a cold packed lunch so she used to send him to school with stew or something in a thermos or he would never last the day.

None of the nutrition training I've done has ever mentioned the temperature of the meal, just make it a nutritionally balanced meal and there you go.

olibeansmummy · 19/07/2011 21:05

Well ds would be horrified at the idea of not having at least one hot meal lol but I'm certain he's in the minority!

Original poster

AuntiePickleBottom · 19/07/2011 21:12

rainbow, i know the last few weeks have been hell as i love cooking and baking ect having take aways and microwaveable food it has made me tired, bloated and bowel problems.

i have a little kids table that i am doing all my kitchen work on....only a few more days..then i swear i am not having any take away till next decade

OP posts:

ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 19/07/2011 21:12

Have you got a slow cooker op ? stick some ready prepped veg in it, new potatos and stewing steak, t'is an easy tea served with crusty bread

minxofmancunia · 19/07/2011 21:12

I lived of "plates of bits" when I was a child, ryvitas, apples pieces, baby bels, hard boiled egg grated carrot, etc. etc. I loved it. My mum soon realised it was the best way to get nutritious food inside me as I was pretty overfaced by huge plates of cooked mush ( I had a thing about everything having to be "separate" ) we often have this, plus LOADS of pitta and hummus.

personally as long as your kids are active I don't think there's much wrong with a handful of crisps/a small boule of ice cream a few times a week. It's not like it's all they eat. they will actually be fine. I ate crisps/choc everyday as a child and I'm slim. 5'8" and have never been above 9.5 stone even after having 2 dcs.

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