No kids here, but if you do, I have a question for you.

Linli_Anne

No calorie counting here.

I am teaching my kids about healthy balanced choices. I don't deny them, but there are some "rules" that they know about eating. Like, our breakfast cereal for example. I don't allow sugary/chocolately/highly processed breakfast cereals to be part of their morning. But, sometimes we will buy mini boxes as a treat for camping.

Also, when they do ask for treats/cookies/junk, they are allowed their portion (I help lay that out for them). When they are done, if they ask for more treat, then I remind them that their body must be hungry and needs a healthy snack.

We've never really denied them sweets/junk, and once a month we have family pizza night, and they know that means they get to have pop too. My kids are already good at making healthy choices - and will often ask me for fruit, cheese, yogurt as a snack (or they just help themselves)

EatClean_WashUrNuts

If you're kids are overweight due to non-medical issues, you are failing as parent. This, alone, should answer your question.

FitForLife81

NO way...........I tell them to eat when they are hungry and we do not do hardly ANY prepackaged snacks. We eat fresh fruit, veggies, and lean meat! They get a treat once in a while but no calorie counting here!

OfficiallySexyVal

My son is only 18 months so I don't feel the need to count his calories however if he keeps eating "mommys healthy food" then there will be no need to. He loves his veggies, that is the first thing gone from his plate!

serena569

I did but not because I was worried she'd gain weight. I watched for the opposite reason. I wanted to make sure she ate enough to maintain. She was always so busy that she didn't have time to eat. Rushing here and there. Talking during school lunch rather than eating. Eating a few bites and declaring herself full so she could go out to play. Everybody had an opinion and many diagnosed her with an eating disorder.

When she went to college, her "freshman 15" was a loss of eight rather than a gain. Eight is a big beal when you only weigh 106 to begin with!

Now she pays attention to what she eats. I've even suggested MFP to help her make sure she eats enough. She did gain back the weight over 6 months and is back to her healthy weight of 106 and she has maintained that.

99clmsntgr

My wife and I have 2 kids, ages 5 and 2. We do not "count their calories" from a strict sense, but we do try to enforce smart choices and smart portion sizes (there's no way a 2-year-old should get the same size portion I or any other adult gets). I don't ever want to tell my kids "you can't have that," but there are some things we limit -- candy, cookies, snack-y foods like chips, etc. They're allowed one dessert-type item in the evening, but only if they behave all day and only if they eat all their dinner ("If you're too full for dinner, you're too full for cookies." You don't know how many times I've said that.). My 2 year old is all about sandwiches right now. So we indulge this for him, but it's usually a half sandwich. When we make lunch, if they want chips or junk, they need to have something healthy first -- usually some grapes or cut up pears or apples. Then we limit the amount they get so they don't go overboard. If they want more, we ask them to just wait a few minutes to make sure. 9 times out of 10, if we don't remind them they asked for more, they wander off, get busy and forget about wanting more.

We're trying to teach them healthy choices and that the "bad" foods are OK to have, just not in large quantities. We have a couple pictures of me around the house from when I weighed 340 pounds, which have helped teach *why* you don't want to just hog out on junk food all the time. I think they get it. I think they appreciate the leeway we give them. As others have stated, we're trying not to set them down the path to an eating disorder, just toward proper eating.

BelindaDuvessa

No.....but I do try to make sure they eat balanced meals. My kiddos love their fruits and veggies, but sometimes shy away from meats.

NostalgicMuse

NO, that would be a whole other side of crazy that I don't want to see myself reach. TYVM. I do, however, make sure they eat a balanced meal and limit sweets, sugary drinks and just in general try to make sure they have good eating habits- eat only @ the table, only eat at specified times during the day, make healthy options available. I also involve my kids in the kitchen and help them to learn healthy ways to prepare food and learn a love of SHARING the food we make.

megalin9

I NEVER keep track of calories for my 4 year old and 2 year old. My 4 year old is borderline natural vegetarian. That child loves most green things, and is willing to try almost anything. I have no concerns for her. She was pretty chunky when when she was younger, and while I have not been trying to get her to lose weight, she has gone down about 3lbs in the last year or so and has really leaned out. She looks healthy, and she always talks about how we should eat to make our bodies healthy and strong. We talk about foods that are "good for our insides."

My 2 year old is picky and prefers all-things bread...but he's 2. My 4 year old was picky at that age as well.

I WISH I could count my 14-year-old step-daughter's calories. She is going down a very dangerous path. Her dad is oblivious and not concerned, and she has no concept of "healthy" or not. But...I'm only the stepmom.

mommyrox05

Never! I just make sure that they eat healthy balanced meals, and snacks :happy:

Meg_78

No, I make healthy meals for my whole family, with treats occasionally. If anything i keep an eye on them getting enough cals, they are skinny little things who don't stop moving anyway.

nturner612

no way! i can barely keep up with my own let alone 2 other human beings! they eat whatever.

TaniaCorric

My (almost) 3 year old is over weight (44lbs 40"), always has been big since birth and it's been a constant stress for me trying to keep her calorie consumption down. I dont count her calories per se, maybe I should, just try to stop her eating too much. She will literally spend all day every day begging for food and i'm constantly having to say no it's a nightmare. It's very hard to explain to her why she can't be eating all the time though, she's not old enough to understand why i'm saying no.

i have 3 girls and all 3 went through this faise ( they r very small though) i just allways offered friut or carrot sticks and they soon grow out of it, oh and give them plenty of water as thirst can be confused as hunger

wilberfamily

I have a kind of unusual situation here. Both of my kids have been significantly under weight so I watch to make sure they are eating enough. They were premies (twins) and have had a hard time taking in enough food at times. We try to not make a big deal out of it but make meal times more fun and exciting so they will want to eat but don't push if they are really done.

jenny95662

No but I make sure they have healthy snack with some stuff not so healthy mixed in. If they want something sweet they might get it for desert in moderation.

luxxeey

I just don't buy junk food that much and when I do I make sure they eat atleast a something healthy before.

JenniBaby85

Nope. I just make sure to feed them the right stuff. They are both healthy (only my baby just started on baby food ) so there hasn't been a reason to.

cmcorn26

No, I don't, neither of my kids is even slightly overweight. Haha, my sons friends( they are 14) take pictures of his muscles!! My dtr needs encouragement to stay active, and loves having a nice figure. She understands that as she gets older healthy food choices will be a must. I have been teaching her to read food labels, watch prices etc at the store when we go. I think it is about education and that needs to start early.

JosephVitte

I just spent the last 45 minutes or so reading the last 3 or 4 pages of responses, from where I left off previously. Either I'm a slow reader, or I really wanted to dissect all the responses, probably a combination of both. There are some really really interesting responses. Thanks you!

Kassadeedle

Noo...but he's only 4. If he was overweight when he's a but older then maybe but he's a little bean pole.

petersonabt

Nope I don't count his calories and probably never will. kids are so active they are always burning burning burning calories. my kid is skinny as skinny can be even though he eats like a cow. he is like his father in that sense.

carryingon

Interesting here you should mention breast feeding for the first year of life to help prevent obesity I jhave 5 and breast fed for first 3 years each and also no obesity or denrtal problems!I wonder if there a connection??
Ohh-hell no! The last thing I want is for my kids to have eating disorders:( I give them healthy meals. They eat what they want from the meal. I never use the clean your plate or take another bite tactic. If they say they are full they are excused. The food goes in the trash. They are offered something healthy the next time they are hungry. I let them eat junk food too because I want them to learn how to eat it moderately now. I make sure they get a lot of exercise. We play outside a lot, go to the park, jump on the bed, and dance. Teaching them a healthy lifestyle so they don't have to learn the hard way ps My selfish reason for breastfeeding each of my children for their first year of life was to protect them from obesity. Good question. I'm interested in the other answers.

I am a certified lactation consultant. Research does show that breastfeeding reduces the risk of -obesity, diabetes, allergies, dental problems,childhood cancers, gastrointestinal problems, ear infections, and sids (note-reduces risk, not completely prevents).

annabellj

I disagree with most. I wasn't taught how to care for my body. My daughter is 14 and is very active in helping me with my lifestyle changes and is learning herself. She is at a perfect weight and we talk about exercising and how it keeps your weight where it should be. I think more parents need to educated their kids.

education and calorie counting are two different things. we talk about how to eat healthy. they have never had any issues until exercise became an issue with college. they have a healthy relationship with food which is something my parents were not able to provide for reasons i wont go into.

Jen32285

I don't. My daughter is almost 7, she weighs around 55lbs. She doesn't look fat at all, she is rock solid though. My son is 4, weighs 32-34lbs. He was 22lbs at 4 months old. He needs 5T jeans for his length, but can still fit in 2T for waist. He is tall and skinny. I have been more aware of what they eat. I was chubby as a kid and I don't want them to go through the teasing like I did.

lisag2007

My child is two....at that picky eater stage. I try to watch his sugar intake...cookies and things like that. But if I get him to eat half of each meal he sits down to, I am happy. I also give him very little juice. Maybe once or twice a week and highly dluted with water. He sees me walking on the treadmill and when he sees me put my running shoes on, he says "Let's run, Momma.". So he knows or is learning exercise is a good thing and fun, so hopefully he will keep it up with me as he gets older. As far as calorie counting...no. I have a hard enough time doing that for myself. Besides, how do I know what I give him goes in his mouth or the dogs? LOL

melbatoast917

Yes, I do for my son as he has a little bit of a weight issue that he wishes to correct with modified diet and exercise. My daughter is blessed with a great metabolism so she gets away with eating anything/everything.

campi_mama

Ohh-hell no! The last thing I want is for my kids to have eating disorders:( I give them healthy meals. They eat what they want from the meal. I never use the clean your plate or take another bite tactic. If they say they are full they are excused. The food goes in the trash. They are offered something healthy the next time they are hungry. I let them eat junk food too because I want them to learn how to eat it moderately now. I make sure they get a lot of exercise. We play outside a lot, go to the park, jump on the bed, and dance. Teaching them a healthy lifestyle so they don't have to learn the hard way ps My selfish reason for breastfeeding each of my children for their first year of life was to protect them from obesity. Good question. I'm interested in the other answers.

Me too...almost exactly

Snikkee

I am not judgmental, I am just seriously curious. Do you count your child's calories?, or watch over there calorie intake?. I'm not referring to grown children, no longer at home, but if you still have little ones at home, how do you decide what to do, and what factors go into your decision making?

Once again, I'm not hear to judge, I'm just curious!


Thank you.

I have a 3 year old boy and I DO NOT count calories for him, that is absurd to me. LOL I provide him with healthy meals, and yes he doesnt always eat healthy but he is a toddler and their bodies and metabolisms are different then ours. If he says he is full at any meal or simply that he doesnt want to eat anymore I in no way make him finish all his food before he can get down. I hated that as a kid and forcing a child to eat more when they are full is just stupid.

Lalamontour

no way. I have two teenage boys and they are very skinny.I actually wish they would eat more. but if they are not hungry that is ok too

AyaKara

I'm not anywhere close to having kids right now (at least 10 more years), but I have thought about this before.

No calorie/ macro counting until 15-16 (aka moving from general intramurals to fitness & team playing), but they will -always- be eating healthy in my household & making the right food choices from birth on.