Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Just got RL flamed for the packed lunch I did for DS

375 replies

AClearShotOfTheStreet · 13/04/2018 10:27

Lovely friend is here. Didn't know how but got on to the packed lunch I did for DS, who is 6, today for a holiday camp.

Apparently it's not enough, no wonder he is skinny and I am starving him (mostly lighthearted but kernel of truth?)

He had porridge for breakfast with a cup of milk, semi skimmed. I have given him an apple for morning snack, a ham and cucumber sandwich on seedy bread for lunch with a yoghurt, and a small bag of hula hoops for afternoon snack. He will have cottage pie with veg for dinner and a tangerine for afters, possibly a bit of Easter egg with a cup of milk just before bed.

This is OK right? Hula hoops are a bit of an anomaly as we are having the kitchen knocked down and It's what I could find. But this IS a reasonable amount of food for a 6 year old? He's very sporty and slim but I don't think I need to feed him any more? He rarely complains of hunger and if he does is directed to fruit bowl or slice of toast with peanut butter etc.

OP posts:
kathhere · 13/04/2018 10:29

My 6 yo would be hungry if that was all, but you know your child better than we do - maybe ask him later

Aprilmightbemynewname · 13/04/2018 10:29

Tbh my ds 3 would manage all of that!!
But you know your ds best!!

MrsJayy · 13/04/2018 10:30

Totally fine Imo little children are so used to snacking that some adults think they need fed every hour on the hour.

Nothisispatrick · 13/04/2018 10:30

If he's not complaining of hunger I guess it's alright, a roll and a yogurt is quite small for a busy day at holiday camp though.

MinaPaws · 13/04/2018 10:30

I'd give an extra piece of fruit and a biscuit/flapjack/cheese and crackers for the second snack. And they'd come home every day uneaten! What you provide is what ime they will actually eat. You could add a few things in case he gets extra hungry one day. Ask the holiday club staff. Does he seem ravenous?

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 13/04/2018 10:30

Why tell people what your child's packed lunch consists of? You must have known you were inviting comment Hmm
Why look for validation from friends and now strangers on the Internet?

IlikemyTeahot · 13/04/2018 10:30

sounds fine to me

CallingDannyBoy · 13/04/2018 10:31

Does he leave anything at lunch? That is how I gauge it - if it is all eaten regularly then it’s time to add in a bit more. Sometimes at holiday club it’s a bit exciting and they don’t eat it all anyway and then they have a snack of fruit or toast when they come home. It’s hard to say without seeing it as sandwiches vary but it’s one meal for the whole day.

Lalliella · 13/04/2018 10:31

Sounds like a perfect food plan for a 6yo. He’d tell you if he was hungry. Your friend is being judgemental.

CallingDannyBoy · 13/04/2018 10:32

Sorry that should be one meal from the whole days food.

zzzzz · 13/04/2018 10:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Crusoe · 13/04/2018 10:34

My 10 year old eats about that much most days. Sounds fine to me. You know your child best.

TheHobbyKing · 13/04/2018 10:34

That’s about as much as my 6 year old would eat. My youngest would eat more so I would put in more fruit. If he’s happy with that and not hungry does it matter?

Don’t feel like you need to justify hula hoops.

ShinyShooney · 13/04/2018 10:34

So a sandwich and a yogurt is his lunch?

Depends on the sarnie- that could be anywhere from 200 Cals or 600 cals depending on filling but tbh I'd want more- I bet he's running around and playing all day.

Dozer · 13/04/2018 10:35

Weird to discuss it with your friend.

arethereanyleftatall · 13/04/2018 10:36

Sounds perfect to me.

Original poster
AClearShotOfTheStreet · 13/04/2018 10:37

His BMI is on the 8th centile..... which is fine and normal I know but he does look skinny when compared to classmates. So I guess there is a kernel of worry there that I don't give enough food.

OP posts:
LondonElle · 13/04/2018 10:37

I think that’s a perfect size daily menu
For a child... sounds healthy and well balanced, children these days eat too much as a rule and their portions are a lot bigger than they used to be.

BarbarianMum · 13/04/2018 10:38

How many calories is he getting?

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 13/04/2018 10:38

So give more food Confused

Original poster
AClearShotOfTheStreet · 13/04/2018 10:38

I know Dozer.... boring topic! We were talking about feeding a family without a kitchen and got on to it.....

OP posts:
SecretBum · 13/04/2018 10:38

A sandwich and yoghurt wouldn't have been enough for either of mine at that age, especially in the middle of a busy or sporty kids camp.

Mine would have a sandwich, yoghurt, grapes, cucumber and carrot sticks and a snack like mini cheddars or a couple of biscuits. Sometimes it would include a boiled egg too.

Shizzlestix · 13/04/2018 10:39

If I were on an extreme diet, that sounds fine. For a presumably active 6 year old, I think he needs more.

SuitedandBooted · 13/04/2018 10:40

That's fine. Mine would be perfectly happy with that. My son is often described as skinny, which is daft. He's just not flabby, like so many other kids.
People are totally losing perspective on children's portion sizes and calorie needs.

AjasLipstick · 13/04/2018 10:40

My 10 year old eats that for lunch with the addition of some more fruit. But yes, a sandwich, another snack type thing such as a yogurt or muffin...(cheese or fruit muffin) and mine will have a tub of grapes and maybe some cheese cubes too.

It sounds fine to me.