A furious mum is "uncomfortable" as her friend dines on Marks and Spencer and Waitrose while her kids get yellow label "basic" food.
The concerned woman explained how her friend says premium food is "too expensive" for her children, despite being able to afford it, she claimed. "She buys frozen food for them and buys herself good quality, expensive food," the anonymous woman wrote on Mums Net recently.
The mum - who says she has "skipped meals so her children can eat" - explained her friend's children "are not fussy". When they have been at her home, they have enjoyed "everything and anything" to eat. The mum added that the children enjoyed food and vegetables at her house but are given frozen dinners, and biscuits and chocolate to snack on at home.
Explaining her frustration, the mum said: "Am I being unreasonable? I know this is probably not a big deal as the children are fed, but I feel uncomfortable by the fact my friend buys herself good quality expensive food but gives her children basic brands.
"She buys beige frozen food for them from Asda (yellow package) - which is fine as I have bought some myself on occasion. Then, she will go to Waitrose or M&S to buy herself nice food." The mum said she is "concerned" about the health of her friend's children and said she "can't turn a blind eye".
She added: "I'm no saviour, just concerned she favours her health above her children's. The last time I visited there was a tonne of fresh vegetables stacked on the counter, I told her it's great her children love vegetables and her response was that the veg is for herself as it's too expensive to give to her children too."
"They snack on biscuits and chocolate while she has fruit. They’re not fussy children at all, I've had them to my house for tea many times. To me, I couldn't eat something nice knowing my children are eating bland food with no nutrition."
The mum added: "I've often skipped meals so my children can eat decent food, if they can't have fruit or veg then I won't eat at all to make sure I can buy it. Is this something you'd raise with her to ask about it? Offer support whether financial or otherwise? Or do I just mind my business?"
189 people rushed to share their thoughts on the dilemma on Mums Net. A number of people agreed with the mum regarding her friend's actions but others suggested that her friend may be avoiding wasting food and money.
One individual said: "She doesn't need financial support if she's shopping for herself in Waitrose and M&S. She just values her own health over the health of her children. I doubt very much that there is anything you can do to change her mind and I suspect that you will fall out if you say anything. She doesn't sound like a very good person."
Another shared that their family members also do the same, adding: "My brother and sister-in-law do this. Kids get basic Asda yellow label range. Cheap sausages full of crap. They have decent Asda premium stuff. I think it's mental."
One commented: "I'd be judging her all over town for that. A bag of carrots is about 50p and does for snacks for a week. There's no excuse for not attempting to give your kids nutritionally adequate food."
Meanwhile, others stuck up for her friend. Another added: "Maybe her kids don't eat healthy food so she is avoiding waste. How much healthier will beige food from M&S be compared to basic own brand Asda? I think you should mind your own business."
A third commented: "She probably meant they’re fussy and won’t eat it so she doesn’t waste it on them or something." Another wrote: "You can't fix it. She prefers putting herself above the children. Why don't you just tell her? I think what she means but didn't put across correctly is that there's no point giving her kids posh expensive food when they leave most of it."
The NHS advises that children, just like adults, need to eat a health and balanced diet - aiming to eat five or more portions of varied fruit and vegetables every day. A spokesperson said: "Discourage your child from having sugary or high-fat foods like sweets, cakes, biscuits, crisps, chocolate, some sugary cereals, and sugar-sweetened soft and fizzy drinks."
For any more advice on child's diet visit the NHS website or speak to your GP for further information.
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