Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To eat ready meals each night?

239 replies

Buckinbronco · 06/06/2016 21:14

DH has taken over food shopping as I'm too busy. We have 2 DCs who eat at nursery and we get home at gone 7.30. DH answer is to buy 5 scratch meals a week. They taste ok and take 5 mins to Bung in a pan and hardly any washing up.
Their nutritional content looks fine- low fat sugar and salt. They're normal meals like curry and pad Thai.

I am probably over thinking this but I am Just not sure about eating packaged food every week night night.
But, I have a tendency to take the hard way out of everything and worry and this is easy. Peasy. And I can't find anything wrong with the food...aibu?

It's these: m.tesco.com/h5/groceries/r/www.tesco.com/groceries/product/details/?id=286931301

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 06/06/2016 21:19

They aren't coming up for me on that link.

I wouldn't want to eat pre made meals every night (there is a place for them, just not on a daily basis). Why don't you look for easy meals you can make in bulk using fresh ingredients and freeze them? The food topic on here is really good.

EatShitDerek · 06/06/2016 21:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Buckinbronco · 06/06/2016 21:21

mealsfromscratch.co.uk/menu/

They're not microwave meals, someone (a machine) just chops up and measures out all the ingredients and puts them in q plastic box then you tip them into a frying pan

OP posts:
greatscott81 · 06/06/2016 21:21

Pre-packaged food tends to be much higher in salt and sugar than anything you could prepare from scratch. It will also prove to be more expensive, less filling and far less nutritious. Could you cook a big batch of bolognese, casseroles, soup etc to split during the week? Alternatively, since the weather is so lovely you could be having lovely pre-poached fish or chicken salads and all you'd have to do is boil some new potatoes (which really wouldn't take very long). I know I'd feel quite sluggish and unhealthy if I lived off ready meals/packaged food for too long. Could you not shop online and do it together?

Buckinbronco · 06/06/2016 21:22

Bulk cooking has never really worked for me and I don't want to do it on the weekends. Assume DH doesn't want to either since he's scratch meal man

OP posts:
SaucyJack · 06/06/2016 21:22

I find ready meals fine as a snack or a starter.

After a couple of days I'd be wondering where my real dinner was tho.

Buckinbronco · 06/06/2016 21:23

^^ those ones are not higher in salt and sugar in fact they're lower in the recipes I've quickly googled. That's probably because the portions aren't that big though

OP posts:
Buckinbronco · 06/06/2016 21:24

They are pricey but he reckons £30 for 2 adults to have dinner 5 days a week is fine.

OP posts:
Summerdays11 · 06/06/2016 21:24

We just buy a joint of meat and shove In slow cooker - - Frozens peas take 2 min - that's what we do

Summerdays11 · 06/06/2016 21:25

But if you like the take a always go with it

Buckinbronco · 06/06/2016 21:25

Yes to where my real dinner is. I think that's my thing. But do I want to fanny around cooking or get beautiful sleep faster? Hmmmm

OP posts:
Buckinbronco · 06/06/2016 21:26

Slow cooker doesn't work for me either it always tastes crap

OP posts:
greatscott81 · 06/06/2016 21:26

Low fat tends to mean a higher sugar content but I couldn't see the link so can't be specific to the products you're eating. If it works for you and you're happy with the nutritional content then what's the problem? We all have to do things to make life easier sometimes!

ALemonyPea · 06/06/2016 21:26

They look fine, fresh meat, veg and whatever else. If it's quick and convenient, then why not?

Xmasbaby11 · 06/06/2016 21:27

I've never heard of a scratch meal. Or sounds fine! Dc are 2 and 4 and in nursery. Evening meals are a nightmare - anything to make them easier!

Buckinbronco · 06/06/2016 21:27

Salads and fish is nice. I am constantly throwing away liquified salad leaves though but maybe time for a new start
I don't want to online shop with him, he's supposed to be doing it so I don't have to (one less thing Grin)

OP posts:
Buckinbronco · 06/06/2016 21:28

Woop. Maybe I just need some encouragement to let go of my pre conceptions.

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 06/06/2016 21:28

So fresh ingredients, ready prepared? It's fine and I don't see why it wouldn't be.

SaveSomeSpendSome · 06/06/2016 21:30

I eat loads of m&s meals.

I dont feel malnourished!

Crispbutty · 06/06/2016 21:33

they are not really ready meals as such, just prepared ready to cook, but there isnt much variety on that site.. I would be bored with that in a week

ExitPursuedByBear · 06/06/2016 21:35

I'd rather eat beans on toast or scrambled eggs. Or an omelette.

arethereanyleftatall · 06/06/2016 21:36

I think 'ready meals' have moved on in the past few meals.

It isn't tasteless, 99p per meal, high salt/fat/rubbish stuff any more.

I think these scratch meals are fine, can't see your link, but I know what you mean. I use the 'cook' range. Straight freezer to microwave, really nice pad thai's etc. And, according to the listed ingredients, they use exactly the same ingredients as you would at home.

arethereanyleftatall · 06/06/2016 21:37

Past few years I meant.

foursillybeans · 06/06/2016 21:37

Can you make your own ready meals at the weekend and batch freeze? Currys, bolognese, pasta sauces, marinaded meat for stir frys, shepards pies ready to go in the oven. It's not as time consuming as you would think. I don't mean send all weekend cooking. Just a hour or two but cook a big batch of maybe tomato and herb sauce then freeze in two person bags or plastic tubs volia dinner for one night for the next 6 weeks. Gradually half your weekly meals will be covered at least.

Buckinbronco · 06/06/2016 21:37

I'd prob rather have eggs but DH wouldn't. Fair point about the choice, there is enough for a different one every week but maybe after a bit... I'll just go along with it and see how it goes and eat loads of fruit for lunch

OP posts: