Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Why o fecking why is decent food so bloody expensive???

192 replies

mamadiva · 01/02/2009 14:56

Trying to get more into the mode of cooking from scratch but would rather use free range food although am on vey limited budget

Bloody cheaper buying frozen shite ARGH have to feed 3 adults and a toddler for about £50 a week how the hell am I meant to o that...

Sorry but Tesco has pissed me off now

OP posts:
sarah293 · 01/02/2009 19:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

sameagain · 01/02/2009 19:59

I buy to "Roots and Greens" box here once a fortnight, cost £11.95

Plus the mixed organic meat box here here every other month. Cost £100

Then I spend c. £30 in Lidl once a week and maybe £3 on bread/milk in between.

My calculations make that £51.50 per week to feed a family of four, predominantly organic food, including packed lunches for all of us. It also includes all cleaning products and most toiletries.

We don't have meat everyday, will probably have one meal based on (organic) eggs each week and one using tinned fish - tuna/mackrel/sardines, but we do eat very well. I am brilliant at using leftovers and never throw any food away

PippiCalzelunghe · 01/02/2009 20:02

boffinmum I've emailed for meny please. TIA!

sorry I can offer no help as my weekly food bill is around 130pounds. DH is a meat eater.

PippiCalzelunghe · 01/02/2009 20:03

I meant to say that I'm trying to make it cheaper so I'll get some info from you all.

CoteDAzur · 01/02/2009 20:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Horton · 01/02/2009 20:07

Definitely agree with bulking out meat-based meals with pulses etc.

We have a lot of stews made from cheap but organic cuts with lots of chickpeas or other pulses. It's easy to do, cheap, healthy and really easy to reheat the leftovers for lunch the next day. Lamb with garlic, pearl barley, tomatoes and assorted veg is good. Chicken with saffron, veg and tomatoes also great. Beef stew is really lifted by a curl of lemon or orange peel and is fab with lots of green lentils. Happy to supply recipes if it would help anyone.

If your kids like curry, then bulk it out with potatoes and serve dal alongside. Chana dal or toor dal is way nicer than red lentils. Again, happy to supply a recipe if anyone wants one.

paolosgirl · 01/02/2009 20:34

Horton - could I have your recipes please? I'm always on the look out for cheap and cheerful meal ideas.

hidetheribbons · 01/02/2009 20:41

Are you anywhere near a farm shop Mamadiva? I mean a proper farm shop where they only sell stuff grown on the farm, not a fancy one where the stuff is just as dear as the supermarkets. We found one near us and go there about once a fortnight, we got 12lb of assorted vegetables (carrots, brocccoli, kale, leeks, sprouts on the stalk) for about £7.

There are quite a few of them around, usually with a tatty sign outside, it's just a barn where they sell vegetables. Could you ask your friends if they know of any good farm shops?

(not much help if you live in the city or don't have a car but just a thought).

Original poster
mamadiva · 01/02/2009 21:19

Thanks everyone alot of good advice on here

A few points though...

  1. I don't drive but there is a farm shop right next to Asda but have heard it is very expensive! My take DS to look toorrow actually.
  1. We have an indoor market on a Wed night and Sat morning but there stuff seems to be more bulk buy goods. Which would be handy if I wuld use any of it LOL.
  1. The problem I have with dinners is that my 2.6O DS and DP are very fussy eaters, none of them will touch veg (well DS wont eat anything really but have to give it to try normally gets wasted ) so makes it a pain to bulk things out and make meal that are not meat based, TBH it is an unbelievable PITA but as to be done I guess.

By veg I mean everything DP will not even eat a chunk of carrot it's pathetic so anything at all is out the window unless its disguised...

OP posts:
moondog · 01/02/2009 21:21

Mama, if yuo are strapped for cash the kids refusing to eat is a non issue.You make it clear that there is one option and if they don't like it,tough.

Don't bloody pander.

Ivykaty44 · 01/02/2009 21:22

So what will your dp eat? Some idea of what he like may be of help to be able to suggest stuff?

sorrento · 01/02/2009 21:26

So puree the carrot like you used to when you had a baby and stir it into your spag bol along with onion, red peppers, there's 4 veg in them without trying.

Nobody has mentioned growing your own food, has anybody tried this yet ?
I think I'm going to plant onions, potatoes and leeks and carrots in the spring ready for the autum and the apple tree we usually don't touch is going to get raided this year too but how do you tell if they are eating apples ? Taking a bite i guess

Ronaldinhio · 01/02/2009 21:35

I spend £50 ish quid a week and find it fine

We eat soups lentils and veggie a fair bit. I stew lots of different types of cheap meat and recycle left overs.

I think 50 is fine for 2 adults and two small children
Not at all interested in free range or organic

Mimia · 01/02/2009 21:37

Sorrento is right, you just need to play hide the veg, I have to do this for my DH, not my 2.7 yo though

I totally agree that slow cooker is the way to go, I can get a chicken and get a roast from it on Sunday, a risotto/curry or stirfry on Monday night, then soup and homemade bread on Tuesday. We also try to have one tinned fish meal a week and a cheap meal day, which is something like baked potatoes or pasta bake.

With good meal planning you can make your food go along way, so that you make the most of what you have. Also a good stock cupboard is essential, as are lentils! Making in bulk and freezing works well too. I actually think that crap food costs more than good food.

Original poster
mamadiva · 01/02/2009 21:37

moondog - DS is only 2.6YO and I basically need to give hm anything I can because he doesn't eat for days and HV said just give him stuff he will eat as he is losing weight now. It's not pandering it's trying to get him some sort of nutrition regardless of how bad it may be it's better than nothing.

Ivy - question of the year that one.

A little bit of pasta but not much as he isn't that keen so one meal a week can be pasta, sometimes he eats bolognaise and other times he wont touch it.

He likes curries made from jars, as I said am not much of a cook so have not tried my own yet (am only 22) that's my excuse anyway

Will eat roasts etc but no veg and will not have mash and beans on the same plte or chips and beans.

Christ I dont know ... erm... mince and potatoes occassionally macaroni cheese or a plain tomato and peperoni pasta bake but thats about it that I can thin of the now.

OP posts:
pointydog · 01/02/2009 21:39

there must be some basic healthy stuff that your ds will eat, no?

Original poster
mamadiva · 01/02/2009 21:40

Oh and no baked potatoes or soups only soup he will eat is Heinz crea of tomato, reading this it sounds absolutely rediculous how fussy he is!

Does anyone have a recipe thats easy for cream of tomato soup?

OP posts:
Original poster
mamadiva · 01/02/2009 21:42

pointy - Its not so much that he doesnt like veg etc its more he just wont eat.
Have been to hospital for tests and everything because he just didnt eat for a week is getting slightly better but HV told me if all he wants is sausages then give himsausages but I just feel that cant be good for him

OP posts:
Ronaldinhio · 01/02/2009 21:44

try lentil pie with carrot and parsnip mash

IlanaK · 01/02/2009 21:44

Honestly, I think you need to start getting them both used to new foods. When I first met my dh, he was a very fussy/limited eater. Exposure to new foods over time and now he is very adventurous. My ds1 was a fussy eater and we pandered to it. It has taken until now (he is 7) to get him to eat more widely. We did not make the same mistake with ds2 and 3.

We too are changing the way we eat to cut costs. I agree with many of the suggestions made here already. The key is to make your own food (it really is much cheaper than ready meals). If yuo are not used to cooking, get Jamie Oliver's new book Ministry of Food. Really good simple basic cheap family meals. If your dh is the one bringing in the money, you might want to point out to him the cost of your shopping bill and how much you could reduce it. He needs to be less fussy really.

Horton · 01/02/2009 21:46

Paolosgirl, yes I will post them tomorrow. Just posting to remind myself as my Threads I'm Watching isn't working.

sorrento · 01/02/2009 21:47

My friend was given that advice by her health visitor and now at 13 he still will only eat sausages, not sure what the answer is in your situation though, would he eat sausage with apple in it for example ?

moondog · 01/02/2009 21:48

I wouldn't listen to anytihng an HV said myself.

paolosgirl · 01/02/2009 21:48

Thanks Horton It is easier for you to post them on MN or for me to give you my email address?

onepieceofbrusselssprout · 01/02/2009 21:49

mamadiva just a tip re curry from jars. I get the paste rather than the sauce. Imo it is much cheaper and nicer. Easy instructions on the jar.

If I make it a bit hot for my dds I stir in some bio yogurt and they love it.

(although dd1 was a bit initially it was because she was anxious I had mixed dinner and pudding together!)

If he likes pasta try stirring a bit of green pesto sauce and philadelphia type cheese into cooked hot pasta (drain it first). Stir in some tiny bits of cooked broccoli or peas if you think he might not notice.