Page 21 | To give my 18 month old Macdonalds?

Benji4ever · 2022-08-20T10:42:51+00:00

Twice a month I take my two DS swimming all afternoon. On way home we get a drive through Macdonalds The 3 year old has a happy meal. The 18 month old has a few of the chips. That's it. I saw a mum give me one of those looks as I took some chips from the happy meal and gave them to the little one. Is this awful? Its only twice a month and only a few chips. Also the 18 month old drink diluted squash regularly. Aibu to think in the grand scheme of things its not that bad?

Blueink · 22/08/2022 13:17

A few chips are fine in an otherwise healthy diet of protein, wholegrains, fresh veggies etc. Would give a young child water or milk rather than squash though. Can u give watered down fresh juice (rather than squash with additives) and wean off by watering down more over time or just give once per day?

NightmareSituation · 22/08/2022 13:20

KosherDill · Today 11:19
NightmareSituation · Today 11:05
Some people just need to mind their own damn business OP.

Only you know how well your child eats. If you give them fries for breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday then clearly it would be wrong. A treat of a handful of fries twice a month is not going to do them any harm.

As for the patronising “only organic, non processed, homemade only” brigade- they can all do one. I bet they are no fun at parties!
If people need to mind their own business...why did the OP post the question?

@KosherDill I was talking about the judgemental woman that gave the OP the dirty look. If she was minding her own business it wouldn’t have crossed the OP’s mind to worry and post here.

FleetingGlance · 22/08/2022 13:22

It’s fine. Treats as a treat are fine.

Being super-strict about organic only homemade bla bla bla is fine too if that’s what you enjoy, but it is not superior parenting nor will the child turn out any better

KosherDill · 22/08/2022 13:41

NightmareSituation · 22/08/2022 13:20

KosherDill · Today 11:19
NightmareSituation · Today 11:05
Some people just need to mind their own damn business OP.

Only you know how well your child eats. If you give them fries for breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday then clearly it would be wrong. A treat of a handful of fries twice a month is not going to do them any harm.

As for the patronising “only organic, non processed, homemade only” brigade- they can all do one. I bet they are no fun at parties!
If people need to mind their own business...why did the OP post the question?

@KosherDill I was talking about the judgemental woman that gave the OP the dirty look. If she was minding her own business it wouldn’t have crossed the OP’s mind to worry and post here.

Obesity and diabetes are public health issues, you know. Starting a baby off with fast food as a frequent treat is concerning.

MaryShelley1818 · 22/08/2022 15:35

daisychain01 · 22/08/2022 11:42

They enjoy the box and getting a little Book or toy. It's no different to giving them similar food at home

Don't you realise that McDonald as a giant global money-making machine uses every trick in the book to get families eating their products, including giveaways like food in little brightly coloured boxes, plastic collectible toys, anything to appeal to the pester-factor of children. And that's a good thing? Get'em hooked early at 18 months old and you'll have a customer for life. It's cynical and pernicious because it happens before people's eyes and explaining it away as "oh it's only a treat" "but it's the same 100% beefy goodness as you can make at home" shows the big con really works.

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Oh don't be so bloody patronising and ridiculous.
I'm 44yrs old, 2 degrees and a professional career.
Of COURSE they use the box and toy to appeal to children, you'd have to be an absolute idiot to not understand that. Do you not use or consume any products that are advertised at all?? My children equally enjoy eating out in different restaurants worldwide. People are capable of enjoying the odd McDonald's whilst also enjoying other things.
Some people really need to get a grip.

MaryShelley1818 · 22/08/2022 15:39

And FYI my children have NEVER 'pestered' for anything as you so eloquently put it. If they did the answer would be no. Particularly the 18mth old who can't talk yet and would just as happily eat a plate of salad. But we're hardly going to take our older child in and not feed her anything.

mountainsunsets · 22/08/2022 15:44

daisychain01 · 22/08/2022 11:42

They enjoy the box and getting a little Book or toy. It's no different to giving them similar food at home

Don't you realise that McDonald as a giant global money-making machine uses every trick in the book to get families eating their products, including giveaways like food in little brightly coloured boxes, plastic collectible toys, anything to appeal to the pester-factor of children. And that's a good thing? Get'em hooked early at 18 months old and you'll have a customer for life. It's cynical and pernicious because it happens before people's eyes and explaining it away as "oh it's only a treat" "but it's the same 100% beefy goodness as you can make at home" shows the big con really works.

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And this applies to millions of other companies too - it's hardly unique to McDonald's

Ithinkitsenoughnow · 22/08/2022 15:45

pollymere · 22/08/2022 11:09

I have no issue with squash or McDs. Just be careful of salt intake. Squash is no worse than the fruit juice that healthy organic people insist their child drinks instead. And Palm Oil, Coconut Milk and Almond Milk are far worse for your heart than the odd chip or burger. The only problem I have is that a Happy Meal should be dinner for a three year old, or a late lunch. They really don't need another entire meal afterwards. Worry about calorie intake and balance rather than them having the odd food with high fat or salt content. If you think burgers are bad, you should look at the saturated fat content of a coconut macaroon!

Obviously squash is worse because it has no nutritional value whatsoever. It’s just flavour crap.

MrsLawrence1 · 22/08/2022 16:20

Benji4ever · 20/08/2022 13:26

I'm really worried about the squash now @5YearsLeft I've never taken DS to the dentist as covid was for the first 2 years of his life and now I can't find a single NHS dentist to take any of us. I can't afford private. Now I'm scared of going anyway. God. And he's terrible at brushing his teeth. I mean I make him obviously but he clamps his mouth quite often. Fuck!

My son has had super diluted sugar free squash since he was a baby. He’s 13 now with beautiful teeth and zero fillings or decay. He drinks water or milk too if he wants it. The squash police are out in force today. We don’t do McDonalds tho (personal choice) but going twice monthly as you do, I really don’t see an issue. 🤷🏼‍♀️

igglewigglepiggle · 22/08/2022 18:56

Well I have a healthy 5 year old who refused water and would only drink juice, but will drink water now. I now have a healthy 10 month old who only likes water and has had McDonald’s already…. Oh fucking hell who cares, some days were just trying to survive being parents! And my children will eat anything, they aren’t fussy and if someone gave me a ‘look’ they’d be given a dirty one back with my ‘fuck off mind your own business face’. They’re your kids and if you know these things are a one off, don’t like someone’s judgey look get to you.

Simonjt · 22/08/2022 19:02

We had lunch at burger king today, no veggie options ar McDs here, our ten month old very much enjoyed her chips, just like in the UK you can have them unsalted. They were much nicer than the UK chips.

LastWordsOfALiar · 22/08/2022 19:21

I would never feed my first child Macdonald's until they were around 3.

My subsequent children have had it since around 18 months, it's hard not to give them stuff when their siblings are having it and they're very aware!

Algor1thm · 22/08/2022 19:26

Omg based on some of these responses I'm the worst mum in the world 😂 My child has had about 3 happy meals in their short life, but the first was at about 14 months I think.

At home we generally eat healthy and homemade. Out and about we eat 'unhealthily' here and there. My child has had a fair few ice creams and lollies this summer...

FWIW I grew up in a crunchy, no added sugar, organic family and all it did was make me binge eat sugary and fatty foods once I got my hands on money as a teenager. I don't have a great relationship with food.

igglewigglepiggle · 22/08/2022 19:37

Oh my first had all his meals made fresh and ready in the freezer incase we wanted something different. He wouldn’t even eat a chicken nugget for a long time, his childcare introduced him to the ‘crap’ food and we actually made him fussy by feeding him properly if that makes sense. It made eating out hard work. Thankfully that’s all turned around now so with child number 2, she literally eats what we eat and feeds herself and she enjoys it. I never understood how you coins eat at the same time as your children, second time around I get it, ha.

daisychain01 · 22/08/2022 20:23

mountainsunsets · 22/08/2022 15:44

And this applies to millions of other companies too - it's hardly unique to McDonald's

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I agree, I am equally cynical and suspicious of most global corporates

mycatisannoying · 22/08/2022 22:24

LampLighter414 · 20/08/2022 11:50

Yes I wouldn’t personally. All those trans fats can’t be good for a baby’s tiny vascular system.

Home made, organic only for us

🙄

Canthave2manycats · 22/08/2022 23:40

I couldn't find it in myself to even bother to care.... but then my kids are 25, 23 and 18, and I'm sure I didn't always get it right (although I did breastfeed them all!!) - it's only when they are adults that you realise that all this angst about silly things is just shite!!!

Canthave2manycats · 22/08/2022 23:44

PS I avoided sugary drinks as much as possible, though they did have diluted juice sometimes. Only one of my three has any fillings, and that's only because 4 of her teeth came down decayed and we don't know why! The other two have perfect teeth!

TiredzzZZ · 23/08/2022 00:25

This thread is really funny!

It's fine OP!!

I used to give my children a happy meal.every Friday on our way home from nursery (shock horror - they were 10months (younger Ds) and 2.5yrs (older Ds).

They've both turned out fine! Both are competitive swimmers now (age 11 and 9). Both have good teeth, one Hates chocolate, both eat healthily. Both understand what a healthy diet is and make good healthy choices much of the time.

They still get treated to a McDonald's after swim training on a weekend or after a gala (not that the coach would be happy).

IMO.. It's all about moderation and having fun and beng balanced.

sleezeandwineparty · 23/08/2022 00:47

Fine x

DustinsHat · 23/08/2022 01:02

LampLighter414 · 20/08/2022 11:50

Yes I wouldn’t personally. All those trans fats can’t be good for a baby’s tiny vascular system.

Home made, organic only for us

First time mum by any chance?

Lily4444 · 23/08/2022 06:20

Personally i wouldn’t even give a 3 year old a McDonald’s, if I had to eat out I’d just pick up a sandwich or maybe pasta from a local cafe.

definitely no squash either

Caspianberg · 23/08/2022 07:20

@Lily4444 - that’s not always possible. The reason mc Ds is so popular is it’s so available. It’s often open 24/7, or from 5am, and on motorways, service stations, airports.
If you flight home is delayed, and you arrive 4.30am, kids hungry before long drive home, it’s often one of the only options at 5-6am open in many places. I would much rather give my 2 year old an egg muffin and some fruit, and a drink or milk/ juice at 6am from there, then leave them hungry. You aren’t going to get a pasta at 6am/ 9pm on a motorway.

nonono1 · 23/08/2022 07:38

CoalCraft · 22/08/2022 06:01

Most squash is sugar free with artificial sweeteners, so not harmful to the teeth. It's not like juice or milk in that regard.

I still wouldn't give it regularly as then they're likely to start refusing plain water.

This!

BarbaraofSeville · 23/08/2022 07:40

Lily4444 · 23/08/2022 06:20

Personally i wouldn’t even give a 3 year old a McDonald’s, if I had to eat out I’d just pick up a sandwich or maybe pasta from a local cafe.

definitely no squash either

How is the sandwich better?

A ham and cheese sandwich and a multipack of Walkers crisps from Sainsburys has 557 calories, 26 g of fat and 2.3 g of salt compared with 535 calories, 24 g of fat and 2.1 g of salt for a McDonalds cheeseburger and small fries.

So nutritionally almost identical. If you're going to avoid food you deem inappropriate, at least be consistent.