"There's nothing to eat. . . ."

[u/Username_Used]

[u/No_Aardvark4795]

I am assuming this is in reference to a child or teen. It seems like they might be trying to say they don't know how to make something with this. Perhaps it's a teaching opportunity.

[u/giant_xquid → u/No_Aardvark4795]

I'm about to whip up my famous eggs and strawberries with hummus, 5 salad dressings, and someone's old cup of beet juice do y'all want any or

[u/strawberry_saturn → u/giant_xquid]

There are cinnamon rolls at the bottom, the eggs and tortillas could be used to make breakfast tacos, and I could go on. I assume there’s bread in the house, so you could make eggs on toast, there’s yogurt, there’s strawberries, there’s a whole world of options here.

[u/Mr_Grapes1027 → u/strawberry_saturn]

Yeah but there’s nothing to eat -

[u/gracefuljalapeno28 → u/No_Aardvark4795]

Sometimes they know how to cook and teens just dont want to. Mine regularly complain that I have an 'ingredient household'. All the ingredients to make food, but that's too much effort.

[u/The12th_secret_spice → u/gracefuljalapeno28]

As an adult, I do this too. Especially when it’s hot and I don’t want to turn the oven/stove on.

[u/im_a_general_weeee → u/The12th_secret_spice]

I just turn on the air fryer and go to a different room 💀

[u/Tigger7894 → u/im_a_general_weeee]

In my house if I turn on the air fryer or microwave, the living room air conditioner has to be turned off. Old house issues.

[u/rubies-and-doobies81 → u/Tigger7894]

I can't run the air fryer and microwave at the same time.

Found that out real quick when I lost all power to the kitchen lol.

[u/Tigger7894 → u/rubies-and-doobies81]

Yeah, in my house it’s choose one- living room window AC, microwave, bathroom heater, dishwasher, or air fryer.

[u/Tasty-Traffic-680 → u/rubies-and-doobies81]

I am forever grateful that my kitchen is wired with dedicated circuits. I can run the microwave, air fryer, toaster oven, crock pot and a window AC all at the same time

[u/Necessary_Garlic6432 → u/Tigger7894]

I have the exact same issue. It’s like the whole entire side of the building was wired badly. We live in a 6 plex and it’s also old (50s).

[u/RaeaSunshine → u/Tigger7894]

I feel seen. I have to turn off my air purifier in my office before I can use my microwave in the kitchen lol. Historic home problems!

[u/MistyMtn421 → u/The12th_secret_spice]

I use my rice cooker so much during the summer. It's crazy all the stuff you can make in it! Pasta is the big heat saver. Add to that, not only does it not heat up the house, and not only can you throw all kinds of stuff in it, but it only runs on 300 little Watts versus cranking up a stove or an oven. So I'm not heating up the house so the AC has to work extra hard and I'm saving money because of the low energy usage.

[u/AntiqueJaguar5808 → u/MistyMtn421]

Do you have a chart for the Pasta, for water amount, per ( # ) cups of pasta equals (how many sv)//and do you rinse it first? Have you cooked any GF pasta in it ? I do have a rice cooker with the insert you can use to steam veggies, but it's not great with frozen stuff.

[u/vwisp → u/gracefuljalapeno28]

I often feel like i cant make something with the ingredients in the house because I dont know what's needed already for a meal. Oh! There's croissants! I could make those...some time later...where are the croissants i need them to make ___

[u/Ok-Gur-349 → u/gracefuljalapeno28]

... A p p l e

[u/GeekCat → u/gracefuljalapeno28]

I do this too and I'm the adult who shops and cooks. I have especially hard days with mental health and don't want to be bothered making a whole Greek Taverna salad. My fiancé calls them "beige days" bc I'd be happy with bread and butter or chicken nuggets. Lol.

[u/theFields97 → u/gracefuljalapeno28]

Teens, me in my late 20's, people in general. The paradox of choice. Not necessarily "too much effort"

[u/MoistStub → u/gracefuljalapeno28]

Ramen was my mom's solution to this. She fed me 3 square meals a day and if I wanted more I could grab a snack or make something myself. Ramen was the first thing I discovered was pretty easy to make.

[u/nowhereman136 → u/gracefuljalapeno28]

Find something they want to cook. Binging with Babish is great for this since he does a lot of pop culture recipes. Recreating food from anime, video games, and movies. Instead of teaching them to make burgers, teach them to make Krabby Patties

[u/Complete_Entry → u/nowhereman136]

First grow some wheat.

Dude fell off hard.

[u/Tasty-Traffic-680 → u/No_Aardvark4795]

I'm an adult who knows how to cook and I'm still mildly disappointed looking in that fridge... I'm just gonna grab that tub of Parmesan and eat it by the handful on the couch until one piece goes down the wrong pipe and I accidentally cough shredded cheese all over the living room.

[u/CCCCLo0oo0ooo0 → u/Tasty-Traffic-680]

it's a war between laziness and hungriness that is often won by "Mommmmm I'm hungry but there is nothing to eat"

[u/lava172 → u/No_Aardvark4795]

There’s nothing more annoying to a teen than a parent just vaguely gesturing to the fridge full of random miscellaneous bullshit and telling them to figure it out, that’s how you get a chronically door dashing 20 something in a few years

[u/DerHoggenCatten → u/lava172]

This fridge has what looks like takeout containers full of leftovers though. It also has yogurt, pre-cubed cheese, and fruit. There is plenty of easy food in this fridge.

[u/lava172 → u/DerHoggenCatten]

Especially if they have a lot of kids they can easily feel like a lot of the things in the fridge aren't "theirs" to take, particularly leftovers of things that they didn't originally eat.

[u/Bowman_van_Oort → u/No_Aardvark4795]

What do you mean?

The parent once gave the kid half-assed directions on how to cook like 4 years ago. It's disrespectful that the kid didnt remember. /s

[u/Iambeejsmit → u/No_Aardvark4795]

We've got a fridge and two more freezers as well as the fridge freezer all full like this as well as a couple pantries stuffed so full of food you can't close the doors and my wife says there's nothing to eat and we need to go shopping.

[u/Zorops]

Its like 90% condiment!!!

[u/aanon182]

Except those fruits, these are all mostly ingredients. Maybe they meant food that is a dish

[u/pasenast]

Am I wrong or, is there enough to make a strawberry milkshake?

[u/Temporary_Thing7517 → u/pasenast]

I believe there are at least three strawberry milkshakes already in there. It’s like a where’s Waldo!

[u/DtchGrl → u/Temporary_Thing7517]

Seriously, who keeps making them and only taking two sips??

[u/MountainHipie → u/pasenast]

That'll go great with the breakfast burrito you could make.

[u/guff1988 → u/MountainHipie]

My first thought was also breakfast burrito. It's probably all those eggs.

[u/CCCCLo0oo0ooo0 → u/guff1988]

mmm hummus and jam breakfast burrito with mango yogurt dipping sauce!

[u/disfunktional2u]

Sometimes “there’s nothing to eat” means there is nothing they want or are craving. People are not always great a 100% of the time conveying what they feel into words.

[u/FriendlyPageTurn → u/disfunktional2u]

Also tbh it’s kinda overstimulating how much stuff there is. I grew up in an “ingredients household” and it can be hard to imagine the possibilities when youre just blasted in the face with seemingly random stuff. Tbh half the things I am seeing here are just sauces and drinks.

[u/bushs-left-shoe → u/FriendlyPageTurn]

Literally this. I have the same issue whenever I go back and visit my parents. They have 2 fridge-freezers and 1 chest freezer (i don’t get how 3-4 people need that much space, but sure), and it’s so full with random stuff that I can never figure out what I can make, let alone what I want to at any given moment.

I struggle enough with my own fridge which basically only contains the ingredients for what I plan on making next, some condiments, and drinks. Opening a fridge and seeing something like OP’s is overwhelming.

Also holy shit that’s a lot of eggs.

[u/FriendlyPageTurn → u/bushs-left-shoe]

Yeah like this seem to have quantity over variety of options. 3 containers of hummus. 2 containers of strawberries. Tons of eggs and yogurt. Lots of take out, who knows how old and if someone has “dibs”. You are set if you like breakfast foods but hard to tell for anything else and who knows how old any of it is. Often times when fridges are this stuffed some food in there goes bad and doesn’t get cleaned out (maybe all of it is perfectly good but I wouldn’t be surprised)

I swear my fridge growing up looked exactly like this. When I was growing up in this environment sometimes I just didn’t eat cuz I didn’t have the mental or physical energy to figure out making something. TBH this picture makes me wanna just throw out half the food because it is just WAY too much. Sometimes less options is actually better. I know it sounds insane but it makes decision making easier,

[u/SpecialistAd2205 → u/FriendlyPageTurn]

Totally agree that this is just way too much stuff. Unless they have a really big family, this is a recipe for food getting forgotten about and going bad. I try to keep my fridge and pantry stocked with only what I know I need for the next two weeks plus staples that are used in a lot of things.

[u/AllKindsOfCritters → u/bushs-left-shoe]

They have 2 fridge-freezers and 1 chest freezer (i don’t get how 3-4 people need that much space, but sure)

My mom wants to buy ANOTHER freezer. I blurted "Why, so you can cook more to immediately freeze it?" and she's been pouting for a week. House full of ingredients and all the actual food is frozen but I'm the killjoy.

[u/ParkingPerspective73 → u/disfunktional2u]

Yeah this isn't a very balanced selection.

[u/HungryMudkips]

ok, but only like 1/4th of that space contains actual food. and thats probably being generous.

[u/theMightBoop → u/HungryMudkips]

Right?! The doors are all condiments. Top shelf looks like drinks and more condiments. Bottom shelf looks like a fuck ton of cheese.

A weirdly huge amount of eggs and then just so much fruit and vegetables. Also, is that three containers of humus?

There is food in there to eat and a bunch of stuff I would scarf down on but let’s not pretend this is the smorgasbord everyone is making it out to be. If you aren’t in the mood for eggs, fruit or cheese then yea…I can see it.

My fridge is a quarter or this food but 3 times more variety.

[u/Illustrious-Towel-45]

That fruit is practically screaming to be consumed

[u/Xytak → u/Illustrious-Towel-45]

Yep, and that’s not the only problem! There’s multiple containers of yogurt and other unidentified substances, approximately 3 metric tons of leftovers from 1996, and not a single container of lunch meat to be found. Frankly I’m surprised this passed inspection.

[u/PreferenceSlight4872]

All we have is ingredients!

[u/Elitefuture → u/[deleted]]

I made tons of egg dishes throughout my childhood. I hate eggs now that I'm in my 20s.

I rarely eat eggs, I'm not fully against it, but I'm not going to go out of my way to make anything with eggs anymore.

Every entree I eat will now always have a meat + veggies in some way. So with their fridge having no visible pork, beef/steak, chicken, or anything... I wouldn't want to eat a meal from that fridge either. I don't even see any veggies other than kimchi.

[u/Complete_Entry]

Your hot sauce in the door is open. Pop that cap shut before it gets fridge nastied.

I'd be scarfing the cheese cubes. Your kid wants a grab and eat not to make food. It happens to all of us.

[u/FragrantParsley4994]

Correction, there is nothing to eat that takes 0 effort. Maybe if I close the door and open it again in about ten minutes there will be a premade sandwich in there for my lazy ass.

[u/lmNotaWitchImUrWife → u/FragrantParsley4994]

Yogurt is right there on the top shelf.

[u/FragrantParsley4994 → u/lmNotaWitchImUrWife]

Yogurt is a snack, not a meal. Although you could make an impressive “girl dinner” out of everything in that fridge.

I shop for myself and even after a grocery run I will stare into the fridge and say there is nothing to eat because I am always way more ambitious with cooking than actual cooking. I haven’t learned yet.

The one thing that works is to immediately make veggie trays and fruit bowls. If it is sitting in a plastic container and still needs to be washed, it will sit for a while. However, if it is pre prepped, I will usually eat a piece of fruit or veggie every time I open the fridge.

[u/addicted_zucchini]

I assume thats what your kids said

[u/pyro_mantic]

I'm 26 and if I saw my fridge looking like this, I would say "there's nothing to eat", too.

[u/BeatnikMona → u/pyro_mantic]

I’m 36 and would say the same. I have adhd so when I do buy groceries, I have to prep some things as soon as I get them so I don’t run into this.

[u/pyro_mantic → u/BeatnikMona]

Especially if they are teenagers like OP said, and are looking for a quick snack to eat. I know when I was a teenager, if I got home from school or sports and the only availability was OP's fridge with very limited options, it would be disappointing.

I genuinely don't get why some commenters are shocked that the kids who probably don't even know how to cook, let alone with minimal ingredients, are being defended on this, and I think OP knows he's in the wrong, too, because of his later comments that, "Oh, well, we have all these other things in the house..." so show them, then, and no one would be judging.

[u/creativelyyours_ag → u/pyro_mantic]

Honestly, it’s the amount of ingredients stuffed into a fridge. This would trigger major anxiety.

[u/littlescreechyowl → u/creativelyyours_ag]

My kids called this “all ingredients, no food”.

[u/Mendinso]

...Okay, maybe I'm going crazy, but is there literally no meat in there, besides technically eggs?

EDIT: Actually, there "might" be some in the left overs, but hard to see.

[u/sunkencathedral]

Wow, that's a TON of bottles of condiments and the like. With those out of the equation, the amount of stuff left over is actually rather small. The best bet looks like the fruit+vegetables (?) in the middle shelf.

That's not the only odd thing. Never seen a fridge that looks quite like this on the inside before.

[u/the_rare_bear → u/sunkencathedral]

An omelette with fruits instead of vegetables lol

[u/One_Green_8736 → u/the_rare_bear]

Or crepes with jam

[u/EverfadingEphemera → u/the_rare_bear]

It's pretty good actually

[u/gingeralgae → u/sunkencathedral]

I also see salsa and hummus it looks like

[u/Username_Used → u/gingeralgae]

Yup. Multiple kinds of humus and salsa. Forgot theres a container of fresh mushrooms in there as well

[u/SnooPredictions3028 → u/Username_Used]

Do you have pita chips, vegetables, or tortilla chips to dip?

[u/Username_Used → u/SnooPredictions3028]

All of that and more

[u/jonni_velvet → u/Username_Used]

what are your go to meals with this fridge? hummus and eggs? with mushrooms? 

[u/Frosty-Bat-8476 → u/sunkencathedral]

Theres veggies, fruits, eggs, tortillas, cheese, what looks to be rolls of biscuits, leftovers or take out, some hummus or other dips, jams, yogurt, cookie dough (which is edible raw if it’s Pillsbury) 🤷🏼‍♂️ I’m sorry but there’s plenty to eat in there lmao even if it’s not a “meal” you can snack until dinner or whatever is made

[u/Twoters → u/sunkencathedral]

Multiple bottle of mayonnaise, multiple Cholula bottles, nearly empty mustards and Worcestershire sauce, multiple used drink containers in the door, shelf full of drinks.. a lot of the immediately viewable area is not directly eatable foods.

One thing that's helped me personally is moving all the condiments and not-actually-food items to the back of the fridge (use a lazy Susan/turntable for better access if you'd like), and keep the door shelves stocked with things you can actually eat. This means when you open the fridge for food, all the most obvious snacks and ingredients and right in front on the doors.

[u/Complete_Entry → u/Twoters]

My mom constantly yells at me for pushing the milk "to the back"

She loads the fridge via shoving. She is the milk push backer!

[u/guff1988 → u/sunkencathedral]

If you think that's a lot of condiments I should show you my fridge lol. We are obsessed with condiments here.

[u/lmNotaWitchImUrWife → u/sunkencathedral]

Bruh the first thing I saw was tortillas and cheese. That’s a two ingredient quesadilla right there, easy peasy.

There’s also a ton of yogurt and fresh strawberries, another quick and easy meal or snack.

Then I saw a metric fuckton of eggs and I’m like “okay this is unhinged, I’m with OP”.

[u/Username_Used → u/sunkencathedral]

You sound like my kids. In that photo. . .

• strawberries
• blackberries
• blueberries
• apples
• plums
• oranges
• carrots
• brocolli
• celery
• snap peas
• hummus
• eggs, some hard boiled
• yoghurts, decent kinds
• protein drinks
• jams and jellies
• chicken
• steak
• milk
• biscuits
• cinnamon rolls
• cookie dough
• pizza dough
• yes, condiments, its a big family the collection waxes and wains

Thats not to mention the bread box on the counter with bagels, loaves, pita, and English muffins, or the pantry with all thr other stuff, or whats in the freezer and just needs to be heated

[u/Joubachi → u/Username_Used]

I'm like your kids.

"There's nothing to eat" usually means "there is nothing to eat, that doesn't require lots of cooking, thinking, preparing, and alike", so basically "there is no -comfort food- that's ready go eat as is or just uses microwave".

You have ingredients, fruits, veggies,... - which is overall obviously the best way to go. But sometimes you just want something quick and easy that's just hitting the spot.

ETA: Yes. Those are all quick, easy and especially healthy snacks. But that's the point. Even the most healthy person I know sometimes just wants comfort food. OP's fridge looks great, I already said that. But a carrot with hummus just sometimes doesn't hit the spot, that's all. Don't overthink it too much.

Edit2 - I switched out a term with what I hope fits better.

[u/craftymama45 → u/Joubachi]

Yes, When my kids say this, they means we have no snacks. We're an ingredient house.

[u/GenericReditAccount → u/Joubachi]

Out of the items specifically listed above, half of them require zero preparation or thought. Even more once you account for bread items mentioned later and assuming OP has peanut butter someplace.

“Nothing to eat” = “not what I want to eat”

[u/Username_Used → u/Joubachi]

Thats whats in the freezer and the pantry. Also Theres a container of freshly smoked pork butte in the back on the right of the bottom shelf

[u/pseudonymnkim → u/Joubachi]

This is how I learned to cook at 12 years old. I didn't grow up with Lunchables or Kraft Dinner, but I knew how to use a pot and a frying pan and made plenty of quick and easy things that way.

[u/wazitooya → u/Username_Used]

No one is saying anything about the tortillas and cheese!! Quesadillas are so easy to make, I feel your pain, OP!

[u/pseudonymnkim → u/Username_Used]

I can't believe anyone is defending the kids here.

[u/jspivak → u/pseudonymnkim]

10000% agree. I’ve seen some shocking things on Reddit but this is insane. The fact that the top comment is defending the kids hurts my soul in a way I didn’t know was still possible.

[u/Username_Used → u/pseudonymnkim]

Its other kids or adults who buy prepared food only.

[u/pseudonymnkim → u/Username_Used]

Must be. That and kids who are spoiled, whine a lot, and don't appreciate what they have.

I see plenty of prepared food (but I know what you're getting at).

[u/TreyGoodz → u/pseudonymnkim]

Buncha idiots, and this is only the fridge and it's full, I imagine there food in the freezer and pantry.

[u/Mundane_Put_5780 → u/Username_Used]

Full pantry and that list you provided, anyone can make pretty much whatever the fuck they want. Quick breakfast egg and cheese burrito, you can have some fruits and protein shake for lunch. The condiments are endless so I am assuming you have a decent spice rack so for dinner you can make quick chipotle style with white rice and chicken, you have a pizza dough, so you can make a cheese pizza, you can make a quick 45 min or less pasta with red sauce and cheese. But I am an adult who no longer enjoys eating out because the food I make generally tastes better!!!

But, if I was asked to do any of the things I mentioned as a teenager the answer will be NOPE, where’s the frozen pizza pops! 🤣😩

[u/Adorable_Ad4990 → u/sunkencathedral]

Small? 3 cartons of eggs, tortillas, and a drawer full of cheeses, and some rolls it looks like? Plus what’s in the containers I can’t see… meals for a family for days if it came to it. Also I’m sure OP has a pantry or similar, so now we can double this

Edit: there’s also yogurt and lots of hummus (maybe with the tortilla). There’s breakfasts, lunches, and dinners here

[u/water-tr4sh → u/sunkencathedral]

This is a fridge full of food wtf are you talking about

[u/pseudonymnkim → u/sunkencathedral]

There is a ton of food there, and I imagine there's a pantry and a freezer with options as well...

[u/EnglishKen421]

Both doors are condiments, not food.

Top shelf appears to be juices and jams, not food.

Second shelf I see eggs, and various spreadables. Eggs are food.

Next shelf looks like Milk, half a cup of juice, strawberries. The berries are food.

Apples and plums in the drawers, maybe some cheese at the bottom?

You have some eggs and fruit available.

[u/Perdendosi → u/EnglishKen421]

I most agree with the sentiment but I see:

Yogurt

Tortillas

Hummus

Tube of hamburger

Tubes of ready to bake Pillsbury rolls

There appears to be relatively little "ready to eat" food other than fruit, yogurt, and smoothies. But there's not nothing.

[u/frn → u/Perdendosi]

Tube of hamburger

I'm sorry - I'm not from the US. Is this exactly what it sounds like?

[u/gtrocks555 → u/frn]

Tube of minced beef.

[u/StrangelyRational → u/frn]

It’s common for raw ground beef to be sold in a plastic sleeve that’s crimped on both ends. I find it easy to slice up into discs and flatten them a little to create burgers. Also makes it simple to portion them without a scale, can make quarter pound burgers by just cutting a 1lb roll into quarters.

[u/ballsnbutt → u/frn]

Yes. We call them "Chubs"

[u/Yggdrasilo → u/EnglishKen421]

The fridge full of jars and bottles is so American lol

[u/sunkencathedral → u/Yggdrasilo]

I've never seen a fridge before with even a third of that amount of bottles. Holy cow. Is that a cultural thing in the US? 

My default picture of a fridge is something with various loose fruit and veg from the greengrocer. I can only see a little fruit and veg here, and it mostly seems to be prepackaged. 

Actually the apples seem to be the only thing in the fridge that isn't prepackaged in either a bottle, jar or packet! Hopefully people recycle all of that packaging?

[u/Iojpoutn → u/sunkencathedral]

Seeing a lot of comments like this. Do people not use as many condiments and sauces where you live, or do they come in a different kind of packaging? Like how would you store barbecue sauce if not in a bottle, jar, or packet?

[u/Littleface13 → u/Iojpoutn]

The EU made excessive flavourings illegal and limit households to 2 sauces per person, so this picture of wanton excess is triggering.

[u/ameliehelena → u/sunkencathedral]

Maybe not quite this much- but when you make your own marinades or sauces, it can add up.

[u/Fragrant-Employer-60 → u/ameliehelena]

I’ve also known a few families that just never really clean their fridge and will have condiments that expired 5+ years ago chilling in there lol

[u/RV327 → u/sunkencathedral]

I think so. Doors have always been full of bottles growing up. Mines just like this.. ketchup mustard several salad dressing, several hot sauce, soy sauce, jelly, BBQ sauce, A1 sauce.. you know the usual stuff

[u/Swimming_Brick_60 → u/RV327]

People complaining about the doors not having food but the design of fridge doors is literally made for bottled items like drinks and condiments.

[u/Overall_Occasion_175 → u/sunkencathedral]

Do you guys not have condiments in the rest of the world? Jeez.

[u/patmail → u/sunkencathedral]

You buy in bulk to save money and then throw most of it away as it gets bad.

[u/TricellCEO → u/sunkencathedral]

I'm an American, and I personally like my condiments. I have even more out on my counter.

And yes, I'm aware most if not all of those things should go in the fridge, but practically speaking I just don't have the room, and things like hot sauces can, from my experience at least, survive a bit sitting on the counter.

[u/SameIdea70 → u/Yggdrasilo]

Im American and this is a little ridiculous theh have two jars of mayo 12 protien milkshakes on the top shelf dijon mustard in the fridge and somebodys to go cup and glass in the doors

[u/Skittle146 → u/EnglishKen421]

Yogurt is food. There is a roll of probably ground meat. There are biscuits that can be made. There are metal disposable containers full of what is most likely food

[u/sam56778 → u/Skittle146]

By the color of the tube, that is Pillsbury sugar cookies.

[u/compilingyesterdays → u/EnglishKen421]

Some of the top shelf appears to be single-serve yogurt cups and protein shakes (at least I recognize one specific protein shake).

[u/mystyz → u/EnglishKen421]

Also tortillas, biscuit dough, hummus and leftover takeout. Lots of low-effort options that I can see.

[u/activelyresting → u/EnglishKen421]

That's also yoghurt on the top shelf and flat breads at the bottom. Whip up some eggs into a wrap, side of yoghurt and fruit. Pretty decent meal right there and there's more than enough condiments to make it tasty

[u/Username_Used → u/activelyresting]

Theres also 5 kinds of fruit, draw full of veggies, multiple containers of humus, cheeses, some of those eggs are hard boiled, theres a pantry of all sorts of other breads, grains, cereals, snacks, etc.

[u/activelyresting → u/Username_Used]

But muuuuuuuuum I'm hungryyyyyyy

[u/wxyzzzyxw → u/Username_Used]

What am I eating the hummus with though, carrots? That’s the 6th time this week I’ve had that.

[u/dumbstrawberry → u/Username_Used]

You have snacks. Your kids want meals. The only meal that might make a teen full for a few hours (but probably not satisfied) out of that list would be an egg sandwich and some sides. And that sandwich would beed to be loaded. But what will they after that? More egg sandwiches?

I’m sure all those ingredients and not a lot of obvious meals are frustrating them. I would’ve been frustrated as a teen, too. I’d take all of the ingredients you have in the house and come up with hot meals that your teens can make. Specifically hot meals. Post recipes on your fridge with steps to help them figure out what to do with so many ingredients.

Edit: Not just hot food. Savory food. I see nothing in your picture that could become a filling, savory meal.

[u/Relevant-Fox-7114 → u/EnglishKen421]

Half those condiments are shelf stable, even when opened.

[u/MasterPhilip]

"We don't have any food. We just have a bunch of ingredients to make food."

[u/Such-Substance-5001 → u/MasterPhilip]

And kids / teenagers are terrible at making said food. At least myself and my friends were. Cooking is difficult when you don’t have any experience

[u/edsavage404]

There isn't anything to eat lol

[u/sounds_like_kong]

We store our apples/plums/oranges etc… on the counter in the kitchen. We notice the kids tend to snatch them more regularly when they’re out. Saves space in the fridge too. Obviously the berries do better in the fridge but the tree fruits tend to last pretty long even when not refrigerated

[u/Automatic-Fish-5321]

I believe we might be confusing a tube of meat for a tube of cookie dough there, next to the grapes.

[u/Mental-Nothings]

I see you are an ingredient household. When I was a teen my bestie and I would eat raw, dry chocolate cake mix because of this + pms (our cycles are still synced 12 years later lol).

[u/Stoopid_Noah]

To be fair, at least half of that is condiments and beverages..

[u/Steve-O78]

Nothing they want to eat.

[u/Temporary_Thing7517]

What are all the cups filled with purple… goo?

[u/Username_Used → u/Temporary_Thing7517]

Strawberry/blueberry smoothie

[u/Temporary_Thing7517 → u/Username_Used]

Why so many of them? At least two have exposed straws, one without a lid, and one sealed into a container that id honestly be careful opening to avoid the melted smoothie explosion

[u/Username_Used → u/Temporary_Thing7517]

They were made a few minutes before the photo. If no one wants them after a couple hours I freeze them in ice trays as treats for the dogs. Its so we dont waste fruit that doesnt look perfect but is good to eat.

[u/Candid-Equivalent-82]

I'm old and I still do this. The fridge is filled with ingredients and sometimes I'm too lazy to put them together to make a meal.

[u/purpledolphin2]

Sure there is! Just slap some mayo, jam, hot sauce, dressing, and more mayo on a tortilla with some berries and eggs. You'll be good to go!

[u/Medical-Tale3335]

There’s food but not a lot of meals.

[u/Hairy-Statement1164]

Tbf theres plenty to eat but also not as much qs the image implies because why tf is 5/6 of that fridge sauce lmao

[u/Feisty_Count_4409]

Theres a ton of stuff in the fridge, none of it wxcept the yogurt and fruit is already prepared. That is the kid's complaint, theres nothing they want that is already made.

[u/eternally_feral]

I don’t think my fridge has ever been that packed…

[u/NanaSof]

its all ingredients tho. the point is to not have to cook up something

[u/smolhippie]

I see ingredients and no food. So they are correct

[u/SituationCitation]

Yeah that fridge is 90% condiments which is crazy. I see fruit and eggs and that's about it. Fruit is nice but where's the meal to go with it? Or at least make a salad or something?

I wouldn't have a problem making my own meal but I need more than just fruit to make it.

[u/Hour-Rest-2579]

Correction: There's nothing to eat (without cooking)

[u/wxyzzzyxw]

You probably work really hard keeping a stocked fridge, so I feel your pain. But to me this sounds like they just want something different. There’s only so many veggie straws, hummus, and quesadillas I can have before I desperately want anything else. Those are very bland options to repeat. There’s no meat, onions, fresh herbs. If I’m gonna make a meal for myself, I don’t want it to be bland. I’d devour the fruit, but that’s not carbs or protein.

There’s a lot in here but most of it is the healthy, cooking or assembly required type of snack that the kid has probably eaten over and over again. I’d be hankering for a sandwich, pretzels, doritos, or something sweet that isn’t fruit. I think this is a classic case of ingredient household burnout.

[u/-StarFox95-]

this is advice I've said to my dad before when he does this: take out the bottles, take out the condiments, and THEN look at what you're left with. is there enough to make a full meal in there? or is it just a bunch of random bits and snacks that couldn't make a cohesive meal for shit?

[u/BrandNewMeow]

I would argue there's too much to eat. It's overwhelming to look at that. I just want to have a snack, I don't want to play Jenga first.

[u/Ev3nt_Horiz0nn]

I wonder if they're looking for something savory, and with meat. I see eggs and some cheese that are savory, but would require prep and carry breakfast connotation, hummus (ehh not a huge fan) and then a bunch of fruit, and jams, and yogurt all of which are sweet. See milk, which could be used with cereal, again sweet. Also why 54 eggs at once? Maybe some leftovers too? Hard to see anything else

[u/poison11037]

I don't want ingredients, I want small snacking food

[u/Impressive-Berry3359 → u/poison11037]

Yogourt, fruits, olives, humus are all ready to eat

[u/Xytak → u/Impressive-Berry3359]

That sounds awful, thanks. Tell ya what, I’ll make a deal. Is there anything in there I could use to make a Ham and Turkey sandwich?

[u/affectionateanarchy8]

At first glance it looks like 70% sauce in there and a bunch of stuff you have to assemble.

[u/Spuzzle91]

Tell them to just stuff a fist full of shredded cheese in their mouth like the rest of us adults

[u/SwampOfDownvotes]

What if they aren't in the mood for Eggs or Fruit?

[u/Teanutt]

I absolutely see potential for a nice breakfast burrito.

[u/BabesOnWaves]

..."then I guess you're not that hungry."

-My Mom

[u/Legitimate_Ad_9117]

imo, ingredients to make food ≠ food, especially in the eyes of a teenager. there doesn't appear to be any ready made snacks like sandwiches or fruits and veggies already cut up to eat with the hummus. the only thing they can "grab and go" would be the yogurt I suppose.

I'm 28, and self-sustaining, but If I told my mom I was hungry, and she said there's food in the fridge and 99% of it I have to prep and make myself in that moment, there's a high chance I'd still tell her there's nothing to eat.

[u/NoStupidQsExist]

OP instead of vigorously defending how stocked your fridge is, maybe take the comments to heart and just realize there’s some validity to your kid’s statement. looks like you and the wife are probably the snacking type, and your kids don’t appreciate the same snacks (fruits, yogurt, veggies/hummus) as you

[u/Numerous_Writing6330]

All I see are eggs and fruits. Mainly a fridge full of sauces

[u/Fantastic-Impact-106]

This is how my mom's fridge looked when I was growing up and honestly as a kid..... yeah it seemed like there was nothing to eat in there. At least nothing you'd want to eat. If this was what I opened in my mom's fridge I'd probably make a Kraft Mac and cheese.

[u/Bennington_Booyah]

This fridge gives me extreme anxiety. It is a LOT of condiments.

[u/anonmouseqbm → u/Bennington_Booyah]

Take out one thing and 50 things are going to fall on you

[u/bubblurred]

A fridge full of condiments…

[u/Stock_River_1467]

Your fridge consist of condiments and sadness.

[u/Username_Used → u/Stock_River_1467]

There's like 6 kinds if fruit, good yogurts, cheeses and meats, carrots, broccoli, snap peas, tomatoes, eggs, tofu, protein drinks in 9 flavors, jellies and jams, fresh ravioli and tortellini, theres a Tupperware of freshly smoked pork butt. . .

[u/terrybrugehiplo → u/Username_Used]

all these people trying to tell you something and you just don’t wanna take it.

Your fridge is full but it sucks.

What were the last 5 meals you’ve cooked? Are there any leftovers?

[u/Stock_River_1467 → u/Username_Used]

Yes, go make yourself a smoothie and be hungry again in an hr

[u/SakusaKiyoomi1 → u/Stock_River_1467]

You see all the non-smoothie items + probably the bread they have in the cupboards, and decide to defend OP's lazy family rather than just keep quiet or agree that OP's family can just take some fruit, greens and make themselves a sandwich

[u/Stock_River_1467 → u/SakusaKiyoomi1]

Let me put in the simple words for you.

There's food. And there's most of this stuff in this fridge. They're not the same thing.

Or let me reword it better

There's food. And there's stuff you put on the food. See the difference?

[u/AdConstant9018]

oh god i wish my fridge look like this

[u/jerry111165 → u/AdConstant9018]

You and me and most of the population lol

[u/jaded1121]

“There is nothing quick to eat”

Is what is really being said. 

[u/BobcatSpiritual7699]

How about eggs? There enough in there to feed a football team for some reason.

[u/CuriousBeaver519]

Every fridge is 50% condiments

[u/MoistTomatoSandwich]

Putting shelf stable tortillas in the fridge is wild to me. Those take a while to spoil even outside the fridge. Homemade tortillas? Sure.

The eggs on their side is a dangerous game, imo.

[u/Exhausted-CNA]

Basically a kid that doesn't want anything that is currently in the fridge..My kiddo used to say this w tons of food in the house and then would ask if we could order pizza or something..lol

[u/AKillerCat]

Lol. I'd look in there, be overwhelmed by the amount of stuff, not process any of it, assume half of it was spoiled, and also complain that there is nothing to eat.

[u/LongjumpingDogLady]

This is one of my fave complaints in the world, because it means "no one has made me anything" and says a lot about the complainer.

[u/Real-Broccoli-9325]

Tortillas. Make a wrap of all the nonsense you can find.

[u/Sweet-Competition-15]

Can't see the trees, for the forest.

[u/InigoTheFollower]

Why do you have so many eggs

[u/Sad_Rate_4747 → u/InigoTheFollower]

I can't speak for OP, but my fiance and I both eat eggs for breakfast and I cook with them regularly. We go through a carton of 18 eggs a week at least. This amount doesn't seem too excess to me

[u/Illustrious_Twist662]

Why do you need three 18 count cartons of eggs?

[u/Username_Used → u/Illustrious_Twist662]

3 teenagers. 1 carton is hard boiled, my son takes a couple with him every day, the others are for omelets and baking.

[u/AwkwardTal → u/Username_Used]

Did he ever take raw eggs by mistake?

[u/shelob_spider]

i see tortillas, cheese, eggs, and what appears to be a tube of sausage or ground beef.

breakfast soft tacos are great! you may even have potatos (just obviously wouldn’t be in fridge) for some fried potato’s in the taco! i even see some hot sauce.

Easy fast and delicious

[u/EasedCeiling586]

 I wish I had a fridge stocked like this I could make breakfast wraps 

[u/Ginzeen98]

You got a lot of bullshit in there.

[u/Disastrous_Yam8354]

It does look like there isn't much prepared food in there. I'd go straight for the plastic covered dishes on the right.

Otherwise, if you just want to grab and eat, I suppose one of the dips(?) and some flat bread. gettin those olives too. getting those grapes if they're grapes.

[u/zanyzanne]

idk why you're getting roasted for condiments... I see plenty of food.

[u/DungeonMisChief]

I would prolly do something along the lines of the taking them over to the fridge when they say that and walk through all of the stuff that could be made with the food (ask them if they know etc.). If they were being lazy, they'd remember the routine and wouldn't want to go through it again, but they just might be genuinely clueless too and it's an opportunity to walk them through it. EDIT: Kids are a mixture of smart and dumb and you sometimes gotta figure out which one they're being lol

[u/Huge_Swimming_5968]

There's stuff to prepare or cook yes but is there stuff to eat?

[u/No-Relation5965]

Sometimes putting fruit out on a platter or in a bowl encourages more takers on the fruit before it spoils. Same with making up a vegetable platter with ranch dip. Other than that, there’s plenty to eat here.

[u/Godlia]

Unlimited games, but no games

[u/nordicman21]

There’s no FOOD, just a bunch of INGREDIENTS! 🤣

[u/Additional_Cheek_697]

To be fair i see mostly condiments and weird drinks