Panorama tonight - Page 4

Ellie H · #31 (**permalink**) 26-01-10, 18:01

It's all about balance.

I don't buy ready meals for me and Mr H and wouldn't for the kids unless we had no alternative or in an emergency. We usually cook from scratch, but that's just what we've always done.

If you decide to give your children ready meals/processed meals everynight then there is obviously a trade off and ultimately as a parent YOU choose what you feed your child.

Understanding basic nutrition isn't rocket science. It's common sense.

jenniferf83 · #32 (**permalink**) 26-01-10, 18:38

Hey

I have to say I watched the show last night and was shcoked by the fact that so many food companies are lying or exagerating claims about childrens food although it has to be said we all know they do it with adult food so why not childrens.
I think the main thing we can all take from the programme is that the only way you really know what your child is eatin is to stand and make it yourself.Annabels recipes from cooking from scratch are great you kno wwhat your feeding them and they really do help with fussy eaters. It's just a shame that she has let her reputation be ruined by selling out and trying to make huge profits for parents who dont know any better. Why someone who advocates home cooking and nutrional meals would put thier name to a prepackaged ready meal in the first place beats me, I guess the money must have been good.
We all care about our children and want whats best for them so maybe this is a lesson learned to us all maybe we should all spend an extra 15 minutes in the kitchen to make sure our wee ones get the best start.
P.S I am not preaching here guys I have used the ready meals in the past when I have been in a hurry more fool me!!!

EvansMum · #33 (**permalink**) 26-01-10, 18:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claire76

I think I must be the only parent in the world that just doesn't fret about salt/sugar.

Im the same, I never purposefully look at salt/sugar content in things and Ive never worried that Evan is getting too much. He eats healthily imo, he would rather eat raisins or a piece of cheese or an apple than sweets so I think I must be doing something right.

I have never brought a ready meal, not only because I know they are bad for you but 1) they cost too much and 2) he probably wouldnt eat it! I didnt watch the programme but I get the gist of it. Everyone knows that they arent a healthy nutritious meal, they are there for convienience and they are not meant to be eaten every single day. Like everyone else has said, a little bit of salt now and again isnt going to hurt.

acad · #34 (**permalink**) 26-01-10, 18:58

the girls occasionally have a ready meal, and i will carry on getting them .

Moderation, moderation,moderation

Anna07 · #35 (**permalink**) 26-01-10, 20:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by acad

Moderation, moderation,moderation

well said. i said in my earlier post that i would think twice about buying the ready meal but now having thought about it i take her to pizza express occasionally as a treat, for all i know they could be loading the tomato sauce for the pizza with sugar but i don't give it a second thought because it is a treat every now and then not every day. we eat out every now and then at pubs or other restaurants and i have no idea what is in the food there that is on a kids menu but again not every day so don't see it as a problem.

byrnen · #36 (**permalink**) 26-01-10, 21:36

I agree that it is definately all about moderation... However I do feel strongly that as much information should be available on the packaging, especially if there is nothing to hide. I shall continue to use the AK recipe books, although I shall no longer be using the ready meals.. That is probably a good thing all round. Batch cooking here we come...

kerri-anne · #37 (**permalink**) 26-01-10, 22:17

I sky+ the programme and have just watched it and I've got to say that nothing they showed was a great suprise to me. As others have said most people are aware that ready meals are not going to be as nutritious as home-cooked food but giving them occasionally is not going to do any harm (I've never given them to my girls but only because I don't buy them for me & OH and so have never even thought of getting my girls them). The show did seem extremely biased against AK, although maybe they singled her out because her books teach you one thing and then her ready meals do the opposite?