Encourage kids to eat healthily...why is it more expensive to do so!

Sorry, I am not trying to make myself out to be super efficient or marvellous because I am not. However I am organised, mainly because I havent got time not to be and I do get fed up with being constantly made to think that this is something I have to be defensive and apologetic about.

It is just that we constantly get this cliche about busy women not having time to cook and I do appreciate that for many, particularly single mothers, it is difficult, but the myth that cooking from scratch means spending hours over the cooker is wrong. All I ever did was shove a bag of frozen diced meat, some frozen veg, a stock cube and some herbs in a casserole and make twice as much as I needed that night. I did it mainly because I found ready meals too time consuming to prepare and fiddle with when I got home after being out of the house for nearly 11 hours. They come in silly portions with complicated cooking instructions and I really didnt want the hassle. I found my alternative was quicker and easier.

I can see that's a good plan, FlicketyB, and I did similar myself when working full time. I'm sorry you felt a bit 'got at' - I was just defending my own DD's position, but when I think about it she actually would have time to put together casseroles etc. as you describe if she made a determined effort! I think she tends to rely on the fact that the twins have had lunch at school and assumes they only need a snack such as beans on toast in the evening...

Bags.

I am glad somebody else has heard of this problem. As I say we were gob smacked as we honestly thought we were doing a good thing giving her fruit.

Should be spoken about a little more I say.

I think it should too, pogs. You'd think dental nurse visits to schools would have got the message across, but maybe the "eat more fruit" message has been more persistent and louder and more prevalent.

Bags.

Very true. 5 fruits a day and all that.