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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to just feed him Pot Noodle?

82 replies

Cookandbook · 04/02/2018 18:33

My 11 yr old ds is the worst eater. He claims to be vegetarian but hardly eats vegetables. He doesn't like any quorn type foods, doesn't like 'fake' burgers or sausages. He eats maybe 4 bites of something or will dip bread in soup but not actually eat it with a spoon.

He's healthy enough and very active so I'm not worried about that, he's obviously getting what he needs from somewhere but I haven't a clue where.

I'm just thoroughly sick of making meals he turns his nose up at. He's the only vegetarian so I have to make something different for him. And I am a really bad cook anyway. It's not something I enjoy.

He has weetabix for breakfast, takes a vitamin tablet designed for vegetarians and he eats lots of fruit. So he's not totally without nutrition I guess.

So wibu to just make him a pot noodle every night and save myself a whole load of stress? Feeding him is honestly the most stressful part of my day.

I am so tempted to just go to the cash and carry tomorrow and buy 48 pot noodles.

Not entirely relevant, but did you know that even the meaty Pot Noodles are vegetarian? So he could still have plenty of variety in his diet 😀

OP posts:
MrTrebus · 04/02/2018 18:34

Seriously Hmm

Original poster
Cookandbook · 04/02/2018 18:36

Yep, actually seriously.

At least he would eat it, I wouldn't have to cook something, put it on his plate, watch him shuffle it around the plate then scrape it into the bin.

OP posts:
Whatshallidonowpeople · 04/02/2018 18:39

No, provide a meal. He eats it or he goes hungry. No sweets, crisps or toast, nothing! He'll eat when he's hungry

ChristmasCakes · 04/02/2018 18:39

Pot noodles are pretty high in salt, wouldn't he eat even a sandwich or something now and then? Egg, chips and beans? Or does he literally not like anything except for weetabix and pot noodles Confused

DrivinHomeForXmas · 04/02/2018 18:39

I can see why you would be tempted!! Grin

Will he eat pasta or noodles? Still quick and easy but probably a bit better for him?

TossDaily · 04/02/2018 18:40

At 11 I was cooking a roast for my family.

If he's pissing around that much, take him shopping, let him choose some ingredients and he can sort himself out.

Jamhandprints · 04/02/2018 18:40

Yes, this is what my mum did when i was a teenage veggie. Its not a good idea. Once or twice a week is OK. Doesnt he like pizza, pasta, veggie hot dogs, stuff on toast, toasties, veggie burger or jacket potatoes?

NotSoSprightly · 04/02/2018 18:42

Yes, you would be unreasonable in doing that.

trashcanjunkie · 04/02/2018 18:42

Why not do plain noodles and raw veg like mange tu and cucumbers and carrots. Sometimes they’ll eat raw where they won’t eat cooked and you avoid the salt in pot noodles

jaseyraex · 04/02/2018 18:43

Can you take him shopping for food or ask him to write a list of things he might like? If he doesn't eat what he picked then he doesn't eat any crisps/toast/sweets whatever instead either.

rosieposies · 04/02/2018 18:44

How about pizza or pasta - would he eat those things? Eggs are also another winner, my DSS loves an omelette. I really don't think pot noodles are the answer, they're so full of crap, but can imagine you are very frustrated.

Bambamber · 04/02/2018 18:45

If he likes pot noodles, would he eat a veggie stir fry? I know it's not exactly the same but a much healthier alternative and really quick and easy to make

CurlyhairedAssassin · 04/02/2018 18:49

Doesn’t he look very thin, though?!

I would really be worried as he approaches puberty. My 14 year okd’s appetite went through the roof about the middle of year 8. He is always hungry, and if he ate like your DS he would be feeling quite ill.

So it needs sorting now. He must be eating SOME decent veggie meals? Veggie curry? Or pizza? Spag Bol or chilli with quorn mince? Macaroni cheese?

You make it sound like he just does not eat, or is it that he doesn’t eat many vegetables so that he gets the required vitamins and minerals?

lecossaise · 04/02/2018 18:50

Get him involved in picking flavours for a healthier alternative? www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-diy-instant-noodle-cups-222560

Original poster
Cookandbook · 04/02/2018 18:50

I am obviously not actually going to give him a pot noodle every night but I really wish I could.

He is the only vegetarian, there are 4 other people in the family. So I can't base every night round something he has chosen himself, and then would probably still turn his nose up at.

I bought a student vegetarian cookbook recently thinking that might interest him. The only thing he has chosen out of it so far is nachos. Without cheese because he doesn't like cheese. Or guacamole.

He will eat pizza but not if it has cheese on it. So one night a week we make pizza.

He likes pasta with garlic butter.

That leaves me 5 other nights. Plus lunchtimes.

I am so sick of it. I don't enjoy cooking anyway so having to deal with this every night is just shit.

Although I guess nutritionally pasta with garlic butter is less bad than pot noodle.

OP posts:
DianaT1969 · 04/02/2018 18:51

Maybe he isn't a hot 'meal' person. Does he eat dairy? Could you leave out a tray of cheese, hummus, tortilla, nuts and fruit each eve and let him eat what he wants from that? At least it has some nutritional value. No cooking involved for you.

Allthewaves · 04/02/2018 18:51

Salt would be huge. Would he eat noodles with some stir fried veg

Allthewaves · 04/02/2018 18:52

Get him to write down 10 meals he will eat.

Allthewaves · 04/02/2018 18:53

And sandwiches he will eat even if it's the same every day. Ds lives on peanut butter

CurlyhairedAssassin · 04/02/2018 18:54

I hate to say this, but is he really determined to be vegetarian? It doesn’t sound like he likes enough food groups to do it well, to be honest.

Does he not even eat a baked potato with baked beans?!

I would be tearing my hair out.

Original poster
Cookandbook · 04/02/2018 18:54

He won't eat anything quorn based, says it gives him a sore tummy.

Sometimes eats pasta with chilli and tomato but equally might choose to eat 2 bites then leave the rest.

He does eat boiled eggs.

Yesterday he complained that his vegetarian pizza was boring with just vegetables. I nearly threw it at him.

I keep hoping this teenage hunger thing will kick in and he will eat but up till now he's growing on thin air.

OP posts:
Allthewaves · 04/02/2018 18:54

My dc prefer salad stuff - reading another persons post. They much prefer carrot, peppers, sugar snaps, cucumber cut up than actual cooked veg

falsepriest · 04/02/2018 18:55

Quite like Pot Noodles tbh

CurlyhairedAssassin · 04/02/2018 18:55

I think the only thing you can do is get him involved in shopping and cooking for himself. He is quite capable. He will soon realise what a bind it is for you.

Was he this fussy before he went vegetarian?

Gottagetmoving · 04/02/2018 18:56

He's 11!
Why would you turn yourself inside out pandering to him and putting up with this?
You just cook meals and if he won't eat it then he goes hungry. He's only fussy because he can be and you allow it.
I can assure you he won't starve and die...and he will eat from what you decide to put in front of him when he is hungry with no alternative.