"He eats meat, but can't eat any processed meat."

[Flangelica]

If someone said this to you when you asked about dietary requirements for a child, would you think they were massively w*nky/snobby, or is it socially acceptable and fine?

That is not an allergy.

That is like going round someone's for tea and declaring your child can only eat organic vegetables or only drink mineral water. That's fine but buy your own dinner!

I think the no processed meat is due to all the additives and salt rather than the parents being w@nky snobs.

Any idea what what they eat at home? Or what they put in packed lunches as one could argue that even mayonnaise is quite processed unless they make it themselves.

Surely if it was an anaphylactic nitrate allergy it would of been a completely different sentence?

The way it’s worded is suggestive of an intolerance or such rather than a preference. I wouldn’t take offence personally, just cook a veggie pasta dish or something similar

Completely acceptable as they know better than you what their child can & can’t eat, for whatever reason.
Some people are intolerant or allergic to chemicals used to keep processed meats fresh for longer but either way it is just polite to provide something for them as you’ve invited them to the event.
If you are unsure as to how to provide a safe/suitable meal/food options for the child then ask the parent what they have worked out they can eat. Maybe even give everyone the same to be safe.

I assume you wouldn’t question a peanut, wheat or dairy intolerance notification or someone’s request for something Vegan or vegetarian so I don’t see what is wrong with avoiding processed meat for one thing.

I developed an intolerance to the A1 protein in regular cows milk & gluten after the traumatic birth of my daughter.
I take my own snacks to a lot of events, just incase there is nothing there I can eat safely, & I definitely take my own milk. Thankfully I can drink Jersey & Guernsey milk, it doesn’t contain the protein i have an issue with, because milk alternatives just don’t cut it in tea or coffee. I also drink Decaf as well because caffeine gives me debilitating migraines.

Instant coffee is revolting too. My friend always offers me it. I don't get kidney stones but always just say no thanks I've had loads of coffee today just water please.

Imagine if before I went over I messaged to say I only drank proper coffee!

I just wouldn’t do meat if it’s just 1 sleep over
pizza or pasta bake is fine (both meat free)

I'm not supposed to eat processed meat for medical reasons. It's because of the salt, added fat, preserving methods etc. I still eat meat, although I try to avoid fattier meats such as lamb or belly pork. And yes, I do still occasionally eat bacon. It may easily be an issue with salt content so don't be too hard on them.

I like that idea! When mine have their friends over tea is always a bit more shit than usual 😂 no way am I cooking a curry or a risotto that they won't want!

I see it as part of the 'fun' of having mates over. No sitting round the table, chips and pizza in garden or their rooms.

I wouldn't want to and didn't want ti eat dinner my parents had cooked for me with my friends either.

I wish they had let me eat pizza upstairs with my friends rather than call us down to eat beef stew and dumplings in silence before we hid back in my room.

@Fixyourself Vegan diet is so bad! Coconut is so high in saturated fat and palm oil is terrible. And conscience wise, almond milk is a major cause of bee death. Plant substitutes are frequently worse than low fat dairy and are so over-processed.

Perfectly fine request as
a) If they're snooty it's no biggie
or
b) if they're like our youngest and (same as another replier I think) projectile vomited minced beef/sausage you definitely would not want that to happen.

A vegan diet isn’t ‘bad’. It’s like any diet, it can be as healthy or unhealthy or as natural or processed as you want. I don’t eat meat substitutes and try not to have too much thats processed. I’ve never even tried almond milk. As for palm oil, there’s all sorts of foods full of it, best avoided for taste and ethical reasons where possible.

I don’t see what is snobby about this ? It’s personal preference and I think most people want the best for their child. I don’t want my child eating processed meat. Snobinness has nothing to do with that in my opinion. It’s about wanting the best for your child.

I would see that as quite normal - one of my friends can’t eat non-processed meat. Makes her feel physically sick (whereas put a steak in front of me and I’m in heaven, the bloodier the better). Meanwhile, I couldn’t stand turkey twizzlers and chicken nuggets etc, growing up. Maccy Dees was my nightmare. Another friend’s only vegetable was potatoes and she’d refuse any attempt to get her to eat any others, even down to tomato sauce on her pizzas.

So, while it is a preference rather than a dietary requirement, I wouldn’t see it as wanky. Just how that kid eats.

Also, just saw this. Totally with you. I was vegan for three years and was much the same - I didn’t use coconut oil, almond milk or meat substitutes. I ate grains, legumes and veggies. And it was delicious 😁.

If making a request like this, it’s important to distinguish if it is a medical requirement or a dietary or religious preference. If it is a medical requirement, the food provider needs to know how strict the precautions need to be. Either way, I would do my best to provide a tasty menu for my guest, but preferences don’t require the same attention to detail.

Define processed.

To me processed is thinks like cheap sausages, cheap burgers, stuff like luncheon mean, reformed ham, stuff sprayed with smoking spray as opposed to to being smoked.

I know people who call mince processed, but personally I don't see it as processed. If I mince up a lump of shin in my kitchen add a spoonful of cornflour, some onions, and some breadcrumbs. Then make burgers and meatballs, I don't really see where the devil gets in. But the mere act of mincing seems to some folk to purify meat into processed meat.

Same with sausage.

I'm more concerned about the preservatives that go into things.

Dear me, if it's an allergy, the parent is not being clear at all.

Depends if it’s an actual food allergy or preference. My child has probably the most middle class allergy possible. He is allergic to supermarket salmon. He can eat it from the local fishmonger no problem and he adores it but he is allergic to the growth hormones in a lot of supermarket fish. The reaction gets worse every time he has it. He goes extremely red with an all over body rash which would probably worry the host if it was to happen so I do tell people but I do make a joke out of it as I know it sounds ridiculous.

Processed meat is so bad for you and less people eat it now, so no, I wouldn’t think anything of it.

Processed meat is full of chemicals. I don't touch it. A lot of other people don't either.
They are looking out for their child. Children are probably especially vulnerable to all the chemical additives, some of which may even exacerbate conditions like hyperactivity, attention deficits, etc.
Respect their choice. It is a good one.

Mince is essentially pre chewed steak in my eyes.

Very wanky, I'd chuck them in a pizza

Mince is essentially pre chewed steak in my eyes

You're eating mince all wrong. Try it in your mouth.