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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Shopping list, what is essential?

76 replies

PumpkinP · 03/04/2020 14:28

DD is on the extremely vulnerable list and has to stay in for 12 weeks. I’m a lone parent so can’t go to the shops as I can’t leave her. I registered on the government website and a volunteer group called me and said they could get someone to do some shopping for us (up to 12 items) I ran the list by my sister just to make sure it was ok as he is calling back later today and she was shocked that I had chicken breast on there and said that it’s not essential and I should take it off! I looked at the Morrison’s food boxes in the past and noticed they contain a large selection of meat (mince, chicken breast, ham, sausages) when I explained that it wasn’t free and I would be paying for it (not sure why she thought it was free!) she seemed less shocked but still said it’s not essential and that I should take it off. Now it’s made me worried about doing the volunteer shop as I don’t want to be judged for my shopping or them thinking I’m buying things that aren’t essential. WIU to include it?

OP posts:
Shangrilalala · 03/04/2020 14:32

No problem whatsoever.

Keeva2017 · 03/04/2020 14:33

Your sister is weird.

Thighmageddon · 03/04/2020 14:34

Chicken can form part of a healthy diet and a good diet has never been more important. Leave your chicken breast on your list.

heartsonacake · 03/04/2020 14:35

Keep it on! Your sister is wrong.

Cosmos45 · 03/04/2020 14:36

This essential v no essential stuff is getting a bit ridiculous now IMHO. Food is essential, going out specifically to buy a new winter jacket for next winter is not. Simple as really. You can go and buy what food you like as far as I am aware and it's no-ones business to judge whether its "essential" to you or not. Your sister is bonkers by the way.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 03/04/2020 14:36

It's a healthy source of protein.

What does your sister think you should have... Bread and water?

Redwoodmaz · 03/04/2020 14:36

What on earth is wrong with buying chicken breast???

edwinbear · 03/04/2020 14:36

What does she suggest you eat instead? Confused

Original poster
PumpkinP · 03/04/2020 14:38

Thanks, glad to hear I wasn’t being unreasonable as I actually took it off the list. She said why have you put chicken breast it’s the most expensive part of the chicken!! (I always buy chicken breast, dd doesn’t like meat on the bone) I said I’m paying for it, it’s not free. Confused

OP posts:
MonaLisaDoesntSmile · 03/04/2020 14:38

Your sister is weird. Your essentials are for you to pick. It's what you eat most.

openova · 03/04/2020 14:38

Only bread and water for you, this isn't a pandemic but a penance to some people!

OlaEliza · 03/04/2020 14:39

Maybe she meant get a whole chicken instead of just breast.

florababy84 · 03/04/2020 14:39

Really odd. What did she say would count as essential?

It sounds like she just had a certain idea in her mind of what this arrangement involved, which was free parcels of absolute basics (eggs, flour, milk, apples???).

You're fine!

NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace · 03/04/2020 14:40

Chicken breast, eggs, brown rice, vegetables and a little fruit forms the whole of my diet so .... yeah, I'd consider it essential.

safariboot · 03/04/2020 14:41

Your sister is being silly.

All food is essential, with the possible exception of very luxury items. Cleaning and personal hygiene products too. Household items - stuff like lightbulbs, batteries, DIY items - are also essential if you need them. Though with a 12-item limit you might prefer to order online what you can.

safariboot · 03/04/2020 14:42

And there's certainly no requirement to buy the absolute cheapest of everything!

Itallgoingpetetong · 03/04/2020 14:44

We eat chicken breast a couple of times a week so definitely essential in this house!
What on earth does your sister eat?

LilyE1234 · 03/04/2020 14:46

A part of me thinks if you’re in the supermarket anyway, and your trips are infrequent, you should be able to spend your money on what you like, essential or not (obviously sticking to the limitations per customer). It’s the people that pop out 3 times a day for a bag of sweets and an ice lolly which the essential trips are being pointed at.

Topseyt · 03/04/2020 14:48

There is nothing wrong with putting chicken breast on your shopping list. Your sister is being ridiculous. Keep it on the list if that is what you want.

Where the hell did she get the idea that volunteers were providing the shopping for free?

Original poster
PumpkinP · 03/04/2020 14:50

She said chicken is a luxury, she said the same about the porridge and jam I had added for dds breakfast. She said to only include basic stuff like rice/ pasta/ toilet roll.

OP posts:
GrumpiestOldWoman · 03/04/2020 14:50

'Chicken breasts x 4'- totally fine

'Chicken breast x 4, prefer organic/free range if poss' also fine.

Giving the sense that you require exactly 300g organic corn fed chicken breasts (like you would if doing a regular online shop) is probably not ok. I think it's ok to state a preference for brand/variety etc provided you're clear that this is an if-possible.

The fact that you'll be thinking carefully about which 12 items are important to you means they'll be almost certainly essentials. Equally if you have 11 meal-type things that you'd really need but a packet of chocolate biscuits would boost morale - why not?

Butchyrestingface · 03/04/2020 14:50

I ran the list by my sister just to make sure it was ok as he is calling back later today and she was shocked that I had chicken breast on there and said that it’s not essential and I should take it off!

You should take your sister off.

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 03/04/2020 14:53

For taste reasons alone you are U
But chicken itself is a perfectly fine thing to request.

(If it were me I'd ask for boneless thighs. Tastier, juicier and more value for money.)

neverearlythoughItry · 03/04/2020 14:55

I'm sad you're limited to 12 items. I would rather do a larger shop for you so it wasn't necessary to go so often

GrumpiestOldWoman · 03/04/2020 14:56

If it were me I'd ask for boneless thighs

YY to this generally much tastier. Often breast is far more readily available though (shelf space devoted to breast vastly more than thigh) so I might put 'boneless-thighs,-or-breast'