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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

is 15yo dd eating too much?

388 replies

nuttyveg · 22/05/2020 16:11

i've posted on teenagers, but i haven't gotten many responses, so i thought i'd post here for traffic.
15yo dd has been eating more recently and i don't know if it's too much or not, she's a healthy weight, not like a beanpole but not fat.
today she's had
2 slices of vegan cheese on seedy toast and a milky coffee made with oat milk and stevia for breakfast
about 5 wedges, 4 mini falafels, 3 oreos and a small handful of salt and vinegar crisps for lunch
4 more oreos as a snack
and will be having chickpea and roasted vegetable soup for dinner with a slice or two of seedy bread
and homemade apple cake with custard for pudding
and she usually has a bowl of cereal with oat milk before bed, so i imagine she will tonight too.
thank you for any responses Smile

OP posts:
Nicolanomore24 · 22/05/2020 16:27

That isn’t much. My DS 16 has eaten this do far today

2x egg omelet with 2x slices of seeded toast
2x sausage with 2 x slices of seeded toast
3x Apples
1 x bag of crisps

We are having chicken curry for dinner with rice (he will have a huge portion)

Most probably have toast and cereal before bed and more fruit. He’s not over weight.

mynameiscalypso · 22/05/2020 16:28

But OP has said the Oreos were a one off thing?

Yeahnahmum · 22/05/2020 16:29

Not eating too much at all
But make sure she takes b12 supplements as a vegan. And also her overall diet sounds rubbish but hey she is a teenager Grin

Confusedbutheyho · 22/05/2020 16:32

OP, I do the same as my daughter literally put on over a stone in 6 months and felt terribly and was so unhappy.

Forget having Oreos in the house just lots of fruit and yogurt etc. Or make Fridays a treat day so she can have some Oreos etc one day of the week.

whensmynexthol1day · 22/05/2020 16:36

@nuttyveg no worries! It's not that the amount seems off more that the nutrition could be better. Although as everyone says she's a teenager so it could be a lot worse!

WorraLiberty · 22/05/2020 16:38

To be honest, I don't really think 'Is she eating too much?' is a question anyone else can answer here OP.

You'll get a range of posters saying "Oh no my teenagers eats (insert massive amount of food)" and others saying "Yes, it's way more than mine eats".

Only you know if she's eating too much for her, how much exercise she's getting and how she eats on days other than today.

If you're worried, just try introducing a few healthier things.

FirmlyRooted · 22/05/2020 16:41

Doesn't sound like it's too much to me at all. Why are you so focused on what she is eating?

Two slices of toast for breakfast isn't that much, a five wedges really doesn't sound like a lot with 5 falafels.

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 22/05/2020 16:42

If this was a teenage boy nobody would bat an eyelid. Everyone finds it hilarious when teenage boys snaffle their way through a whole loaf of bread or gallons of milk, if a girl does it then it becomes an issue

ThePianist38 · 22/05/2020 16:42

Is not a lot for a 15 yrs old but is definitely not a balanced diet . How is she vegan if she eats Oreos?? 😂

Original poster
nuttyveg · 22/05/2020 16:43

she isn't very active, she walks the dog most days but that's it really. she hasn't noticeably gained any weight but she only wears baggy clothes so i wouldn't be able to really tell. some days she will be getting over 10 of her 5 a day easily, and then some days like today where it's terrible. i don't really want to limit her food, i just wanted to know if this is somewhat the amount other teens eat, or if it's a concerning amount at which point i'd have to limit it.

OP posts:
amijustparanoidorjuststoned · 22/05/2020 16:43

It doesn't sound like a lot of food to be honest. She's still potentially growing! Also I personally don't think soup is a proper dinner. That will mean she is more likely to snack throughout the evening.

Original poster
nuttyveg · 22/05/2020 16:43

@ThePianist38 oreos are vegan Smile

OP posts:
mynameiscalypso · 22/05/2020 16:44

Please don't ever think about limiting a 15 year old's diet; my DM tried to do that to me and all it did was cause years of eating disorders.

rosiejaune · 22/05/2020 16:45

It doesn't sound like too much food, but it does sound like too much sugar/low-nutrient food, and not enough fruit/vegetables/legumes.

I would total the added sugar in what she's eating and you will probably find it's over the recommended daily amount.

How about e.g. roasted chickpeas or flavoured tofu as a snack instead?

Bread999 · 22/05/2020 16:45

That's a lot of sugar

Original poster
nuttyveg · 22/05/2020 16:45

@amijustparanoidorjuststoned yes, we're just having soup tonight as we're having a proper pudding, which we never usually do.

OP posts:
oliviaskies · 22/05/2020 16:46

I really don't think that sounds like too much. Everything sounds pretty healthy. If she's not gaining a significant amount of weight, I don't think theres any reason for concern there.

WotsitWiggle · 22/05/2020 16:46

It doesn't sound like a lot of food, but it's a lot of refined carbohydrates.

Eckhart · 22/05/2020 16:46

If she starts putting on weight, she's eating more than she needs. Otherwise, the only concern is that too much of it isn't treats to the detriment of getting a good balance of micro and macro nutrients.

If she's looking well, isn't overweight, and has enough energy, she's fine. Oh, and sleeps well.

No point listing foods. Everybody's needs are different.

Newgirls · 22/05/2020 16:48

Mine eats more snack food now shes veggie - lack of protein makes them hungry and it’s tricky trying to get the right protein in

Will she eat eggs, nuts etc ? Would fill her up more

RonObvious · 22/05/2020 16:48

If she's a healthy weight, then why are you tracking her food so closely?

Mintjulia · 22/05/2020 16:49

It’s a bit heavy on carbs and sugar isn’t it. Looks like too little fruit and veg to me.

But not too much in total.

ThePianist38 · 22/05/2020 16:49

nuttyveg

@ThePianist38 oreos are vegan smile

I swear I read somewhere they have milk or come in contact with milk etc , my apologies if I’m wrong .

DishingOutDone · 22/05/2020 16:50

My DD is 16, she's had a fruit jelly, a yo yo bear thing and some crisps. Spag bol for dinner. She can eat in her room and chooses not to, I wouldn't stop her unless she was smearing ketchup on the walls.

When you start a food list thread OP then you will have posters piling on saying gosh did she really need an apple AND the lettuce?! But nice to see on this thread quite a few have said if she is happy and healthy then what exactly is the issue?

TwilightPeace · 22/05/2020 16:50

No, it’s not a lot. Just make sure there is plenty of nutritious food in the house and don’t start fixating on what she eats.
Does she take a multivitamin?