How often do you eat at McDonalds?

[TumblingTower]

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?

Last ate there 1992

No coffee (or any hot drinks) in Five Guys!

That's a milk issue rather than meat.
Cattle breed for beef aren't separated. I'll admit I think the dairy industry is cruel. I wish there was a word (maybe there is) for people who don't touch dairy.

We have a pizza maybe 3x a year, max. McDonald's once a year on a specific road trip.

Otherwise no takeaway.

Reluctant to admit it, but despite not having one in a few years, I find the smell appealing. Disgusting contents.

This. Plus do they really never have something like a ham sandwich and crisps for lunch, which is nutritionally very similar to burger and fries?

twice a year.

I don’t drink either so haven’t noticed. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Are you vegan then, as its the calves of dairy cows that are removed very young, not those intended for beef. I haven’t eaten meat or dairy ever, I can still eat Mcdonalds as they have quite a few vegan friendly options.

I guess the point is, I never have a hard day and think
‘What a day, I really fancy a rubbery potato for tea’.
It probably wouldn’t be any more difficult than going to the drive through, I just wouldn’t enjoy it, it would be more of a punishment than a treat.
Just to add, I have nothing against a proper Jacket Potato given an hour in the oven and plenty of toppings!

Also, do they never drink alcohol? That’s the worst poison you can put in your body. I wonder how many people who turn their noses up at MacDonalds are sinking a bottle or two of wine, or whatever their tipple is more than fortnightly.

I replied never but wasn’t looking down my nose, just not bothered about having a macds. I can’t afford a regular takeaway but when we have one it’s an Indian or a pizza because I prefer the taste. And yep we prefer to cook our own food anyway most of the time because it’s healthier. Can’t comment on the other “nevers” but so what if they make that choice for health reasons? Good for them and each to their own surely. We all have the right to make our own food choices don’t we and this is a thread asking what those food choices are and why. People are just answering the question.

We rarely do, but my earlier post explained my ds has special dietary requirements, so perhaps a bit less common. From the two times he ate there, one was with school. His dietary requirements are more about keeping optimum kidney health so managing salt and sugar and having lower levels than others. We also manage the food he eats around any higher salt or sugar food to keep levels lower. It’s not like an allergy where a single time would be dangerous (unless in extreme levels), but the cumulative effect. I also prefer to try and avoid takeaways in general, so I’m more lenient when away (holiday or work trip), but we’d tend to try and find healthier options when we do. To be honest, as well as standard food takeaways, it’s also actually hard to do any of the normal coffee chains as their listed drinks (frappe types that older kids and teens might choose) are insanely high in sugar. I can grab a black coffee and ds might be able to have some plain cold milk, potentially with a sugar free shot. We don’t do that often, but when we’re on a journey etc. we sometimes do that. My husband is also rubbish at sticking to boundaries (part of his ADHD), so if I make them strong boundaries, they’re easier to keep to. He’s had several strokes, so equally high salt foods not great for him either. I tend to do a lot of pre-making food to bring out with us or a quick pasta dish for when children have clubs or batch cook something that lasts a few days. I also keep a meal ideas list with quick meals included as I’m terrible at thinking under pressure.

I know some people who barely ever eat takeaways and tend to home cook. I also know plenty of people who eat at Mac Donald’s or get coffee there more than once a week or those who rarely use that chain but use plenty of others. Equally, I know vegans who eat there and vegans who don’t - because they see it as supporting a Company who uses meat and diary and supports those practices.

If I'm finishing work and cba to cook. It's the easiest takeaway option for us.

Probs once every 2 weeks or so. I like independent cafes, but they just aren't available at 7.15pm.

Very rarely. Usually just if we stop at a service station.

My DS is 4 and has only had it once. Not because I think its the worst food in the world, but it's not something I would want to be a regular meal for him.

One child, once may be twice a week. The kids do a sport most night for at least 2 hours and 3 days a week I have to pick them straight up from school to avoid rush hour driving, it's an hour drive depending on the location, waiting around, sport, then an hour home. Often not getting home until 8:30-9. Am trying to be organised and pack a hot flask dinner on the days I work from home but the days I work from the office - no chance! I'd rather they had something hot for dinner tbh. They only have a plain mcplant meal so not a massive burger. The other child hates McDonald's so gets a subway or burger king. But needs must for us.

I think I’ve had a bacon roll there a few times in the last 10 years. Otherwise not for years and years, their burgers make me unwell, same with BK.
DD is 15 and coeliac and has never eaten there.

DC get McDs or BK at motorway services a couple of times a year on long journeys. If we get a takeaway it tends to be Thai/Chinese/Indian as we all enjoys those & I don’t really enjoy burgers.

If we eat out I want to go to a nicer environment than a fast food burger place with piled up wrappers/dirty tables/rank toilets. Chain restaurants like Wagamamas are great with kids, fast but tasty!

NEVER, and that's too often. Yuck.

Probably once a week/once every two weeks. I work until 9 on some nights and my partner can't cook much more than pizza or a microwave meal. Our son (16) will have a sandwich and some crisps about 6ish then have something with us later if he fancies it, sometimes if my partner is also working late (he works an hour away) our son will have dinner at my parents and won't have a McDonald's later on.

We can go months without it then have it twice in a week. Depends what life is like at the time

Daughter had a fish finger happy meal at least 4 times for lunch in the 6 weeks, I was done 🤣🤣

I had no idea this thread would be so popular. Thanks for the responses everyone.

There's never a parent as sanctimonious as the Mumsnet parent who Doesn't Do McDonald's

This thread had me fancying a McDs breakfast this morning. It was delicious.

Once a fortnight is absolutely fine. We have it very rarely as none nearby.