A couple have come under fire from viewers for spending hundreds of pounds a week on food to give their fussy children five different meals.
Jen and Bec, from Bridgend in Wales, appeared on BBC One's Eat Well For Less? which sees Gregg Wallace aiming to help families to reduce the cost of their food shop.
The desperate couple turned to the show for help after revealing that they haven't eaten the same meal together as a family for three years. Jen, an A&E nurse, and Bec, a supervisor and step-mum to Jen's three children.
According to Jen, the fussy kids - Dylan aged five, Lucy aged 10, and Jack aged eight - all request different dishes, leading to fallouts within the family. To avoid arguments, she gives in and makes separate meals.
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Bec said: "Dinner time is like battle time. Sometimes I feel like we need to put the war paint on." Jen added: "I can't remember the last time we all ate the same meal at the same time. The mealtimes of making everybody something different is ridiculous and I think I've got myself into a rut and I can't get myself out of it."
With the help of greengrocer Chris Bavin, Gregg wanted to help the family to come up with easy, cheaper recipes that the whole family could enjoy.
Jen revealed that she often relies on takeaway and convenience food in order to feed the family and settle disputes more easily. Gregg told the family that they spent over £19,000 a year on food, and they were shocked.
After some tears, the family tried some new, healthy meals, and cut down on their massive food wastage.
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Bec admitted: "We have a lot of food wastage in the house, it's many the fresh stuff that goes in the bin. Things that we buy with all intention of using but don't get round to it."
By the end of the episode, the family had come together to enjoy conflict free mealtimes, which are now apparently their favourite part of the day. Jen called their appearance on the show a "life-changing miracle", but Twitter users were still amazed at the massive cost.
One said: "Those kids on Eat Well For Less... spoilt little brats... parents take control. Starving kids around the world... teach them the values of life ffs."
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Another tweeted: "Watching Eat Well For Less on BBC and saw that one family of 5 spends over £250 per week... on food... insanity. Full of sweets, sugar and barely anything healthy. We spend £30 at Aldi for two people!"
By the end of the episode, the family had come together to enjoy conflict free mealtimes, which are now apparently their favourite part of the day. Jen called their appearance on the show a "life-changing miracle".
Featured Image Credit: Credit: BBCTopics: TV News
