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

Veg - carb
Breaded Mozzarella - dairy and carb
Breaded Chicken - protein and carb

Fruit salad for pudding

Cut of walnuts and raisins for a snack

Dinner
Salmon stir fry, corn on the cob and carrots on the side.

I am proud of the way my children eat and what I feed them. I don't have any questions about that.

But thanks for the replies re the portion size. Nice to have that boost when MIL trying to drag me down.

Blonde... no chips. It's breaded chicken and mozeralla sticks

Why is everyone so obsessed with balancing food groups on every freaking plate? If I have cheese sandwich for lunch, I don't start panicking because there is no iron on my plate, I just eat broccoli with my next meal

Chill out.

It's a generational thing. My DM would be about the quantity of chicken as well. As a child I would have been given half that, but a good portion of boiled spuds with it.

If they're healthy and their weight is fine, it doesn't matter what MN thinks (and many MNers can't be reasonable about food, as you've already seen in this thread!). It's clearly fine.

I want to eat that veg!

How could anyone think a child needs less than is on that plate?
You mil needs to pop to spec savers I think

Your MIL sounds unusual TBH.

It looks perfect.

She needs to get a life.

no comment on the plates here. however, never ceases to amaze me how many kids on here eat adult portions etc. So, for example, if you feed a 4 year old an entire chicken supreme... when they're 11 will you be making them 2?

we're storing up issues for the future.

My DS is 6 and that would only be a snack for him and he's so skinny you can see his ribs. It depends on a child's metabolism as well. He's always hungry so for me that is not enough food.

If your DC are fine weight-wise and are happy and healthy then I'd not question it. Everyone has different appetites. My DGD still eats the same amount of food as a baby and always has done, my nephews have always put away adult sized portions since they were toddlers. Ignore MIL.

I'm shocked your mil thinks a child needs LESS than that, silly woman!

people on here have strange issues with food.

That looks like a balanced meal. If your children are a healthy weight your MIL has no business making any comment at all on portion sizes.

i was reading this earlier in the week, thought it was a really interesting piece.

bmjopen.bmj.com/content/4/12/e006609.abstract

Veg is not carbs! Not even if you spiralise it to pretend it's pasta

Think that looks fine - usually if children have had enough they won't keep eating anyway but everyone knows their own child and if they are active and not overweight then there's no problem. My sil still gives my 6'1 16 year old a tiny portion - she's very slim though and has always given tiny portions ... he eats again when he comes home

If your kids are satisfied with that amount and it sees them through to dinner then that is obviously the right amount. Looks a nutritious healthy lunch.

Your meal plan for today doesn't include much in the way of carbohydrates. I wouldn't be including the veg as carbohydrate, and there isn't much in the way of breadcrumbs to make up a full carbohydrate portion either. Are you not serving rice or another carbohydrate with the stir fry?

Also, at 5'7" and just under 8 stone that makes you underweight. I am 5'7" and am slim at over 9 stone. I would look skeletal at 8 stone.

There isn't too much food on those plates BTW.

hoddtastic when my eldest was very young he had a big appetite but was always on the go ... he ate what I would consider adult sized portions from a very young age - he still has a big appetite but is now a tall, rugby playing lad - you wouldn't have to double portions when they're older but some eat more than others to sustain them. I eat big portions but try to fill half the plate with salad/veg and my mum eats tiny amounts - we weigh the same

Your meal plan for today doesn't include much in the way of carbohydrates.

OP has clearly stated she isn't asking for guidance on her kids' diets, just portion size.

Would look larger on a smaller plate

Good grief, the carb issue!

Breakfast
Scrambled egg and toast
Pancake and maple syrup
CARB

Snack
Banana
CARB

Lunch
As per pic
Fruit salad to follow
Minimal CARB

Nuts and raisin
CARB

Salmon fajitas (the fajita... CARB!)
And veg

Natural yoghurt and raspberries to follow

I thinks there's another of everything

Again, thank you for replies re portions

I think it is a bit too much DS5 wouldn't be able to manage that.

Another should read enough