To serve this portion size to my children (pic inc)

[Blondeandinept]

My son is on the 75 centile for height , 20 for weight. My daughter is 50 for height, 25 for weight.
As a family we are very very slim (in 5'7 and weigh just under 8 stone). We're very fit, gym, sport etc

My mil saw this and was appalled. Said it was way way too much. My children would be peckish an hour later if they didn't have this kind of lunch (it's the weekend, hence all the breaded items!).

My son is 6, my daughter 3.5

Sorry, but as you're asking and showing us, the balance of protein and carbs is wrong for a child. Veg is not classed as a carb replacement instead of potatoes and actually don't think that's a lot of veg if it was a replacement and the protein seems excessive by comparison if it was balanced by more carbs and veg then fine.

I'm perfectly chilled thank you blondeandinept

Good to hear bakeoff!

MumsTheWord veg isn't a carb replacement! That's a stupid thing to say. Veg is carbohydrate.

Yesterday 13:46 Blondeandinept

Bakeoff. You are very committed to carbs.
Be honest, are you a healthy weight?

whilst I agree you don't need plate laden with simple carbs that comment is a bit out of order

No need to be rude, you misunderstood. It is a carb, yes. I said it's not a replacement for other starchy carbs. A nutritionist would not say if you had some broccoli and carrots you don't need potatoes ok there's breaded stuff, but personally don't think that's enough and it needs more carbs of the starchy variety. Just looking at this one plate of food. Obviously OP I am not commenting on all meals.

I think it looks great, and very kid friendly. As far as the science goes, people have lived (and thrived) on far better and far worse. You're doing great.

Also referring to childrens diets. Less carbs for us adults is better of course.

That looks big too me!!! And everyone here says it looks smal!!

I think I need to up my kids meal quantities now,

Anyone else post any pictures of a 6-7 years old meals please so I have a average idea.

Feel bad now my poor kids!

But you don't need carbs. That's a complete misconception. Fat and protein are more important. As long as you're getting carbs from vegetables and salad, that's fine.

If they're happy and healthy, fine.

: )

I know a bit about carbs. Having been a diabetic my whole life.
Some of the comments on this thread are misinformed.

"But you don't need carbs. That's a complete misconception."

Really? I'm not convinced that cutting out starchy carbs if you are a very active person or child is a good idea. It might be for me with my lifestyle, but not for an active child.

Why, NicknameUsed?

They need carbs for energy. It is suggested that a healthy balanced diet for children should contain foods from the 5 main food groups - starchy carbs, protein foods, fruit and vegetables, dairy products and fats.

Information here

here

here

here

You seem to be very anti carbs. Why?

My 16 month old would eat all that. I think your portion sizes are fine.

Agree about misunderstanding what is a carb here . . . Bananas are carbs, so is plain yoghurt surprisingly (in terms of proportion of protein to other nutrients). Plus I think a considerable amount of breaded items do kinda substitute for a carb. Most veg and fruit are mainly carb (with the exception of berries and leafy greens). Broccoli stalks have a lot of starch in em for example. I would often add some rice to a dinner like OPs but I have thought if I didn't I may encourage the kids to eat more meat and more veg. I might give that a whirl

Starchy foods such as potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and cereals should make up just over a third of the food you eat, as shown by the Eatwell Guide. Where you can, choose wholegrain varieties, or eat potatoes with their skins on for more fibre. We should eat some starchy foods every day as part of a healthy, balanced diet. They are good for an active healthy lifestyle.

Source NHS. Again I want to point out the quantity of protein in that plate to veg / carbs was v top heavy.

I'm only anti the wrong kind of carbs.

Bread, pasta, rice, flour and sugar - we don't need them.

But we do need carbs in the form of vegetables and salad.

The current advice to eat carbs, then protein and then fat is wrong.

Biwi you really are talking rubbish and dangerous rubbish. Adults may not need loads of carbs, especially if they are trying to lose weight.

Children do need carbs.

Of course they do. I never said they didn't

Today 20:38 BIWI

"But you don't need carbs. That's a complete misconception"

OK. Yes, you're right. Let me re-phrase that.

You don't need carbs that are delivered by bread, pasta, rice, and/or sugar.

There's nothing wrong with those, as long as they're consumed in moderation - which is what I was responding to. You don't need those kind of carbs.

You can eat them, as long as they don't dominate your diet.

What you do need, in the form of carbohydrate, are vegetables and salad.

When it comes to your intake, these should be the bulk of your carbohydrate intake.

"Bread, pasta, rice, flour and sugar - we don't need them."

Who says?