Weaning off Weetabix

[PetsPhotographers]

DH used to eat breakfast at work so me and the DC generally had eggs, homemade muffins, porridge etc for breakfast.

Now DH has breakfast at home and has Weetabix every day. DS (3) has followed suit. DH has six a day and DS has between four and six depending how hungry he is.

I don't think it's a great breakfast tbh but am aware there are worse things. The problem for me is the cost. Have tried some own brands and they weren't nice, always bulk buy but it's still just too expensive. I mind less spending the money if I think they are getting an awesome balanced breakfast out of it.

The trouble is that I of course can't say to DS that DH can have it and he can't. But DH is incredibly fussy. The DC will eat all sorts but DH won't. He won't have porridge, muffins, any fruit except for satsuma and apples (but never cooked fruit), yoghurt, avocado, chia seeds, anything vaguely sweet so things like hm granola are out.

I make nut butter which they will all eat but that isn't cheap either even though I bulk buy nuts and make it myself.

I don't have a huge amount of time in the mornings as we both work FT so eggs and pancakes aren't always an option. I make shakshuka sometimes but again a bit time consuming.

DH won't eat cheese and would rather not give to DC at breakfast any way as they often have cheese as part of lunch or supper, same goes for cured meats as some of the DC are still v young. Also expensive.

We all have leftovers from supper for our lunches so that wouldn't work.

I know I'm sort of asking for the earth here as I've ruled out almost everything but does anyone have any suggestions?

[SoftSheen]

Nothing wrong with weetabix (or oatibix!) for breakfast, with milk and preferably some fresh fruit such as sliced banana. I would have thought that two would be more than enough for a 3 year old though.

Alternatives might be bircher muesli, greek yoghurt with fruit, baked beans on toast, or eggy bread. We also like scotch pancakes made with 50/50 wholemeal/white flour, with added sultanas or mashed banana and cinnamon but no sugar. Serve with butter (or fresh blueberry compote if feeling extravagant).

I agree it is better to avoid cured meats more than very occasionally (for everyone, not just DC) and that whilst cheese is good in moderation then once a day is plenty.

[PetsPhotographers]

Thanks though yoghurt, fruit, muesli, sultanas, compote not an option as above. DH also won't eat eggy bread or baked beans which I didn't mention. Would be great if anyone could think of something not on my list!

It's more the cost of the Weetabix that is a problem. I'm not going back to limit my 3yo's breakfast!

[llhj]

I think 6 weetabix for a 3 year old is for too many. 2 would be max. Have you thought that he's just trying to emulate or keep up with his dad's consumption? It smacks of greed actually. Mix it up with a banana. Also children need to understand that adults can have some things that they can't. Your husband might sit and have a couple of beers, doesn't mean that the 3 year old needs to participate.

[PetsPhotographers]

Of course I don't let him have everything DH or any adult has. But since Weetabix isn't exactly
On a par with alcohol I don't feel right saying DH can and he can't with no explanation.

He has the same amount of cereal regardless of if his dad is there or not.

He is very slim and usually does have fruit with his cereal. We all are in the family. My general rule is that everyone can eat as much as they like of healthy balanced food.

[Highlove]

Actually I think your DH needs to take a bit of responsibility here and set a better example. I agree 6 is far too many, but mainly because it's a huge amount of one thing that is nutritionally pretty limited. I'd simply say he can have one or two and if he's still hungry he can then have eggs, savoury muffins, whatever else you want to offer that will give him a broader range of food. Currently he's just filling up on this and though I agree with you it's not the worst breakfast, it's not brilliant. The problem here really is your DH who's just going to pass on a pretty unhealthy habit. That'd worry me more than the cost.

[Seeline]

Just don't buy it! DH can grow up and eat something else. DS will eat what he is given.

[PetsPhotographers]

Yes I agree am going to just stop buying. DS very unfussy so if it's not there I'm not going to have any problem getting him to have something else. DH can either eat at work or suck it up. (Once we are through the last pack!)

[iwantgin]

Am at anyone eating 6 weetabix in one sitting ?

DH needs to eat more varied foods. it may be what he likes, but it isn't good to be so rigid about it. What if you are away on holiday and there are no weetabix? Or in hospital etc?

It is also a bad example to set to DC. They need to learn that there is so much more choice of foods which can be eaten for breakfast.

Cereal isn't the best option every day.

[Cawanaka]

I think the OP did say that she knew it wasn't. I recognise her from other threads and her family eat really well. I think the point is that the DC are very open to other foods.