Apparently this “isn’t enough food”

[foodFood]

Dd is 8
Height and weight fine

I’ve just been told by a visiting friend I’m basically starving her when she saw her lunch !
1 mini pitta
6 mini breadsticks
Dessert spoon of houmous
Dessert spoon of guacamole
Bowl of strawberries cut up (6 big ones)
A frube

That’s fine isn’t it??
For breakfast she had a bowl of plain yogurt and loads of berries
She will most likely have an afternoon snack usually cheese or a piece of fruit and dinner is normally casserole/fish pie/jacket potato and soup or similar
She has milk before bed
She’s fine !! Always has small snacks lunches and doesn’t complain of hunger
Friend was aghast and said her kids at 18 m old ate more than that

[upsideup]

I dont know if my 8 year old DS would finish all that for lunch.
If shes a healthy weight and not complaining shes hungry then thats obviously the right amount for her to be eating.
No point overfeeding children for the sake of it.

[Snuper]

That would be plenty for my 11yo. And my other 2 at that age (but they're older would want more now). 11yo has much smaller appetite than we're inclined to think is enough, but we figure she's more likely to know what she needs than us - just keeping it healthy, varied and sufficiently full of protein/vitamins/etc.

[Freudian]

Not too bad to be honest. Plenty of calories in there. Seem quite well balanced if lacking some protein, maybe some carrot sticks or some cheese would make it a bit more wholesome but thats a fine lunch.

If they running around outside or swimming they might need a bit more though

[GloveGuvner]

Mine would have eaten that as a light lunch at about 2-3, but if her height and weight are fine and she's not saying she's hungry after it's fine. Different people have different appetites.

[foodFood]

Breakfast is full day plain yogurt she loves it and it does seem to keep her full. Sometimes she has a bit of granola on it but depends what she fancies it’s usually just a whole load of different berries

[foodFood]

Full FAT !

[Raver84]

I'd say that seems small for an 8 year old and the breakfast although healthy isn't very filling berries and youghurt wouldn't fill me up or my year old. I'd prob do porridge with berries instead. Lunch I'd probably add something like a small cake or treat or some mini cheddar type thing to go with it.

[TinWhistleTunes]

Today I am looking after a biggish 9 year old. Since 8 o'clock this morning, he has eaten a large bowl of cereal, a bagel, an apple, a banana, some doritos, a beef and salad sandwich and probably a few other things a don't know about. He says he is starving, and feels quite hard done by. He's a bit overweight, but not massive.

They're all different. ..

[Pinkvoid]

No that doesn’t sound like very much food I’m afraid... but if your DD is fine with it, that’s all that really matters. I’m sure she would tell you if she were hungry.

My DS is the same age, also normal weight and height and he would whinge if that’s all I gave him.

[Amaried]

It wouldn't be near enough for my kids 4,5 & 7 but they are very very active so maybe they eat more than the average child.

[Ickyockycocky]

That doesn't sound enough food to me and not that great in terms of protein, calcium and iron rich food.

[KittyandTeal]

I have a 5yo that on some days would eat that and double again and on other days would struggle to finish that much. She’s skinny build (like her dad so hereditary) and active. Healthy height and weight and very active.

If it works for your dd then no probs I’d say

[Greenyogagirl]

That’s quite a small portion and diet doesn’t seem to be well balanced but everyone is different and if she’s happy and not underweight then I wouldn’t worry

[foodFood]

Just got me worried, I do often offer her other snacks but she will say no thanks. Mid aft is the only time she really seems to say yes and wants fruit or cheese sometimes both
Fruit bowl is always full so is the biscuit tin so there’s snacks there

[KirstenRaymonde]

@Quietlife1979 Humous has protein, great source actually. Guacamole has protein, bread has protein. You don’t need meat for protein. Yeh yogurt she had for breakfast is also protein.

I think this is on the smaller side, I’d have added some cucumber or carrot sticks and maybe adding another pita and a bit more humous and guacamole. But I assume your DD would let you know if she was still hungry, you’re not withholding food? I think many people feed their children too much and justify it by saying their kids can’t cope with less when it’s really that they’ve been taught to expect more.

[Okaynowimconfused]

I think the lunch sounds fine. Although I'd add some oats or granola to the yoghurt at breakfast.

But she is 8 and perfectly able to tell you if she was hungry. My nephew is 10 and would eat similar sized portions.

[shoofly]

I have a 12 year old who's almost 6' (don't know his exact height, but it was remarked upon last week, that he's taller than my 5'10" friend), I keep an eye on his weight and a very tall, medium build 7 year old. Both of them eat really small amounts. My friend has 4 lovely tall slim kids, who eat her out of house and home. If your child is happy and healthy I wouldn't worry.

[GertrudeBelle]

My 8 year and 6 year olds would be chewing his own arm off and eating the sofa if you fed him that as a meal. It’s a snack portion.

Is she not very active?

[KirstenRaymonde]

@Greenyogagirl what about this day of food doesn’t seem balanced to you? She’s eating a range of good foods

[Okaynowimconfused]

She could be a grazer.

[Pidlan]

My 8-year old would be hungry on that. Normal height and weight, but spends loads of time outside, running around and playing football.
He does tend to be less energetic if he has less- Does your DD exercise/run around?

[Bimbaloo]

Sounds a bit meagre to me. Bit more hummus for protein wouldn't go amiss.

[MollyDaydream]

Only on mumsnet would you be criticised for not providing enough protein and calcium based on two perfectly healthy meals

[KirstenRaymonde]

Lots of people not seeming to understand that plants provide more than adequate protein...

[foodFood]

We give a multivitamin and iron supplement anyway so hopefully that fills any gaps
Protein wise I think ok as with dinner always has meat or fish ? It’s just small portion sizes
Maybe I should add a mid morn snack but I’d feel like i was force feeding her as she always says no thanks, she would probably eat something small if I actually told her to but I feel bad pushing food on her when she seems ok ... not sure
My friend just looked horrified “that’s not her lunch is it ?????”