To think peoples lives are crap enough without needing the government to interfere with Meal Deals

[Jeansmeansheinz]

FFS just let people have the pleasure of a Meal Deal. I really don't need the Government telling me what I can and can't eat.

Because it's the nature of society and sometimes it's for the greater good eg ban all choc etc

Hawkins I disagree the "nature of society" being restrict/tax enjoyable things which are often completely fine in moderation, simply because there might also be negative consequences linked to them. It's heavy-handed arbitrary interference dressed up as "greater good" to force people into accepting crap.

I agree, it won't make a difference anyway. You could buy a multipack of chocolate bars, a pack of sausage rolls and a big bottle of fizzy drink for the same price as a meal deal if so inclined.

Well said!

You mean in Wales right? So their politicians?

Getting rid of BOGOF has been delayed in U.K.

Don't forget the soup from the leftovers . . . 😅

My mum is 77 years old and now disabled. My dad has dementia. She has cooked wholesome food all her life as did her mother and all my aunties. We weren't even allowed fish fingers as kids, I used to ask for them bravely from the kids menu in restaurants! Once a month I go to M&S and buy them ready meal deals, usually about 7 or 8. This is 7 or 8 times my mother doesn't have to cook.
I also cook from scratch but I'm now in Perimenopause.. I'm bloody knackered! I, now and again, also pick up meal deals in M&S. I'd rather have a meal deal from M&S or tesco than buy takeaways? Not that I'm anti-takeaway but once a week/fortnight is more than enough. Some of these meal deals are cheaper than cooking from scratch also. FS nanny state, give us a break. The problem is people who are not taught to cook/or about nutrition from a young age. Concentrate on that in schools to solve the obesity crisis.

Has it? I haven't seen BOGOF in agessss.

The issue is that some of these foods are being designed and sold to work against moderation. There's nothing wrong with having some chocolate.

There might be something more problematic if you ate it every day.

The real issue is that for whatever reason, 60 per cent of people cannot moderate their appetite. It should be easy but whatever they are eating regularly encourages them to eat more, and this number is increasing.

30 years ago around 30 percent of people were overweight. That is still a large number but what has changed since then is what we eat and how. It's never been easier to get calories that are densely packed so you can eat more and not feel full. Meal deals are one example. People are being encouraged to eat more.

So there's 40 percent of people who don't have this issue. I don't think they are superior but I will bet their eating habits are very different.

But then on the flip side society has had the influences of eg fast food, mc Donald's etc then all the processed foods, then high sugar foods etc and many more

Then how has society turned out as a result of this "freedom"

I understand your perspective about people being sensible etc.

Agree love my fruit and veg. Yes I have “bad food” but love dinners especially in winter.

No, I'm tired as, like many, I'm working long hours too often, have a medical condition which leads to fatigue and some insomnia, going through oerimenopause on top and seem to be getting virus after virus, probably as immunosuppressed and busy work means you never give yourself time to actually recover before returning.

I actually love cooking when I have time, at weekends I or during the holidays. I try to during the week but I am often shattered. Dh could do it but he gets home from work even later, due to the nature of his work and position, and I really don't want to wait any longer before eating.

I’ve been getting the meal deals that are a salad or poke bowl with a drink and a healthy snack like sushi or fruit, for £5 in Tesco isn’t at all bad to be honest

sandwiches I don’t even like and they don’t fill you up for long or are very salty/calorific. I really like that they are offering more variety than just sandwiches too nowadays

I was similar until a few months but there are quick wins, not always cheap but you need to use imagination. A home cooked lasagne each night will take ages. I just did salmon in the air fryer with microwaved steamed veg it took 15 mins and barely any washing up after

I have to disagree to a certain extent. I used to live a 10 minute walk from my workplace, and walked home for lunch. I was quite surprised when I moved back to my home town and travelled to work by car to find that I put on weight - the only difference in my life was the lack of walking. I also lost weight when I took over dog walking duties, which was only a half hour walk. I don't want to swim or cycle, and any form of organised exercise, or going to a gym, bores me to tears and I wouldn't keep it up for longer than a week. Walking can be as strenuous as you want it to be - I walk reasonably quickly but I certainly don't work up a sweat (unless it is summer!).

Because it's the nature of society and sometimes it's for the greater good eg ban all choc etc

Are you seriously suggesting a universal ban on chocolate?🤔😂

No chance.

Hawkins (sorry on app so I can't quote your quote of my quote!)

On the flip side of THAT there are all kinds of pleasures out there that could be deemed dangers in a certain context. If the state plans to inhibit/overprice everything they decide isn't purely good then we may as well all top ourselves right now 😉

Because fresh fruit and veg isn't manufactured and processed by big business food-giants (who lobby, fund "research", influence politicians etc)

That's exactly it @floradora you have hit the nail on the head.

I was similar until a few months but there are quick wins, not always cheap but you need to use imagination. A home cooked lasagne each night will take ages. I just did salmon in the air fryer with microwaved steamed veg it took 15 mins and barely any washing up after

I've been doing similar for many many years. I've been feeding myself and my family for a long time now. We have a mix - I can't be doing with the whole UPF obsession that's all over MN this year, clean living not so long back, fasting days before that, etc.

For my lunch at work some days I just want a pre made sandwich, a drink and a snack of some form - usually fruit, or carrots and hummus dip for me, but sometimes a bag of something salty perhaps, very occasionally a chocolate bar. I don't get meal deals very often as none close by but buy my sandwich fresh.

Works will have to start having proper staff canteens again serving traditional meat and two veg type dinners.

The shops/food companies are telling you what to eat though through marketing and advertising and offers. It’s not ‘free will’ making you choose a mars bar. At least the government have something other than pure profit driving their actions. Health is the best wealth you can have.

Basically society would be like how the good guys are in the film demolition man.
That's basically the end result of it all

I think the Welsh government are tackling the wrong problem, maybe some kind of limit on how many calories a restaurant or take away can serve in a single portion.

I could go to Harvester for lunch and get their ultimate mixed grill for 2403 calories, load up on the salad bar before the main and a refillable fizzy drink making it 300k or more for the meal.

They could also get rid of munchie boxes which contain a ridiculous amount of food.

My typical meal deal consists of a packet of sushi or a poke bowl from Sainsbury’s, the snack is either chicken or fruit and a diet drink. I have one every Thursday as my son has 3-4 hours of gymnastics. We go straight from school and leave there about 9pm! (He helps with the coaches for 2 hours too). The alternatives would be kfc, subway or McDonald’s! The meal deals can be healthier than a mayonnaise laden sandwich, grab bag or crisps and a sugar laden drink! Even my son (14yrs) chooses healthy options (usually sushi or pasta salad, nori snack and diet drink!) and he burns those calories off!