Son (10 years old) unintentionally losing weight
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All of the food in my fridge is portioned out in individual servings because that's how I store it. It's not all that odd... Someone tell me I'm not crazy. Please?
It sounds very convenient for someone who is single, or for adults in general. But I cannot imagine how this would work with kids. Honestly, I just cannot. I see my kids open the fridge all the time, get a piece of whatever when they are hungry, argue during meal time about portions, side dishes etc. I do not know, maybe there are kids out there who really can be that disciplined when it comes to food, but it just sounds weird to me.
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »
It's all food. There is no clean or non-clean. Problem is he's not eating enough of what's being given to him. Regardless of how anyone is classifying it. He's just not eating enough of it. Pretty simplelaughtoomuch wrote: »Is there a reason there are so few carbs (no bread, rice, pasta)? What you describe sounds like a weird diet for a child, to the point that it could also be boring. I could not make such a "typical" day list for my kids, because the average week has usually variety, soup with bread one day, pasta the next, pizza on a weekend, meat cooked with vegetables one day, fish the next and so on. It sounds weird for a kid to have the same lunch and dinner everyday, and also it seems weird to not have more cooked meals.
I cook on Sundays and prep food for as long as it will last. I have two fridges in my kitchen that I stock. What I listed for him is JUST what I notice he has been eating for the past few days. I currently have salmon, catfish, sautéed chicken, sandwiches, eggs, cubed turkey and bulgogi in there along with broccoli, cauliflower, edamame, carrot sticks, cucumbers, grapes, oranges, strawberries, pineapples, and blueberries. I also have a ton of greek yogurt, waters, orange juice and gatorades. I'm sure there are other things but I can't remember all of it.
I'm not measuring food for him, I'm doing it for me but I don't control what or when they eat. There is no lock on the fridge.
When I know we will be out all day, I suggest we grab a bite somewhere and they want me to bring what we have at home. I'm not forcing these food down on them...they really seem to like it.
I know chips and other junk food will add more calories to his diet...I was just hoping for other options.
You don't really need to justify your healthy eating habits. These threads about parenting always disolve into finger pointing by the 'perfect parents'.
He's only lost 2 lbs in over a month so it's obvious he's not starving. If he was eating processed foods and chips before, it's quite possible it's just water weight lost from eating a lower sodium diet now that you are eating more natural whole foods.0 -
spingirl605 wrote: »When my husband was a kid, he was very skinny, and wouldn't gain weight. His pediatrician put him on Ensure. Probably not the best route, but maybe giving him a can of ensure a day just to pack on some calories?!
Thanks. I will ask our Pedi about Ensure, or an alternative.
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »
If she is literally every day giving her 10 year old tukey cubes for lunch and grilled fish and cauliflower for dinner, and all food comes measured in cups, this is not normal eating for a child, this is setting her kid up for an eating disorder. There is clean eating, as in healthy choices, and there is obsession. An overweight adult being on a restricted and repetitive diet is one thing. Having a 10 year old follow the same diet, it is not normal. There would be absolutely nothing wrong with the child eating this menu once or twice a week, the repetition and counting everything is the weird part.
All of the food in my fridge is portioned out in individual servings because that's how I store it. It's not all that odd... Someone tell me I'm not crazy. Please?
Why would that be crazy? Seriously, now there is a right and wrong way to store food??0 -
laughtoomuch wrote: »Is there a reason there are so few carbs (no bread, rice, pasta)? What you describe sounds like a weird diet for a child, to the point that it could also be boring. I could not make such a "typical" day list for my kids, because the average week has usually variety, soup with bread one day, pasta the next, pizza on a weekend, meat cooked with vegetables one day, fish the next and so on. It sounds weird for a kid to have the same lunch and dinner everyday, and also it seems weird to not have more cooked meals.
I cook on Sundays and prep food for as long as it will last. I have two fridges in my kitchen that I stock. What I listed for him is JUST what I notice he has been eating for the past few days. I currently have salmon, catfish, sautéed chicken, sandwiches, eggs, cubed turkey and bulgogi in there along with broccoli, cauliflower, edamame, carrot sticks, cucumbers, grapes, oranges, strawberries, pineapples, and blueberries. I also have a ton of greek yogurt, waters, orange juice and gatorades. I'm sure there are other things but I can't remember all of it.
I'm not measuring food for him, I'm doing it for me but I don't control what or when they eat. There is no lock on the fridge.
When I know we will be out all day, I suggest we grab a bite somewhere and they want me to bring what we have at home. I'm not forcing these food down on them...they really seem to like it.
I know chips and other junk food will add more calories to his diet...I was just hoping for other options.
Other options are:
-making him eat more volume of these low cal foods.
-making more calorie dense foods available and encouraging him to eat it.
Full fat milk, cheeses, butter, more bread, rice, potatoes, pasta. Maybe this means you cook an extra side dish for dinner that you will have to try to ignore if you don't want this in your diet.
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »
It's all food. There is no clean or non-clean. Problem is he's not eating enough of what's being given to him. Regardless of how anyone is classifying it. He's just not eating enough of it. Pretty simplelaughtoomuch wrote: »Is there a reason there are so few carbs (no bread, rice, pasta)? What you describe sounds like a weird diet for a child, to the point that it could also be boring. I could not make such a "typical" day list for my kids, because the average week has usually variety, soup with bread one day, pasta the next, pizza on a weekend, meat cooked with vegetables one day, fish the next and so on. It sounds weird for a kid to have the same lunch and dinner everyday, and also it seems weird to not have more cooked meals.
I cook on Sundays and prep food for as long as it will last. I have two fridges in my kitchen that I stock. What I listed for him is JUST what I notice he has been eating for the past few days. I currently have salmon, catfish, sautéed chicken, sandwiches, eggs, cubed turkey and bulgogi in there along with broccoli, cauliflower, edamame, carrot sticks, cucumbers, grapes, oranges, strawberries, pineapples, and blueberries. I also have a ton of greek yogurt, waters, orange juice and gatorades. I'm sure there are other things but I can't remember all of it.
I'm not measuring food for him, I'm doing it for me but I don't control what or when they eat. There is no lock on the fridge.
When I know we will be out all day, I suggest we grab a bite somewhere and they want me to bring what we have at home. I'm not forcing these food down on them...they really seem to like it.
I know chips and other junk food will add more calories to his diet...I was just hoping for other options.
You don't really need to justify your healthy eating habits. These threads about parenting always disolve into finger pointing by the 'perfect parents'.
He's only lost 2 lbs in over a month so it's obvious he's not starving. If he was eating of processed foods and chips before, it's quite possible it's just water weight lost from eating a lower sodium diet now that you are eating more natural whole foods.
Thanks. Im going to take him to Pediatrician this week. I will let yall know what he says.
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chocolate milk with breakfast, ice cream for dessert, full fat cheese sticks and deli meats for snacks, ranch to dip veggies in, apples and peanut butter or apples and cheese, oatmealwith brown sugar and raisins! my kids love veggies and eat a ton. veggies are great but dont forget the nutrient dense and more caloric ones. sweet potatoe hash to go with the salmon, how about a huge bowl of brussel sprouts, broccoli and roasted peppers and i mean not just a few pieces but like 100grams + of each per serving! how about a salad with full fat dressing to go with those cucumbers and carrot sticks?0
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It kind of looks like from your messages that your system is that you mostly allow him to just get into the fridge and pick out whatever he wants. My suggestion would be that you control this better in order to keep him from picking just a bunch of low fat/ low cal stuff all the time. For instance, don't just let him pick out what he wants, but insist that he pick a fruit or a vegetable, then a carb or full fat dairy of some kind, then something with protein/ good fat content. If he wants a lower fat protein, fine, but make sure that he gets extra carbs or full fat dairy to make up for it. He still gets choices, but you are overseeing the menu in such a way that he doesn't end up with low cal fish, low cal veggie, and low cal fruit as every meal. Definitely get some cals in him with drinks also -- full fat milk, fruit juice, etc. It's easier to drink extra calories than to eat them. Also, maybe you can encourage him to eat more than one snack a day. Adding in a second snack of tortilla chips and guacamole or a mac and cheese cup would add a lot of calories to his day.
You could give him buttered toast with his breakfast and double up his portion of eggs since he likes those. Add butter or cheese to his veggies. Give him a cupcake or a bag of chips once in a while. Maybe take him out for pizza or tacos once a week. Not only will it help boost his calories, but it will also make sure he gets to enjoy those things now so he doesn't lose his mind when he gets older and gets to make his own choices.0 -
chocolate milk with breakfast, ice cream for dessert, full fat cheese sticks and deli meats for snacks, ranch to dip veggies in, apples and peanut butter or apples and cheese, oatmealwith brown sugar and raisins! my kids love veggies and eat a ton. veggies are great but dont forget the nutrient dense and more caloric ones. sweet potatoe hash to go with the salmon, how about a huge bowl of brussel sprouts, broccoli and roasted peppers and i mean not just a few pieces but like 100grams + of each per serving! how about a salad with full fat dressing to go with those cucumbers and carrot sticks?
Your kids will eat a bowl of broccoli and brussel sprouts?
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laughtoomuch wrote: »Is there a reason there are so few carbs (no bread, rice, pasta)? What you describe sounds like a weird diet for a child, to the point that it could also be boring. I could not make such a "typical" day list for my kids, because the average week has usually variety, soup with bread one day, pasta the next, pizza on a weekend, meat cooked with vegetables one day, fish the next and so on. It sounds weird for a kid to have the same lunch and dinner everyday, and also it seems weird to not have more cooked meals.
I cook on Sundays and prep food for as long as it will last. I have two fridges in my kitchen that I stock. What I listed for him is JUST what I notice he has been eating for the past few days. I currently have salmon, catfish, sautéed chicken, sandwiches, eggs, cubed turkey and bulgogi in there along with broccoli, cauliflower, edamame, carrot sticks, cucumbers, grapes, oranges, strawberries, pineapples, and blueberries. I also have a ton of greek yogurt, waters, orange juice and gatorades. I'm sure there are other things but I can't remember all of it.
I'm not measuring food for him, I'm doing it for me but I don't control what or when they eat. There is no lock on the fridge.
When I know we will be out all day, I suggest we grab a bite somewhere and they want me to bring what we have at home. I'm not forcing these food down on them...they really seem to like it.
I know chips and other junk food will add more calories to his diet...I was just hoping for other options.
Other options are:
-making him eat more volume of these low cal foods.
-making more calorie dense foods available and encouraging him to eat it.
Full fat milk, cheeses, butter, more bread, rice, potatoes, pasta. Maybe this means you cook an extra side dish for dinner that you will have to try to ignore if you don't want this in your diet.
The kid says he's full so he probably won't eat more volume.
I mean is a pizza or burger with fries out of the question here? You can't really make him healthier if he's already eating to his macro/micro nutrient numbers.
Pizza...he totally hates. Burger and fries he will eat. I will also try all the other suggestions. I think he would totally go for toast and butter...I might just try and butter/cheese everything.0 -
Mmm, grilled cheese with buttered bread.laughtoomuch wrote: »laughtoomuch wrote: »Is there a reason there are so few carbs (no bread, rice, pasta)? What you describe sounds like a weird diet for a child, to the point that it could also be boring. I could not make such a "typical" day list for my kids, because the average week has usually variety, soup with bread one day, pasta the next, pizza on a weekend, meat cooked with vegetables one day, fish the next and so on. It sounds weird for a kid to have the same lunch and dinner everyday, and also it seems weird to not have more cooked meals.
I cook on Sundays and prep food for as long as it will last. I have two fridges in my kitchen that I stock. What I listed for him is JUST what I notice he has been eating for the past few days. I currently have salmon, catfish, sautéed chicken, sandwiches, eggs, cubed turkey and bulgogi in there along with broccoli, cauliflower, edamame, carrot sticks, cucumbers, grapes, oranges, strawberries, pineapples, and blueberries. I also have a ton of greek yogurt, waters, orange juice and gatorades. I'm sure there are other things but I can't remember all of it.
I'm not measuring food for him, I'm doing it for me but I don't control what or when they eat. There is no lock on the fridge.
When I know we will be out all day, I suggest we grab a bite somewhere and they want me to bring what we have at home. I'm not forcing these food down on them...they really seem to like it.
I know chips and other junk food will add more calories to his diet...I was just hoping for other options.
Other options are:
-making him eat more volume of these low cal foods.
-making more calorie dense foods available and encouraging him to eat it.
Full fat milk, cheeses, butter, more bread, rice, potatoes, pasta. Maybe this means you cook an extra side dish for dinner that you will have to try to ignore if you don't want this in your diet.
The kid says he's full so he probably won't eat more volume.
I mean is a pizza or burger with fries out of the question here? You can't really make him healthier if he's already eating to his macro/micro nutrient numbers.
Pizza...he totally hates. Burger and fries he will eat. I will also try all the other suggestions. I think he would totally go for toast and butter...I might just try and butter/cheese everything.
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Well I just can't imagine how an active growing child would lose weight while having his broccoli and cauliflower dinner measured out every night....maybe if you accused him of sabotaging you every time he eats anything "dirty" that would help?
</sarcasm> if that wasn't clear-1 -
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When my 10 year old was losing weight without a medical reason my pediatrician suggested carnation instant breakfast it comes in many flavors and my daughter thought it was yummy, we did that for a few months when she was involved with sports0
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MissHolidayGolightly wrote: »chocolate milk with breakfast, ice cream for dessert, full fat cheese sticks and deli meats for snacks, ranch to dip veggies in, apples and peanut butter or apples and cheese, oatmealwith brown sugar and raisins! my kids love veggies and eat a ton. veggies are great but dont forget the nutrient dense and more caloric ones. sweet potatoe hash to go with the salmon, how about a huge bowl of brussel sprouts, broccoli and roasted peppers and i mean not just a few pieces but like 100grams + of each per serving! how about a salad with full fat dressing to go with those cucumbers and carrot sticks?
Your kids will eat a bowl of broccoli and brussel sprouts?
yes thye are are abnormal. they love the stuff! i made brussel sporouts the other day. sataued them in a pan for about 15 minutes till soft, added a tablespoon of maple syrup and then dried cranberries and pecans. mixed with some gorgonzola when serving, they literally licked the plates! but dont get me wrong, they love mac and cheese and pizza too!0 -
laughtoomuch wrote: »
Hm, I'm beginning to think there's something seriously wrong with your son.
I'd just dip the fried chicken skin in a milkshake...0 -
laughtoomuch wrote: »I currently have salmon, catfish, sautéed chicken, sandwiches, eggs, cubed turkey and bulgogi in there along with broccoli, cauliflower, edamame, carrot sticks, cucumbers, grapes, oranges, strawberries, pineapples, and blueberries. I also have a ton of greek yogurt, waters, orange juice and gatorades. I'm sure there are other things but I can't remember all of it.
All this stuff is great, but not calorie dense enough for a growing child. Even your sandwiches sound a bit sad if it's just turkey and no cheese.
Buy cheese (cheese stick are great to just grab and go). Ask him if there's any kind of yogurt he likes and buys those. My kids don't like Greek yogurt but will eat other kinds. Make some chicken salad with mayo. If you don't want to buy 'junk', make homemade pudding or muffins or bread rolls (although the Kozy Shack brand is perfectly fine).
I don't understand your dinner issue though... You say he's just grabbing what you're having... Can you not make dinner for all of you, and make some extra side dishes that he could eat?
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laughtoomuch wrote: »
Hm, I'm beginning to think there's something seriously wrong with your son.
I'd just dip the fried chicken skin in a milkshake...
I've always taken the skin off chicken too. Even when I was kid. I still do, because it's disgusting.
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MissHolidayGolightly wrote: »chocolate milk with breakfast, ice cream for dessert, full fat cheese sticks and deli meats for snacks, ranch to dip veggies in, apples and peanut butter or apples and cheese, oatmealwith brown sugar and raisins! my kids love veggies and eat a ton. veggies are great but dont forget the nutrient dense and more caloric ones. sweet potatoe hash to go with the salmon, how about a huge bowl of brussel sprouts, broccoli and roasted peppers and i mean not just a few pieces but like 100grams + of each per serving! how about a salad with full fat dressing to go with those cucumbers and carrot sticks?
Your kids will eat a bowl of broccoli and brussel sprouts?
yes thye are are abnormal. they love the stuff! i made brussel sporouts the other day. sataued them in a pan for about 15 minutes till soft, added a tablespoon of maple syrup and then dried cranberries and pecans. mixed with some gorgonzola when serving, they literally licked the plates! but dont get me wrong, they love mac and cheese and pizza too!
Good for them (and you)! I love them now (esp roasted with balsamic and garlic) but hated them as a kid.0 -
My kids love roasted Brussel sprouts, lol. I hated them as a kid too but my mom really wasn't a good cook.0
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Laurend224 wrote: »Avocado, nut butters, full fat dairy, ice cream...
yep. Caloric beverages too, like juice and milk. How about snacks? My kids have one or two snacks daily.0 -
Sorry, but I think with a kid you have to see a doctor. It's ok to grab some info off of these boards for common health matters in adults, but it'd be pretty irresponsible for anyone here to start toying with a child's diet who is inexplicably losing weight. Please just schedule your annual checkup and run this past someone with "M.D." after their name.0
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First of all, kudos to you for having such a healthy home.
Secondly, I think you should take him to the doctor just to be sure.
I had major issues with weight gain when I was a kid and it was because I had undiagnosed celiac disease. It took until I turned 23 before I figured out that I had it on my own (because no doctor would take me seriously when I had vague symptoms that grew over the years). It can start out with no symptoms and become serious over time.
I also agree that maybe he isn't eating enough, but neither did I when I was younger. I wouldn't eat things that were breaded or milk products usually because they upset my digestive tract (I would feel super nauseous whenever I had them). When I was in my late teens early twenties this turned into a pseudo eating disorder, because most things have wheat in them and I simply felt better not eating.
Eventually my celiac disease ended up turning into what seemed like weight gain from consistent joint swelling/edema but for a long time I was just a tiny little thing that looked quite ill and slept way too much.
I don't know if this is helpful or not, but if this strikes a chord with you feel free to message me.
It's worth a check up! Best of luck to you.0 -
FoCoAlphaNerd wrote: »Sorry, but I think with a kid you have to see a doctor. It's ok to grab some info off of these boards for common health matters in adults, but it'd be pretty irresponsible for anyone here to start toying with a child's diet who is inexplicably losing weight. Please just schedule your annual checkup and run this past someone with "M.D." after their name.
She said she was also taking him to a doctor, but was also looking for other ideas. Since waiting for a doctor's appointment can take weeks, she can start implementing some of these other things in the meantime.
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