Moms....How do you avoid eating after 8pm???
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Teach your kids to be independent at an early age so you're not dealing with their BS later on.
This is hard but working on it!
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Teach your kids to be independent at an early age so you're not dealing with their BS later on.
This is hard but working on it!
Let me reassure you that it is SO worth it. I love that I can tell my daughter to entertain herself for 30-45 minutes and she knows how and is comfortable with it.0 -
What helped me:
Get a kitchen timer, set it for 10 minutes and give them something to do. Our DS has the chores of picking up all the dog toys and chewies, picking up any newspapers/magazines laying around/setting the table. He didn't always do it perfectly, but it helped me, and it gave him some sense of accomplishment. Gradually it got to the point that he occupied himself for 30 minutes: chores/reading his books/putting laundry in/folding laundry. He's 12 now and his jobs have expanded to included vacuuming, taking out the garbage, etc.
My DH is awesome, but his mother did everything for him, so I think he thinks magic elves keep the household running. I'm hoping to give our son a better foundation for being a good partner when he grows up.0 -
Our daughter is in all kinds of different activities after school, so it is always a juggle. I plan every breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack on Sunday and do 100% of our shopping for the week in one day. I use our family calendar as a guide as I plan. For example, Thursday of this week is going to be bonkers with horse back lessons + school Science Fair in the evening, so I made a roast on Tuesday (eating part of it Tuesday night), knowing it will become roast beef sandwiches on the fly Thursday.
Also, we eat together at the dinner table every night, always. We are not short-order cooks. Our kid eats what we eat, when we eat it. If she doesn't like the meal, she can go help herself in the kitchen to fruit or veggies but she has to do it herself because, well, I don't like to leave my food once I start eating.
Hope this helps!0 -
I have 3 kids and they have tons of activities. Also on our own a lot. We generally eat together. 1 of mine is super picky but I make sure there is something he likes on the plate. I do not make separate meals for everyone. We cook, they eat. I've also started teaching them the basics in the kitchen.
My kids (including my picky one) will try anything once because they know if they don't like it, they will not be forced to eat anymore at that meal. My son hates broccoli but will eat his weight in clams, salmon, apples, and other things.
A quick dinner can be as easy as scrambled eggs, toast and fruit or sandwiches.
As others suggested, a crock pot can be great as can cooking things in advance.0 -
the time you eat and how quickly you eat has zero effect on your body. eating after a certain time won't effect you at all.
how old are your kids? why can't you eat while they're eating? you mention that they have homework and sports, so i'm assuming that they're mostly school aged. they can help a bit around the house, can't they? you know, tell them you need strong me to help you while dad is working late.
It really doesn't effect anything? I dont know why it is in my head that it is horrible to eat after 8pm?
I have 2 boys that are 6 and 7. They are picky eaters and rarely eat the same thing as my husband and I. So we end up eating at different times.
I love what you said....."tell them you need strong men to help you while dad is working late." I will start this tonight!
You think that because it's one of those dieting myths that won't die.
As for your kids eating different foods, so what? You can eat different foods at the same time. I still don't understand why you don't eat with them if you're concened about eating late.
I was a super picky eater and my parents often ate foods I wouldn't touch (I was VERY stubborn) so my mom woul dmake food for the adults and something small on the side for me. For the record, she also made me eat certain things, like vegetables. I had to eat a certain amount -- not a ton, but enough to get the nutrition in. It was the only thing I HAD to eat before leaving the table or having a treat.
^^ this. they say not to eat after 8pm because they want you to avoid absent minded eating late at night or whatever.
and yeah, my main childhood memory was sitting at a table and eating with the family. and i don't know if i was a picky eater or not, because my parents didn't give me a choice!! i had to eat what was put in front of me, with a few exceptions of course. my mom would NOT force my brother and i to eat boiled salted cod that my father loved, but she would make us breaded flounder with PLENTY of french fries.0 -
let the chores go and eat dinner with your kids
it wont kill anyone if things are a little messy
Also what I do is eat my meal around 5 30
then have a fruit snack wt the table while everyone else eats dinner at 6
Yeah, I also tend to do the dishes, fold laundry, etc after the kids are in bed.0 -
I'm a full time working mother of 4 ages 8-15, and I don't get home 6 and do most all of the cooking. Planning ahead is everything for me. My kids do their homework and/or chores while my husband helps/oversees and starts laundry. It's like a well oil machine most days, but it has taken plenty time and effort to get to that point. It really doesn't matter what time you eat, unless late eating triggers you to overindulge. For me, it is most important to eat together as a family and to set a good example of healthy living for my children. The fact that it is normal for us that even my teeanger only drinks water and leaves his phone in his room when we have dinner together every night and get to have great family conversations about our days is what makes all the work and preparation worth it. Sports are very important to us, but I refuse to let any individual one overshadow the needs of the rest of the family including myself. I have no problem dropping off one of mine for 2 hour football practices 3 times a week so I can go back home and take care of everything else. Try making one small change every week that will get you closer to a routine that is good for all of you 0
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the time you eat and how quickly you eat has zero effect on your body. eating after a certain time won't effect you at all.
how old are your kids? why can't you eat while they're eating? you mention that they have homework and sports, so i'm assuming that they're mostly school aged. they can help a bit around the house, can't they? you know, tell them you need strong me to help you while dad is working late.
It really doesn't effect anything? I dont know why it is in my head that it is horrible to eat after 8pm?
I have 2 boys that are 6 and 7. They are picky eaters and rarely eat the same thing as my husband and I. So we end up eating at different times.
I love what you said....."tell them you need strong men to help you while dad is working late." I will start this tonight!
Meal timing doesn't matter. I eat ice cream every night around 10pm because it's awesome. Eat whenever you want. Just stay within your calorie goal.
As for picky eaters - if my 4 year old doesn't eat what we are having for dinner that's fine. But I tell her she doesn't get anything until tomorrow's breakfast. Sometimes she eats. Sometimes she picks at her food. It's her choice but we are not going to make her a separate meal every night.0 -
im not a mum...but..
cup of tea and a small planned snack like a biscuit,
something to look forward too and a treat, usually around 150cals altogether, works for me 0 -
It really doesn't effect anything? I dont know why it is in my head that it is horrible to eat after 8pm?
It's a common weight-loss guideline.
One reason is that there's a *correlation* between people who eat late at night and being overweight. This is because late-night eating tends to be eating large amounts of food while watching television and/or partying late and eating pizza while drinking alcohol. It is not the late-night that causes the weight gain but rather the uncontrolled quantities. Someone who is used to snacking while watching television may very well need to make a rule like this for herself.
But under controlled calories and barring medical conditions, there is no reason to restrict when you eat. You should eat when it works for you and your schedule.0 -
I eat my last meal at 9:30-10pm... It is nothing but protein though... I have a meal around 6-7pm that consists of egg whites and veggies or a lean white meat and veggies and then I eat again after kids are down. I understand the stress and demand that a family has for a mother... But as long as you are not cramming sugars and carbs (which turns into sugar) in then you will be fine... The protein does not keep your body awake like the sugars do while you should be resting... Yes, you can go to sleep after eating sugar, but you body is not resting as it should while you are asleep because of the "high" sugar gives you. Hope this helps!0
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I just eat whenever my daughter eats. I don't usually get home until 530-6 and I cook as soon as I get home unless we are having leftovers. I try not to eat after 9 because that's usually when I go to bed but just eat whenever you children eat.0
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It really doesn't effect anything? I dont know why it is in my head that it is horrible to eat after 8pm?
It's a common weight-loss guideline.
One reason is that there's a *correlation* between people who eat late at night and being overweight. This is because late-night eating tends to be eating large amounts of food while watching television and/or partying late and eating pizza while drinking alcohol. It is not the late-night that causes the weight gain but rather the uncontrolled quantities. Someone who is used to snacking while watching television may very well need to make a rule like this for herself.
But under controlled calories and barring medical conditions, there is no reason to restrict when you eat. You should eat when it works for you and your schedule.
Totally agree with this!0 -
I eat my last meal at 9:30-10pm... It is nothing but protein though... I have a meal around 6-7pm that consists of egg whites and veggies or a lean white meat and veggies and then I eat again after kids are down. I understand the stress and demand that a family has for a mother... But as long as you are not cramming sugars and carbs (which turns into sugar) in then you will be fine... The protein does not keep your body awake like the sugars do while you should be resting... Yes, you can go to sleep after eating sugar, but you body is not resting as it should while you are asleep because of the "high" sugar gives you. Hope this helps!
No, this is literally all bunk advice and should be totally ignored.0 -
the time you eat and how quickly you eat has zero effect on your body. eating after a certain time won't effect you at all.
how old are your kids? why can't you eat while they're eating? you mention that they have homework and sports, so i'm assuming that they're mostly school aged. they can help a bit around the house, can't they? you know, tell them you need strong me to help you while dad is working late.
It really doesn't effect anything? I dont know why it is in my head that it is horrible to eat after 8pm?
I have 2 boys that are 6 and 7. They are picky eaters and rarely eat the same thing as my husband and I. So we end up eating at different times.
I love what you said....."tell them you need strong men to help you while dad is working late." I will start this tonight!
You think that because it's one of those dieting myths that won't die.
As for your kids eating different foods, so what? You can eat different foods at the same time. I still don't understand why you don't eat with them if you're concened about eating late.
I was a super picky eater and my parents often ate foods I wouldn't touch (I was VERY stubborn) so my mom woul dmake food for the adults and something small on the side for me. For the record, she also made me eat certain things, like vegetables. I had to eat a certain amount -- not a ton, but enough to get the nutrition in. It was the only thing I HAD to eat before leaving the table or having a treat.
I want to second this. Just because you eat different things, it doesn't mean you can't eat together. Just the other night, we all had different foods on our plates but we were still sitting down eating together. We have a 7 and 3 year old and we're lucky that our oldest has never been picky, so she's easy. Our youngest seriously doesn't like most carbs or processed foods and prefers to eat mostly only fruit, veggies and dairy products with the occasional sausage or hot dog thrown in. To make life easier, we do try to incorporate elements that everyone likes with the meal, but, eating together does give you the opportunity to have your kids try new things. When they are healthy things, we make our kids try at least one bite with each meal for the exposure. I grew up truly disliking most veggies and fish and a lot of other things. I've grown to like a lot of these things, but it's taken me some work.0 -
I don't necessarily eat the same thing as my kids but we eat together most of the time. I'll cook say, chicken and veg for all of us and add Mac and cheese or something for the kids. I also agree with other people that the kids can help tidy up at almost any age to help you out. Crock pots are great and pre cooking for a few extra meals helps save time too. Eating lots of fibre and protein at dinner will help keep you full in the evenings. Also sometimes a big mug of tea in the evening takes the edge off the munchies. You've got this girl! 0
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i still don't get why you can't eat at the same time? I'm a mother if 2 and have to disagree with making them separate meals btw. Make a dinner and all sit down to eat it, if they choose to be picky that's their choice not to eat.the time you eat and how quickly you eat has zero effect on your body. eating after a certain time won't effect you at all.
how old are your kids? why can't you eat while they're eating? you mention that they have homework and sports, so i'm assuming that they're mostly school aged. they can help a bit around the house, can't they? you know, tell them you need strong me to help you while dad is working late.
It really doesn't effect anything? I dont know why it is in my head that it is horrible to eat after 8pm?
I have 2 boys that are 6 and 7. They are picky eaters and rarely eat the same thing as my husband and I. So we end up eating at different times.
I love what you said....."tell them you need strong men to help you while dad is working late." I will start this tonight!0 -
I think the thing about late night eating isn't that most people are tired and they make poorer choices.
When I look at when I make the poorer choices it is always after 6 p.m....unless I have something ready to eat when I'm hungry.
I also have a family rule: Kitchen closes at 8 p.m. That means for everyone.0 -
How about you parent your way and let others parent their way?
i still don't get why you can't eat at the same time? I'm a mother if 2 and have to disagree with making them separate meals btw. Make a dinner and all sit down to eat it, if they choose to be picky that's their choice not to eat.the time you eat and how quickly you eat has zero effect on your body. eating after a certain time won't effect you at all.
how old are your kids? why can't you eat while they're eating? you mention that they have homework and sports, so i'm assuming that they're mostly school aged. they can help a bit around the house, can't they? you know, tell them you need strong me to help you while dad is working late.
It really doesn't effect anything? I dont know why it is in my head that it is horrible to eat after 8pm?
I have 2 boys that are 6 and 7. They are picky eaters and rarely eat the same thing as my husband and I. So we end up eating at different times.
I love what you said....."tell them you need strong men to help you while dad is working late." I will start this tonight!
If she wants to make them something different, that's her business. That isn't the issue here.0 -
seriously, how picky are we talking about? cuz i didn't know picky until my nephew refused to eat homemade mac & cheese because it wasn't spongebob mac & cheese. and the kid was staaaaaaarving.0
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We eat together most of the time. I am more referring to those night when my husband is working late, there are multiple sports, homework and so on.....and I am the one doing it all. Now that I know it isn't the end of the world to eat late as long as I'm still in my calories - I'm not gonna stress about it anymore. Just need to pre-plan and prepare the meals ahead of time
My kids still feel loved and aren't gonna be angry teenagers cause we didn't sit for dinner together 7 nights a week. I clearly did not word my question properly.0 -
We eat together most of the time. I am more referring to those night when my husband is working late, there are multiple sports, homework and so on.....and I am the one doing it all. Now that I know it isn't the end of the world to eat late as long as I'm still in my calories - I'm not gonna stress about it anymore. Just need to pre-plan and prepare the meals ahead of time
My kids still feel loved and aren't gonna be angry teenagers cause we didn't sit for dinner together 7 nights a week. I clearly did not word my question properly.
You are doing a fabulous job. Parent the way you see fit and keep doing what you are doing. Good luck OP! :flowerforyou:0 -
seriously, how picky are we talking about? cuz i didn't know picky until my nephew refused to eat homemade mac & cheese because it wasn't spongebob mac & cheese. and the kid was staaaaaaarving.
That exact kind of picky! My 6 year old will and has gone multiple days if we play the "this is it or nothing" game.0 -
i still don't get why you can't eat at the same time? I'm a mother if 2 and have to disagree with making them separate meals btw. Make a dinner and all sit down to eat it, if they choose to be picky that's their choice not to eat.the time you eat and how quickly you eat has zero effect on your body. eating after a certain time won't effect you at all.
how old are your kids? why can't you eat while they're eating? you mention that they have homework and sports, so i'm assuming that they're mostly school aged. they can help a bit around the house, can't they? you know, tell them you need strong me to help you while dad is working late.
It really doesn't effect anything? I dont know why it is in my head that it is horrible to eat after 8pm?
I have 2 boys that are 6 and 7. They are picky eaters and rarely eat the same thing as my husband and I. So we end up eating at different times.
I love what you said....."tell them you need strong men to help you while dad is working late." I will start this tonight!
Yep, that. Unless someone isn't physically in the house, all 4 members of my family eat together every night. I have a 2 year old and a 4 year old, and I didn't truly comprehend "picky" until I had to cook for them. The 4 year old will eat a decent variety of foods, but volume is an issue with him - getting 2 bites of dinner food into his mouth is a struggle. The 2 year old would never stop eating if we let her, but unless it's made of primarily carbs, she doesn't want it. My approach is to make one meal for everyone, and try to incorporate at least one item that I know each of my kids actually like - that shouldn't be too hard, right? - and make my best efforts to get them to try to eat a little of everything...but if they won't eat what's in front of them and they're still hungry, tough cookies.
Family dinner is SO important. Time and time again it's been shown that kids who sit down to a family dinner more often than not will get into less trouble, will have better eating habits, will be more engaged with their parents...it's worth it. Even if you're making 2 completely different meals, try to make it a point to make them at the same time. (Edited to add that I just saw your comment that you're talking about exceptions, not the rule. Point taken . Sounds like you're doing great!)
With all that said...that's more parenting advice than diet advice
. As so many others have mentioned, it doesn't matter from a diet perspective what time you eat within the confines of meeting your calorie and macro goals overall for the day (or, even, the week). 0 -
the time you eat and how quickly you eat has zero effect on your body. eating after a certain time won't effect you at all.
how old are your kids? why can't you eat while they're eating? you mention that they have homework and sports, so i'm assuming that they're mostly school aged. they can help a bit around the house, can't they? you know, tell them you need strong me to help you while dad is working late.
This! I have four children and with how hectic things can be, my main concern is making sure the kids are fed, clean and in bed early enough for school in the morning. Sometimes I have my dinner nice and early, and other nights really late. The time you eat your meals really has no effect. Calories in vs. calories out.0 -
I eat a late snack every night and I am losing steadily.0
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How about you parent your way and let others parent their way?
i still don't get why you can't eat at the same time? I'm a mother if 2 and have to disagree with making them separate meals btw. Make a dinner and all sit down to eat it, if they choose to be picky that's their choice not to eat.the time you eat and how quickly you eat has zero effect on your body. eating after a certain time won't effect you at all.
how old are your kids? why can't you eat while they're eating? you mention that they have homework and sports, so i'm assuming that they're mostly school aged. they can help a bit around the house, can't they? you know, tell them you need strong me to help you while dad is working late.
It really doesn't effect anything? I dont know why it is in my head that it is horrible to eat after 8pm?
I have 2 boys that are 6 and 7. They are picky eaters and rarely eat the same thing as my husband and I. So we end up eating at different times.
I love what you said....."tell them you need strong men to help you while dad is working late." I will start this tonight!
If she wants to make them something different, that's her business. That isn't the issue here.
i don't think anyone is questioning the OP's parenting, but maybe her time management skills. it's a really therapeutic thing to just sit down with your family for 30 minutes and just eat and enjoy everyone's company.0 -
We eat together most of the time. I am more referring to those night when my husband is working late, there are multiple sports, homework and so on.....and I am the one doing it all. Now that I know it isn't the end of the world to eat late as long as I'm still in my calories - I'm not gonna stress about it anymore. Just need to pre-plan and prepare the meals ahead of time
My kids still feel loved and aren't gonna be angry teenagers cause we didn't sit for dinner together 7 nights a week. I clearly did not word my question properly.
I think it makes more sense now for sure. You're doing just fine. We don't always sit down together -- even if we are in the same place. Do whatever works for you.0 -
I agree the not eating together every night/eating the same foods thing isn't a big deal. It just seems like it might make your life easier to at least eat at the same time, so you're getting that out of the way and freeing up some time for yourself.We eat together most of the time. I am more referring to those night when my husband is working late, there are multiple sports, homework and so on.....and I am the one doing it all. Now that I know it isn't the end of the world to eat late as long as I'm still in my calories - I'm not gonna stress about it anymore. Just need to pre-plan and prepare the meals ahead of time
My kids still feel loved and aren't gonna be angry teenagers cause we didn't sit for dinner together 7 nights a week. I clearly did not word my question properly.
I'm a vegetarian but no one else in my house is, so we eat different things all the time. It doesn't really take more time to make two or three things, though, if you keep it simple.0
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