My kids won't eat breakfast!

rebawagner

HELP...My kids won't eat breakfast! I buy cereal, yogurt, breakfast bars, fruit, pop tarts EVERYTHING and they just don't want anything. I did get them to drink a yogurt drink but other then that they say "no, I am just not hungry mom!"...any ideas?!

pandabear_

I wouldn't eat breakfast either. I just couldn't eat that early and not feel sick when I was younger.

I guess if they get hungry, they will want food. So give them a snack to take on the way to school, maybe?

Givemewings

You need to tell them that breakfast is not an option. Tell them that
they must choose one of these things!

moushtie

If they eat well otherwise and are healthy, I would say maybe they don't like solid food first thing. I know a lot of people don't. They could take something with them for later in the day if you're worried. At least they're getting yoghurt, right?

daniface

smoothiessssss

mrmanmeat

HELP...My kids won't eat breakfast! I buy cereal, yogurt, breakfast bars, fruit, pop tarts EVERYTHING and they just don't want anything. I did get them to drink a yogurt drink but other then that they say "no, I am just not hungry mom!"...any ideas?!

You're the parent. Make them eat. Stop babying them.

Take something away or discipline them if you have to.

mustanggirl_2011

My 5 yr old is like that. She only wants chocolate milk so I have been getting her the carnation instant breakfast and she just drinks that. If she's been up for a while she will eat something but rarely.

lisapickering

I couldn't eat breakfast until I was an adult... I couldn't stomach it. Can they have a snack mid morning (at school?) Send them with protein snacks -- yogurt, cheese sticks. I know that it's the most important meal and now I can't live without it but I totally get not being able to eat in the morning.

prettyfitchick

Try to find out why they dont want to eat breakfast. When I was younger breakfast literally made me feel sick I didnt start eating breakfst til I was at least 21. I would get nausea and an upset tummy to this day I dont know why it made me feel that way

mcottle292

I have a great suggestion! My kids are the same way. Buy a juicer! You can put LOADS of great nutrient rich fruits and veggies in there and they will drink it up!

vettle

when I was younger I couldn't eat it either. I didn't start eating breakfast until my university years believe it or not. I still turned out fine. So don't fret it. It is important for development but if they won't eat, don't force them.

I know it's an extra step, but the things you are buying don't' require a lot of prep or nutritional value. Maybe try getting them to make their breakfast, or have their recess snack more of a breakfast item that they have to prepare. Kids tend to eat what they make.

good luck!

Deckershann

Eating breakfast was not an option for me! Hell, in a family of six we had "breakfast days" where each kid rotated who's day it was to cook breakfast!

Of course, now I'm out of the house and rarely eat much for breakfast lol!

NeuroticVirgo

It bothers me too (my daughter doesn't eat breakfast a good 80% of the time). But I would send them to school with a protein/fiber bar of some sort for a snack between breakfast and lunch. As long as they are eating good the rest of the day. Also, my daughter is more inclined to eat breakfast if I cook it. Like if I make eggs, or bacon, or french toast...I dunno...then she's all over it. LOL

vettle

I have a great suggestion! My kids are the same way. Buy a juicer! You can put LOADS of great nutrient rich fruits and veggies in there and they will drink it up!

hmmm that's a good idea! then they would be helping with the prep and kids love juice.

4cookiesmom

I can't eat first thing in the morning either. My girls are the same way. They carry a snack with them on the way to school. They don't always like the traditional breakfast foods either. Sometimes it's a cheese stick and fruit or hummus and veggies. Or something leftover from dinner the night before. I think as long as it is healthy and they get a little something in them, it is better than not eating anything at all.

angijunbug

Maybe try a yummy granola or protein bar or a healthy shake/smoothie. My kids will eat natural peanut butter on a spoon, 1/2 of a banana & a glass of almond milk for breakfast. Sometimes an actual pb sandwich or dry cheerios.
I wasn't a breakfast eater either. Still not. I have to force myself to eat at breakfast. We had lots of carnation instant breakfast or ovaltine in the house when I was growing up. Good luck!

By the way, I still don't know how to make a kid eat & I wouldn't make them eat if their not hungry. They will eat when they are hungry.

rainunrefined

"Make them eat?" I don't understand this. Most of us are here to lose weight.. why force your child to eat if they simply aren't hungry? The hunger/full mechanism is lost when people eat when they aren't hungry or over eat. Those kids probably know their true hunger level better than we do.

On another note, I do understand the importance of breakfast. It provides fuel for the day and is very important for their growing brains and bodies especially before school. I think the yogurt is a good idea, if they are hungry and they like it they will eat it. Have you tried the yogurt packets - Gogurt or something? You could give it to them to have if they get hungry later in the morning. Cheese sticks, whole wheat crackers, etc. Someone suggested smoothies, kids love smoothies - not really a to-go option but might work at home.

Good luck.

HMonsterX

This is the only time ill be saying this!

Breakfast IS the most important meal!

...for kids. It's been proven that it helps their concentration at school. So, like someone else said, discipline! Softly softly wont work, you have to make them realise they MUST eat something, else...no videogames when they get home from school!

marquesajen

When I was younger, middle to high school, I felt sick to my stomach when I ate really early. My high school bus picked us up at 6.50am! I don't know what to tell you, but to pack an extra big lunch maybe or offer and non-breakfast food for breakfast and see if that helps.

cessnaholly

As long as they eat healthy when they do eat I wouldn't sweat it. My kids snack all day.

My rule is that they have to eat healthy things and then can eat when they want what they choose. BUT, we expect them to also sit at the table with us for lunch and dinner and eat a meal which they do. If it turns that they aren't hungry at regular meal times then we cut down on the snacks.

I figure that they haven't learned poor eating habit yet so I am letting their body tell them when to eat and what to eat. And mostly they eat veggies and dairy. Very little meat. They are active and healthy so that works for us.

Good luck on your own journey.

twistofcain

I couldn't eat breakfast during the school week due to it making me ill. Usually, if i ate breakfast I left for school within 10 minutes afterwards, so I would get really car sick. Yet, on the weekend I would eat at the same time and then go somewhere within the same 10 minute span after eating and would be fine. I guess the thought of being bored all day at school coupled with eating just made me sick.


I would for sure ask why they do not want to eat breakfast, and it could be they may not like the selection. I know that with our son, if we feed him the same thing without variety, he will usually refuse and we end up giving him milk to hold him over until his mid-morning snack; granted he is two, but variety tends to help us all so we do not get bored.

BrandNewMia

My daughter resists breakfast, as well, but she knows it is NOT optional - she MUST eat something at home and drink a glass of water before school, too.

I am not too picky about what she eats. As long as it isn't junk, she can have it. I let her pick a breakfast cereal or yogurt at the store (that I have to approve of), or she'll eat sausage, sliced turkey, boiled or scrambled eggs, a piece of fruit, or like today she ate several tablespoons of peanut butter. She's even eaten leftover meat from dinner the night before (she LOVES chicken and pork chops, would eat them all the time!).

My point is - tell them they have to eat, but let them decide what it is (with Mom's final approval, of course!). My daughter is like me, we don't like a lot of sweet things in the morning and a lot of traditional breakfast items are so sugary. I'm OK with anything she picks out as long as it is somewhat healthy, breakfast food or not.

scraver2003

I don't really understand what the big hoopla is over not eating breakfast. If they are healthy and eat their veggies and such through out the day - I, personally, wouldn't worry about it. I know I got to be over weight by eating when I wasn't really hungry, so I will not be forcing my son to eat when he isn't hungry. Forcing them to eat or be punished (like a PP suggested) sounds like a great way to set them up for eating issues later in life. I don't think there should be punishment OR reward around food. Food is food. Not hungry - then don't eat. BUT I don't think they should not be eating breakfast and then eating garbage later.

crazyeaCHANGED

When I was a kid Iused to skip breakfast as well. That was until I fainted in woodshop. After that I ate my breakfast.

koosdel

Mother had a wicked fast back hand. She could also run faster than me.

reneelee

Had the same problem so I would by vanilla carnation instant breakfast and blend it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. My daughter has never had a weight problem, but she claims I tried to make her fat by adding ice cream to her breakfast drink. I stand firm in saying the girl never finished any thing if she drank a quarter of the drink she was doing good.

TiffanyA2008

HELP...My kids won't eat breakfast! I buy cereal, yogurt, breakfast bars, fruit, pop tarts EVERYTHING and they just don't want anything. I did get them to drink a yogurt drink but other then that they say "no, I am just not hungry mom!"...any ideas?!

You're the parent. Make them eat. Stop babying them.

Take something away or discipline them if you have to.

^^^THIS^^^

My kids are almost 4 and 2 and they already know that breakfast is NOT an option. Don't allow them to win. YOU are the parent here therefore YOU make the rules. My kids know they cannot leave the table until most of their food is gone.

mcottle292

Mother had a wicked fast back hand. She could also run faster than me.

:laugh: bahahahaha!!!! :laugh:

tlems

My 7-year old is the same way, always has been. She is in 2nd grade now, and ever since she has started school, breakfast has not been an option. End of discussion. Kids who do not eat breakfast perform worse in school.

I have recently not given her a choice and just put whatever I prepare in front of her and there is no discussion about it. This is working for us for now. Before and when this doesn't work anymore, here are some of the things we did.

Chocolate milk, AKA Carnation instant breakfast. Not ideal but better than nothing.
2% String Cheese and juice
Oatmeal to-go bars

mcottle292

Had the same problem so I would by vanilla carnation instant breakfast and blend it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. My daughter has never had a weight problem, but she claims I tried to make her fat by adding ice cream to her breakfast drink. I stand firm in saying the girl never finished any thing if she drank a quarter of the drink she was doing good.

Ice Cream for breakfast??? I am there!!!

catwrangler

I don't really understand what the big hoopla is over not eating breakfast. If they are healthy and eat their veggies and such through out the day - I, personally, wouldn't worry about it. I know I got to be over weight by eating when I wasn't really hungry, so I will not be forcing my son to eat when he isn't hungry. Forcing them to eat or be punished (like a PP suggested) sounds like a great way to set them up for eating issues later in life. I don't think there should be punishment OR reward around food. Food is food. Not hungry - then don't eat. BUT I don't think they should not be eating breakfast and then eating garbage later.

^^^^^ THIS

and THIS VVVVV

"Make them eat?" I don't understand this. Most of us are here to lose weight.. why force your child to eat if they simply aren't hungry? The hunger/full mechanism is lost when people eat when they aren't hungry or over eat. Those kids probably know their true hunger level better than we do.

On another note, I do understand the importance of breakfast. It provides fuel for the day and is very important for their growing brains and bodies especially before school. I think the yogurt is a good idea, if they are hungry and they like it they will eat it. Have you tried the yogurt packets - Gogurt or something? You could give it to them to have if they get hungry later in the morning. Cheese sticks, whole wheat crackers, etc. Someone suggested smoothies, kids love smoothies - not really a to-go option but might work at home.

Good luck.