Food shopping for a visiting teenage boy

[SweetAlmondOil]

I don't have children and my teenage nephew is coming this weekend to visit and will stay overnight. I live alone so I have no idea what to feed him. My brother said 'don't worry - whatever you have in the house will do. Pizza for dinner will make him happy.' Nice but not very helpful.

My cooking skills are limited. What should I buy and make for him? How difficult/picky are teenage boys when it comes to eating? Do they eat LOADS? So far I've bought cereal and milk, as well as bacon and eggs as choices for breakfast. I've bought biscuits to snack on and fruit. I can buy a pizza for dinner but would like to give him at least two options.

Any suggestions gratefully received!

It sounds like you have a good start. They do eat loads, so think big portions and more items in the meal. Think about taking him out for burgers or asking him what his favorite takeaway is. Ice cream is sure fire winner too.

Safe bets include:

Pizza and chips
Burger and chips
Chicken nuggets and chips

Spag Bol
Shepherd pie
Roast dinner

Ask your brother if he’s a fussy eater. If not, just buy normal, everyday food.

Maybe worth getting some squash or coke in also for a drink.

@MissConductUS burgers are a great idea, thank you! I'll also get some oven chips.

@Standrewsschool good point re drinks. I think he likes Coke Zero so I'll get some of that. Do teenagers not drink milk with their meals like you see on American TV shows?

Cereal, milk and bread. Can be eaten at all hours!

Yes pizza or pasta always a good option, maybe some garlic bread? DS (15) and most of his friends are fine with that, cookies and/or ice cream for dessert?

[quote SweetAlmondOil]@MissConductUS burgers are a great idea, thank you! I'll also get some oven chips.

@Standrewsschool good point re drinks. I think he likes Coke Zero so I'll get some of that. Do teenagers not drink milk with their meals like you see on American TV shows?[/quote]
Yank here. Fluid milk consumption is down massively here, so I don't think it's in any American TV shows made in the last 20 years. I have a 20 yo DS and an 18 yo DD and neither drinks milk. Now we just pick it up if it's needed for a recipe. DD does drink oat milk.

Oven fries chips and onion rings are big favorites at our house. We also make our own pizza, but that's probably more bother than it's worth for a quick visit.

Ds likes pizza, burgers, sausages. Wouldn't eat bacon or eggs. He likes carb things so pancakes, toaster waffles, part baked baguettes, croissants, etc. Fruit and cereal also good

What would you normally eat?

Nope, no milk-drinking teens here.

One only drinks water.

The other drinks squash, orange juice or cider.

Milk is only consumed on cereal or in yoghurts.

One of mine drank as much milk as a baby cow but I don't think I've known another teenager who would choose to drink milk at a meal if there is an alternative.

A multipack of crisps in different flavours, some biscuits and fruit are a good idea (I'm assuming you want to treat him rather than worrying about healthy eating). Bread and fillings for sandwiches. Cocktail sausages and sausage rolls are also popular snacks.

Standrewsschools safe meal suggestions are spot on for universally popular dinners. Pancakes for breakfast is another good suggestion, nutella is the most popular topping here.

Thank you! I'm adding these items to my shopping list. I'd be mortified if he went home hungry! (and yes, I'm not too bothered about the food being healthy - more focussed on it being a treat. Although I will also have plenty of fruit as I always have that in the house).

Ime they also like sliced cheese and sliced cold meat/salami/chorizo, bagels, garlic bread as a side with pizza, wings ditto, sometimes tea and biscuits. Beer if he is an older teen!

@SweetAlmondOil you're a great auntie!

Thank you @NotMaryWhitehouse

I collected my shopping this morning - it doesn't look like much although I now have two of every meal for options and to ensure he doesn't go hungry. He can take away any leftover snacks to have on the train!