serious problem

I have boys so I know how it is when it comes to them eating EVERYTHING but mine do not eat that excessively. 40 yogurts in a day? That is crazy! Maybe they need to start paying you for snacks or you buy some that are designated for them only and when they are gone, they are gone?

Kids are like that, aren't they? Will always go for the treat food before healthy stuff. My children can help themselves to the fruit basket when they are hungry, this is always filled up. If they want crisps/chocolates/biscuits they wait for Saturday, which is their treat night. And we always go to the shop on Saturday to buy it, else they pester me for it. :bigsmile: The popcorn made at home is a good idea too!

If it's not there, they can't eat it. I understand you being frustrated, I hope you find a way of dealing with it.

pasta pasta pasta for those growing boys...

Buy Elbow noodles, a can of Cambells Sirlon burger soup, and a bag of cheddar cheese, Cook the noodles up, Heat up the soup, after draining, put the soup in with teh noodles, mix in the cheddar cheese...and whamo you go yoiurself a hearty meal that boys can eat up and fill up.

Make some chilli with the noodles

make pasta with Butter, parmsean cheese and pepper...yummy.

you need to extend the $ as far as possible, Pasta is one of the best ways with boys.

1 box of Elbow noodles=1 can of soup=1/2 bag of cheese

i grew up without being allowed to help myself to the food in the kitchen. if i was hungry i would have to have the dinner made for me or the left overs in the fridge. dinners were usually rice based so quite filling.

Crisps and chocolates were a treat. maybe once a week if we were good but there was always fruit and veg. If we didnt want eggs and toast for brekki we would have to ASK if we could have cereal and the answer was usually no because mum had already made breakfast and laid the table and egg and toast was the breakfast of the day.

Boys are hungry. they are growing and need feeding. are they bored? snacking is mainly boredom eating. i think you need to start showing them whos boss of the kitchen, or start up a tuck shop type of system, if they want those doritos they need to do the dishes or hoover the living room. pretty soon theyll give up asking knowing they have to do chores for snacks.

And make sure they are drinking enough water, they could just be super thirsty. But boys do eat a lot. and they do snack. my partner now is 27 and as soon as i shop hes already raided the cupboards. but ive trained him now to ask me if he can have them and when i say no i need it for something later in the week then he will go and eat something else or i will cook him something. i wouldnt ever leave him to go hungry.

OK, so they're not eating their dinner, but they're eating all the junk/snack food--what if you didn't buy junk/snack food?

This 10X over!!! My daughter only has 2 kids but one is a 6 year old boy. He eats everything. She buys X amount of snacks FOR THE WEEK. When they're gone - they're gone. Simple. I will tell you that when kids are hungry, they will hold out for the snacks, but as parents, we know they will eventually eat. Children will not starve themselves unless they have other problems. Try it. I'm impressed that you can feed your family on $75 a week. That's awesome!

I hate to break it to you, but I dont think there is ANY WAY you are going to be able to stop them from eating. Much like teenage girls get moody, teenage boys eat. Period. There is nothing you can do to stop it. I only have one and have problems with my food bill and the amounts he eats. It sounds like you do everything you can to budget, but stopping them from eating isn't going to happen. I realise this doesn't help you and it's only going to get worse when the younger ones get older, good luck!!!

Wow kids eat. As they should they are growing. Locking up food? It's my honor to feed my children. They did not decide for me to have them. If my husband and I need 2-3 jobs each to feed them, cloth them and buy them toys it is my honor to do that for they are a blessing as I know your children are to you. Don't loose sight of the blessings you have. They will be gone before you know it.
This is there childhood and they shouipld not be busted up or told not to eat yogart. How wonderful they should be able to eat as much as they like. Not trying to be mean or rude. Children need so much love and nurturing. My kids eat what ever they like. They eat a package of strawberries, blue berries and a bag of pistachios every day to themselves besides other food they have. I never say a word to them, I would not dream of depriving my children. If all else fails look into an extra job.

Its been years since my boys did the same things growing up, what I didnt know was that they were feeding half the neighborhood everyday after school. They would go though a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk a day, plus either a jar of PB&J or all the lunchmeat I had bought for the week. I finally had to sit them down and level with them and put them on strict orders. My budget only went so far, I stopped buying all but the basics I needed for 2 meals a day and limited to 1 night a week as "Goodie Night" and didnt buy it until then. If they were hungry they could eat what was already prepared or do without. I did keep plenty of fruits & veggie in the house for them to eat and there was always leftovers to nibble on

I know it is tough to tell your kid, you cant have that to eat but they do have to learn limits