Portion sizes (meat, fish and other protein)

valk_scot

How old is he? He sounds quite young tbh. Maybe he's just so used to his mum cooking huge portions of meat for him that he assumes that's what's normal. I remember when Hubby and I first moved in together on a very limited budget I really had to work hard to persuade him not to just go into the kitchen and eat everything in the fridge as snacks. All my meal ingredients used to just vanish! Eventually I said there would just have to be more food budget money and the only place that could come from was his beer allowance cash, lol. That sorted him out...I made sure there was plenty of stuff like bread and peanut butter and fruit for him and he left the rest alone.

I think you need to sit down and have a polite but firm discussion with him about this tbh. He eats what you make or he can give you the money for extras and you make them, or he can sort it out himself.

babyshoes

At the age of 16, he could still be growing, and definitely at the 'hollow legs' stage. I can just about believe a large teenager polishing off a whole chicken! It may also be that he doesn't like veggies (or thinks he doesn't), so you may find filling him up with carbs will help - dish up lots of spuds, pasta etc with meaty gravies or sauces, or make HM pizza and give him a few meaty toppings. Also, let him know that there is bread and sandwich stuff like peanut butter, jam, marmite etc if he is hungry after a meal.

You said he is doing training, and most people have assumed it is training for a company - if so he should be getting some expenses for food etc - which by rights should come to you. If the training is not company sponsored then you are being a really nice person putting him up.

He is at the age when he is simply thoughtless and a bit self centred, in other words still a bit immature. You seem to be handling him well - I am sure he will grow up a little as he realises you can't afford to keep buying him whole chickens while you are eating veggie food. Try to remember yourself at 16! I know I didn't always know if I had been a bit self centred and come across as rude. His social skills are still developing, he would probably be mortified if he realised that you saw his huge appetite as impolite!

blueberrypie

I don't think he is 16 - Mrs T said he was 16 *stone* but I don't see anywhere that she's given his age - and if he's doing training for work, and it takes him away from home, and a b&b was an option, then he won't be 16 years old.

ceridwen

MRSTITTLEMOUSE wrote: »

Thankyou for the replies everyone,you've actually made me feel better as I thought I was being bit of a mean skinflint before.
Our friend is here for a few weeks since he's doing some training for his work and did'nt fancy a hotel or a bed and breakfast place.
We'd feel bad asking for a contribution as his mum has put us up before and would'nt accept anything,but that was always for just a couple of days at a time.
I must admit I'm finding it a bit hard putting up with his expectations since he only seems to like the best,needless to say he will not be coming shopping again even if he is a bit bored again at the weekend.
I have been serving lots of veg,stuffings,yorkshire ect with his meals but he can certainly still put away a lot of meat.
I've decided to make vegetarian for all of us tonight,goodness knows how he'll take it but I feel I have to make a stand now before my food bill becomes even bigger.It might also make it easier to bring up the fact that the food bill can't grow any more.
Wish me luck on that one.
Once again thanks for your help,I'll let you know what happens.

If the reason he is staying is because he is doing work training - then his employer will be covering the cost of his bed & breakfast, etc. Methinks he is probably claiming the cost of bed & board from his employer - and getting it for nowt from you. That would leave him quids in - at your expense.:cool: No matter how low an allowance his employer is giving him I'd be willing to bet hes being paid at least £40 per 24 hours from them.

EstherH

Well done Mrs. T.

crockpot

Hi

Hope you can help?

Saw an add for a local farm shop and decided to give it a go as looks much cheaper than supermarket.

Just got back but only loads cheaper if I buy in bulk to bought some sausages, 1lb stewing meat and 1lb mince and 1 roast of beef, so will see what its like.

Spoke to the butcher but had no idea what I was doing really! But want to buy more local stuff and cook more stuff from scratch.

How much mince do I need for a cottage pie for 2? Also going to try and cook just what we need as if I do for 4 we eat most of it!

Roast I bought is 1.12 kg and I need to feed 2 adults, 1 pensioner and 2 children aged 8 and 11, looks like alot to me.

Thanks in advance

lambanana

I wouldn't use any more than 200g of mince between two people, perhaps a bit less (I think a portion of meat should be about 80g but may be wrong, I know it's supposed to be no bigger than the balk of your hand) then I'd add extra veggies in with the gravy to make it go a bit further, if you cook it long enough the meaty flavour will spread across everything else

Meadows

I use 450gms for a large portion for three.
If you could get away with 225-250g of mince for two of you depending on appetite, some prefer small portions some large. Don't forget you can bulk it out with onions, carrots etc.

adelight

200g. You could use less, 150g, and bulk it out with a few lentils/dried soy mince, or use 200g and bulk it out again for bigger portions.

Meadows

As I said in an earlier post the amount of meat depends on the size of the portion you eat and I suppose how frugal you are. Have a look at these pages:

http://www.thecotswoldfoodyear.com/2009/02/shepherds-pie.html

http://www.gabrielmachin.co.uk/meat_cuts.asp

http://www.ivillage.co.uk/food/meatpoultry/Beef/articles/0,,164340_166100,00.html