To think that there should be some concession to health at motorway service stations?

[AmberNectarine]

Just back from a four day break doing touristy things in the UK. During that time we did a lot of motorway driving and although we planned to stop in towns/eat at our destination, sometimes traffic got the better of us and we had to stop as the DCs (4 & 3) are used to eating at relatively fixed times and were getting cranky.

Now I am not a food fascist by any means. I enjoy treats as much as the next person (as the size of my arse will attest), but the choices available left a lot to be desired. The outlets I saw available across 3 services were as follows: Burger King, Greggs, KFC, Subway, WH Smith (crisps and sweets galore), Starbucks and the best of a bad lot, M&S simply food. I should add that every single one of these service stations had a Krispy Kreme self service point.

Now I know you can get a salad in M&S (though obviously the area by the tills was all Percy Pigs and praline bars), but surely there should be somewhere you can get something warming, filling and healthy, like soup? Even something like a Leon would be a welcome break (see what I did there?) from chips, burgers and more chips?

So, AIBU to think that with obesity rates on the rise there should be a bit more choice?

Fuckwittery agree M&S have some decent stuff but a hot offering, even just decent soup, would be nice.

The only chain I can think of is Leon, but as you all rightly suggest they might be priced out. Shame, as I think these places could really benefit from healthier choices. However that website will be really useful in future, thanks bikerunski.

Tebay services definitely! We stop there whenever we travel North.
Otherwise, we visit National Trust properties for en-route meal breaks and a bit of a leg-stretch to break the journey. There's usually one at a suitable point and we are members so don't have to pay for parking.

Also IKEA as they're usually near motorways and child-friendly.

but surely there should be somewhere you can get something warming, filling and healthy, like soup?

We travel a lot on the M4 and M6 and have stopped at lots of service stations. They always have soup. Every one IME. Whether you want to pay £7.99 for soup and a roll is another matter but the option usually is there!

We drive a fair bit in Germany and Austria, where every service station has a delicious salad buffet and also a counter serving hot food, soup of the day etc. (Not to mention the sparklingly clean self-sanitising loos!) I wonder what German people think when they visit UK service stations? It must seem like hell on earth.

How did I miss Tebay? We were on the M6!

Yes there was one place with M&S, which I took full advantage of, but last night our choice was literally KFC, Burger King, Subway or Starbucks. Oh, or a Krispy Kreme.

In the end I got KFC chicken and removed the skin. That's low-carbing, right?

YANBU. For years I had to use service stations on a daily basis.

It is not only the general public that have a right to decent healthy food but also the lorry and coach drivers, couriers and so on.

We need to start boycotting these establishments for there to be any change.

I'm very much aware the the rates for motorway services are astronomical hence the fast food concessions; but why can't they provide an alternative to burgers and fries?

My Sat Nav has an exit services option, so tells you about restaurants, petrol stations, supermarkets etc. that are just off a motorway junction. Very useful.

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0953992071/ref=rdr_ext_tmb

This sort of book is very useful.

also here

We could start a MN list in the run up to Christmas travelling.

Why are people assuming that lorry drivers don't like healthy food? That's sounds like a hideous stereotype.

The tebay services are very good. The donnington park services on the m1 have a harvester, so presumably you can have a salad, but you'd need to give up more time.

I always end up feeling very sick after eating service station shite. M&S sandwiches are invariably overpriced and disappointing. Starbucks/costa sandwiches are exactly the same. Waitrose's are worse. The fast food outlets are always slower than you can possibly imagine and usually don't have half the stuff on the menu (not that you're going to feel great after eating it anyway). The service station's own canteen thing is never good and the prices are hilarious. £7.99 for soup and a roll is hardly exaggerating.

There are lots of ways to make quick, fresh, tasty, value for money food. Service stations clearly aren't interested in them. Even though they prove popular with the public wherever they are.

McDonalds often supply the only gluten free choices at Motorway Service Stations and for that I am eternally grateful.

RunBikeSki that website is fantastic and I have saved it in my favourites for our next long journey. Thanks!

Amber, I had never really thought much about how bad UK services were until we drove extensively round France this summer. I couldn't believe how amazing some of their services were! One place was set up so that you collected your soup/salad, bread/hors d'oeuvres, then a choice of about 4 mains with veg/rice etc (all freshly prepared) then dessert/fruit plus proper cutlery, napkins, glass water jugs and glasses. Whole families sitting down to proper 3 course meals! Not a burger in sight

It wasn't cheap mind...

It's stodge for long distance coach and lorry drivers, though. Probably exactly what they need.

Really?

So long distance coach and lorry drivers.. who sit down for long periods need food with higher fat, sugar and salt content?

OP, I completely agree with you. There's no need to wonder why the UK is heading towards an obesity epidemic when crap food like this is normalised as being what people 'need' to eat.

Agree with Tebay, and great place to stop also just off junction 1 of the M18 near Rotherham is the most wonderful truck stop serving home made food and it is frequented by lots of people besides truckers. There roast dinners are delish.
Cant post a link, google The Stockyard, Rotherham.

Oh for God's sake! There are healthy choices at all the places you've listed (except Krispy Kreme)

Subway do soup and salad boxes. Not entirely sure why you say the meat is slimy, can't say I've ever experienced it.

McDonald's and KFC both do salads. McDonald's also do those deli sandwiches now.

The M&S we go to sells loads of healthy things, not just sandwiches.

The services own cafe thing sells soups and rolls. Costa always have nice salads and pastas as well as their nice paninis etc

And I'm sure you can get soup and the like from Greggs too.

Honestly, these places sell things that consumers demand en masse. If people were calling out for gourmet cuisine then I'm sure they'd find a way to provide it. As it is, most people just want something to fill a hole, break a journey up or to grab and take back to the car.

Oh and yes long distance drivers do tend to opt for high carb foods because it gives them more energy release over a longer period.

The new Gloucester services is lovely, and southbound will open next year.

I like Beaconsfield services for a bit more choice on the food front, and really like the Starbucks salads.

We've had a paper copy of 'Off the Motorway' for a few years and its great to have in the car

The station-operators naturally look for the best rents they can get; the concessionaires look for the mass market - so what do you expect? In France, perhaps in Germany, the mass market wants something different and gets it.

Anybody who wants to "boycott" them can - but it's a much-overused word when what is meant is going a few miles off-motorway and spending your money somewhere else. Of course it all depends on the time of day - it is only the MSAs which are required to provide some minimum form of refreshment and of course loos 24/7/365!

With the exception of M& S I'd have to say I disagree.
Those deli sandwiches might have a token slice of tomato or whatever, but they are still fat laden.

Eating a green salad with a sandwich dripping with mayonnaise does not negate it's fat and refined carbohydrate content.

For those who live on the road getting a balanced diet is a struggle which is why you see so many drivers cook there own food .

The thing is, for motorway services you are paying for the convenience of not leaving the motorway, or having to bring food with you.

The alternative is to leave the motorway and find sowgerrbyiy'd rather eat, or bring food with you in a cool bag or thermos. We even have a cool box that plugs into the car to keep it cool, you don't even need an ice block, so handy if you are away for a few days.

It's like anything else. If you don't like what is on offer, seek an alternative.

I quite often get Suchi and fruit salad from M&S!

You need to try the new cobham services, they have cuisine from around the world. No Leon though...

The M4 services are dire, they seem to have now added Greggs to every single one.

I have no idea what "sowgerbyiy" means, above. I mean "something" of course.