To not feed my kids 3 meals a day?

[GunpowderGelatine]

If I feed my kids 3 meals a day, they just don't eat all of what I make them (they are 5 and almost 2). I loathe wasting food, and they probably leave about a whole meals worth altogether if I feed them 3 times a day. I usually give them a little something for breakfast, like half an apple - or if they're not hungry when they wake up they'll have something mid-morning - then the odd little snack through the day and then a full meal at dinner time. They're hungry enough by then that they'll eat it all. They never complain of being hungry and rarely ask for food.

Similarly I never have breakfast in just never hungry in a morning, I always wait til lunchtime.

AIBU to think that, for some, 3 meals a day is excessive?

I imagine it will aaaaall change come teenage years 

Are they filling up on milk and juice during the day or do they literally just drink water? If you play outside enough (2 hours+ in the morning, 2+ in the afternoon, whatever the weather) they'll likely want their meals.

Neither of my DS (12 and 14) eat breakfast, and it’s not for want of me trying. I’ve even tried making pancakes and other exciting things and they’re just not hungry at that time of day. I can’t leave the house without breakfast so I find it hard, but I can’t physically shove food down them.

DS2 does drink a big glass of milk, so that’s something, but DS1 just sips a cup of tea like a little old lady. I just make sure I offer breakfast every morning, even though I know the answer.

I stopped getting breakfast aged 5 when my mum went back to work. Wasn't allowed snacks though. I think my stomach just shrank so I couldn't finish proper meals. I didn't know how to articulate being hungry coz I didn't know that was the cause of my stomach pain.

I remember getting a health check at school and hearing the phrase failure to thrive. Maybe check how they're doing with your gp.

A child going to school needs breakfast. Half an apple won't provide anything like enough energy for a child to concentrate at school. If they won't eat much make sure the small amounts they do eat are packed with nutrients.

It seems such a small amount compared to my 2yo (but she does like her food).
I would cut the snacks. Dd doesn’t snack at home between meals

3 meals!!!
my 14 and 8 y old is on 9-10 big sized meals each and lots of fruit snacks

always fresh and homemade(they wont eat frozen of packet) and we go through 18 pints of milk per day as me and youngest drink a lot of milk

they have many disabilities each and they dont get full so eat constantly
14 y old is 6ft and 10st 8
8 y old is 5ft and 8st 2
i spend roughly £40 per day on food
neither sleep so we as adults are up making food so are 24 hour carers

forgot to add they dont go to school so dont have to worry about waiting for meals

Sorry but it seems like you’re not feeding your children enough at all. I think you’re putting adult expectations of meals onto them, you might not want much all morning, I don’t either, but a child needs a proper breakfast with fat and protein.

Agree stop the snacks and maybe smaller meals if throwing away

Do they drink lots of milk or juice. If so cut down and give water

But what you say you are feeding them isn’t enough. No child can survive on half an apple for breakie

Maybe take a pic of portion size

Half an apple at breakfast?!!

It sounds as if you can’t be bothered giving them breakfast for a start!

My 2yr old hates lunch. He sleeps through lunch anyway, wakes up early afternoon and just asks for snacks all day long.
Two proper meals a day is all he wants and at his age, I’ll go with it. My eldest on the other hand wants 5 meals a day. Full meals.

I say go with your kids wants and needs 🤷🏻‍♀️

I have to say, when I feed ‘snacks’ it’s cheese and crackers, toast, fruit. He doesn’t eat crisps and chocolate all day long

Your kids are only getting one meal a day?

Half an apple is not breakfast, just because you don't eat breakfast doesn't matter and you dont withold food from your kids just because you loathe waste.

You're obviously niggling over this or you wouldn't have posted.

Yes YABU. Feed your children 3 healthy, well-balanced meals a day. Most children would probably like a piece of fruit or two in between as well. If they are not eating their dinner, you have probably given them too much for lunch.

I think you are just being lazy.

I’d stop giving them snacks as much as possible and just give them meals.

What does the ‘odd little snack’ amount to?

A small portion of scrambled eggs and a bit of toast for breakfast is a must, at least for me. They need that protein at the start of the day. Otherwise stop the snacks as others have said.

You are massively underfeeding your children if all they have before the one meal is the odd small snack and 1.2 apple!

Haven't read the full thread so might be repeating something but I personally feel that eating for toddlers and small children is much more fluid than "3 meals a day". It works well for adults because we can regulate our hunger better, work to a set schedule, and can adjust with a snack here or a lighter lunch there. Children can't do this, and therefore if they are happy, then I think what you are doing works for them and is totally fine.

I think we are so rigid as a society these days, we just blindly go along with what we are "supposed" to do. There is NOTHING wrong with your approach if the children are happy, healthy, and full :)

Id be getting them checked out to make sure they are okay healthwise and id look at cutting snacks and offering more of a meal

I think it sounds like a lazy cop out TBH.

Are your children tiny? Half an Apple sets no-one up for the day!

Agree that it's quite important to develop good habits. Three meals a day (can be small if they don't need / want large portions) without snacks and not excessive amounts of juice / milk.

Also I think you need to sit and eat with them (or at least pretend to). Seeing you do it / set a good example is key. When they're at school, they'll need the nutrition to concentrate and certainly being able to have the social skills to sit down to a meal at school with your friends etc is important.

YABU your kids stomachs have probably shrunk. Offer three meals a day so they get used to the concept- offer less food, doesn’t have to be a huge cooked meal each time. I don’t agree to get them to the point of starving before you feed them

At that age I'd worry if a child was so hungry that they would eat everything you give them at mealtimes. Their appetites are variable and their tummies are small. Little and often is better for them.