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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU one year olds having happy meals

276 replies

Crazypetlady · 27/09/2015 01:26

Somebody on my Facebook posted that their one year old was having their first happy meal. Which I suppose is not great for a one year old but I don't know the circumstances and I'm a new parent so not my place to judge. I haven't been in her position.
Just wondering would you give a baby that age a happy meal?
And AIBU for finding it a bit odd? I hadn't really considered them eating them before.

OP posts:
EatShitDerek · 27/09/2015 01:30

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LindyHemming · 27/09/2015 01:30

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Maryz · 27/09/2015 01:33

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Fluffyears · 27/09/2015 01:34

My niece would have one very occasionally. She'd have fruit instead of chips, a burger and water so it was less unhealthy.

Maryz · 27/09/2015 01:34

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Original poster
Crazypetlady · 27/09/2015 01:37

I'm not overly concerned either way.It's upto people how they feed their child and what treats they give. I just hadn't experienced it hence finding it odd.

OP posts:
Maryz · 27/09/2015 01:43

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MitzyLeFroof · 27/09/2015 01:44

Is the one year old 12 months or 23 months?

I'd find it hard to have much of an opinion on this unless it was a very regular occurrence.

MrsTerryPratchett · 27/09/2015 01:50

Apples, yoghurt, milk and a cheese sandwich. Shock I used to hate it until I actually took DD there. Of course you could have a sugary drink, fries and a burger. There are Happy Meals and Happy Meals. Although I did Hmm when they ran out of apples and offered DD a cookie as an alternative. I don't think that really is an alternative, is it?

Original poster
Crazypetlady · 27/09/2015 01:50

12 months ish Mitzy

OP posts:
MidniteScribbler · 27/09/2015 01:50

Who gives a shit? Do people really get worked up about what other people feed their children?

Original poster
Crazypetlady · 27/09/2015 01:52

Not worked up just was curious is all

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Maryz · 27/09/2015 02:02

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Want2bSupermum · 27/09/2015 02:10

I take my kids to McDonald's. It is the only place that does salt free fries. I get the kids one happy meal to share. That's 3 nuggets each, some fries that are salt free and apple. They share a milk. In the grand scheme of meals it's not that bad.

herecomesthsun · 27/09/2015 03:17

My DH loathes McDonalds because he thinks they are the embodiment of evil capitalism, so I have never taken the kids there. Either I would have to hide it from him or we would have a massive argument, so it's not worth it.

However,I would otherwise not have any qualms about very occasionally getting a coffee or some food from there, and I wouldn't judge someone for getting their kids the occasional Happy meal. Buying fast food several times a week would on the other hand be a bad idea in terms of cost and nutrition.

Bulbasaur · 27/09/2015 03:32

We take DD to McD's once in a while and get her a happy meal, and she's only 18 months. Why not?

As long as it isn't a main part of her diet, I see no reason why she can't have a delicious deep fried treat. You're not going there for the nutrition, and you have two other meals in the day to pack them full of fruits, veggies, and essential nutrients they'll need.

I assume everyone here has let their child indulge in copious amounts of ice cream and cake on their birthday (and if they haven't, those poor kids). Not much different is it?

MrsTerryPratchett · 27/09/2015 03:34

I think a cookie is a very good alternative for an apple I've managed to convince DD that the shitty granola crap is a cookie. Can't have Maccy D's telling her any different. Grin

coconutpie · 27/09/2015 03:42

YANBU - it's completely inappropriate for a 12mo old to be eating the crap that comes out of McDonalds. All that salt and processed crap for a start. Also have you watched Supersize Me? No way would I want a little baby's gut having to digest that crap.

Eminybob · 27/09/2015 03:43

This has reminded me of a story my friend told me.

She's a police officer in child services and had been working with a particular family. It turned out that they had been puréeing and spoon feeding McDonald's to their 6 month old as their health visitor had just told them to "give her whatever you're having" when weaning. That is possibly taking it too far.

It wouldn't occur to me to give my 1 year old McDonalds but logically I don't know why as pp's have said the individual elements are not too bad as an occasional treat.

I also don't give him chips at home which is irrational as they are just potatoes. It's psychological I think.

Atenco · 27/09/2015 03:54

There are only two girls out my dd's primary school class who didn't grow up to be seriously obese and they were the only ones who didn't frequent McDonalds. I can't think of any other reason for the difference. Dd is one of the slim ones and it is not like I only fed her health food, I wish.

Bulbasaur · 27/09/2015 04:24

Also have you watched Supersize Me?

Not that I'm saying McD's is anything besides processed crap, but Supersize Me has been proven to be a fake. No one has been able to replicate his results. Even if they could, the guy was eating 5,000 calories of that shit a day. To put in perspective, that's 4 big mac meals, including fries and drinks per day for 30 days.

All things in moderation.

Even drinking too much water can kill you.

captainproton · 27/09/2015 04:42

I have given my then 1 year old the occasional happy meal. But if you're going to be one of those mums who spoon feed their weaned babies those yogurts designed for kids (laden with sugar) day in/day out, baby biscottis, kids cereal, juice in sippy cups and never water, fruit shoots and boxes of little raisins then don't judge.

I grant you salty fries are no good but I think all that sugary shite is a whole lot worse. Setting children up for rotten teeth and hooking them on sugar.

Everything in moderation.

Thelushinthepub · 27/09/2015 04:51

I think mcDs has really improved in the last 10 years. It's no different from any other food place really.
I didn't know they did salt free fries, the salt would have been my main concern

sproketmx · 27/09/2015 04:59

Mine had them at one. They would try the chips and things when they started olds but wouldn't be able to eat a whole happy meal till they were one so there was no point buying them one to themselves.

JoandMax · 27/09/2015 05:29

I wouldn't really think one way or the other about it unless it was everyday.....

I was very anti MDs with DS1 and never went until he moved to a new school and country and the first party they had MDs! He loved it and no adverse effects so I revised my judgement and realized I was being a bit of a knob about it

DS2 is a PITA with food but eats MDs so he has one 3/4 times a month - not ideal but better than not eating at all in his case