Page 9 | To think peoples lives are crap enough without needing the government to interfere with Meal Deals

Jeansmeansheinz · 2023-06-27T19:32:01+00:00

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.

LightSpeeds · 27/06/2023 23:21

Eudaimonia5 · 27/06/2023 20:52

I think they need to raise tax on takeaways. In areas of high obesity (usually high deprivation too), there's often loads of cheap takeaways. Tax them and make nutritious food cheaper with special offers. Put basic cookery courses on that are easy to access and free/very low cost.

It's going to take years to undo the obesity pandemic and the meal deal thing just seems to be paying lip service, I doubt it's actually going to make a big difference.

I entirely agree with the above.

I'm amazed the government are doing anything at all but it's unlikely to make a significant difference.

Simianwalk · 27/06/2023 23:22

Lentilweaver · 27/06/2023 23:11

Really? Both of these are fine in moderation.

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The problem is is that as a nation we are clearly unable to eat them moderately. We're getting fatter and fatter. And this generation of children is horribly fat. It's hard to stop kids eating this shite as it's everywhere. I try with mine but they are given it all the time. Every week at school it's a birthday treat, or a party, or Christmas or Eid or Easter. Or it's treat night at their friends house or Halloween, or the summer holidays or nannas house or argghhh drives me insane. And it's just as bad for adults at work

SalviaDivinorum · 27/06/2023 23:23

Looking at Tesco and Sainsbury, nearly all the big Clubcard and Nectar price savings are on high fat UPF foods.

If the Welsh Govt was serious about improving the health of the country they should be targeting the two tier pricing and restricting it to fresh unprocessed food.

They could also maybe go and look for the missing £122M from that big North Welsh health authority and perhaps even tell us what happened? That's not going to happen though.

Hawkins0001 · 27/06/2023 23:23

peachypudding · 27/06/2023 23:13

All this 'I'm so tired I have no time to cook healthy meals'. We hear it all the time on here.

Maybe it's the other way round: people are tired BECAUSE they eat crap food. If you eat proper (non UPF) food, you have way more energy.

And it helps with multi vitamins and minerals tabs

NotMeNoNo · 27/06/2023 23:23

The sandwiches aren't the problem.
There's nothing to stop people buying a sandwich and something else for about the same as a MD.

Meal deals incentivise people to buy unnecessary chocolate, crisps and fizzy drinks as a standard add-on to the sandwich and have created an idea that it's not a complete lunch without them.

Sure if you try you might find a wet little pot of 2 day old chopped fruit, dried out carrot sticks or some water you could have got from the tap as part of your meal deal, but it's obvious what most people go for by what there's most of on the shelves.

Ponoka7 · 27/06/2023 23:24

Nepmarthiturn · 27/06/2023 22:58

If you look globally there doesn't appear to be any correlation between lower incomes, longer working hours and higher obesity rates. If anything they appear to be inversely correlated, so there's no evidence of any causality between these factors?

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In developed countries, poverty and obesity go together and poverty is seen as a cause.

Lentilweaver · 27/06/2023 23:27

flurbubbly · 27/06/2023 23:18

And "Asia" isn't a monolith.

A lot of Westerners have a very rose-tinted (and pretty colonialist) idea of "Asia" as being full of cheery impoverished people living off the land and hawking their humble trade by the roadside, untouched by the evils of Western consumerism.

I doubt those people are Asian or have ever lived in Asia.

It's the whole noble savage myth with new clothes. Giving "Barbie Saviour" vibes (google it if you don't know what that is).

Some countries definitely have amazing and cheap, high quality ingredients. But there are also plenty of non-Western/developing countries that really struggle a lot, or that rely strongly on imports. There are remote places where prices are just insanely high because everything is imported. Places where nothing grows. Places where agriculture has collapsed because of climate change. Places where people have to eat shit cheap food because most of the stuff they grow is shipped abroad. Global agricultural markets and access to food/nutrition is an extremely complex issue with many different intersecting factors surrounding socioeconomics, culture, all sorts of things.

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I am Asian and not a Barbie saviour:) Lived in many Asian countries. I agree it is not a monolith, but MN is hardly the place for a country by country analysis, especially since all of us are given the blanket term "Asian" in the UK anyway!

Anyway, these threads just go around in circles. Not much changes. People say a bag of apples costs more than a pack of biscuits- yes, but the apples are way more filling- and therefore they can't be expected to choose apples over biscuits. People act as if cooking lentils or veggies is a feat akin to climbing Mount Everest; it's really not. People say they can't carry lunches with them because trains don't have air con, come on! What do you think people everywhere else do? I carry my own lunch because I don't want to buy the crap food available where I work. It's not much- usually just a sandwich, fruit and cucumber- but it is healthier than what is available.

Hawkins0001 · 27/06/2023 23:27

Ponoka7 · 27/06/2023 23:24

In developed countries, poverty and obesity go together and poverty is seen as a cause.

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I would add people also want food fast rather than eg x hours cooking

Hawkins0001 · 27/06/2023 23:29

Lentilweaver · 27/06/2023 23:27

I am Asian and not a Barbie saviour:) Lived in many Asian countries. I agree it is not a monolith, but MN is hardly the place for a country by country analysis, especially since all of us are given the blanket term "Asian" in the UK anyway!

Anyway, these threads just go around in circles. Not much changes. People say a bag of apples costs more than a pack of biscuits- yes, but the apples are way more filling- and therefore they can't be expected to choose apples over biscuits. People act as if cooking lentils or veggies is a feat akin to climbing Mount Everest; it's really not. People say they can't carry lunches with them because trains don't have air con, come on! What do you think people everywhere else do? I carry my own lunch because I don't want to buy the crap food available where I work. It's not much- usually just a sandwich, fruit and cucumber- but it is healthier than what is available.

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All fair points,
Plus there's also the lunch box in a cooler type bag too that keeps them cold, I used one when transporting a pork pie in during the mini heat wave and it kept it cold

flurbubbly · 27/06/2023 23:30

Lentilweaver · 27/06/2023 23:27

I am Asian and not a Barbie saviour:) Lived in many Asian countries. I agree it is not a monolith, but MN is hardly the place for a country by country analysis, especially since all of us are given the blanket term "Asian" in the UK anyway!

Anyway, these threads just go around in circles. Not much changes. People say a bag of apples costs more than a pack of biscuits- yes, but the apples are way more filling- and therefore they can't be expected to choose apples over biscuits. People act as if cooking lentils or veggies is a feat akin to climbing Mount Everest; it's really not. People say they can't carry lunches with them because trains don't have air con, come on! What do you think people everywhere else do? I carry my own lunch because I don't want to buy the crap food available where I work. It's not much- usually just a sandwich, fruit and cucumber- but it is healthier than what is available.

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Most people aren't commuting for two hours a day.

People act as if cooking lentils or veggies is a feat akin to climbing Mount Everest; it's really not.

Everyone is very pointedly ignoring the fact some people don't have access to cooking facilities (or fuel to be able to cook, or knowledge about basic cooking).

Hawkins0001 · 27/06/2023 23:32

flurbubbly · 27/06/2023 23:30

Most people aren't commuting for two hours a day.

People act as if cooking lentils or veggies is a feat akin to climbing Mount Everest; it's really not.

Everyone is very pointedly ignoring the fact some people don't have access to cooking facilities (or fuel to be able to cook, or knowledge about basic cooking).

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If they have a mobile phone with the internet then cooking knowledge is available on YouTube.

Lentilweaver · 27/06/2023 23:34

Some people, yes, may not have access to cooking facilities. But not the entire British population! Not enough to have 60% obesity. You can make healthy, tasty food in a microwave. ( Not if you follow Jack Munroe though). As for knowledge, everything is on You Tube.

At a certain point, people are just going to have to take a little responsibility. When does that point come? God knows this government won't help.

flurbubbly · 27/06/2023 23:34

Hawkins0001 · 27/06/2023 23:29

All fair points,
Plus there's also the lunch box in a cooler type bag too that keeps them cold, I used one when transporting a pork pie in during the mini heat wave and it kept it cold

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So I have to cart a cool bag around all day on public transport, in addition to laptop bag full of laptop, books and notebooks, plus regular handbag? And drag a cool bag around London all day and take it to all my meetings?

Sorry but that's just not practical. I mean in the real world no one is going to do that when they can just go to a cafe or buy a sandwich.

It's very easy to think up solutions but in the real world people just work that way. People aren't going to create more work and hassle for themselves needlessly.

Obviously it's different if you have a car, work in an office with a kitchen, or wfh.

SunnyEgg · 27/06/2023 23:37

Lentilweaver · 27/06/2023 23:34

Some people, yes, may not have access to cooking facilities. But not the entire British population! Not enough to have 60% obesity. You can make healthy, tasty food in a microwave. ( Not if you follow Jack Munroe though). As for knowledge, everything is on You Tube.

At a certain point, people are just going to have to take a little responsibility. When does that point come? God knows this government won't help.

Wales is Labour though and it sounds like weight is problematic there too.

I do agree people need to take more responsibility. Hard thing to change though.

Lentilweaver · 27/06/2023 23:37

I take the Tube @flurbubbly. The Northern Line! And yes, I take in my own lunch because if I ate a meal deal daily, I would be overweight. If it had crisps included, I wouldn't be able to not eat them, so I don't buy them.

I live in the real world!

YeahIsaidit · 27/06/2023 23:37

LlynTegid · 27/06/2023 20:58

It wouldn't be first on my list of things to change to tackle obesity, but every little helps.

I'd stop any more fast food places near schools for starters, and shut all takeaways before pubs close.

I refuse to let anyone take away my post pub kebab, that suggestion is more offensive than the meal deal!

Hawkins0001 · 27/06/2023 23:40

flurbubbly · 27/06/2023 23:34

So I have to cart a cool bag around all day on public transport, in addition to laptop bag full of laptop, books and notebooks, plus regular handbag? And drag a cool bag around London all day and take it to all my meetings?

Sorry but that's just not practical. I mean in the real world no one is going to do that when they can just go to a cafe or buy a sandwich.

It's very easy to think up solutions but in the real world people just work that way. People aren't going to create more work and hassle for themselves needlessly.

Obviously it's different if you have a car, work in an office with a kitchen, or wfh.

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You do realize there are small mini cool bags that are 25cm by 25cm ? Easy to keep some sandwiches in. Besides if you use one of those business type trolleys on wheels, they help.

flurbubbly · 27/06/2023 23:40

Lentilweaver · 27/06/2023 23:34

Some people, yes, may not have access to cooking facilities. But not the entire British population! Not enough to have 60% obesity. You can make healthy, tasty food in a microwave. ( Not if you follow Jack Munroe though). As for knowledge, everything is on You Tube.

At a certain point, people are just going to have to take a little responsibility. When does that point come? God knows this government won't help.

We don't have a 60% obesity rate.

"The Health Survey for England 2021 estimates that 25.9% of adults in England are obese and a further 37.9% are overweight but not obese."

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn03336/#:~:text=Adult%20obesity%20in%20England,is%20classified%20as%20'overweight'.

There are many, many causes for the obesity epidemic which are complex and interrelated, and will only be fixed by widespread societal change in all areas of education, health, employment, income (ie fixing the poverty gap), culture, etc. etc.

Banning meal deals is just stupid and a meaningless PR stunt by the government. No one's talking about banning super high calorie food in expensive restaurants. Rich people can stuff as much high fat, high cal food as they like and they don't get judged. Buying a pastry from Gails doesn't carry the same weight as buying a pastry from Greggs.

savemyusername1 · 27/06/2023 23:42

The problem is the lack of healthy options in a meal deal, not the deal or the concept of a meal to eat on the go when you’re in a hurry or avoiding cafes because they’re too expensive.
Meal deals are an indulgence and unhealthy but far less so than, for eg, refuelling in Costa. The problem is everywhere. Why focus on meal deals? Availability of low salt sugar fat and high fibre, nutrient dense foods, fresh, tinned, chilled, frozen and canned etc would help.
It still isn’t possible to buy a can of vegetable soup without a ton of sugar and salt in it. When I’m old I hope it’s an option for me.

flurbubbly · 27/06/2023 23:43

Hawkins0001 · 27/06/2023 23:40

You do realize there are small mini cool bags that are 25cm by 25cm ? Easy to keep some sandwiches in. Besides if you use one of those business type trolleys on wheels, they help.

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LOL, I'm not turning up to a meeting with a bunch of CEOs with a trolley full of picnic cool bags! They'd think I was completely insane.

25cm is pretty big if you're having to carry it a mile (walking) to the nearest train station and are also carrying multiple other heavy bags.

No one in the real world is going to cart a cool bag full of food/food remnants around until 10pm every day.

YeahIsaidit · 27/06/2023 23:45

savemyusername1 · 27/06/2023 23:42

The problem is the lack of healthy options in a meal deal, not the deal or the concept of a meal to eat on the go when you’re in a hurry or avoiding cafes because they’re too expensive.
Meal deals are an indulgence and unhealthy but far less so than, for eg, refuelling in Costa. The problem is everywhere. Why focus on meal deals? Availability of low salt sugar fat and high fibre, nutrient dense foods, fresh, tinned, chilled, frozen and canned etc would help.
It still isn’t possible to buy a can of vegetable soup without a ton of sugar and salt in it. When I’m old I hope it’s an option for me.

There isn't a lack of healthy options though. My local supermarket meal deal can include a whole number of things including pasta salads, fruit pots, water, carrot sticks with hummus, fruit juice etc. Sure you can get the usual chocolate, crisps, mayo laden sandwiches etc but it's wrong to say that there's a lack of healthy things available

JenniferBooth · 27/06/2023 23:45

Exactly @flurbubbly Ludicrous suggestion.

Lentilweaver · 27/06/2023 23:46

flurbubbly · 27/06/2023 23:40

We don't have a 60% obesity rate.

"The Health Survey for England 2021 estimates that 25.9% of adults in England are obese and a further 37.9% are overweight but not obese."

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn03336/#:~:text=Adult%20obesity%20in%20England,is%20classified%20as%20'overweight'.

There are many, many causes for the obesity epidemic which are complex and interrelated, and will only be fixed by widespread societal change in all areas of education, health, employment, income (ie fixing the poverty gap), culture, etc. etc.

Banning meal deals is just stupid and a meaningless PR stunt by the government. No one's talking about banning super high calorie food in expensive restaurants. Rich people can stuff as much high fat, high cal food as they like and they don't get judged. Buying a pastry from Gails doesn't carry the same weight as buying a pastry from Greggs.

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60% overweight then. Still a lot.

DahliaRose3 · 27/06/2023 23:47

You can make healthier choices when buying a meal deal. The issue is some of the healthier sides are rubbish, and most of it is processed. And let’s be honest the sandwiches are pretty bad too. Soggy fruit, dried carrots with hummus. A boiled egg that has seen better days.

Meal deals aren’t great value anymore. I buy the healthier sides (bottled water, nuts) and the odd salad can be nice too. An iceberg salad isn’t appealing.

The reason the nation is getting fatter is because we are expected to work work work ourselves into obesity. Some people choose not to take lunch breaks. Don’t get me started on “working lunches”. We are the most sedentary we have ever been.

Stuck at our desks. Give 110% at work, free overtime, and still maintain a clean house, & an Instagram worthy life. It’s utterly exhausting.

Who has the energy for all that? I used to be much more active but have found it harder to be sufficiently active in the last few years & it shows.

Endlesssummerof76 · 27/06/2023 23:48

LittleLegsKeepGoing · 27/06/2023 21:05

Typical Welsh Labour really. Instead of focusing on the reasons why people aren't eating healthy options (too expensive, time poor) and providing real solutions that will help for the long term, they're declaring that they'll tackle obesity by removing meal deals and BOGOF.

Unhelpful and punitive.

Welsh Labour sorting out the shambles that is Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board - in special measures for most of the last eight years - would be far more beneficial for public health in Wales than any other intervention.