To take the kids to IKEA for lunch/dinner

[Eastie77Returns]

Are the lunch options at IKEA viewed as unhealthy? We don't have a fully functioning kitchen at the moment (renovation work) so if I want to give the kids a hot meal we have to order takeaway or eat out. We live 10mins from IKEA and the kids love the food so I've taken them a few times now (maybe once or twice a week over the last 3 weeks).

In a group chat one of my friends suggested it was really unhealthy and her kids only go there as a treat once every few months as "it's basically McDonalds with a Swedish flag"?!. They occasionally have meatballs or the Salmon with chips, don't ever have the desserts as the cakes seem quite heavy and drink water or one of the Pip Smoothies.

I thought this was all okay but am now second guessing myself!

We are fans of Nandos in this house but it is pretty pricey. The kids Nandino meal is about £6 I think but portion sizes are paltry. We could easily spend £50 for the four of us.

@hesttreat I can easily get through a bag of those mini Dime bar bags in a single sitting. Also the Swedish sweets. And the cinnamon cakes. Perhaps my local branch closing is a blessing in disguise…

Ohhh not true d the sweets! Agree about the cinnamon buns, so you mean the frozen ones that you do in the oven? I'd forgotten about them, I'll need an IKEA trip I think.

If it makes you feel any better OP, my 5yo had a pot noodle for his dinner, not a vegetable in sight 🤷🏻‍♀️😁

Ask for boiled potatoes instead of chips!

Not that you asked, @FidginSpinnins but, if you want to add some veg, student DS's favourite 5 minute cheap supper is packet noodles with a handful of frozen veg, some fresh herbs and a soft boiled egg. If he happens to have some leftover cold chicken or a spoonful of spag bol/chilli/curry or a lonely rasher of bacon from the bottom of the packet, they get added too. It is surprisingly good!

Thank you! I keep seeing all kinds of simple but jazzed up noodles on TikTok which I fancy having a go at. 🍜

Sadly, DS is very avoidant of anything that isn't bland/cheese pizza 😁🍕 he's better when he helps to cook so we're planning some recipes for the summer holidays!

IKEA mealdeals are pretty good value, meatballs are baked, we love an occasional visit then race home (within the speed limit) to get the 1kg pack of frozen meatballs into the freezer before they defrost 😂