I mean if I could turn back the hands of time to age 20 I'd do this - pasta, bagels, pizza, deli meat, bottled drinks, what else do you need.

But alas by the time you get to your 30s you realize you need vegetables, oatmeal, yogurt, nuts, olive oil, etc. So I cook and eat like that. But it was easier to be 22 where a bagel and iced tea was a perfectly fine meal.

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know of people who only prefer processed foods? I have a friend who does not eat anything “real” or homemade. Everything is frozen, packaged. In restaurants she doesn’t really like “fresh” food-says it is bland.

Yes this is the picky eating issues in my ILs.

They prefer factory food. It all looks as expected, looks nice

I don’t agree at all, but I see their perspective. It’s frustrating because my sister is a great cook, I strive to be like her. I like to copy her style when I cook, SOO objectively delicious. But my ILs could never enjoy this type of fresh cooking. Even though it’s really tasty. They wouldn’t be able to get over that it has, like, cucumber in it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Her idea of “red meat” is Steakums.

I don’t know what a steakum is, nor do I know anyone that eats like this. I would reevaluate your social circle

Mmm...Steak-umms

PP hasn’t lived

https://youtu.be/Ots_TFXvsvk?si=ESlFA8n2O99J37MM

Congratulations to many of you on your quest for something to feel superior about, even if you have to fall back on the essentially meaningless term "processed"

Anonymous wrote:I would assume someone like this didn’t learn to cook growing up. Often if you don’t have practice cooking when you try the results aren’t as good as mass produced stuff and it’s a lot of effort. So of course they prefer something that a professional has curated and spiced. I’ve been cooking meals for myself and my family since I was 10 so I know how to make foods exactly how I like them and like my own cooking better. But I don’t judge anyone who prefers the convenience and taste of convenience foods.

I didn't learn how to cook growing up. We're definitely a food household, not an ingredient household, to use PP's example. I don't enjoy cooking and don't have time for it . . .so I don't.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Her idea of “red meat” is Steakums.

I don’t know what a steakum is, nor do I know anyone that eats like this. I would reevaluate your social circle

Also known as a minute steak, a steakum is one of those things known mostly to children of the 80s. I haven't had one in 25+ years. They're horribly unhealthy, but so, tasty. I miss when it was OK to eat like that (or when we thought it was).

My in laws! They only eat frozen meals, Hot Dogs, cheeseburgers, or maybe something like boxes Mac and cheese.