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Original poster

Does anyone else do snack baskets over half term?

192 replies

LauraSaidIShouldBeNicer · 21/02/2022 08:30

My 2 are 7 and 5 and all I hear is am huuuuuuungry. They always have free reign of the fruit bowl and have a good size breakfast lunch and tea.

In the half term I make them up a basket each filled with snacks for the day they can get themselves and once the basket is empty doesn't get refilled till the next day and anything left stays in for the next day. At first they used to eat everything but now they've got the hang of it.
The baskets are primarily fruit in today's basket we have.
An apple
Small bunch of grapes
2 tangies
Mini roll
Crisps
Belvita biscuits

OP posts:
Daftasabroom · 21/02/2022 09:36

We do the opposite and hide food in increasingly cunning places. They still find it though.

ChaoticWoman · 21/02/2022 09:36

@BananaPlants

What’s wrong with snacking? When I’m at home I snack throughout the day and don’t eat big meals or eat just because it is a set time.. I eat based on how hungry I am. People ask me how I stay slim, and I honestly think that is it. Eating breakfast, lunch and then dinner is sometimes eating just for the sake of it, snacks break that pattern up a bit and mean that you are eating the amount that your body needs. Sometimes craving carbs and sweet foods, other times fruit or something savoury.

My DC eat like this too in the school holidays, they are stuck in the set meal times during term time because of the school day, so nice to have a break from it. They are also slim, and very active.

I think the danger of having snacks available all the time is if it’s on top of a “Three set meals a day and you must clear your plate!” type of attitude. That stops children from being able to listen to their own hunger cues and being able to regulate their intake by themselves.

Op says the kids are having that many snacks on top of three decent sized meals a day though.

Snacks aren't a problem, I couldn't do seven snacks a day on top of three decent sized meals and it sounds a lot for kids to be having daily but if ops kids are healthy then meh.

ChristmasTreeGorgeous · 21/02/2022 09:36

I love this idea and will be copying it.

GalesThisMorning · 21/02/2022 09:37

@Comedycook

This thread has made me realise I'm really easy going about snacks and food in general.
Same! It's a total non issue for me (aside from pure craziness like requesting ice cream after breakfast) it's just not a big deal. My boys are both naturally slim and small though. Just petite frames. If my kids were obese I would probably care more, but they are not built that way so I can't get too worked up about it.

We are in the minority though!

Comefromaway · 21/02/2022 09:40

Good grief no.

It never occurred to me to have snacks. When they were little I would offer something like a piece of fruit mid morning, a yoghurt after lunch and maybe a biscuit in the afternoon.

peboh · 21/02/2022 09:40

I think it's sweet. If it works for you and your kids absolutely do it.
My dd has two snacks a day, 3 meals and and pudding after her tea. She's a grazer. She eats little and often, and we've discussed this with her paed consultant, and he says that absolutely fine. Not all children will eat just 3 meals a day.

Original poster
LauraSaidIShouldBeNicer · 21/02/2022 09:44

Todays meals will be...
Porridge was for breakfast around 7ish
They have both had a biscuit out the basket
So far.
Lunch is beans and sasuges on toast.
Tea is burritos
Decent size meals too.

OP posts:
Original poster
LauraSaidIShouldBeNicer · 21/02/2022 09:45

They are both a healthy weight and great teeth aswell Grin

OP posts:
SpidersAreShitheads · 21/02/2022 09:46

I know this doesn't work for lots of families, but I've never put limits on snacks. We have a range of different foods in the house, and the DC can have what they want if they're hungry.

They rarely snack, and even have to be prompted sometimes to check if they're hungry if they've had a light lunch and dinner is going to be later.

They're both a healthy weight and have a really balanced approach to junky/snack food. I think because it's always available it just doesn't have the same appeal. This approach works really well for us and seems to have created healthy eating habits.

I, on the other hand, can force down a family-sized bar of chocolate during an ad break. I jest. Sort of.

Soubriquet · 21/02/2022 09:48

When my dc were younger they snacked a lot and I think this would have been a fab idea.

They are 6 and 8 now and don’t snack like they used to. The 6 year old would if I let him, but I don’t.

Lovemusic33 · 21/02/2022 09:49

Have never done this but have seen others do it and thought it was odd. My kids get 3 meals a day, eldest often misses breakfast due to not getting up until late. They have access to fruit and veg (dd will eat cucumber non stop if I let her) but other than that there are no snacks because no one needs to snack all day. It’s no wonder so many kids are overweight when they are not allowed to feel hunger and are constantly fed snacks.

Pyri · 21/02/2022 09:49

@konasana

Only on MN would someone get roasted for putting snack food in a basket for their children Grin
Only on MN would someone go to the effort of calculating the number of calories and grams of sugar in said basket!
Pyri · 21/02/2022 09:51

@LauraSaidIShouldBeNicer

Todays meals will be... Porridge was for breakfast around 7ish They have both had a biscuit out the basket So far. Lunch is beans and sasuges on toast. Tea is burritos Decent size meals too.
Oh OP you’ll be absolutely roasted for not mentioning any veggies here!

I’m sure the “that’s an awful lot of salt / processed food” comments will start soon

Marmite27 · 21/02/2022 09:51

I had to do this during home schooling, but haven’t needed it since.

Ours always had 5 things in, all their choice.

2 items of fruit, 1 of veg, 1 snack and one treat item.

If they ate their crisps, and wanted a sandwich at lunch, they wouldn’t get a second packet. Same with the treat, nothing extra for dessert.

Now, as we’re struggling with calcium I’d add a babybel or yoghurt. However we’ve not needed them since the long stretch at home.

Amichelle84 · 21/02/2022 09:52

I think PP are being overly harsh - if only we were all as perfect as them.

I think it's a good idea but quite a lot of extra food if they are having decent meals in my opinion.

I'd have thought a morning snack and afternoon snack should be ok, but then I don't have your kids so do what you gotta do to survive.

TheVanguardSix · 21/02/2022 09:54

All you parents of little ones... wait for it! Grin
Wait 'til they're 18 and they go off to uni and discover the K-hole/ Wetherspoon's student discount snack basket. Forget grams of sugar. It'll be grams of cocaine by then.
I am joking (sort of)!

Original poster
LauraSaidIShouldBeNicer · 21/02/2022 09:55

To be fair this is classic mumsnet I have been here for years so should have seen it coming.... I personally thought it was a good idea and thought someone might do the same. They are good at regulating to be honest so they won't have anything till lunch now am assuming.

OP posts:
emuloc · 21/02/2022 09:56

@cheekychaplin

No, that's a ridiculous amount of extra food to be giving children.
Hmm
Qwill · 21/02/2022 09:58

If they are still really hungry after big meals, then maybe offer vegetables and yoghurt? There are lots of fun connotations with baskets (Easter basket etc.) for children, and this may make them actually eat more snacks than intended. For example, if they have to wait until you’ve chopped a carrot, they might not think it’s so exciting!

Original poster
LauraSaidIShouldBeNicer · 21/02/2022 09:59

Oh OP you’ll be absolutely roasted for not mentioning any veggies here!

Aren't tinned beans classed as a veg portion? Grin

I scratch cook most meals the burritos will be made by me although not the wrap am not that good Grin they will be filled with turkey, onions, peppers, mushrooms, grated carrots and rice and cheese with a homemade salsa on the side.....id say that's pretty damn good Grin

OP posts:
Someonemustknowtheanswer · 21/02/2022 10:00

Why does food need a special basket.

Peanutbuttercupisyum · 21/02/2022 10:00

@LauraSaidIShouldBeNicer
I can’t get over giving your kids breakfast at 7am during half term!!!! That’s so early to be eating and up during the hols!!! Mine are same age but I have a 10yo s and a baby as well, and they’re up playing at 8.30, bfast about 9.30, out for the morning, lunch 12.30, about 3 we go out again generally, dinner 6.30…no snacks except maybe a hot choc at a cafe in the afternoon. No one ever says I’m hungry! No real opportunities for these baskets to come out!

Jvg33 · 21/02/2022 10:00

People are being horrible to the op. Whatever works for your family, works for your family op. My nearly two year old eats a lot at the moment due to a growth spurt.

RegardingMary · 21/02/2022 10:01

They wouldnt work here as we've normally got a house full of kids with their friends at weekends and in the holidays. I usually do pinwheels or savoury muffins at around 10.30 then a cheese, meats, crudites and dips at around 3pm. They all just help themselves.

I prepare a shedload of fruit in the morning and put it in individual containers in the fridge and they can help themselves to that, drinks and whatever else I've got snack wise in there, usually some fridge raiders and some cheese.

All my children snack at school and when they get home. None are overweight. This idea that a bit of cheese and an apple will send kids flying into obesity is ridiculous.

How will they ever learn to self regulate if they're constantly being told when they are and aren't hungry.

Jvg33 · 21/02/2022 10:02

It sounds like some of these posters have a perfect diet themselves and have never given their children a chocolate biscuit. Highly doubtful

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