McLentil

I hate McDonald's with a passion, and I've been a vegetarian since 1986. But the question of expense is an important one. My two kids love pizzas, for example, and they don't eat from the kids menu. Before you've factored in drinks, starters (if you have them) and puddings, or various combinations of such, you're talking at least £40 already for the four of us for a lunch out. In this respect, Harvesters, much as I dislike them too, can be a godsend - especially since they have a return as often as you like salad area. We recently went to a new Bill's that opened in Wimbledon, and the food was great, but you're talking £60-£70 and it's hard to afford that on a regular basis. On that note, if anyone knows of good, relatively cheap and nutritious ways for families to eat in London, I'd be pleased to hear of them. Ta.

popsider wrote (see)

If it wasn't so unhealthy I'd go in quite regularly - it's cheap and I don't mind admitting I quite like the taste of big mac and fries.   As it is I don't have a problem taking the kids in occasionally - maybe once a month at most - if we are out as a family and don't want to spend £60-£70 getting something to eat and drink.    I'm  neither a chav nor a dole scrounger - layabout - well matter of opinion !

totally agree with this.i actually enjoy teh taste and at least tehy give you the nutritional values.............they give you the choice.........

harvester costs me a fortune........for the family.way too expensive unless like last night I only had one son with me and so could treat him

for cheap fast food.....you can never beat a bag of chips.especially the portions in this area.mix it with 5 pieces of bread and butter and you are really full............

I'll quite happily have the occasional MaccyD, Burger King, or whatever.

There's nothing inherently wrong with any of them, in the wider context of a balanced diet.

PhilPub wrote (see)

A MaccyD chocolate milkshake is one of my favourite hangover cures.

The best hangover cure is more alcohol.  But saying that, I am an alkie (recovered), so don't listen to me.

Sussex Runner (NLR) wrote (see)

Organic milk? why organic milk? weak minded people are easily persuaded by pictures of burgers looking healthy with a lettuce leaf and a slice of tomato on it. The same sort of people who have been persuaded by the marketing men that organic milk is healthier than normal milk.

I think the organic label is more about higher standards of animal welfare than it is about the products themselves being somehow better for you. Not sure how that applies to carrots etc but when there's animals involved that's my take on it anyway...

I used to like a McDonalds every now and then but when I bought a quarterpounder recently (for the first time in about 3 years) I thought it was disgusting. The beef patties used to be small and thick, but the one I was served was bigger looking but only about 3mm thick and with a rubbery texture. I still like a Whopper with just lettuce and tomato on it. Yum!

Don't see anything wrong with them opening vegetarian venues. It's not cynical of them, it's just targeting their market. No point selling meat if no-one's going to buy it...

I think that fast food retailers should have a moral responsibility to ensure that they make their food a bit more healthy.

You can put carrots on the menu, but you can't make people buy them.

They could always install a really narrow door so that fat people can't get in, and get rid of the drive through. 

Peter Collins wrote (see

 if anyone knows of good, relatively cheap and nutritious ways for families to eat in London, I'd be pleased to hear of them. Ta.

"Chutneys" All you can eat vegetarian curry place in Drummond Street near Euston.  I think it's £7.50 or £8 a head for all you can eat. (Diwana in the same street also, the same deal).

Cheers for the ideas. My daughter loves curry, but my son will tag along and eat only the rice and the poppadoms. 

Sussex Runner (NLR) wrote (see)

I was recently at a service station. People were queing up at 10am at KFC!! Pretty gross I know, but looking at the menu it made me think. At least KFC are unhealthy and don't mind admitting it. Fried chips with fried chicken all thrown into a huge bucket. Now that's honest. None of this putting a bag of carrots on the side and a slice of lettuce on the burger. That's trying to make unhealthy food seem healthy.

But they did go through a re-branding from Kentucky FRIED Chicken to KFC just in order to drop the fried bit as it was seen as unhealthy

Some recent research at Newcastle Uni suggested that organic milk actually has higher levels of poly unsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and vitamin when compared to conventially reared cows milk. The difference is only found in summer tho' which made them suggest that it reflects the type of diet the cows eat in summer. In winter the majority of cows are fed in a similar manner, but in summer organic cattle tend to have a more grass diet.

I like a McDonalds now and again - usually when limited choice. The A1 between Scotland and Newcastle a little short on places for something to eat late on a Sunday night. I think the grilled chicken salad is pretty good - although i also sometimes have fries

Fiona J wrote (see)

The A1 between Scotland and Newcastle a little short on places for something to eat late on a Sunday night. I think the grilled chicken salad is pretty good - although i also sometimes have fries

Now this is interesting.  One time that I'm actually drawn to corporate fast food outlets is when I'm forced to refuel my tummy at motorway service stations.  In a captive environment where the average standard of food (I'm thinking health and taste) are way below what I could rustle up myself, I might as well go with what I know, preferably a three-piece meal from KFC.    I think I'm still reeling from a particularly bad "all-day breakfast" from one of those generic shite-holes many, many years ago.