Pickin' Off My Child's Plate

BoyMom43

I have two wonderful boys, ages 5 and 9. And, although I try to feed them heathfully, let's face it. Sometimes it's easier to make them grill cheese sandwiches or pick up fast food (on rare occasions). I guess I need to quit doing this altogether because I can't seem to keep my hands off their unwanted foot.

Or (equally bad), I find myself cooking meals for the family that I wouldn't normally make because it's what they want to eat (things like sodium-loaded tacos or spaghetti (with sweet, "child-friendly" jarred sauce) and meatballs).

I would love to hear from other parents of young children. Except for grilled chicken and several other grilled meats, I can't get my kids to eat heathy meals. And if I do separate meals, I end up eating half the unhealthy stuff on their plates anyway. HELP!!!

michelle29714

Just don't do it!

dansdeb

that is so hard not to do! (I love your pic, BTW) This is where real will power comes in. You just have to not do it. part of our routine became every child is responsible for clearing their plate from the table. that way I didn't have to handle their plate and have the urge to snack on their left overs. When they get up from the table, they take their plate with them and scrape in the garbage or what ever you do with your left overs. helped me

Panda86

Check out the book "Deceptively Delicious"..... The lady makes veggie purees and hides them in recipes that her kids love. Its an awesome book.... She puts spinach in brownies... yeah, weird. But if you let them cool, you can't taste it!

kristinlough

I've never eaten healthier than I did when I was a kid. My mom was VERY strict with me (which is probably why I got so fat when I moved out!) and I ate what she gave me. She made my baby food when I was little, and I lived off of veggies and lean meats and fruits.

Have you thought about making your own spaghetti sauce that's healthier and freezing it? Maybe mix it with the jarred sauce at first til the kids get used to it?

I'm not a mom ... but I know if you only have one option for food, at some point you eat it. Good luck!!

ruch69

That is GOOD advice......so I will repeat it......JUST.......DON'T DO IT.....:noway: .....:noway: ..........:noway:
I think planning the weekly menu will help. Take a little time to plan the weeks meals . It will make shopping easier...and the daily cooking a LOT easier...........
All the best...I am sure you will do it..
Cheers !!!!!!:flowerforyou:

4lafz

My niece does this really well with her kids (ages 5 and 7). They help her make healthy dinners (turkey, chicken and fish mostly) and snacks - like cookies and frozen sorbets. Get them into the kitchen - regardless whether they are boys or girls!

JUSTFORME2010

My husband does it all the time with my kids. If they dont finish he will pick at it or eat it and then tell me it is going to go to waste. That is because he grew up with the mindset that there should never be food thrown away someone should eat it. It is a really bad habit to have. Just throw it away.

Hopeful4757

My mom used to make separate meals for my nieces and nephews and it would drive me crazy! It was so much extra work for her. Maybe you can try making a menu for the week and getting your kids' input. Ask for one meal they would like and try to make the healthy version of it. I know he's not a kid, but I do this with my husband and he is really liking the new spin on recipes. He is even trying to eat a little healthier himself. Sometimes, people I have over have no idea how healthy some of these recipes actually are.

1QueenB

I'm from the old school, where you ate EVERY-THING on your plate, with the excuse being, there are people in Africa starving :ohwell: My mom cooked 3 meals a day PERIOD for her family, if we didn't like it, then we didn't eat. :sick: Today I am the same way, my daughter (16yoa) eats what I cook and when my little neices and nephews come over, they know ain't no chicken nuggets and crap jumping off in my kitchen ~ Auntie don't play that!::huh: SN: (That's not to say I don't give them treats every now and then, but not so much that they come to expect it) Good Luck !!!!!! :drinker:

thumper44

I don't have any kids, but we have close friends with kids.

Yep, old school, finish the plate, because someone starving in 3rd world country. My mom preached that to me all the time.
Now if the meal is too big, or if we go out for dinner. I make sure and split up my dinner and have a doggie bag ( If the food taste great, it will taste great when it's reheated later or for next day's lunch.

If the kids won't eat all their dinner, put it in tupperware or something and can be reheated later, or reheated for lunch the next day. Nibbling on kids foods will obviously make you eat more calories than you were expecting to that day.

Some kids will not eat all their dinner for many reasons. They know there's better food in the house, or they already wrecked their appetite with junk food prior to dinner or they know that a good dessert is going to be served.

But I see this all the time. Kids don't want something their parents cooked and the parent has to cook up something seperately, or give in to fast food. The kids know that if they whine long enough for chicken nuggets or french fries that the parents will break.

Just don't do it.
Who's the boss? I see a lot of families, where you can tell the parents aren't always the boss.
Are we supposed to eat the childs unhealthy sugary carb loaded food, or they supposed to eat our healthy food that we are teaching them to eat.
Good luck.

Jennplus2

Once my kids leave the table I pour the leftover water from their cups onto their plates. Food covered it water doesn't look tasty anymore. Or if they drink all the water I put used napkins on top to not see the leftover food. When I was growing up I had to finish all the food on my plate, we grew up poor and didn't waste food. But now I have to tell myself that if I put it into the waste (trash) it is still just as gone as it is if I put it onto my waist (tummy).

It is hard, but let it go into the trash.

And as far as them not eating what you cook, cook it anyway. My friend has a son who eats only peanut butter sandwiches and plain noodles, but when his mom went out of town for business he ate what I made because I told him I didn't have any peanut butter (my son has Celiac and we really don't have any noodles, lol) point is that once he was really hungry he tried the stir fry I made and liked it! Now if his mom would only let him skip his normal lunch like I did I bet he would eat for her also!

luvHim

I'm a mom of five and know how tempting that can be. And as much as it may not be popular on this thread...I'm one of those moms who requires her kids to clean their plates 99% of the time anyway. I don't like going to all that work of cooking food and then seeing them take two bites, turn up their nose, and then leave the rest. We like to have them dish out their own food, so they know when they dish it out that they are required to eat it all. And we tell them to start with small helpings because if they like the food, they can always have seconds. Veggies are required as well....even if it's two bites.

But I'd say the most important thing is to show them by example the lifestyle of healthy eating....and I don't even eat that exceptionally healthy. I have a big sweet tooth that I'm having to conquer, especially with children following in my footsteps.

Keep up the good example, and lots of these suggestions sound wonderful...I may even try them myself. Although the spinach in the brownies sounds a bit..umm, interesting. :happy:

On the note of eating off their plates....if you know you will do this anyway, maybe you should quick add 100-200cals for the day. I do this simply for mistakes I may have made in measurements since alot of my food is homemade and not always measured to the n'ht degree. just a suggestion.....

imagymrat

I have two wonderful boys, ages 5 and 9. And, although I try to feed them heathfully, let's face it. Sometimes it's easier to make them grill cheese sandwiches or pick up fast food (on rare occasions). I guess I need to quit doing this altogether because I can't seem to keep my hands off their unwanted foot.

Or (equally bad), I find myself cooking meals for the family that I wouldn't normally make because it's what they want to eat (things like sodium-loaded tacos or spaghetti (with sweet, "child-friendly" jarred sauce) and meatballs).

I would love to hear from other parents of young children. Except for grilled chicken and several other grilled meats, I can't get my kids to eat heathy meals. And if I do separate meals, I end up eating half the unhealthy stuff on their plates anyway. HELP!!!

I'm busted, I just finshed a PB sandwhich my little guy didn't eat! HAHA! REally though, throw the food out, spit on it if you have too, mash it up, eventually you'll break the habit...and start making healthier meals, if it's carrots left on the plate, or broccoli, no harm in finishing that up!

valeriebpdx

My sons are 8 and 11--the little one is pretty picky and has gagging issues w/ food he doesn't like (I was the same way as a kid). Here are some things that have worked for me:
1) start with ridiculously small portions. Like joke portions. Nothing is more overwhelming for my little one than 12 bites of meat he may not love on a plate--four or five he can wrap his head around. So we do tiny scoops/bites of everything, even the stuff he likes, and then once he has eaten his tiny bites of everything, he can have more of whatever he likes the best. This eliminates the wasted food issue, too.
2) If you are introducing new foods or things you know your kids probably won't embrace, cook it with at least one food they already like, then work the above program. Keeps you from feeling you should cook a separate dinner or they'll starve.
3) In the summer, we do the B Family Chef Project. One night a week, each kid is responsible for planning and cooking a whole menu--must have a protein, starch, and fresh fruit or veggie, and we all always have milk with our meal. Obviously, I do most of the actual cooking, but they are "in charge" of the kitchen, including making the brother be their slave sous chef if they want. They learn some good cooking skills this way, choose foods they like and will eat within healthy guidelines, and feel ownership over the meal. Then of course praise the meal lavishly and make a big deal over the fact that the kid cooked it.
4) Learn ways to make the unhealthy favorites at home. I do an awesome whole grain pizza from scratch that my kids actually prefer to takeout, not that I don't still hit Papa Murphy's sometimes. Baked oven fries and baked breaded (make the coating from scratch with whole wheat flour and cornmeal and seasonings--it's delish) chicken strips are terrific.
5) Main thing: remember you are the captain of the ship. Your kids don't drive to McDonald's or buy the crap cereal--that's on us parents. My mom (an absolutely wonderful woman) was a scared young mom who cooked me separate meals because she was afraid I wouldn't like the healthy stuff they ate and would starve. I was really skinny growing up but my eating habits were atrocious and paved the way for my adult weight problem. Do your kids a favor and coach them to them a leaner, healthier palate. Good luck!!

saraegentry

I read a few of the replies... but not all of them, sorry if I repeat!

I am a mom, but of younger kids (2 and 10 months), so it's a little different. I was feeding everyone (including the kids) crap and decided it had to change about a week ago. Sometimes I fix them something different, but overall we're eating the same thing. I'm a sahm, so sometimes for lunch I'll fix myself a salad, and there's no way a 2 year old is going to eat a salad lol, so I fix her a sandwich, but it's with whole wheat bread. For dinner, they eat what we eat. I try to make it healthy, but family friendly. If the side is a veggie I know they won't eat, I make them try a bite (2 bites for the 2 y/o), and if they don't like it they don't have to eat it. For those nights I'll usually include a fruit on their plates from the beginning. After the meal is served, they can eat what's on their plate (if I didn't start out with a fruit, they're not getting one added... that way they don't think they can just beg for a banana instead of their peas they normally eat). Hope that makes sense!

As far as the unhealthy meals go, there are some great ways to healthify the "traditional" unhealthy meals, like mac and cheese, spaghetti, hamburgers, etc. just do some googling! I've also recently discovered this blog- weelicious.com lots of great kid friendly recipes (not SUPER diety, but it's all natural... no refined sugar, etc)

LainMac

As a mum to 4 kids (9-16), I don't serve substantially different meals to myself than I do to my kids. And I have some fussy kids. I have one "pasta-tarian", one with a bizarre eating issue (likes food that either have no calories or things are nearly without any nutrients ~ a perfect meal for her would be a naked salad with fritos), one who loves meat and soda, and only one who is just happy that someone cooked something hot for him.

When I cook, there are minimums. I don't overload the plate but you have to eat everything placed on your plate. You can go for seconds of what you like best, AFTER, you've eaten the minimums. We eat vegetarian as a family about 10 or 11 meals a week. I always make vegetarian options for the pasta-tarian. The bizarre eating child who thinks vegetarian means no calories often joins him in these choices. Three of my kids are super slender and very athletic, so their veggies have a drizzle of butter or oil olive and they can carbo load with some extra bread or potatoes after their minimums. They get Stoneyfield full fat yogurt when I'm buying the Greek style yogurt.

But you are the boss. And since being on this diet, ahem, lifestyle change, I'm using less and less convenience food. (Pretty much what is left is frozen pizzas, ravioli, and pierogi.)

Also, "out food" has so much salt; it is really making our children accustom to way more sodium than is healthy.

My favorite rule from the "Food Rules" book is "If you're not hungry enough to eat an apple, then you're not hungry."

So I would agree that giving kids the ridiculously small portions to begin with is an excellent idea. Having a plate be properly balanced for the age and activity of the person getting the plate makes sense too.

For example, old lady me has a plate of half veggies, 1/4 whole grain carbo, 1/4 lean protein with a small glass of skim milk. However my athletic 92 pound growth spurting 13 year old boy, has the same thing but goes back for seconds of the carbo and lean protein and has whole milk instead. If a much younger cousin was visiting, they would get a sample plate of what was being offered.

I had my 6-year-old niece visit recently, and she asked me for a cream cheese sandwich. I told her we don’t have cream cheese regularly in the house. She said “Auntie, you could drive to McDonalds.” After laughing, I told her that her choices were a hummus and cheese sandwich or a nutella and peanut butter sandwich. She picked the peanut butter sandwich with nutella even though she had never had nutella before.