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Is this a decent portion for a 5/6 boy?

59 replies

Ihatethedailymail1 · 21/02/2017 17:40

My ds, just turned 6 seems to think he should be getting more than this for dinner. I think it is probably too much already and certainly won't mind if he doesn't eat it all, though he may well do.

Am I right? What would your similar aged child eat?

Is this a decent portion for a 5/6 boy?
OP posts:
EnglishGirlApproximately · 21/02/2017 17:44

Ds is about to turn 5 and that's about what I'd give him. DP gives him huge portions but he never finishes its not needed. If he's still hungry he can have fruit/yoghurt for pudding or toast/cereal for supper.

CwtchMeQuick · 21/02/2017 17:49

DS is coming up to 5 and would have a similar sized portion of what is on the plate but would have more veg or salad. Either a big spoonful of veg or cucumber with the tomatoes. He doesn't always finish it all but sometimes does.

Westfacing · 21/02/2017 17:50

It looks quite meagre to me, but I don't know the child - does he eat it all up?

Surely if he thinks he should have more, and he eats it, then you should give him more!

EnglishGirlApproximately · 21/02/2017 17:56

cwtch I'd have more salad/veg too but probably less potatoes - I can't get ds interested in potatoes other than mash so if anyone has any ideas to make them interesting for him I'd appreciate it.

Wannabehermit · 21/02/2017 17:56

That's about what my 5 year old would eat, on average. Someday he's a bottom less pit though...

SweepTheHalls · 21/02/2017 17:57

Might even would riot either that for dinner! Needs a decent helping of peas and baked beans Grin

SaorAlbaGuBrath · 21/02/2017 17:57

I think it looks less because it's on a big plate. If it was on a kid sized plate it would look fuller. Looks fine to me.

InTheDessert · 21/02/2017 18:07

Mine would eat less potato (but similar amounts if rice or pasta) and I'd put more veg on the plate.
But my 7 year old can out eat me at some meals (and is slender, by chance he wanted weighing and measuring last night,and is 30th centile).

pianomadness · 21/02/2017 18:09

6 year old ds here would eat the same fish fingers and potato but would have more veg - portion of peas and sweetcorn or baked beans or broccoli and carrots etc.

SecretNutellaFix · 21/02/2017 18:11

I'd say maybe some more veg- sweetcorn or cucumber

Getnakedorgohome · 21/02/2017 18:11

My 4.5 yo would eat 3 fish fingers, but only a couple of potatoes and then likes to have peas or baked beans. The tomatoes would be wolfed down while waiting. I try and put several different things on her plate but in small portions. For example, tonight she has had a small piece of chicken, a few pieces of cooked carrot, a few slices of leek, some frozen peas and a slice of bread (for mopping up the gravy). She likes lots of little tastes and it seems to satisfy her appetite better than a larger portion of fewer things.

TisapityshesaGeordie · 21/02/2017 19:37

My 5 yo DD had a similar sized portion tonight. She gave half the fish fingers to her little brother, ate most of the veg and about half the potatoes.

I wouldn't bother putting more than that on her plate, it wouldn't get eaten.

Yellowmono · 21/02/2017 19:42

It's about what I would give my six year old and he'd eat it all and ask for pudding.

Purplebluebird · 21/02/2017 19:49

I would just add more veg and it's fine :)

AssassinatedBeauty · 21/02/2017 19:53

My 4 and 3/4 year old would eat slightly less potatoes but more veg alongside, maybe peas/carrots/broccoli/green beans. He is the height and size of an average 5-6 year old though. If he was still hungry after eating everything I'd give him some more though, or offer fruit for pudding.

NoCapes · 21/02/2017 19:54

Its a bit of an odd meal, but probably about right size wise, although I'd offer more veg

measles64 · 21/02/2017 19:58

I would add more veg. mine would not eat that much potato but they loved sweetcorn or baked beans.

ScarlettFreestone · 21/02/2017 20:04

At 5 both my DD and DS wouldn't have eaten all the potatoes but would have wanted considerably more vegetables. 3 fish fingers is about right.

RatOnnaStick · 21/02/2017 20:09

My 6yr old would eat that with less potatoes and more veg but it's broadly similar amounts of food. The 4yr old would only eat one fishfinger but double the potato and veg if I let him. Neither would consider the tomato edible.

MrsKCastle · 21/02/2017 20:10

My 5 year old wouldn't eat the potatoes, but she'd have the same portion of fish fingers and tomatoes, with some baked beans and a bit more veg.

irregularegular · 21/02/2017 20:11

Unless there were some underlying issues, I would always give a child more food at dinner if they said they wanted it and always ate it. Why are you rationing him?

AndNowItsSeven · 21/02/2017 20:12

I would give some peas but less potatoes and probably only two fishfingers.

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queenc81 · 21/02/2017 20:13

My eldest is 6. He would not eat all those potatoes and would want a lot more veg.

ILoveDolly · 21/02/2017 20:21

My 7 year old who is not a great eater and my 5 year old when he is hungry would eat 2 fish fingers, about 4 potato that size and the tomatoes. Plus a yoghurt or fruit. They might ask for a third finger if very hungry. They'd probably manage extra veg.
So I'd say that the portion size is appropriate. If he's still hungry give extra veg not extra potato

DragonNoodleCake · 21/02/2017 20:24

My DD (5.5) would eat all of this and then some about 2 days a week and about 2/3's of this the rest of the week.
She is very active and slim - so I worry not. She stops when she is full.

Today was a hungry day.
Breakfast at out of school club
Cheese at snack time
Hot lunch at school (sausage, mash n beans) she ate the lot apparently
Snack at out of schools club (they have wraps and yoghurt etc.)
I had to pop to supermarket on way home, and she was sooooo hungry she had a cheese pastry twist - full size
A chicken and red pepper enchilada (1 filled full size wrap) followed by strawberry, raspberry and grape fruit salad and 2 glasses of water for dinner
Then she ate 8 squares of chocolate - given by older DD

Tomorrow she might eat half of that or the same who knows 😀

I allow endless, tomato, cucumber, carrot, satsumas, apples, toast etc. It's a way to know for sure if it's hunger or if she's trying to get sweets/chocolate as she does have quite a sweet tooth. If she's genuinely hungry she go gets an apple.

Are you worried about your DS weight or food intake?
I'd do as the others suggest and start with more veg

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