Advice about Prepared Food Delivery

Santosha12

Please can I ask whether anybody uses prepared food delivery (not 'takeaways) like Wiltshire or similar and their view of it, value, etc., especially compared to any struggles beforehand?

For context, I have been unable to safely use oven or hob for the last 2 years. I make a 'proper' meal once a week, its always a complete faff sometimes but rarely, twice a week, using the microwave and sometimes the hob. Partly because of health/risks (9 burns to right hand and arm), breathing is problematic (emphysema too) and use a stick in right hand and left hand is disabled and partly, because of costs ie couldn't afford to get say ready microwaveable meals more often and intestine problems, couldn't eat them that often.

So my meals are things like, scrambled egg with avocado or spinach, poached egg, porridge, soup, baked potatoes. Cheese on toast. Egg on toast. Yoghurt. I tend to eat one small thing in the morning and then my lunch/dinner at c 2pm then nothing, maybe a yoghurt in evening to keep blood sugar stable.

I'm recovering from double pneumonia and am housebound. I don't know how I caught it but ill since Xmas but I didn't have heating on up till when it snowed so don't know if that contributed.

I'm just trying to think how I can protect my health more, and reduce the risk of getting ill like this again. I'm 61 and looks like I'm being referred to oxygen clinic soon. I'm not trying to get sympathy (I have 4 small dogs and they get the food they need so that's my choice, I'm already hard on myself in that respect - you make your bed you lie in it etc. ) and I am very lucky too - I have a roof over my head, running water and blankets, but I'm wondering if I should tweak some of my bills to be able to buy /trial the Wiltshire type foods that I understand are proper, complete meals. Even if just 2 or 3 meals a week so it's better nourishment than I get now.

Thanks very much for any thoughts anyone could offer, I'd appreciate it.

Ranald

I have dabbled with Wiltshire FF in recent years, and the jury is still out.

The quality of the food is OK, but it is rather expensive. The vegetarian options are the least value for money, I find; why pay £4.59 for pasta and sauce?

The effortless preparation is the main selling point. You don't even have to pierce the film, just chuck it in the microwave.

There are different sized portions for different appetites. I am a 15 Stone man, and I really needed the 'Hearty' sized meals, which can cost up to £7.99 each.

Another thing to add, the cooking times. You have to keep the faith with them! It can be a bit unsettling to put a tray in for 15 minutes (They don't all take that long). They sometimes swell like mad, but I have never had any burst.

The delivery drivers are really helpful, if that's your cup of tea. They will stack them in the freezer for you. I just want them to drop at the front door and, 'thanks, see you next time'. I don't want them hanging about!

I come and go with them; it's a fine balance between totally hassle free meals, and being too pricey. As you said, even just having them in the freezer for a couple of meals a week as you require.

Santosha12

Thank you Ranald, your reply and points you've made are really very helpful!! Did have to laugh at the no need to pierce just chuck in microwave, that suits me fine!! It's always a drama when anyone comes cos I have to get the 4 little muttlets in their crates, stacked 4 high in the kitchen but I have a stair gate near front door of bungalow so they'd be able to pass them over that for me. Good point about vegetarian options too - I'll skip them. I'll go on their website today and see and I will give them a try. Cont'd.…

Santosha12

It's a bit embarrassing really people must wonder why I'm asking advice for something so normal I've been ordering 'Whoosh' delivery (T's) as its 2.99 and within 30 mins or so BUT it comes from the T's Express so everything is very, very, much more expensive than a main T's delivery which is picked from big store. And can only order a bit so I can take a bag off driver at door. Goodness knows how much money I've wasted with a lot of separate little deliveries. I've got a T delivery 9-10 today and am PRAYING they bring it inside in bags which I asked when ordering. Have to stand from 9am at front kitchen window to see when they arrive so I can get dogs in crates. They won't be able to wheel the big trolley thing in as stair gate at front not wide enough. It's always a drama when someone comes and when I add in the fact my oxygen drops to 84 and I get too breathless, it seems not worth the bother. That's why I've not bothered for 2 yrs now but I need to get an organised grip of it so it works longer term. If I end up going on oxygen soon as GP is suggesting I'm going to need to do something. I hope my reply is not too tiresome to read 🙄 it somehow helps me to 'say it aloud' - I tire myself thinking the options through 🤣 Thank you again for your reply, it's definitely helped 😊

Ranald

Some of the vegetarian meals are good, I just draw the line at pasta and sauce, which costs pennies.

As long as you aren't expecting a huge amount of food per portion, it is definitely better than the supermarket offerings. Oh yes, not all of them are microwave, a few, such as fish and chips, they are oven cook.

You can get mini meals too, as well as different consistencies. The pureed meals don't look very appetising, but if you had difficulty swallowing, I'm sure you would think them a godsend.

Catherine21

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/128819/advice-about-prepared-food-delivery

I dont know about the question you asked you say you have 4 smalls dogs ! I have a love for all animals especially small dogs i have chuhhaha cross and a yorkie cross my little heartbeats sorry my spell check doesnt work on here i hope you feel better soon

Ranald

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/975657#Comment_975657

Cute puppy or what?

https://www.designerfrenchbulldogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/blue-fluffy-french-bulldog.png

Catherine21

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/975660#Comment_975660

Omg !!! I want one is that yours ???

Ranald

No, just pic I have had bookmarked for ages. My youngest daughter (20) said the same as you about the pic.

Santosha12

Thanks Ranald, my delivery came, not in bags he was helpful though and it's took me since 940 to put it away/sit down/stand up repeat x 10 jeez. Thanks for clarity re vegetarian meals I'm going on their website shortly, even 2 meals a week would help.

Catherine21 Thank you, including for your good wishes. I think I registered on this group 18 months ago but never really came on it and not this forum. I am finding it HUGELY HELPFUL. a godsend actually, for information and support, really helps me to feel a little less alone. Oh how lovely you have your two little ones. I have a a boy 9 y/o shih tzu, his 2 sisters who are nearly 8 and the 'brother in law ' as I call him the Yorkshire terrier whos nearly 8. I would never have got 4 dogs if I'd known id get so ill at only 61 but I will never ever part with them, they are my family totally so I really don't mean to sound at all ungrateful or complaining about finances etc. My dogs love each other and me so much and I only care to outlive them so they're not in a heartbreaking situation themselves and i don't care what happens after that but for each day we're together, they're very much my reason for being here and I'm ok with that. I hope you have a good day and can relax when we've got some announcement or whatever to come. I might still order a few Wiltshire foods as any changes aren't going to come tomorrow and I want to eat in the meantime 🤨🤣

KG100

I like the luxury cottage pies on Wiltshire farm foods, you don't get any veg with it but it's quite filling.

I add a tin of mushy peas with it or a tin of normal peas and carrots with it.

That makes a good dinner.

Santosha12

@KG100 Thanks for your feedback that's going on my list! 😊

Santosha12

Who would have thought it can become so complicated buying food 🫠. I'm going to do a spreadsheet 🤣. What I've seen so far shows how being unwell costs a lot more money.

Cannot use oven, only microwave. Wiltshire cottage pie 6.00 vs Tesco cheaper but the latter not microwaveable unless get the much cheaper one c 3.00 but then can't cook from frozen. Many of the Tesco ones cannot cook from frozen so need to plan in advance. That's where the waste comes in for me as cannot eat every day so food has often ended up going in the bin.

If I was rich I'd get a personal chef. As I'm not I'll do a spreadsheet. I'm wondering if somewhere like Farmfoods is food that's microwaveable and if they do deliveries. In bags 🙄😬. Don't think they have a website of foods sold but I'll have a look.

noman

Farmfoods don't deliver and they don't show the stock on their website.

Santosha12

@noman thank you very much for info.

noman

Iceland are ok.

noman

You could always buy chilled meals and freeze them which is what i do.

Santosha12

@nnoman thanks, yes that's what I'm looking at too. I have to be able to microwave only, from frozen (not defrost first) and have delivery come in bags cos of access problem. Shouldn't be so difficult 😪 Wiltshire foods looking most likely but expensive. Thanks for your reply I'm grateful 🙏

KG100

"Parsley box" might be a bit cheaper with their meals, and they don't need to be kept in a freezer.

They seem to be a bit smaller though.

Santosha12

@KG100 thanks very much I'll have a look at that 😀

whistles

Yes I have and stopped using because it works out more expensive than what can be got locally. It's easier to set up an online supermarket delivery. There are only a few basics at £2.99 and it starts to be more expensive than the supermarket.

You can get the offers of two for £5, which can then be frozen and it keeps your food bill down.

I have been eating Rana pasta which is a simple two minutes on the hob. You can also get a lot of things that will go in the microwave these days. I am not save to use the hob, but there is nobody here supporting or supervising anymore.

If you haven't had a needs assessment maybe it's worth getting. I only mention it because I have just done that and it's looking like I qualify for someone to actually take me shopping. I am wondering if that could be done in your case.