AIBU to think some weekly shops contain far too many snacks?and this is not grocery shopping!?

[Upsetbetty]

AIBU to think that the amount of processed snacks people buy in their grocery shopping is getting ridiculous? Watching people share their grocery shop on instagram etc and I can’t see what meals they can even make as it’s all snacks?? And then they say oh grocery shopping is so expensive!Do people really do this? I don’t buy any biscuits, fizzy drinks (18-20 pack slabs) or crisps as a part of me weekly family shop. I buy the meat, veg and pantry items. That is my weekly shopping. I buy one packet of oat bars for my DCs lunches. If my dc want a snack they have fruit, yogurt, homemade flapjacks etc.

There’s nothing poor about them. If they want a chocolate bar or crisps they can buy it with their pocket money…sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t.

Totally missing ignoring the point but can we ban the use of the word snack, along with meal.

While you’re basically right about fructose being entirely processed by the liver, not all fructose is harmful. It depends on the source.

You’re incorrect in your criticism of dates - if they’re fresh dates they’re actually a natural source of healthy fructose. All fruit contains it, along with fibre and water, which slow down digestion, which is good for you. The harmful sources of fructose are fizzy pop, sweets and processed foods which deliver a fast and high dose of fructose. Corn syrup is high in fructose and table sugars of all varieties are 50/50 fructose and glucose. It’s these things that deliver a fast and high dose of fructose which harms the liver - not healthy fruits and other natural sources.

Exactly! Completely agree with the point about yoghurt and home made flapjacks not being the 'healthier' options everyone believes, the same with fruit tbf - thats the issue with demonising some foods over others. I also think that over controlling food when kids are small can lead to them over eating 'banned' foods when they are old enough to shop for themselves.

Well done @Upsetbetty

You will sleep well knowing that you are a superior person who doesn’t eat or buy snacks, and judges those who does.

As an aside who the heck uploads receipts onto Instagram 🤣

People tend to buy the same things. It’s advertising via content creators. You might see a new product and try it. Or be influenced to try a new supermarket.
Things that are common sense to me as an older person who cooks/had home ec lessons at school aren’t obvious to everyone. So content creator says I’ll do roast chicken today and tomorrow we’ve having chicken risotto and then I’m making chicken soup.

My grocery trolley is often full of snacks! Crisps and biscuits. Plus some convenience foods like pizza, Higgidy Pies etc. Alongside fruit and veg, pasta, rice, pulses and some meat.
Two adults and two teen DC. We're all skinny and active and happy and healthy.

Maybe I'll put my next shop on Instagram to generate some rage? 🤣

I love my snacks and shall ignore people that judge. I rarely drink, dont smoke. Biscuits or choccie bar with my cuppa is def staying. I am not over weight either.

They know they'll get more commenting if their only showing the snacks not the food they make actual meals with.

I think you're getting a hard time because you're being quite judgemental and also a bit vague. If your complaint is tha tpeople say they've spent a fortune and hardly bough tany actual meals then sure, I get that. The person complaining they can't afford things but who is buying unnecessary shit is annoying but even then, I'm not convinced judgement is helpful as it's just as likely they don't know better or have other things going on that make them do this.

But a blanket, "people buying snacks is bad" thing is ridiculous. Among my broader circle of friends and family I am generally considered to be someone who is an excellent cook, providing healthy, diverse meals for my family. But of course I also buy snacks and treats. I'm completely okay with DD having a packet of popcorn or a Twirl, alongside her largely healthy, home cooked, UPF-light diet. And yes, we have fizzy drinks and biscuits in the house too.

The people who complain that fresh food is too expensive are probably the ones who buy 'snacks'.

I rarely buy biscuits but fancied some but when I looked at the prices, I left them there. I don't like the usual cheap ones like bourbon and custard creams but even they are something like £2.25 a kilo. Carrots are 69p a kilo.

The chocolate digestives I fancied were £8.46 a kilo.

Chocolate or crisps with their own pocket money???

Poor little sods.

I'm surprised you're surprised OP. Any supermarket sell something like 30% pantry stuff, 10% if that healthy and 60% is shitty stuff full of fat, sugar and processed stuff.

They do because it's what sells. It's what people want. The majority of people are overweight or obese. Threads about anything food related is full of excuses.

We are an unhealthy nation that eat and drink the wrong stuff and encourage our children to think it's normal and okay.

On the flip side there are some interesting videos on YouTube where people buy different versions of popular products. They compare the cheaper versions to the more expensive end of the range and it’s an eye opener.

Fish fingers are just one example - the cheaper products being nothing more than a thin layer of grey minced fish and mostly yellowy breadcrumbs, while the higher end tend to be white fish fillet and natural crumb. The ingredients listed on the packaging varies according to price too. I know we all basically know this, but when you see them compared in these terms it makes you realise that many people are missing out on valuable nutrition because they simply can’t afford to feed their families the better quality versions of these things.

That actually sounds really good

Err… what’s wrong with that? If my kids want junk food they walk to the shop and buy it with their pocket money.

I’ve actually started looking at the bulk values too. It makes you realise how expensive certain everyday items have become. In any cases it also highlights how much smaller pre packaged items have become. Certain butter brands have not only increased their prices, but have reduced the pack size from 250g to 200g. Presumably they believe in the old saying - less is more.

Why are you watching? Why are you bothered?
Our weekly shop contains lots of meat, veg,
pasta etc… and also crisps and chocolate. Yes, we eat chocolate weekly, shock horror!

It doesn’t sound like they’re asking your permission?

Just can’t imagine making my kids use their pocket money if they want a bar of chocolate or packet of crisps.

Actually, I have been stocking the fridge, for the kids to get themselves food and snacks, from Ocado. That is my main grocery shop.

I buy an awful lot of our meat and veg with yellow stickers, as and when, and cook them up for the main meals.

Each to their own. It’s partly what their pocket money is for.

I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing to instil in children that these things are treats and not for everyday consumption. If there isn’t a supply of them on tap from the weekly shop and they have to buy them themselves with precious pocket money then it teaches the value of both. A good life lesson.

It’s definitely not akin to feeding your kids meth, but I think the question is more why would you use it at all when it’s so much worse for your health than many other similar products on the market. Like anything, over time it will have an effect.

So just scroll on? It doesn't concern you what other people eat.