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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is this enough food for a pre-teen boy?

67 replies

Bluedoor11 · 15/04/2025 21:33

My DS is nearly 12. Recently he’s been saying that he’s hungry all the time so wondering if I need to change his diet, or perhaps just give him bigger portions?? If he’s like that now, what is he going to be in 2-3 years time! 😂

As an example, today he’s eaten:

Breakfast - bowl of shreddies with milk
Snack - mini flapjack and apple
Lunch - home made broccoli, red pepper, and sweet potato soup with bread roll.
Snack - 2 crumpets with butter
Dinner - cauliflower stew with boiled potatoes and 2 boiled eggs (sounds odd but it’s a traditional recipe from where I come from!)
Supper - another bowl of shreddies 🤦🏻‍♀️ and a bit of an Easter chocolate egg.
Drinks - just water.
All adult portions.

This is probably a standard day for him, minus the chocolate. He’s active (couple of sports and plays out with friends) but nothing significant. Weight-wise he’s totally fine.
I know breakfast should be better and have tried adding protein like omelettes etc but he’s not into that at all.

I’m a worrier, so of course I’m now worrying that I’m not feeding him enough, or that I’m feeding him too much! Stupid brain 🙄

Anyway, what’s your opinion lovely and wise mumsnetters?

OP posts:
towelonfloor · 15/04/2025 21:44

Pasta is good to fill up on.

towelonfloor · 15/04/2025 21:44

I don't find soup & a roll particularly filling & would say you need more protein.

KatyN · 15/04/2025 21:43

Also I completely share the ‘how much food will he eat in 2 years’ fear

Hankunamatata · 15/04/2025 21:43

Def need lots more protein.

KatyN · 15/04/2025 21:42

My son is 13. A month ago he would eat double what you’ve listed. This week his hunger is a bit calmer and he probably eats what you’ve listed.
mine is not especially active and super skinny.

i tend to have something substantial in the fridge for him to help himself to.., a bowl of pasta or half a tin of beans.

Loub1987 · 15/04/2025 21:42

If he says he is hungry, he needs more food. Agree with other posters, more protein would help this.

Runningoutofthyme · 15/04/2025 21:42

Use my fitness pal or similar to look at how much protein etc he’s getting
more protein and depending how big a bowl of cereal it’s not loads of food in a day

cestlavielife · 15/04/2025 21:41

This age he will need lots of food and lots of snacks cereal topups
Maybe bigger lunch soup and bread is not much .
Make a jacket potato as well

TheSmallAssassin · 15/04/2025 21:41

Yes, there's not enough protein, does he like nut butters? That could boost breakfast. Beans, chickpeas and lentils are filling and protein packed, or meat and fish if he's not a vegetarian.

Original poster
Bluedoor11 · 15/04/2025 21:41

Littletreefrog · 15/04/2025 21:39

Probably needs more protein and just more food in general. As long as the food he is eating isn't junk and he is active and not putting on too much weight I would let him eat as much as satisfied his hunger at that age.

Thank you that’s useful 😊

OP posts:
TheChosenTwo · 15/04/2025 21:40

If he’s hungry he’s hungry!
My 13 year old ds has been eating adult portions for a good 6 years now. He’s taller than me (5ft 8 now) and in a size 8 shoe.
And growing rapidly.
Eats like mad for a few weeks then levels off for a bit and the cycle repeats itself.
Is he veggie?

Original poster
Bluedoor11 · 15/04/2025 21:40

HiddenInCubeOfCheese · 15/04/2025 21:36

Is he a vegetarian? Red or even white meat would help sate him

He’s not a vegetarian so will eat chicken, red meat etc, but he’s not really a big fan of meat (unless it’s sausages… of course 🙄)

OP posts:
Littletreefrog · 15/04/2025 21:39

Probably needs more protein and just more food in general. As long as the food he is eating isn't junk and he is active and not putting on too much weight I would let him eat as much as satisfied his hunger at that age.

AprilBunny · 15/04/2025 21:39

Needs more protein.

floppybit · 15/04/2025 21:38

lot of good veggies in there, but probably too low in protein

Original poster
Bluedoor11 · 15/04/2025 21:37

Oh also, any ideas for healthy snacks very welcomed! He doesn’t like cheese (gutted 😂!) and apparently nuts etc don’t fill him up.

OP posts:
HiddenInCubeOfCheese · 15/04/2025 21:36

Is he a vegetarian? Red or even white meat would help sate him