Max: Just be grateful the flight attendant didn't try to have you arrested for your complaint. The following link describes what happened when a customer asked for orange juice with his FC breakfast.
http://consumerist.com/2009/12/askin...deral-law.html
If it's possible to buy food (on the "air side" of security) before I board I will do so then carry it on. When it comes to travel on a US-based airline: The less contact one has with a flight attendant, the better.