A mum and dad with three children have resorted to eating only meal a day so they can properly feed their kids as the cost of living crisis spirals.
Malnutrition has meant Kate Worby and her fiancé Charlie Skudder, both 29, from North Devon, struggle to fight off even common colds but they have to make the sacrifice for their children.
Despite working long hours across three jobs, which include being a care worker, entertainer, valet and full-time student, the couple have found themselves struggling to make ends meet due to the cost of living increasing significantly.
Kate works as a children's entertainer for her own business Magical Guests and also works as a carer and a cleaner. Charlie is a full-time university student who also runs a valet business and worked nights as a carer at a local care home until it recently shut down.
As they strive to put nutritious food on the table for their kids - Alice, eight, Oliver, four and Edward, one - they dedicate 80% of their food shop to feeding them.
In recent months, the cost of living increase has hit many families across the country, with parents having to do without to provide for their little ones.
Kate, who only eats one meal a day, says that she would rather starve to ensure that her kids are healthy and often sells their possessions to keep things ticking over.
“As a parent, it’s what you do,” Kate said.
“I’d sell the clothes off my back, which I often do, to provide for my children.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way. We would do anything for our children and to provide for them.
“As parents, we make every single cut back or sacrifice to ensure they get all they need.
“No parent or child should go without, but if you are struggling, talking to schools or childcare providers can help. They can offer foodbank vouchers and advice.
“It’s hard and completely rubbish, but there is no shame in having a family and feeling the pinch.
“As parents, the pressure is already on to provide for small mouths that are always growing and need topping up.”
In total, the family spends £60 per week on food – which includes lots of fruit and vegetables for the kids.
Typically, their children will eat school dinners on weekdays or a sandwich for lunch, along with pasta or a potato-based dish, such as sausages and mash for dinner.
For a snack, they have apples, bananas or raisins to ensure they are getting their five-a-day.
For Kate and Charlie however, their one meal a day is either the remainder of what they have cooked the kids, or some cheese on toast – which they sometimes have to share.
As a result, the couple are exhausted, mentally and physically, and suffer from a weakened immune system, where they're unable to fight off common illnesses.
The mum-of-three claims that ministers and members of the public often condemn those with larger families, especially through times of financial strain.
She said: “We’re doing our best in a really difficult time and the blame isn’t with us parents.
“Parent guilt is already bad enough without people condemning us for having a family.”
Alongside the lack of food, the family have also been faced with tough choices, saying that it’s either “heat or eat”.
Kate said: “Nobody could have predicted what an awful situation we would find ourselves in, no matter how many children you have.
"Things haven’t always been this way for us or for many families with cases like ours.
"We were not prepared for the price increase explosion that came without warning and incredibly soon after people were just starting to find their feet after the pandemic.
"I have a chronic mental health condition, which means the stress has a huge impact and ensuring the kids are fed well, alongside having enough, is often a lot.
"If we are unable to or don't have enough to last the children for the rest of the week, then we will take some bread out of the freezer and have two slices of toast. If we have enough cheese, we will have that too.
"It's all about making sure the children have all they need to thrive.
"We never saw this coming and will do what we can to get through – but there is absolutely no way our children will suffer for that.
"Their safety and wellbeing physically, and mentally, is our priority. As a parent or anyone at the moment, it’s not a crime to be struggling, it’s certainly not your fault and you're not alone."
She previously told how she often finds herself having to put things back at the till, as she has miscalculated her weekly budget, which she says is “embarrassing”.
However, the family makes food stretch by bulking out their meals with frozen vegetables and if the kids are hungry, she’ll give up her dinner to keep them satisfied.
Kate, who is a self-proclaimed savvy spender, has figured out ways to make the weekly shop spread.
She said: “I make a meal plan, shop for that and stick to it. I also list meals that we all like and jumble them up through the month.
“I’ll make my own sauces and cook from scratch, investing in herbs and bulk items that last.
“I also freeze bread to save wastage and do one big shop rather than little ones.
“It’s best to try to shop after you’ve eaten, as hungry shopping will mean picking up more than you need.
“Aldi I find is the cheapest and shopping supermarket-own brands reduces food bills considerably.
Family meal plan
KIDS:
Breakfast: Porridge or Weetabix (supermarket own brand)
Lunch: Sandwich or crackers and cheese (supermarket own brand)
Dinner: Spaghetti Bolognese or Sausages and Mash
Snack: Apples, bananas or raisins
PARENTS:
Breakfast: Cup of tea or coffee
Lunch: Cup of tea or coffee
Dinner: The same as the kids or, if there is not enough, cheese on toast
Snack: Nothing
