Constant snacking ffs

[anothersuitcase]

So sick of this. My group of friends are obsessed with forcing snacks on their kids, they are literally never allowed to become hungry. I like my kids to feel hungry at mealtimes, and actually want to eat their dinner rather than pick at it. But every time we meet up snacks are produced or bought not even an hour after the last meal. Is it just the people I spend time with or is this the way things are now?

Yes I know you do get kids that need to eat regularly for various reasons, but surely not all kids? Is there actually anything wrong with a rumbling tum, even a bit of a gnawing hunger pang at mealtimes? I know I could tell my kids they can't partake but that is pretty awkward when all the others are tucking in.

I raised this with my friend today and she said something along the lines of this isn't post-war Britain and why deprive them when you don't have to? And I said that's exactly why there is a problem with obesity in children (her kids aren't obese to be fair) Things were slightly strained after that. So who is being unreasonable?

They force snacks on children? I spend most of my life telling my gannet of a child that no, he can't have any snacks because then he won't eat his lunch!

you are unreasonable, and preachy and rude.no wonder she’s frosty to you
Calm down, let your mate feed her own healthy kids as she wishes.without comment

You get flamed on here for saying it but it seems to a modern neurotic parent thing.

My sister is the same. Constantly worrying about getting something into them and bringing drinks everywhere they go. Have they had enough, they need another drink, etc.

Ffs you're not going to dehydrate in the UK in winter in an hour.

Then the snacks. Crisps. Chocolate. Biscuits. Mini cheddars. None of it asked for by my nephews. She just hands it to them. Then wonders why they dont eat their meals.

You get flamed on here for saying it but it seems to a modern neurotic parent thing.

My sister is the same. Constantly worrying about getting something into them and bringing drinks everywhere they go. Have they had enough, they need another drink, etc.

Ffs you're not going to dehydrate in the UK in winter in an hour.

Then the snacks. Crisps. Chocolate. Biscuits. Mini cheddars. None of it asked for by my nephews. She just hands it to them. Then wonders why they dont eat their meals.

Children should not feel actual hunger pangs.

Unless their children are over weight or obese you are being unreasonable. Which you have stated they are not.

I'm more concerned that your children are left to have hunger pangs.

I completely agree @connebert

Eat when hungry. Not ‘a little peckish’ This obsession with constant eating and fear of actually feeling hunger is not good at all.

OMG hunger pangs are not the devil!! We're talking a twinge of "oh i think I'm hungry" not days of starvation. Feeling hungry is not a bad thing.

Yup you're right, they are crazyily deluded. They're also normal. Generational delusion. Weird huh?

Our taste for constant snacks is what is making us all fat. It is good to feel some hunger pangs )in moderation), it allows us to realise when we need food! The constant filling up with non nutritious biscuits cakes, chocs etc means that we don’t eat enough nutritious foods. It’s not just a problem for kids; it’s a habit that goes into adulthood as our collective obesity problem shows

Children should not feel actual hunger pangs.

Then how will they learn when they are hungry?

Seriously what is wrong with hunger pangs?! Why is it "concerning"? That's what I don't get, and maybe it is me being unreasonable then. After lunch and four hours tearing about I know my dc are hungry. But they aren't starving. They don't complain about it as they are used to it. They eat their dinner. Is there really something wrong with that? My friends kids don't even ask, they just produce the snacks every time the kids approach or constantly ask if they're hungry

Completely agree with OP, we have relatives who seem to think their toddlers need feeding on the hour every hour ( the children don't ask for food), then when they are expected to sit down for the meal we've prepared , unsurprisingly they won't cooperate as they are not hungry ( their parents say they are too excited to eat ....) . What really annoys me is the snacks that are produced just before lunch ....

Totally agree, OP

To develop a lifetime of better eating habits I feel it's best to let children listen to their bodies natural hunger cues. Rather than the more normal (imo) method of training them to just eat when told to regardless of hunger, which is less about the childs needs and more about the parents convenience.

However I'm not going to be bothered by what friends decide is best for their own child as long as they don't attempt to interfere with what I think is best for mine. As long as parents aren't being abusive then it ain't really my business.

Not to say I never judge, I just tend to keep them to myself or shared with my partner, unless asked for my opinion on something.

It's better for the metabolism to eat little and often.
Children are more likely to become obese from becoming hungry and subsequently over eating at meal times than from snacks. We can take a while to realise when we are full after becoming this hungry.
Obviously if the snacks are biscuits and cake then that's a different matter.

I remember as a child never being given snacks unless I was starving and we weren't eating for hours.

Also, I give mine snacks such as pepper or cheese that they might have for lunch anyway so if they're not hungry at the designated 'lunchtime' then it's no big deal.

OP how old are the snacking children?

My mum used to give me snacks of raw rhubarb!! It was the 70s, things were different

I don’t buy that, QueenUnicorn. I think sensible routines established from the word go are much less likely to cause obesity.

How long can you all go between proper meals until you actually feel hungry? Does anyone actually know?

Being hungry at mealtimes does not automatically make you over eat.

Eating little and often has not been proven to be ‘better for metabolism’ unless comparing it to overeating.

People who eat three healthy meals a day with reasonable portions are generally not overweight.

I agree. And the problem is that your kid sees it so then they wonder where theirs is!
This used to drive me mad at groups/classes like Rattle & Rhyme where you sit down to a class at 10am and they suddenly get 6 boxes of Tupperware filled with snacks out. No wonder there's an obesity crisis. Nothing wrong with a "snack" but some people's seem to list all day!

The metabolism thing was discredited years ago.

I can't believe people still believe their metabolism slows down if they arent constantly eating to boost it.

Eating little and often is no different to eating 1-3 meals as far as metabolism is concerned.