Active discussions

Help end medical misogyny. Sign our petition.

Help end medical misogyny.
Sign our petition.

Sign the petition

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Original poster

Snack plates for dinner

268 replies

Goodnightelizabethgoodnight · 03/02/2025 16:27

I'm sure it's just an older generation mindset of needing 3 hot square meals a day, but my gran was shocked ( 🙄 ) that my 3 year old had a snack plate for his dinner.

Plenty of nights we do have a hot meal together but I'd say at least once, sometimes twice a week, he happily sits and eats a little snack plate in front of the telly. He's been at nursery 9-3, outdoors for much of the time, he's tired, and he just wants to chill. I know the feeling myself! So after two helpings of curry with rice for his lunch at nursery I don't think it's a problem to have a snack plate for dinner.

He's having the same snack plate today as he did yesterday which has breadsticks, oatcakes, humous, salami, smoked cheese, raspberries, strawberries, chopped cucumber and peppers. He might have a small bowl of soup after too. Tbh I think he's living the best life with his little platter in front of the telly and I think it's great 😁

Breakfast was porridge, lunch was curry and rice, tomorrow for dinner we're having chicken risotto, and the next night we're having spaghetti bolognese.

Anyone else do the same with their kids?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
HundredPercentUnsure · 03/02/2025 20:04

Goodnightelizabethgoodnight · 03/02/2025 19:26

@Lookuptrees

You sound like a nippy sweetie.

What does that mean out of interest? Never heard the term before! 😂

VivaVivaa · 03/02/2025 20:10

Sounds fine. The food sounds lovely! My 4 year old doesn’t understand too much of a good thing. If we relented on tea in front of the TV one night we’d be fighting that battle for the next 3 weeks, so it’s not worth it for us. But if your DC can understand and accept it’s a treat and doesn’t mither you continuously for food in front of the TV, then that’s fine. Don’t worry about it!

Original poster
Goodnightelizabethgoodnight · 03/02/2025 20:13

@HundredPercentUnsure

That's a great idea but my child isn't a fussy eater so that's not an issue for us. He'll eat risotto for dinner tomorrow, bolognese the next two days and then salmon and veg another day.

We just do a snack plate in front of the telly once or twice a week as it's a nice way to chill out. We usually do it on a day when I don't fancy cooking. Husband had leftover curry for dinner but I couldn't face dinner tonight so I've had a bowl of cereal after my son was in bed.

Definitely not switching the telly off while he has his wee snack plate.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

3 year olds Families General food
Original poster
Goodnightelizabethgoodnight · 03/02/2025 20:15

VivaVivaa · 03/02/2025 20:10

Sounds fine. The food sounds lovely! My 4 year old doesn’t understand too much of a good thing. If we relented on tea in front of the TV one night we’d be fighting that battle for the next 3 weeks, so it’s not worth it for us. But if your DC can understand and accept it’s a treat and doesn’t mither you continuously for food in front of the TV, then that’s fine. Don’t worry about it!

He doesn't see it as a treat and never complains when it's switched off. We don't watch a lot of tv. He's never moaned to have it on, he just plays with his toys or gets his yoto player out. I don't get the hate from some posters about a bit of telly sometimes. Like all of us, he has programmes he enjoys watching.

OP posts:
Original poster
Goodnightelizabethgoodnight · 03/02/2025 20:17

@HundredPercentUnsure

It's a nasty person with a sharp tongue 😁

OP posts:
coxesorangepippin · 03/02/2025 20:18

Yup when the kids were small

It's fine

VivaVivaa · 03/02/2025 20:22

Goodnightelizabethgoodnight · 03/02/2025 20:15

He doesn't see it as a treat and never complains when it's switched off. We don't watch a lot of tv. He's never moaned to have it on, he just plays with his toys or gets his yoto player out. I don't get the hate from some posters about a bit of telly sometimes. Like all of us, he has programmes he enjoys watching.

Show quote history

He sounds very easy going by nature. I really wouldn’t give it a second thought, a couple of evenings of TV a week is absolutely fine as long as his behaviour remains good and he’s not a pain when it goes off. I know I’d regret letting mine eat tea in front of the TV even once - maybe others have the same experience as me!

HousesofHolbein · 03/02/2025 20:23

My DC absolutely love snack plates. Fave meal!

I can bulk mine up with hard boiled or soft boiled eggs, cheese on toast squares etc.

Mine eat a lot more fruit if it's all chopped up on a little plate 😁

Original poster
Goodnightelizabethgoodnight · 03/02/2025 20:28

@VivaVivaa

He sounds very easy going by nature

In some regards 😅😂

OP posts:
Moonshine5 · 03/02/2025 20:32

Going against the grain here, personally I don't understand it. Maybe "snacky bits" for after dinner. (And definitely no TV while eating. Not about speech; people/ children will eat mindlessly - this contributes to over eating). We don't listen to our bodies. Maybe okay as a one off, not a couple of times a week.

HellofromJohnCraven · 03/02/2025 20:32

Lol. Just read to see how far down the replies someone would judge you for allowing the child to watch tv.
Mumsnet bingo at it's finest.
My dcs had snack plates in front of the TV too. Seem to have grown into sensible adults

Needmorelego · 03/02/2025 20:47

This thread is hilarious with the judging....TV oh the horror 😱
Back in "the day" (whenever that was) many children's evening meal ("tea") was bread and butter plus an apple. Jam on the bread on Saturdays if you were really lucky.
The hot meal was at lunchtime. Pre-WW2 many children went home from school at lunchtime and had their main hot meal. For tea it was the bread and butter (or even dripping).
At some point in time it switched to main meal in the evening so children took sandwiches to school - essentially the same as what they used to have for tea - bread and butter !!!
Having 3 hot meals a day has never really been a "thing".
And there's nothing wrong with a bit of telly for pity's sake.

Snorandsnot · 03/02/2025 20:47

My children had and a grandchild ,have picnic teas watching TV ! All ok and fully functioning human beings! I do wonder how many of the pearl clutchers look at their phones rather than engaging with their children 24/7! Absolutely nothing wrong with down time for children.
Children really do need switch off time!

neverthelastone · 04/02/2025 01:25

Anyway, adults eat “snack plates” all the time; we just call them something different. What else for example is a quiche and salad with coleslaw, or a poke bowl, or sushi, or canapés?

DD as a toddler would have a plate with breadsticks, ham (naice of course), cheese, carrot sticks, cucumber sticks, olives, sliced peppers, sliced apple, some blueberries and a mini pork pie or similar, and it was probably more balanced and with more fruit and veg than most of her hot dinners.

Original poster
Goodnightelizabethgoodnight · 04/02/2025 07:30

neverthelastone · 04/02/2025 01:25

Anyway, adults eat “snack plates” all the time; we just call them something different. What else for example is a quiche and salad with coleslaw, or a poke bowl, or sushi, or canapés?

DD as a toddler would have a plate with breadsticks, ham (naice of course), cheese, carrot sticks, cucumber sticks, olives, sliced peppers, sliced apple, some blueberries and a mini pork pie or similar, and it was probably more balanced and with more fruit and veg than most of her hot dinners.

Very true. As much as he likes to eat curry or risotto, he also likes fish fingers and beans. Fine by me, I don't mind him eating that, but his snack plates are more balanced overall.

OP posts:
sexnotgenders · 04/02/2025 07:57

This thread is weird. Ignoring the inevitable anti-TV pearl clutching (which it's obvious the OP was both expecting and is enjoying), it consists mainly of the OP bragging about how amazing her parenting is, and then being rude when called out on that bragging.

We get it OP, your precious first born is a snack eating, TV watching genius, and we're all very proud of your achievements. Is that better?

Original poster
Goodnightelizabethgoodnight · 04/02/2025 08:09

sexnotgenders · 04/02/2025 07:57

This thread is weird. Ignoring the inevitable anti-TV pearl clutching (which it's obvious the OP was both expecting and is enjoying), it consists mainly of the OP bragging about how amazing her parenting is, and then being rude when called out on that bragging.

We get it OP, your precious first born is a snack eating, TV watching genius, and we're all very proud of your achievements. Is that better?

What a weird perspective. I expected some people to take a dim view of the snack plates. I didn't expect a few hours of tv a week to be the big talking point. Which parts of my post are bragging? I've had zero input on him being a chatterbox, he just is that way so I'm not going to agree with someone saying he's gawping at screens and watching some tv will affect his speech as that is just nonsense. You sound completely bonkers and just spoiling for a fight.

OP posts:
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 04/02/2025 08:12

mitogoshigg · 03/02/2025 16:36

Yabu to have him sit in front of the tv. Sir with him at the table and converse, it's good for their speech development and one of many factors that's peas to increased speech issues in the U.K. (see also screens rather than reaching and talking to them)

We've never had a table, we have no room!

We always sit on the couch. We have no choice.

Not everyone has a dining room!

Sounds lovely OP. We often did this when little. We called it a party dinner and it was requested often!

Spanielsaremad · 04/02/2025 08:16

Op you asked for people's opinions then are giving rude responses to people that offer an opinion that differs from yours. I'm not sure why you posted.

Hoppingabout · 04/02/2025 08:22

"Snack plate" is a bit cringe. Like the even worse "picky tea". Which is what the OP is giving her child.

Just say supper in front of the tv. What's the big deal? My children weren't as intellectually advanced as the OPs so had to sit at the table and be spoken to but at least your kid is being fed! You can be lazy sometimes OP and it's not the end of the world.

Original poster
Goodnightelizabethgoodnight · 04/02/2025 08:23

Spanielsaremad · 04/02/2025 08:16

Op you asked for people's opinions then are giving rude responses to people that offer an opinion that differs from yours. I'm not sure why you posted.

I'm rude to those who are rude to me. I didn't ask for and am not interested in opinions on the little amount of telly my child watches and enjoys.

OP posts:
Original poster
Goodnightelizabethgoodnight · 04/02/2025 08:25

Hoppingabout · 04/02/2025 08:22

"Snack plate" is a bit cringe. Like the even worse "picky tea". Which is what the OP is giving her child.

Just say supper in front of the tv. What's the big deal? My children weren't as intellectually advanced as the OPs so had to sit at the table and be spoken to but at least your kid is being fed! You can be lazy sometimes OP and it's not the end of the world.

The point of it being a snack plate was that was what my gran was horrified about. If it was gammon egg and chips she'd be happy as it would be hot.

OP posts:
Zimunya · 04/02/2025 08:26

Sounds to me like you have a good balance here, OP, across both food and tv!

Hoppingabout · 04/02/2025 08:31

Goodnightelizabethgoodnight · 04/02/2025 08:25

The point of it being a snack plate was that was what my gran was horrified about. If it was gammon egg and chips she'd be happy as it would be hot.

Show quote history

Well good on you for giving him a bowl of soup away from a table and not minding your sofas.

Each to their own anyway! I wouldn't worry. You'll get nutritionists saying that's a lot of salt but I always think kids should eat junk every so often.

Needmorelego · 04/02/2025 08:35

@Hoppingabout in my house we call it a "platter".
It's usually salami, cheese, gherkins (blurrrgh - can't believe my kid likes those), olives, dip and posh crisps!
I expect if we went to a fancy pub we'd be charged £15 for it 😂

Swipe left for the next trending thread