Children and calories

I just feed them when they are hungry and don't give too many sweets and they are both the perfect weight. If your kids don't have a weight problem then I wouldn't stress about it.

And I don't believe in making them finish every scrap on their plate. As long as they have eaten a reasonable amount then I am happy.

Just what I do, but every kid is different x

I have always been told that my kids are underweight! They have very slim physiques and I have to but the trousers with the adjustable waists so they don't fall down! (If only I had that problem lol !) I breastfed them both in the hope that it would prevent them becoming obese in later life. I am trying to lose my weight now so I can keep up with them!

I wouldn't limit a child's calories count but I would have them eat healthier. If a child is eating healthy then there is a lot less possibility of them becoming overweight. Does anyone know if this alone would work for a child who is already heavy?

On the issue of milk for the kids...
I only buy whole organic. The kid gets a cup per day. Kids drinks lots of milk at school that is not whole or organic. It is a theory amongst the parents here that our kids are hitting puberty early because of the milk. Pubescent boys will tend to grow small temporary breasts.

I wouldn't limit a child's calories count but I would have them eat healthier. If a child is eating healthy then there is a lot less possibility of them becoming overweight. Does anyone know if this alone would work for a child who is already heavy?

I wouldn't count calories but I would try to follow the food groups and keep in mind CHILD serving sizes. My oldest daughter eats erratically with amount and type of food. Last night she ate almost a whole cut up pepper. She might not eat peppers again for a week!.we don't make her clean her plate but she does have to try everything to get dessert whether it is fruit or ice cream. She is close to being underweight so lots of snacks are high calorie like cheese or peanut butter. I think overweight kids would not get those options.

unless kids have weight issues I would rather them stay ignorant of calorie counting. just focus on health and portion control.

1400 calories seems too low to me, especially if your child is active...

Kids are easy to feed...they eat when hungry and stop eating when full. Some days they eat A LOT, others that just pick at their food. It is us adults who put too much emphasis on finshing their meals, eating all ther veggies, no candy or sweets. We want our kids to have a healthy attitiutde to food, not worry that that they can't have something toeat or going out for ice cream is going to make them fat.

If you offer your child 3 healthy well balanced meals a day, let them eat what they want from it. The younger they are the less they eat...I think rule of thumb is that a plate of food is the size of their fist..that is all. Offer them ,under 2, full fat milk for brain development,over 2 low fat milk or water...I usually do milk at meals, water when thirsty during the day. I don't do juice, it fills them up and then they don't want to eat. If hungry between meals offer serving size of goodies ( 3 chips ahoy cookies is serving size, not half the package) or fruit or whatever. If you make an issue of no sweets, it will back fire on you, especially when your child gets older and is capable of being at a friends without you.

If they eat they eat, if they don't they don't. Don't make a power play over it, keep food low key....dinner is about family time, not about cleaning your plate.

If I am trying out a new food or dish, I have my children take a "no thank-you bite". They have to take a small taste, but if truely don't like it respectfully tell me "no thank you" ( I worked hard on that dish no need to be rude)...I then tell them that they can go get a bowl of cereal if they don't like it. I don't cook more than 1 meal at a time, I am not a retuaruant, if you don't like it, cereal is a good stand by. Through the years there were very few times they picked cereal over the meal

Get your children away from the tv and video games, make them go outside and play...tag, jump rope, hop scotch...simple games that get them moving. Bike rides, scooters, walks...all good family activities.

I have 6 children...3 are now adults...all of them are healthy and active and "weight" appropriate for their size...They all will try new foods, they all know how to say "I am full" without fear of me making them sit to finish it all. They enjoy ice cream, pizza, candy along with fruits, vegetables, fish and healthy foods.

My daughter who is 7 has a huge appetite. She loves all food from the healthiest stuff to the junk. We can't have junk in the house because of my own food issues. But any rich meal like pasta or if I make home fries, or at pizza parties- she eats a ton very quickly.

I have learned to quietly and nicely say things like, "2 pieces of pizza would be a good amount for a 7 year old." Before she starts eating so that she can plan to pace herself a bit. She doesn't mind.

When she goes on play dates on her own I know she goes crazy with food if her friends parents let her. It is hard to learn to say enough is enough in a loving way. It is almost taboo.

I do live in a not-so-healthy community. It is hard for me to hide the shock on my face when I hear things like a parent saying, "I make the best pancakes. Chocolate chip covered with whipped cream, maple syrup and chocolate syrup." Or, "Your daughter didn't like my kids favorite sandwich, PB, (marshmallow) Fluff, and M&M's."

It is shocking!!! I also feel a bit helpless in trying to teach my daughter the proper way to eat when so much "fun food" and candy is passed out in the classroom. Parents bring in stuff continuously.

That all said, I never deny my kids food when they are hungry. If after the 2 slices of pizza my daughter complains of hunger there is always fruit that she loves on our counter and in the fridge. She used to challenge me on the issue but I have stuck to my theory that if you are really hungry you will eat fruit.

I wouldn't limit a child's calories count but I would have them eat healthier. If a child is eating healthy then there is a lot less possibility of them becoming overweight. Does anyone know if this alone would work for a child who is already heavy?

I wouldn't put a child on a diet or limit their calories without asking a dr first. They need a mixture of fats, carbs and protein for their growing bodies and bain development.

However for a child already heavy I would do correct serving size, limit soda and juice, and limit amount of tv/video games during the day. As a parent there are a lot of things to make something healthier... for example, instead of french toast, have waffles...use fat free plain greek yogurt instead of mayo, ice pops instead of ice cream, etc...

But most of all, make your child play, dance, bike ride, walk, create...

The thing about children is they move around a lot and are trying to grow. I understand avoiding bad habbits like snacking and incredibly highly processed high calorie junk but I highly recommend giving them food when they are hungry.......and the last place I would go to ask advice is a forum filled with people on vlcd. Talk to a professional about limiting your childrens food.

Its more important to give them proper nutrition. They are likely to feel satisfied and not hungry. Sometines when your hungry your body is trying to say something else

I have a 7year old and a 5 year old both girls and both are extremely active. My 7year old just this year made the cart in the Healthy weight range ( she has been considered underweight until now as she was born a premie and has just never really gained weight fast) my 5year old is right in the middle of the normal range for her age. I feed them both exactly what my hubby and I eat only cut the portion size alittle. I do not make them special meals they eat what we eat if I cook boneless skinless chicken , asparagus and some fresh fruit and milk to drink for dinner thats what everyone gets and I prepair everyones plate before sitting it on the table. My girls are free to snack threw out the day as they need too ( I keep cheese stix , oranges , apples , grapes , mini tomatoes , cucumber slices , green pepper , kiwi ,yogurts, and peanut butter (craclers or bread if they want) all open too them to grab as they see fit ). If we get ice cream or chips its normaly for a special occasion like game night or movie night and then they may have those items then but other than those special times I don`t keep those items in the house. I also haven`t been buying pop so my girls really only have pop when we eat out or at other family members homes and happily my girls prefer and normaly request water

My daughter who is 7 has a huge appetite. She loves all food from the healthiest stuff to the junk. We can't have junk in the house because of my own food issues. But any rich meal like pasta or if I make home fries, or at pizza parties- she eats a ton very quickly.

I have learned to quietly and nicely say things like, "2 pieces of pizza would be a good amount for a 7 year old." Before she starts eating so that she can plan to pace herself a bit. She doesn't mind.

When she goes on play dates on her own I know she goes crazy with food if her friends parents let her. It is hard to learn to say enough is enough in a loving way. It is almost taboo.

I do live in a not-so-healthy community. It is hard for me to hide the shock on my face when I hear things like a parent saying, "I make the best pancakes. Chocolate chip covered with whipped cream, maple syrup and chocolate syrup." Or, "Your daughter didn't like my kids favorite sandwich, PB, (marshmallow) Fluff, and M&M's."

It is shocking!!! I also feel a bit helpless in trying to teach my daughter the proper way to eat when so much "fun food" and candy is passed out in the classroom. Parents bring in stuff continuously.

That all said, I never deny my kids food when they are hungry. If after the 2 slices of pizza my daughter complains of hunger there is always fruit that she loves on our counter and in the fridge. She used to challenge me on the issue but I have stuck to my theory that if you are really hungry you will eat fruit.