Children and snacking

sweet_lotus
sweet_lotus Posts: 194 Member
edited November 12 in Food and Nutrition
I don't have kids (can't, unfortunately). But I do spend a lot of time with my nieces and nephews, some of whom are overweight, like many of their generation.

One thing I notice is that they are given snacks...all day. I rode in my sister's van recently and she mentioned how she needed to get it detailed because of the kids' snacks crumbs and spilled juice and milk. My niece is served a snack at everything she attends - girl scouts, bible study, etc. They are sent to school with snacks in their bag for the bus.

When I was a kid, my Dad would flip out if we ate in the car (unless it was a long trip.) We were given a small snack at home after school but that was it. God forbid we spoil our appetites for dinner! But, when nieces and nephews are at my house, they expect snacks all day long , in addition to regular meals, and something to eat before bedtime.

Is this constant feeding typical of today's parenting?
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Replies

  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,519 Member
    Yes I give my kid snacks, but please don't tell child services.
  • tmarie2715
    tmarie2715 Posts: 1,111 Member
    We don't snack at all at my house. My child would never choose veggies over a carb (Pirate's Booty, pretzels, crackers, etc) so we don't have any snacks at all. He eats three balanced meals and eats a lot more different types of veggies than most kids his age.

    That being said, I do allow him to eat his lunch in the car on the way home from preschool, so his juice / water blend and crumbs ARE an issue. :/
  • CoryIda
    CoryIda Posts: 7,870 Member
    Yes I give my kid snacks, but please don't tell child services.
    Me, too. Shhh!
  • Hourglass25
    Hourglass25 Posts: 340 Member
    Yes I give my kid snacks, but please don't tell child services.

    THIS!!!
  • Laceylala
    Laceylala Posts: 3,094 Member
    Depends for us..we allow snacks for our 5 year old daughter because she would flat out spin out between meals if she didn't have something to eat. Super high metabolism or something. However if we see she is getting into a habit of wanting to snack and not eat her meals then we cut back on the snacking until she's eating the main meals again. I don't normally mind snacks however because it is fruits and veggies, yogurt, healthy stuff...not white carb crap all the time.
  • NeuroticVirgo
    NeuroticVirgo Posts: 3,671 Member
    My daughter can eat all day long like that. I actually think if they were provide HEALTHY snacks its actually better than the way I was raised (also 3 meals & 1 snack...well until I was old enough to rummage through the kitchen).

    When they are at your house just have a lot of fruit and veggies on hand already cut up (maybe some hummus if they like it for dipping...) and if they want to snack, tell them they can eat as much of that as they please.
  • CoryIda
    CoryIda Posts: 7,870 Member
    I actually have to add a serious post here. My son has pretty severe ADHD and ODD. You know what one of the biggest things I have found that helps with his symptoms?
    Making sure he gets some protein at regular intervals throughout the day - meaning that he gets a snack in the morning and the afternoon.
    Believe me when I say you would not want to deal with him if he didn't get those.
    Also, he's always been a bit chubby but, since I started making sure he got some nutritious snacks throughout the day, he's actually leaned out quite a bit.
  • MizSaz
    MizSaz Posts: 445 Member
    I've noticed that a lot of the time with people my age (I'm 29), they seem to be giving their kids snacks for the wrong reasons- not because the child is expressing hunger, but because it's a quick way to keep a kid quiet, or because ice cream fixes all of life's problems. Of course I don't think this applies to everyone, just something I've noticed.
  • Fairysoul
    Fairysoul Posts: 1,361 Member
    We do a morning snack and an afternoon snack, Breakfast 6:30 am snack at 8:45, lunch 11:15 Snack 2:30, dinner 6 bed! This schedule is partially due to preschool times..
  • judypriv
    judypriv Posts: 206 Member
    I give my kids snacks but they hardly ever ask for them. They DO ask for m&ms, candy and cookies and i tell them no, we don't have any, want an apple and they say no, thanks and then wait until the next meal. sometimes at night they like a bag of pretzels or a yogurt or a apple but once in a while.
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    We have snacks at our house. The daycare serves snacks. I think she is REQUIRED to. 2 sit-down snacks a day. No grazing. They also often have dessert....
  • Debbe2
    Debbe2 Posts: 2,071 Member
    Yep. Fortunately most kids like to eat and snack so they can thrive and grow. Of course it's healthier when they also are active throughout the day.
  • mstemen
    mstemen Posts: 108 Member
    Depends for us..we allow snacks for our 5 year old daughter because she would flat out spin out between meals if she didn't have something to eat. Super high metabolism or something. However if we see she is getting into a habit of wanting to snack and not eat her meals then we cut back on the snacking until she's eating the main meals again. I don't normally mind snacks however because it is fruits and veggies, yogurt, healthy stuff...not white carb crap all the time.

    This for me as well. I have two 3 year olds who are always asking for snacks. So they get some type of fruit or veggie snack usually 2-3 times a day on top of breakfast, lunch and dinner. I think some of it has to do with growth spurts too though. The're little eating machines when they go through a growth spurt.
  • donnabirch123
    donnabirch123 Posts: 48 Member


    When they are at your house just have a lot of fruit and veggies on hand already cut up (maybe some hummus if they like it for dipping...) and if they want to snack, tell them they can eat as much of that as they please.

    this
  • Fairysoul
    Fairysoul Posts: 1,361 Member
    Oh and my scheduling was reccomended by a dietician, a good portion of small childrens nutrtion is from snacks... We make sure to have healthy un packaged snacks, like fruit! None of those sugary junk foods.
  • RayRay1500
    RayRay1500 Posts: 158 Member
    I noticed my daughter putting on weight at eight years old. I had a roommate and her daughter move in and all they did was eat. They had ice cream in the house and soda, which I never kept. When they were gone, everything went back to normal and the only option I give her if she wants a snack is a piece of fruit and it works. :wink:
  • xo_morgan
    xo_morgan Posts: 298
    I have 2 snacks a day, so i dont mind my daughter having a snack.

    ETA*
    or multiple snackS for that matter :)
  • hongruss
    hongruss Posts: 389 Member
    My daughted (4) has a healthy snack of fruit, raisins or cheese between lunch 12'ish & tea 5'ish so that her mood doesn't crash BUT she never eats in the car & doesn't snack on junk.

    Russ
  • Fairysoul
    Fairysoul Posts: 1,361 Member


    When they are at your house just have a lot of fruit and veggies on hand already cut up (maybe some hummus if they like it for dipping...) and if they want to snack, tell them they can eat as much of that as they please.

    this
    Agreed!
  • Sabresgal63
    Sabresgal63 Posts: 641 Member
    I give my kids (2 & 4) a snack at home. It may be a little pouch of fruit snacks, pretzels, granola bar, piece of cheese, grapes, etc. not in the car.........their drinks are water, milk, juice. My daughter is allowed a small pop with her dinner out 2x per month, my son is 2 and he's not having it. They may have a candy and popped corn at the movies, but they know that it is a "treat". I grew up in a house full of love and hugs and lots of goodies............my motto is......if they don't see it, they won't know to miss it:)
  • Im_NotPerfect
    Im_NotPerfect Posts: 2,181 Member
    My kids would rather snack than eat meals. But typically...when we're home, they get their 3 meals and that's it. however...if they're at Grandma's it's a different story.

    If they do ask for snacks though, we always let them have fruit, cheese sticks, yogurt, or pull out a pack of grape tomatoes (which they will eat until the cows come home). We only keep "snacky" food in the house for things like saturday lunches and such. Also if they say they're hungry in between meals, I'll make them drink a cup of water before getting anything.

    We do allow them to eat in the car. Especially my son and breakfast because he's never usually done before we have to leave to take his younger sister to day care.
  • chrystee
    chrystee Posts: 295 Member
    My son eats about 8 meals a day. He is skinny and has a high metabolism. I was raised with 3 meals ONLY and large meals and wound up fat. I limit juice, and he eats pretty healthy snacks.
  • Mommareed4
    Mommareed4 Posts: 144
    my kids eat basically all day long. My boys are on the lower side of average but my girls are very small (my youngest is dx as failure to thrive so the more fattening and frequent the better for her) the older ones get pretty healthy snacks..like now they have strawberry banana smoothies and string cheese.
  • Alexstrasza
    Alexstrasza Posts: 619 Member
    Snacks can be an important part of a child's nutrition. IF they are given healthy snacks. Kids use a lot more energy than we do.

    My son eats when he's hungry. When he wants a snack I give him some fruit, or a half a peanut butter sandwhich, and sometimes he gets graham crackers or something.

    He also drinks at least 3 sippies a day of water, 2-3 of milk and 1 of juice.

    He's far from obese. He's the skinniest little thing ever, but not from lack of eating. He just eats healthy.
  • kyrstensmom
    kyrstensmom Posts: 297 Member
    My kids eat 3 meals and have a snack after school while doing their homework. I give them several options for snacks: apple, string cheese, greek yogurt, organic kids Z bars (Clif), or fresh veggies. If they don't want one of those things, they wait for dinner (they never refuse a snack!).
  • blink1021
    blink1021 Posts: 1,115 Member
    My son eats 3 meals a day and has a snack in the afternoon after school. He does not eat before bedtime and neither do I. If he is hungry he can have a snack anytime of the day, but its a piece of fruit. No little debbies, cookies, candy, crackers etc. If its someones birthday at school they have a cupcake in the afternoon. I do not get upset by this because it may happen once a month.
  • Sabresgal63
    Sabresgal63 Posts: 641 Member
    My daughter can eat all day long like that. I actually think if they were provide HEALTHY snacks its actually better than the way I was raised (also 3 meals & 1 snack...well until I was old enough to rummage through the kitchen).

    Ha! I have locks on my pantry and fridge..............they have to ask.
  • FindingSamMon
    FindingSamMon Posts: 997 Member
    My toddler needs to snack throughout the day. He's going through one of those picky phases and only wants sit down meals sometimes. I offer him his meals (when he's home) and healthy snacks (his faves are bananas, whole grain toast, cheese and yogurt). He'll eat some of his meal and will graze on his dinner or his snacks when he's hungry. This isn't always the way we do things but this phase is a killer! The only thing he wants in the car are crackers.
  • mandycasey
    mandycasey Posts: 274 Member
    Yes my kids have snacks usually 2 a day, 1 is healthy other 1 not. They are both very active kids and love to play outside - weather permitting. xx
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    My five year old has snacks all the time... There's a shelf in the fridge and a shelf in the pantry of stuff he can easily grab (although he always asks first). If it's close to dinner, I may so no, but otherwise I don't care. He eats fabulously. He's naturally low carb (don't ask me why), and will choose a cutie and edamame as his ideal snack any day. He won't eat bread or pasta *shrug* He's not a kid I need to worry about... Well, except the heroin. I wish he'd quit that.
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