to think good quality ready meals are quite healthy?

[Onlywayisupmaybe]

My diet is pretty bad generally so I’m trying to change to have regular meals as a first step.

Am I deluding myself to think that ready meals from M&S healthy ranges (eat well and count on me) are quite healthy or do they count as UPF?

I don’t have the motivation to cook from scratch so any tips on easier options which are reasonably healthy would be appreciated.

I think they can be perfectly healthy OP (especially Cook/ Charlie Bigham type ones) - as others have said, I would usually just add a portion of veg (frozen is fine!) on the side. It sounds like there is a lot going on and you need nutrients and a full stomach with zero drama.

Sometimes even ‘a quick stir fry’ seems or is insurmountable and this is very understandable.

I love cooking btw but actually find high quality ready meals quite a helpful tool in regulating my weight (I’m at the top end of the normal BMI and verging onto overweight so keeping an eye) as my downfall is portion size.

Nothing wrong with ready meals. It will remove a barrier to eating.

Another non-cook meal is basically just cheese, bread and fruit (aka a ploughman's lunch). But I kinda think you should stick to the ready meals for now because the calorie content is printed on the label and you will know for sure you've eaten enough for a full dinner's worth, etc.

BW; I think you can do this. x

BBQ?

Thank you so much. I am really touched by all the kind responses on this thread. Mumsnet at its best.

I’ve tried them all and tbh you can’t beat Iceland their posher version I think there fir £10 even the Indian nurses cabt believe they are ready meals when I have them at work their Chicken lakani is something else. Don’t be scared to try Iceland. I use Cook as well but only what’s on offer online in the shop it’s more expensive.

Cook is great. It's just as you would make at home and frozen. No added nasties.

I'm the same.
ND and struggling.
I'd love to eat 'properly' but it's just never at the top of my 'to-do-list' I'm constantly fire-fighting other stuff which comes my way and suffering from burnout/maybe long Covid.
I know what good/great food tastes like. I've eaten in lots of amazing places, Fat Duck (before it went too gimmicky) etc, I'm half-Italian and I know how to cook.
Just can't at the moment, and maybe forever.

I think ready meals are great in this situation, I prefer the curry ones, I also eat readymade salads and vegetable fresh soups are my fav. I used to knock out fresh soup in my sleep, just can't now, but some supermarket ones are really good, lentil ones are very filling if you are veggie.

I was also wondering about soup, OP? Some of the fresh chilled ones are good?

Why can't you make your own food?

You need to read all the OP's posts. You will then get your answer. This is not a simple situation.

It sounds as though ready meals would be a good way to get you back into a routine of eating regularly. Don't try to do everything at once. You can look to improve the quality of your diet gradually once you are comfortable with eating regular meals.

I have very debilitating fatigue at times. I discovered Cook earlier this year. Not cheap, but good quality and appetising. I just add loads of veg. I get a subscription 6 weekly. You can change the meals you order each time. Life saver for me when struggling otherwise I’d live off cereal & toast.
You’ve acknowledged that you must try to fuel your body, which is a huge step. Making this process as easy as possible will be a huge help. Wishing you the best.

Hi, OP,
I'm a home carer, so very familiar with ready meals.
My first choice would always be Wiltshire Foods.
Their meals look and smell good, and are popular with 'service users'.
They deliver, the next day, and pack it away.
Their labelling is good.
Their customer demographic is elderly/people with medical issues, who rely heavily on those meals for their main nutrition, so the meals have to reflect that.
I've tried the mushroom soup, and it was very good.
Their meals contain generous amounts of vegetables.
They do mini meals, and cater for allergies.
I've only had good experience of their customer service.
I promise I don't work for them.
I'd also echo the suggestion of fresh soups and microwave steam bags of veg.

All the best, to you.

Soup is another great shout @BatshitCrazyWoman and @mouseyowl - a nice lentil soup (chilled section is better quality) is very nutritious OP and so easy to do. Just make sure to heat it in a pot on the stove rather than microwaving in the packet - that was a fun trip to the minor injuries unit!!

To be fair, it's a public forum so lots of people could benefit from facts being shared. Mistruths, less so.

So gross. The human body wasn't designed to process this crap. I'm really surprised more people aren't up in arms about what food corporations are pumping into the nation's diet.

But there’s already plenty of threads/ posts about UPF’s & how to cut down on them on mumsnet. In the context of this particular thread it’s not helpful.

To be fair, all of that is UPF. The problem is UPF.

Sounds a good plan. I hope it is helpful for you.
Cook do a really good range of meals and also normally a weekly 20% off a meal (and it’s veggie equivalent) which can help you choose something if you’re really not in the mood for food. Also because they are freezer meals you won’t need to stress about ‘having’ to eat something you’ve bought by a particular day, but rather you can choose what feels manageable.
Wishing you the best

This
I would worry too much about using ready meals, it's more about getting to the habit of eating. Then when you're ready start with making simple things eg omelettes. Even when the time comes invest in a soup maker.
Baby steps...
Good luck op xx

Salt is not ultra-processed.

@HebburnPokemon you kindly took a wee step back from this thread when OP said she had an ED, I'm going to ask you to take another one pal because you are really not helping at all.

Aldi butter chicken is really nice.

It has a really long ingredient list but I can't see anything that wouldn't be in my kitchen cupboard. Loads of spices which I have a hunch are fantastic for your health.

. . . and its delicious

Chargrilled Chicken (40%) [Chicken Breast, Yogurt (𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐤), Rapeseed Oil, Paprika, Ginger Purée, Garlic Purée, Cornflour, Green Chilli Purée, Tandoori Masala Powder (Paprika, Salt, Ground Coriander, Turmeric, Cumin, Cinnamon, Ground Cloves, White Pepper, Chilli Powder, Ground Bay Leaf), Garam Masala (Ground Roasted Coriander, Ground Roasted Cumin, Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Roasted Cardamom, Mace, Ground Ginger, Fennel, Ground Cloves, Nutmeg, Ground Bay Leaf), Salt, Colour: Paprika Extract; Fenugreek Leaf Powder, Chilli Powder], Onion, Skimmed 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐤, Tomato Paste, Whipping Cream (𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐤), Butter (𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐤), Rapeseed Oil, Honey, Garlic Purée, Ginger Purée, Ground 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝐍𝐮𝐭, Coriander Sprig, Paprika, Coriander Leaf, Salt, Roasted 𝐀𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝 Flakes, Cumin, Tandoori Masala Powder (Paprika, Salt, Ground Coriander, Turmeric, Cumin, Cinnamon, Ground Cloves, White Pepper, Chilli Powder, Ground Bay Leaf), Garam Masala (Ground Roasted Coriander, Ground Roasted Cumin, Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Roasted Cardamom, Mace, Ground Ginger, Fennel, Ground Cloves, Nutmeg, Ground Bay Leaf), Ground Coriander, Fenugreek Leaf Powder, Cardamom, Turmeric, Mace.

Tesco cheapest frozen cottage pie has more meat content than the fresh. And not too bad ingredients.
I agree some of M&S meals are great. I like to have my fruit like strawberries and blueberries before my savoury at the moment. Feels more like a treat.

I think there is a place for them. I try to cook as much as I can from scratch, but if I've had a long day or feel poorly then I would much rather whack a ready meal in the microwave for 4 minutes than stand peeling, chopping, and cooking for 40 (and then means I don't have loads of washing up to sort out after too!)