Can I use this to help with my 10 yr old?

steampunkgirl

I see the benefits it has done for me and my daughter often eats a different breakfast and lunch than I do. I am curious what is a healthy calorie intake for her and if I can use this as a guide for me when I prepare meals for her. My daughter is 10 years old and is currently 109lbs. I know she is overweight but she eats fairly well. Seldom has soad (except when she goes to the grandparents), she loves fruits and veggies. She goes to after school daycare which provides a snack. So she is eating at least 4 times a day Mon-Friday. I used to have her buy lunch everyday but now I am getting better about making her lunch at least 3 days a week. So what is everyone opinion on using this site to help plan meals for my child? What is the healthy calorie intake for a 10 yr old that is 4'10"

steampunkgirl

soad = soda opps I didn't profread before I sent.

elainegsd

You could use this as an educational tool for your daughter, without restricting her calories. Help her learn what getting enough protein feels like, what a balanced diet for the day looks like, etc. Have her compare nutritional information from "healthy eating" days to the not-so-healthy days, etc. Make a game of it.

There was a thread a few weeks back about diets and kids, and the general consensus was that kids shouldn't be on diets (though there are some extreme cases where a diet would be appropriate, I'm sure.)

2bFitNTrim

A quick google search found 1600-2000 calories to be right for a 10 yr old girl. Different sources, different answers. But since you want to help her lose weight, personally, I'd have her get a physical & chat w/the doctor first for advice on calorie limits& diet suggestions. I'd think MFP may be a wonderful tool for her to use.

Good job on addressing this while she is young. You are giving her an amazing gift, that is, the gift of health! :flowerforyou:

LizardIsANerd

I would discuss it with her pediatrician or a nutritionist/dietitian first. I work in a hospital and there is a free nutritional consult available here with our RD. Look around and see if you can get her in to see someone. I wouldn't advise letting her know you are tracking her intake - it can lead to a lifetime of yo yo dieting to start one at that age. Instead start teaching her about things like Whoa Slow Go foods. (Whoa Foods are junk food - cake, candy, cookies, soda - they are okay sometimes but you should think about them before you eat them... you only get one whoa food a day; slow foods are midrange things - fatty meats, peanut butter, chicken nuggets, etc - things you can eat often but should eat in moderation; go foods are mostly fruits, veggies, non-fried chicken, fish, beans, eggs, - things you can eat tons of!)
We also have CATCH in our schools for k-4th - (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) - it is a GREAT program that really gets them moving during PE and encourages them to learn healthy habits. I commend you for looking at your daughter's weight now and thinking about her future

LizardIsANerd

2bfitntrim - I love how your cat face appears to be stalking your jogger...

2bFitNTrim

2bfitntrim - I love how your cat face appears to be stalking your jogger...

She better keep moving....or else! :laugh:

dave4d

My 11 year old is having weight issues too. I'm wondering what to do too. I know I need to get him more active. He spends way too much time in front of the tv.

steampunkgirl

Thanks! I defintly don't want her to have a negative experience but I do want to make her aware. i know she had a great time with the food pyramid and she does do the Wii fit but she see points more then calories burned. I recently got my parents exercise bike into my place and she has gotten on it to ride while watching tv all on her own which I am proud of her for. I defintly want to educate her so I like the WHOA SLOW GO food idea. I know she is starting to care baout her appearence and her weight is starting to bother her. I will call her doctor and ask. Thanks for the feedback.

heather62803

I use this site to help plan healthier snack and meal options for my children too. We make it a point to eat the same meals as our kids so since we are trying to get healthy they are reaping the benefits as well. As far as calorie restriction I agree that kids shouldn't be on diets. But you could start by educating her about good choices and not so good choices. Thats what we have done with our 5 year old and he chooses his own snacks and usually chooses the healthier stuff over the junk now You daughter is at the perfect age to understand the differences in food choices. Don't go about it as a weight loss issue though as you don't want to damage her self - esteem, instead take the approach that your family is trying to eat healthier to gain more energy and to fuel your bodies with nutrition. Consult with a doc if you think she does need calorie restriction to find out the appropriate level for her, Kids are different than adults since they are still growing! Congrats on taking the first steps toward health for yourself and health for your child!

steampunkgirl

do you just enter food choices to see calories on your profile or do your kids have a profile only you can see?

heather62803

One other thing - my son loves our Wii - he does the Wii fit exercises along with me and we bought Just Dance 2 for the Wii for Christmas which he loves as well. That is a really great tool to help keep kids active while having fun at the same time!!

heather62803

do you just enter food choices to see calories on your profile or do your kids have a profile only you can see?

I enter foods on my profile to check calorie/fat values and then delete them if I don't eat them. I use it more for information on which choices to offer rather than counting their calories

RunConquerCelebrate

As a mother I think that by you making healthier choices it will help her to learn how to make the same, but I do no think this site should be used as a tool for a child. I second what another poster said consult her Pediatrician if you have concerns about her weight.