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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How often do you eat at McDonalds?

644 replies

TumblingTower · 01/10/2023 15:31

Just interested. I think DH visits too often with the kids, he would take them even more if it wasn’t for me asking him not to.

For context he takes them once a fortnight, he would take them once or twice in a week if it wasn’t for me putting my foot down.

It annoys me as I do 90% of the parenting (he works away often) and I feel I can’t give them a lazy tea as they’re already having enough crap.

I know I’ll be criticised for that and not too interested - just wonder what other people do?

OP posts:
Jennybeans401 · 03/10/2023 00:40

First world problems ...

CallieQ · 03/10/2023 01:17

Hardly ever

1stTimeMama · 03/10/2023 01:21

I have never had it, and neither have any of my children.

CKMc2b · 03/10/2023 04:38

I would say on average once a month. I don't like my son to have fast food often. That said we probably have too much chocolate and ice-cream at home. He is underweight though. We try to eat healthily for meals and snacks though.

Imisssleep2 · 03/10/2023 04:45

My son isn't old enough to really ask for McDonald's yet, he would rather have pasta at home for 3 meals of the day (he doesn't) but as adults it will vary on our schedule, we only get when short on time really. So can be 3/4months with none then have twice in 2 weeks. I certainly wouldn't be making a regular thing of it, keep it as a treat for good behaviour, reward to doing well at school or club or if their choice for a birthday dinner etc

Parky04 · 03/10/2023 05:28

Only been once, and that was in 1995 in a remote place in Poland. There was no alternative. Haven't been to Burger King/KFC either. Indian restaurants, however, are a different discussion!

CiderJolly · 03/10/2023 06:24

At least every week, the breakfasts are great on the way to early weekend football matches. They do really nice coffee, eggs are free range I think, porridge, orange juice etc. I’m pretty sure it’s not as bad as people are making out. They do chicken and salad wraps which seem fine to me and my kids like their smoothies.

muddyford · 03/10/2023 06:51

I went once in 1981.

EnchantedCastle · 03/10/2023 06:53

Never. Children have no idea what it or Burger King/KFC are. We are, strangely, not at all deprived. I like cosy, warm, friendly, local cafes where you aren’t anonymous and the food is fantastic.

43ontherocksporfavor · 03/10/2023 07:00

@EnchantedCastle how old are your DC? They WILL discover junk! My DC didn’t have biscuits until we went to mums and tots aged about 1. 😀

StepAwayFromGoogling · 03/10/2023 07:07

About once or twice a month.

quickqpls · 03/10/2023 07:08

@ZeldaWillTellYourFortune - a happy meal + 20 healthy meals a week (ie no breakfast cereal, or other crap) is ok. Im not cheerleading Macdonalds, but most people feed their children equivalent or worse crap without even knowing. A tiny patty of pure beef (albeit with salt) and a handful of chips (ask for unsalted) is not the end of the world.

blissno · 03/10/2023 07:08

The pomposity on this thread is cracking me up.

I think the stress that being so uptight about this stuff must cause you is probably worse than the effect of eating a McDonald's every now and again.

Sehenswürdigkeiten · 03/10/2023 07:10

Rarely because we live a long way away from any! When we're on a trip somewhere which has one then we might go, but I prefer Burger King. We go because it's a novelty but when I lived near loads of them I could take or leave them. They're not really an issue IMHO, in sensible moderation (2 ish times a month max).

Sehenswürdigkeiten · 03/10/2023 07:13

Jennybeans401 · 03/10/2023 00:40

First world problems ...

So we're only allowed to have problems that could be worldwide issues? Better tell that to most of the MN posters then. 🙈🙉🙊

FannyBawz · 03/10/2023 07:15

Every year after the school uniform shopping hell and sometimes if we go to the cinema. Probably four times a year?

quickqpls · 03/10/2023 07:16

blissno · 03/10/2023 07:08

The pomposity on this thread is cracking me up.

I think the stress that being so uptight about this stuff must cause you is probably worse than the effect of eating a McDonald's every now and again.

It's gross isn't it? And you're absolutely right.

quickqpls · 03/10/2023 07:20

@ZeldaWillTellYourFortune also the 1/21 example was in the context of the OP. I am not advocating weekly Mds.

Menora · 03/10/2023 07:24

Used to be very regularly but I overhauled my diet and now I never go there at all. DP however does go more than once a week and gives it to the kids too. I used to find it hard watching them eat it in front of me but I have moved past it now

laurajayneinkent · 03/10/2023 07:28

About once a month

Powderherface · 03/10/2023 07:32

It's really cheap ingredients. Having worked in a similar fast food chain when I was a teenager, I would not eat there. Haven't been for over 20 years and my children have never eaten the stuff.

Ourshoddyhouse · 03/10/2023 07:37

Once a year or less, I'm no health fanatic or anything Im just not over fussed about them.

squashi · 03/10/2023 07:43

Never, it's just not filling enough for me!

IAmAnIdiot123 · 03/10/2023 07:44

I go at least 3 times a week for a coffee on the way to work, much cheaper than Costa! Me and son use the drive through for drinks quite a lot as they do fruit shoots. For food, probably once a month, for quick out and about food I usually have the flatbreads from Greggs because I am a bit addicted to them haha.

Seachange47 · 03/10/2023 07:51

Every day 😳
I walk to work and there's one 5 mins from my office so i pick up my daily morning latte, there is a coffee shop also open but their coffees are $3 more. I use the app, preorder as I walk down the hill, its ready when I walk in and its consistent, never get a bad one. Plus the staff are so lovely and using the app I accrue points, every 6th one is free!
As for eating there, maybe once a month I could go a Big Mac.