To not carry about endless snacks and things for my DC?

[AwfulMaureen]

I seem to be seeing an awful lot of parents with snacks in bags....I remember that I did do that a bit when the children were tiny...as in under 3...and their meal times weren't always regular. But now they are 9 and 6 I don't...however I see that the parents of their friends have things in their bags all the time....bags of cheese or chocolate bars...cartons of juice etc. This is not for long gaps between meals whilst waiting for swimming lessons or anything...it's constantly!

Walking about town with a friend and her bag is full of bloody food! Her son is NINE...surely he can wait a couple of hours?

[whatsthatcomingoverthehill]

I find it annoying when I'm out somewhere with the kids and others are snacking because I then get nagged for something. Went to a kids classical concert the other week and the instant the thing started the families sitting on either side got the snacks out, so my daughter started kicking off. She certainly didn't need anything (only an hour or so since breakfast), and it meant that she pretty much paid no attention to what was going on. It would have been easier to just give her something but I don't want her eating for the sake of it.

I agree that a lot of people don't seem to know what it feels like to be hungry and that actually it's not that bad when you get used to it.

[georgesdino]

I see it more as my children will have a snack out for a meal if they are having a larger tea later as actual skinny people/children will get more than filled up by that and not need a huge lunch/tea.

[TheUnemployableLeech]

I find this interesting as I genuinely didn't realise we shouldn't let them have snacks between meals. I only know one person in real life who doesn't give snacks but they have a very different eating schedule to us (breakfast around 10-1030, lunch around 130 and evening meal around 530/6).

[georgesdino]

Im same as thoughts please I snack a lot in a working day. I have a big breakfast, then snack on all sorts, have one of the kids small lunches at 12, my actual lunch at 2, a kid sized tea at 4.30 and an adult tea at 6.30. Im like a kitten eat not massive portions but a lot of times.

[Sparklysilversequins]

I take snacks as both my dc have ASD and a hungry child with ASD is NOT a pretty sight. Ds also has sensory processing disorder and becomes quite weak and ill if he feels hungry.

They both look perfectly NT though so I am guessing I would be judged for not teaching them to go hungry once in a while.

[JohnnyBarthes]

Is it partly a hangover from feeding on demand? We're told when they're newborn that their tummies are the size of a 50p and that they need feeding little and often. Clearly at some point it is reasonable for them to eat 6 hourly (with small snacks at morning break and after school), but the transition to this point doesn't seem to happen for a lot of children.

[Edenviolet]

I take snacks everywhere we go.

Dd1 and ds1 feel dizzy/tired if they get hungry
Dd2 is diabetic
Ds2 is always hungry and moany so take snacks for him just to keep him quiet.

[HolidayCriminal]

I graze all day quite happily. It's supposed to be an excellent way to keep one's blood sugar stable, too.

I don't care what OP does.
I am happy to bring snacks & water especially for my school age kids.
What's it to do with you?

[IWillOnlyEatBeans]

Worra

Just in case my children get hungry and ask for a snack! It saves me having to buy something when we are out. DS1 (4) is old enough to wait until his next meal, DS2 (1) isn't.

[WorraLiberty]

I can understand that with a 1yr old as they're too young to know they'll be having their lunch/dinner in a few hours.

[georgesdino]

Surely its just a preferred way of eating. I cant usually stuff my face at 3 meal times like a lot of big people do so I eat spread out across the day.

[SixerofthePixies]

Could someone suggest some good filling breakfasts please, the kids seem to go for cereal and although we go for non sugary ones I just don't think they are filling enough.

I can't seem to get them to eat porridge...what toppings do yours have?

[Theodorous]

Jeez, is there anything in life that Mumsnet hasn't imposed a ludicrous and smuggy set of rules for?

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

I usually agree with Worra on these threads and do now. I think the habit of 'drop snacking' our children is one that could have very terrible consequences as they become adults.

Many of us eat too much, too often and have no idea what hunger is anymore. It's a bad thing. Children rely on us to do the right thing by them and, even where there are medical reasons for topping up blood sugar, I wonder at the types of snacks that are being provided. We're a nation of super-snackers now and ultra-defensive of our right need to do so. Since when did processed crap become necessary for snacks? What's wrong with a piece of fruit?

[PossumPoo]

I a

[georgesdino]

Its how I was brought up and I always have had a diet of little and very often. Im 8 stone 2 at the moment but Im only fat now as Im pregnant and wouldnt usually be this big.

What makes people big is portion size and being lazy not being snackers.

[Theodorous]

Went to a kids classical concert the other week and the instant the thing started the families sitting on either side got the snacks out

Just in case anyone thought you were at the cinema or other such ghastly and common event.

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

Sixer... I'm not a porridge fan either even though I know it's great. Do your children like yoghurt or quark? If so, you could try this - put some raw, plain rolled oats into a bowl, just cover with juice of some sort (orange, apple, cranberry, whatever), grated apple, few raisins, berries, dash of honey, cinnamon if liked - and add yoghurt to make a thick dessert-like 'slop' (sorry ).

It tastes delicious, can be kept in the fridge for a week and I take it with me in little plastic bowls when I know I won't stop faffing around in time to eat breakfast.

[WorraLiberty]

It's got nothing to do with 'a smuggy set of rules'.

I'm wondering if constantly handing a child a snack because they're bored/acting up/temporarily hungry/upset/being noisy/you want them to sit in the buggy, is setting them up for emotional or boredom eating in later life.

[Tinkywoo]

Yabu.

I pack snacks and drinks from home to avoid paying extortionate prices in the shops.

Some parents may be happy to spend £10-15 on bits from the petrol station. I am not one of them.

[MyFirstName]

I have a 5yo and a 7yo. I sometimes take snacks. I more often than not do not. Day to day, no I do not think you need them.

However, on a day out/on holiday it is different. Normal routines are out....so regular meal times may need to be stretched. I have suffered a lot from anxiety and in the past have ruined many a day out (more when DCs were younger) by starting to look at the clock and thinking fuck...we cannot see the rest of the exhibition/finish the game, walk to x point on the coastal path because we need to think about lunch/tea.

When I take snacks it is because I want use to be more flexible, spontaneous and to appease my anxiety (which I am having counselling for before I get flamed).

My DCs are older now and yes, can cope with hunger. But expecting them to wait an hour or more later than their normal meal time is not on - it is out of their control and the resulting grumbliness may ruin a day. TBH I am a bit astounded that people really think that my ability to whip a packet of dried apricots out of my bag is a bad thing?

Maybe you should considered, before you judge those with "endless snacks" that there is more than just "appeasement" parenting going on.

Oh....and DH's personal trainer and nutritionist actively encourages healthy snacking. Preventing excessive hunger and low blood sugar leads to healthier eating at meal times.....just saying....

[Naicecuppatea]

The constant snacking drives me a bit barmy too.

My DC are 3 and 4 and I don't give them any snacks between meals usually. There are exceptions to this - after school and before swimming when we will be eating late, and if they complain they are very hungry I will give them a piece of fruit. If they snacked constantly like I see other children do they would not eat their lunch/dinner. They don't need snacks!

When I come out of school I see parents immediately breaking open bags of this and bags of that for their children, usually biscuits/crisps/other processed delights. I don't understand!

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

... and nuts, add chopped or flaked nuts if you like them.

[WorraLiberty]

Was she supposed to lie and pretend she went to see The Muppet Movie at her local cinema?

[PossumPoo]

I agree wuth you Theo . I read these type of threads and think mostly thank fuck I dont know these posters in real life. If I want to take snacks for DC whatever their age then it's no concern of yours. I eat 3 small meals plus snack in between all day but I do a lot of exercise. If I feel the need to eat like that then why wouldn't my DC?

I think grazing though is much healthier than having 3 set meals a day. Why is it ok to feed babies on demand but once they get to a certain age we have to impose set eating rules?