The same old complaints
Jan 18th 2009, 7:40 am
#16
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,872
Re: The same old complaints
I do that too! 
No it's not compulsory but there are a lot of them and it is easier for a working family to buy frozen rather than fresh stuff.
Another example is that I used to buy a lot of shopping from the internet, my main shop was done at Asda.co.uk and I would buy my veggies, tinned stuff, cleaning products etc from there - this I would do every month.
Every second month I would fill up my chest freezer in the garage with stuff from the freezer shop. I could buy the same stuff from the freezer shop that I could get from Asda for less than half price. Wasn't so much of an easiness thing, more of a price thing for us.
We didn't have any greengrocers, butchers or anything like that left where I come from - sadly the supermarkets wiped them out a few years before we moved here. Pretty crap really to say that William Morisson made all his money from a stall in the markets
the very same ones he eventually helped to kill off
Tell me about it! Yummy - and so cheap too!
No it's not compulsory but there are a lot of them and it is easier for a working family to buy frozen rather than fresh stuff.
Another example is that I used to buy a lot of shopping from the internet, my main shop was done at Asda.co.uk and I would buy my veggies, tinned stuff, cleaning products etc from there - this I would do every month.
Every second month I would fill up my chest freezer in the garage with stuff from the freezer shop. I could buy the same stuff from the freezer shop that I could get from Asda for less than half price. Wasn't so much of an easiness thing, more of a price thing for us.
We didn't have any greengrocers, butchers or anything like that left where I come from - sadly the supermarkets wiped them out a few years before we moved here. Pretty crap really to say that William Morisson made all his money from a stall in the markets
the very same ones he eventually helped to kill offTell me about it! Yummy - and so cheap too!
Jan 18th 2009, 8:44 am
#17
Australia's Doorman
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: The Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia
Posts: 11,056
Re: The same old complaints
The UK ready meals market is still the largest when compared to Germany, France, Italy and Spain. Sales of ready meals here hit the 3 billion Euro (£2 billion sterling) mark last year, compared to nearer 2 billion Euros in France (2.0 billion Euros) and Germany (1.8 billion Euros).
And despite being the largest market the UK will see around a 25% increase in sales from 2006 to 2011 to reach 3.7 billion euros or £2.6 billion sterling. What is more, we Brits are most likely to eat ready meals more than once a week (23% according to TGI Europa), compared to just 9% in Germany - the least likely.
"Mintel’s research shows that the UK is still king of convenience," comments Michelle Strutton. "The ready meals market in the UK is by far and away the most advanced in Europe. Suppliers here, especially the leading retailers such as M&S, are quick to react to new consumer trends, so offering a wide variety of exciting meals to appeal to everyone’s tastes," she adds.
Not compulsory ... but it would seem that the British are hardly being forced to buy them at gun point. And despite being the largest market the UK will see around a 25% increase in sales from 2006 to 2011 to reach 3.7 billion euros or £2.6 billion sterling. What is more, we Brits are most likely to eat ready meals more than once a week (23% according to TGI Europa), compared to just 9% in Germany - the least likely.
"Mintel’s research shows that the UK is still king of convenience," comments Michelle Strutton. "The ready meals market in the UK is by far and away the most advanced in Europe. Suppliers here, especially the leading retailers such as M&S, are quick to react to new consumer trends, so offering a wide variety of exciting meals to appeal to everyone’s tastes," she adds.
Jan 18th 2009, 9:00 am
#19
Australia's Doorman
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: The Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia
Posts: 11,056
Jan 18th 2009, 10:49 am
#20
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 310
Re: The same old complaints
I have a real problem with the ready meal/convenience food culture in the UK. People are continually told that they don't have time to prepare meals as they have such a busy life so that they start to believe it themselves, seriously how long does it really take to prepare spaghetti bolognese from scratch using your own ingredients?? Half an hour?
I remember one day at work in the UK one of my colleagues discussing how she had "tried" her husband on Asda peri peri chicken but that he wasn't that keen on the particular flavour, firstly it sounded like she was talking about her child and secondly why not try to make your own and then you can flavour it how you want.
I remember one day at work in the UK one of my colleagues discussing how she had "tried" her husband on Asda peri peri chicken but that he wasn't that keen on the particular flavour, firstly it sounded like she was talking about her child and secondly why not try to make your own and then you can flavour it how you want.
Jan 18th 2009, 10:55 am
#21
Bitter and twisted
Joined: Dec 2003
Location: Upmarket
Posts: 17,503
Re: The same old complaints
It came as quite a surprise to see so many people constantly 'grazing' especially around shopping malls.....and the extent of obesity.
It is also a bit silly to talk about a 'convenience meal culture' in the UK.
None of my family or circle of friends ever ate ready made meals.
A few people may but then lots of Australians eat home delivered pizza etc.
G
Jan 18th 2009, 11:12 am
#22
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Perth
Posts: 3,453
Re: The same old complaints
I don't see that as any different from the fast food culture here.
It came as quite a surprise to see so many people constantly 'grazing' especially around shopping malls.....and the extent of obesity.
It is also a bit silly to talk about a 'convenience meal culture' in the UK.
None of my family or circle of friends ever ate ready made meals.
A few people may but then lots of Australians eat home delivered pizza etc.
G
It came as quite a surprise to see so many people constantly 'grazing' especially around shopping malls.....and the extent of obesity.
It is also a bit silly to talk about a 'convenience meal culture' in the UK.
None of my family or circle of friends ever ate ready made meals.
A few people may but then lots of Australians eat home delivered pizza etc.
G
Jan 18th 2009, 12:23 pm
#23
Australia's Doorman
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: The Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia
Posts: 11,056
Re: The same old complaints
So you've got the double-whammy in the UK then - not only do the Brits consume more pre-packaged ready meals than most of northern Europe put together, but they're just as addicted to the fast food outlets as the aussies.
I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the Brit's main contribution to international culture the fried chip? And, ermm, wasn't it the British that invented the very concept of fast food with the fish and chip shop?
Sure. Total surprise. 
Oh well, since none of your family and friends ever stepped within 50metres of a Tescos Chicken Tikka Masala - it must be true for the whole of the yookay! Elementary my dear Watson.
I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the Brit's main contribution to international culture the fried chip? And, ermm, wasn't it the British that invented the very concept of fast food with the fish and chip shop?
The UK is the country most attached to fast food, closely followed by the United States, a survey has suggested. People in the UK and the US were the most likely to nominate "no self discipline" as the leading factor in obesity. These two nations also had the most respondents who said they would be unable to give up fast food.
Some 45% in the UK agreed with the statement "I like the taste of fast food too much to give it up", while 44% of Americans said they would be unable to give up their burgers, pizzas and chicken wings.
Douglas Smallwood, chief executive at leading health charity Diabetes UK, said: "This survey is a sad indictment of current eating habits in the UK." Peter Hollins, chief executive of the British Heart Foundation said: "If we are to tackle the growing obesity crisis it is vital that Britain's junk food addiction is addressed.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7165990.stm
Some 45% in the UK agreed with the statement "I like the taste of fast food too much to give it up", while 44% of Americans said they would be unable to give up their burgers, pizzas and chicken wings.
Douglas Smallwood, chief executive at leading health charity Diabetes UK, said: "This survey is a sad indictment of current eating habits in the UK." Peter Hollins, chief executive of the British Heart Foundation said: "If we are to tackle the growing obesity crisis it is vital that Britain's junk food addiction is addressed.
Jan 18th 2009, 12:42 pm
#24
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,821
Re: The same old complaints
The packaged food industry thrives because I think a lot of people are either a) too lazy to pick up a recipe book or b) seem to have lost their confidence on how to cook or c) never been shown how to cook a meal from scratch despite more cookery shows on telly than I could wave a wooden spoon at..
It makes me very sad that people can't cook and I mean cook.. not just reheat things.. when I first had my son, my neighbour had a baby of the similar age.. we became friends.. she would spend a huge amount of her money on jars of baby food.... My husband was working and earning, hers wasnt... how on earth did she afford it?! I used to buy some brocolli, carrots etc, boil them, push them thru a fine mesh sieve, chuck 'em in some icecube trays and freeze them up... I could make up a months worth of babyfood in about 2 hours... pudding would be either purreed apple or banana etc etc.
She would go to Tescos and buy up 60 jars of baby food for the month.. 30 dinners, 30 puddings...
I still can't get my head around it
When I asked her about it, she said she was afraid she would harm the baby if she didnt get the "proper jars"...
Why do people not have the confidence to try things out?
*gets off soapbox and sits back in chair*
Em x
It makes me very sad that people can't cook and I mean cook.. not just reheat things.. when I first had my son, my neighbour had a baby of the similar age.. we became friends.. she would spend a huge amount of her money on jars of baby food.... My husband was working and earning, hers wasnt... how on earth did she afford it?! I used to buy some brocolli, carrots etc, boil them, push them thru a fine mesh sieve, chuck 'em in some icecube trays and freeze them up... I could make up a months worth of babyfood in about 2 hours... pudding would be either purreed apple or banana etc etc.
She would go to Tescos and buy up 60 jars of baby food for the month.. 30 dinners, 30 puddings...
I still can't get my head around it
When I asked her about it, she said she was afraid she would harm the baby if she didnt get the "proper jars"...Why do people not have the confidence to try things out?
*gets off soapbox and sits back in chair*
Em x
Jan 18th 2009, 12:59 pm
#25
Frequent Flyer Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 10,994
Re: The same old complaints
So you've got the double-whammy in the UK then - not only do the Brits consume more pre-packaged ready meals than most of northern Europe put together, but they're just as addicted to the fast food outlets as the aussies.
I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the Brit's main contribution to international culture the fried chip? And, ermm, wasn't it the British that invented the very concept of fast food with the fish and chip shop?
Sure. Total surprise.
Oh well, since none of your family and friends ever stepped within 50metres of a Tescos Chicken Tikka Masala - it must be true for the whole of the yookay! Elementary my dear Watson.
I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the Brit's main contribution to international culture the fried chip? And, ermm, wasn't it the British that invented the very concept of fast food with the fish and chip shop?
Sure. Total surprise.
Oh well, since none of your family and friends ever stepped within 50metres of a Tescos Chicken Tikka Masala - it must be true for the whole of the yookay! Elementary my dear Watson.
The UK is the country most attached to fast food, closely followed by the United States, a survey has suggested. People in the UK and the US were the most likely to nominate "no self discipline" as the leading factor in obesity. These two nations also had the most respondents who said they would be unable to give up fast food.
Some 45% in the UK agreed with the statement "I like the taste of fast food too much to give it up", while 44% of Americans said they would be unable to give up their burgers, pizzas and chicken wings.
Douglas Smallwood, chief executive at leading health charity Diabetes UK, said: "This survey is a sad indictment of current eating habits in the UK." Peter Hollins, chief executive of the British Heart Foundation said: "If we are to tackle the growing obesity crisis it is vital that Britain's junk food addiction is addressed.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7165990.stmSome 45% in the UK agreed with the statement "I like the taste of fast food too much to give it up", while 44% of Americans said they would be unable to give up their burgers, pizzas and chicken wings.
Douglas Smallwood, chief executive at leading health charity Diabetes UK, said: "This survey is a sad indictment of current eating habits in the UK." Peter Hollins, chief executive of the British Heart Foundation said: "If we are to tackle the growing obesity crisis it is vital that Britain's junk food addiction is addressed.
I'm not having a dig at Australia....but I think eating habits are generally poor in both countries.
Jan 18th 2009, 1:04 pm
#26
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,821
Re: The same old complaints
Well....something must be going wrong for Australia...with an obesity rate of 21.7% versus 23% for the UK. Considering Aussies are enjoying such wonderful freshly prepared meals AND the 'outdoor lifestyle' we hear so much about....what's the problem? Especially considering countries such as Canada, Ireland, Germany, France, <insert other western country here> manage sub 15% rates.
I'm not having a dig at Australia....but I think eating habits are generally poor in both countries.
I'm not having a dig at Australia....but I think eating habits are generally poor in both countries.
Em x
Jan 18th 2009, 1:15 pm
#27
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,043
Re: The same old complaints
So you've got the double-whammy in the UK then - not only do the Brits consume more pre-packaged ready meals than most of northern Europe put together, but they're just as addicted to the fast food outlets as the aussies.
I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the Brit's main contribution to international culture the fried chip? And, ermm, wasn't it the British that invented the very concept of fast food with the fish and chip shop?
I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the Brit's main contribution to international culture the fried chip? And, ermm, wasn't it the British that invented the very concept of fast food with the fish and chip shop?
Jan 18th 2009, 1:26 pm
#28
Auntie Fa
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Seattle
Posts: 7,344
Re: The same old complaints
I think the Belgians might lay claim to chips.
Em, you are right - I reckon portion sizes have a lot to answer for.
Em, you are right - I reckon portion sizes have a lot to answer for.
Jan 18th 2009, 1:33 pm
#30
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: back in the land of the living
Posts: 67
Re: The same old complaints
Well....something must be going wrong for Australia...with an obesity rate of 21.7% versus 23% for the UK. Considering Aussies are enjoying such wonderful freshly prepared meals AND the 'outdoor lifestyle' we hear so much about....what's the problem? Especially considering countries such as Canada, Ireland, Germany, France, manage sub 15% rates.
