How to lower my child’s BMI?

[Poolofjoy]

She is currently on the 99th percentile. About 4 months ago, we cut out takeaways. We had a dominoes every week, sometimes a curry too. Sometimes a McDonald’s as well. Food was pretty processed and crap. Now I cook homemade, healthy meals. No takeaways. I also enrolled her on two after school activities which are great exercise. This is the new lifestyle now, that we are fully sticking to. But, her weight does not look like it’s gone down at all.. will it gradually? I weighed/measured her in July ( under the guise of testing the machine at the leisure centre before I had a go, as I don’t want to make her self conscious ) should I weigh her again to check? I just don’t want her to worry that I’m weighing her again. Should I make more changes?

@Poolofjoy I've only just seen this thread so sorry this comment is a bit late but be aware that the Chocologic chocolate contains almost as many calories as regular chocolate - I occasionally eat it as a treat because I'm trying to reduce my sugar intake but it still has 484 calories per 100g (vs dairy milk at 534 calories per 100g).

Thank you for the heads up ACats.. I took it out of my food shop order in the end

I would make sure she gets a really good portion of protein during each meal, which will fill her up for longer and, if she's exercising, should turn to muscle and help her burn fat. I have two teenage boys and its a constant battle to get them to eat sufficient protein. My eldest one is an absolute carb monster and his natural default is to reach for garlic bread, noodles, etc. So I have to make a conscious effort to make him chicken wraps, eggs, etc.

@ACatsNoHelpWithThat

The Chocologic bar was mentioned for use as a treat. Not as a invitation for her daughter to eat as much as she likes. The calories are still high, but the sugar content is much less. It does have sweeteners though so a lot of people would still see that as bad bad.

A dairy milk bar has 56g of sugar per 100g. Chocologic milk chocolate has 20.9g of sugar per 100g.

@Fiffyshadesofgreymatter yes I appreciate that less sugar is a good thing but if weight loss is the goal then I was just clarifying that Chocologic still has a lot of calories and carbs because some people might equate no added sugar as meaning significantly lower in calories e.g Chocologic vs Dairy Milk is comparable to Coke Zero vs regular Coke, which is not the case.

All still going in the right direction over here. Can anyone give me ideas for packed lunch though? I was thinking a cheese and ham sandwich, a frube, an alpen light bar, cut up cucumber and carrot, flavoured water? Would crisps such as hula hoop pufts be a no go?! Trying to balance what’s the right and what friends have

Name changed, I’m still Pool!

I would say no crisps and plain water not flavoured. Carrots/cucumber good. Could switch ham and cheese for a chicken salad wrap? Or tuna mayo? But nothing wrong with ham and cheese really just thinking of cutting down the processed meat.

I’m pretty sure Alpen bars have lots of sugar in them. Sorry. Just be aware often cereal bars labelled as healthy just aren’t. You’d be better off having a piece of dark chocolate.

Can you switch the frube for plain yoghurt? Doesn’t travel as well I know.

I know it’s tricky though when comparing lunch boxes with friends. A few switches can help.

I would say frube or alpen bar, not both. And no crisps.

My daughter has a sandwich, small orange, cubed cheese and a tub of cucumber/tomato. No sweet things at all.

What sort of foods does she like OP?

Could you some days provide her with a sandwich/wrap and then others some cous cous/pasta with diced veg and protein?

Alongside that more veg if she will eat it and a small piece of fruit. And maybe a small bag of salted popcorn perhaps (or pop your own together)? I know some would frown at that due to the salt content but it is otherwise full of fibre and may make her feel less deprived when her friends are eating bags if crisps?

What about cheese or ham (or any other protein) with any salad?
Cut up veg
Plain water
Fruit
One treat like a cereal bar (there are some good wholesome ones like Eat Natural), biscuits or crisps.

I have sent in some put aside (no accidental leftovers in this house with 6 ft eldest around!) popped corn in a wee container which fits inside the box before now.

Cherry tomatoes travel well.

Occasional add-ons like the packaged snacks or bars but don't make it daily would be my approach.

Do any of the other kids take a soup flask? One of my kids did that on occasions for a couple of years. Next child looked at me as though I had two heads for suggesting it!

Jumping in to say you sound like such a good mum facing this head on.

I was recently looking at childhood photos of myself and siblings and got very upset realising how overweight we all were. I resent my parents for not doing anything about it. We were young, it was in her control.

I know it's not easy. But well done for taking the hard route of tackling it.

Thank you Momo

Would the no added sugar jelly pots be a better alternative than a frube?

I know natural yoghurt would be even better, but just wondering as they don’t seem to do natural yoghurt in small pots. The jelly is much lower in fat/sugar than a frube but has no nutritional benefits. This is a minefield

Just had a quick look at the no sugar jelly pots, they have replaced the sugar with sweetners and aspartame. If you are bothered about that kind of thing! So no real nutritional benefit and some additives.

Must she have a yoghurt/jelly? I liked the suggestion of popcorn.

Some of the Naked bars are quite good too.

You sound like you are really trying and it is so hard!

Frubes are such a rip off. Better off having a decent organic proper pot of yog (organic have a bit less sugar). Brown bread for the sandwich, carrots and cucumber, no cereal bar and plain water. Thats what my dd had every day for years!!

Struggling a bit with wholemeal bread, so she’s got some 50/50 to try tomorrow. Once we’ve used up the flavoured water, will move on to plain. I’m going to have a look on amazon for a Tupperware pot for the natural yoghurt. Got some popcorn to replace the crisps! Although it’s that metcalfe skinny sweet stuff, dh picked it up!

I would go for a sandwich she actually likes so she’s happy with the main ‘bit’ of lunch. Slice a small amount of cheese really finely with a potato peeler if you’re adding it as well as ham. Chicken/tuna and sweetcorn in a bit of light mayo are nice protein rich options too.

Veg on the side is great and then a small pot of Greek yoghurt (yeo valley do small pots but expensive). The Greek yoghurt will be more calories than the frube but more protein, less sugar and more nutrient dense.

If she has a sweet tooth then sugar free jelly too (not the sugary alpen bar) and nothing wrong with hula hoops once or twice a week if she really likes them. All about balance!

Should say too- you’re doing brilliantly I wish my parents had taken a similar approach when I was in your daughters shoes.

www.sainsburys.co.uk/shop/gb/groceries/yeo-valley-organic-greek-style-natural-yogurt-4x120g-7782511-p-44?istCompanyId=1e096408-041f-4238-994e-a7cf46bf9413&istItemId=wxtiaptwrq&istBid=t&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-Ja8pMrq3QIVR7TtCh0T4AgLEAQYAiABEgKWjfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CJC_lvHK6t0CFYTGUQodF28LIA

Actually- these aren’t too pricy.

Fantastic, thank you Saturday

for containers: clip lid ones fare better. easier to open and less prone to yoghurt explosion. sistema does good ones

You are Op, doing brilliant

Try veggie crisps.
Frozen grapes and blueberries are like sweeties