AIBU or is my friend?

[peonie83]

My friend says IABU to give my kids pesto pasta AND to count it as a nutritious meal?!

I think she IBU I give pesto pasta but also broccoli/peas/carrots/green beans (whatever veg is in the fridge really).

Also they'll have proper yogurt for pudding (Greek yogurt) and some fruit too.

She said I need to do some meat for them?

But I think I've ticked off protein, carbs etc

This is a meal they get maybe once every 2 weeks.

I also make a lot of lentil curries and veg curries and they'll have them with rice or chappati and yogurt - once again no meat, they would also usually get blueberries and strawberries or raspberries for pudding.

My eldest is on the slim side - but she does eat a lot is just very active.

I think and I hope you'll say my friend is BU!! But back me up on this Mumsnetters!

I used the milling blade on my nutribullet if you have one or a similar machine.

We have this at least once a week, had it last night with corn on the cob and tomatos.
Usually with some veg but sometimes on its own, its one of DDs favourites.
Ditto mushroom omlettes with salad.
Saag aloo with added chickpeas/some sort of beans.
Veggie lasagne..you don't even notice there is no meat.
But DH would also argue that a meal without meat is not really a meal...crazy talk!

We don't eat meat at all. Except DD if we're eating out. DS hasn't gone near it since her was 10 months old. We are pescatarian and eat fish a few times a week. It's always remarked by teachers and friends how healthy our kids are and that they never get sick.

Thanks, Flump! Need to dig the milling blade out of the drawer of doom now...

Where's the protein?

Its well worth it ladymon...

Good luck!

You are being unreasonable! They are children. Of course they should only ever be fed chicken nuggets and chips and other beige food!

What on earth are you thinking feeding them healthy nutritional food made from scratch?

My 3 year old has pesto pasta very other day. The inbetween days she has scrambled eggs beans and waffles. Those are really the only meals she will eat. She's healthy and I'm not making mealtimes a battle ground. Just keep offering new things and hoping. Pesto pasta is lovely

Your friends a loon!

Mine has chicken nuggets and smiles once a week, does that count 😂

She is very wrong about butter and children's food too.

Children need good fats in their diet. And butter makes things taste nice.

We eat meat once or twice a week at the most. I was veggie for years and still prefer it really (except spag bol - love it!), but the kids love meat. We have fish too.
We had veggie chilli tonight w rice.

Pasta and pesto is a favourite in our house! Can't go wrong with it. Quick, easy and the dc love it.

Bloody cheeky woman. Wrong too.

Turns out butter is healthier than margarine
Children need fat.

Feed her kids tinned spaghetti hoops on buttered plastic white bread next time they are round. Give her something better to judge you over. You could plop a slice of that plastic wrapped American style cheese on top for extra protein if you want to be extra goady. Children will probably survive.

Generally she is lovely!

She's a good cook. Roast chicken, casseroles etc but less vegetarian food.

I think it's because I'm not confrontational I kind of just let her get on.

Possibly no veg food actually!

Steak, pork chops etc

How does your friend think anyone manages to raise vegetarian/vegan kids to adults?

Oh dear not sure about that!
She just comes I guess from a family of avid meat eaters whereas I grew up in quite a vegetarian family. E.g meat was weekends or possibly special occasions so I'm used to have meat free days

I haven't had a meal with meat in for 30 years ds aged 7 maybe eats meat once a month. We must both be so unhealthy!

When are people going to realise that meat is not the only source of protein?! I find it quite embarrassing really. I'd be sending journals over that have proven it's not healthy to eat meat at every meal, particularly if it's processed.

Only stupid people think a meal isn't a meal if it doesn't contain meat

Not only is your friend BVU, but...

Can I com around for dinner?

Keep on keeping on OP. It sounds like you put a lot of thought into giving your kids a sensible, varied, tasty diet.

She's daft.

That said, pesto out of a jar tastes horrible. (Sorry.) Homemade is divine.

If it helps, DS is 5, tall for his age, massively strong and active, and is very rarely ill.

He has never eaten meat.
Not once.
Or fish for that matter.
He has been veggie since birth.

DS gets plenty of protein btw,

Your friend is talking crap.

She is clearly of the "it isn't a meal umless it contains meat" school of thought.
I still know people who are amazed that we eat anything at all, it's a lack of imagination imo.

Of course you don't need to eat meat.

But with pasta and pesto where is the protein? That's a very carb high meal surely?