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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is this too much food??

297 replies

Nightgardenisodd · 04/08/2021 18:43

Toddler Dd, 3, her dinner today. Very hot where we are, lots of salads etc. We made bread today, so possibly a bit more than normal here, with the bread included.
My mum says I feed her too much food and no wonder she doesn’t eat it all. I don’t expect her to eat it all, but like to give her a varied choice in the hope she chooses parts and eats something, which she does.
Dd is a normal weight etc.
Aibu or is this an okay amount of food for her for dinner?

OP posts:
Benjispruce5 · 05/08/2021 09:15

@SpindleWhorl Grin

queenmeadhbh · 05/08/2021 10:54

Not relevant to your OP @Nightgardenisodd but the mayonnaise looks sooooo European, the way it comes out with the little ridges on it. Never thought about it before but this is how I think of mayonnaise in France rather than UK where it’s a blob from a jar, or a “straight” squirt from a squeeze bottle!

Original poster
Nightgardenisodd · 05/08/2021 11:03

@suspiria777 🤣🤣Ffs

OP posts:
Original poster
Nightgardenisodd · 05/08/2021 11:05

@queenmeadhbh 😂It does look a bit fancier

OP posts:
SpindleWhorl · 05/08/2021 11:41

I thought it was Primula! But I'm clearly common.

Sceptre86 · 05/08/2021 15:46

It looks like a healthy, balanced meal but more than my 4 year old would eat. All kids have different appetites though. As long as your dd is progressing well I don't see the issue.

Peppermintpatty24 · 05/08/2021 17:24

That looks lovely, but I do think a bit too much for a 3 year old. Too much food on a plate can be overwhelming for kids.

custardcreme77 · 05/08/2021 17:36

That meal looks perfectly fine, yum yum.

LittleMissPlant · 05/08/2021 17:45

The plate is overfull IMO - things are squeezing off the edge.

I personally can’t stand food waste. If you’re knowingly giving her more than she can eat I don’t think you’re teaching healthy habits…eg, you’re teaching her to pick the best bits and leave the rest.

The meal has a lovely variety in it…there’s just too much of it.

ChelleMum85 · 05/08/2021 17:47

That's an amazing dinner! I want it lol...

Is that cheese with the mayo on? I bet it would taste fab with pomegranate sprinkled on and some chunks of pear, apple, watermelon...sorry...hungry now 😋.

I would say the more fruit and veg the better, just watch the citric acid doesn't cause a dicky belly. That bread...mmmmmmmmm

EatAllDay · 05/08/2021 17:48

@AtleastitsnotMonday

What is the pale thing with what looks like squirt cream on?
Cheese with Mayo
QueeniesCroft · 05/08/2021 17:51

I will give you some excellent dietary advice. It's really all you need to know;

NEVER, EVER ask Mumsnet if you or your children are eating too much. Or about your food generally. There are people who get their jollies from competitive undereating, and others who have read a diet book so feel that they definitely know everything about nutrition. If you feel that you need advice about feeding a toddler, ask a health visitor, a doctor or a dietician. These threads almost always end in ridiculousness.

BastardMonkfish · 05/08/2021 17:54

@Bigtoejoe

Well I now feel bad about only giving my 3 year old 1 weetabix... He does sometimes have something else but not always. A standard adult portion is 2 so I would have thought that'd be way too much for most children - I know they're all different but I'm surprised at the general horror on this thread of only offering one!
My 4 year old only eats one and he doesn't even take it with milk. He'll take a smoothie every morning too though. The 'egg AND cheese is too much' people will probably faint at the idea.
GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 05/08/2021 17:57

Perhaps gently tell your Mum to mind her own business.

If you're happy with how much she eats, and she's happy and healthy, what the hell as it got to do with anyone else?

nocturnalcatfreetogoodhome · 05/08/2021 17:58

Looks perfect.

Nothing junky and lots of fresh veg/fruit.

Fucking hell to some of these posters, call social services over a bit of mayo.

onelittlefrog · 05/08/2021 18:01

It looks like there are no carbs in the picture but you said about making bread so assuming you offered bread too?

If so then that looks like a very well balanced meal. It's quite a lot for a 3 year old but if she is allowed leave what she doesn't want then I think it's a great way to feed a child, to offer variety every time. She will regulate her own appetite.

onelittlefrog · 05/08/2021 18:04

@LittleMissPlant

The plate is overfull IMO - things are squeezing off the edge.

I personally can’t stand food waste. If you’re knowingly giving her more than she can eat I don’t think you’re teaching healthy habits…eg, you’re teaching her to pick the best bits and leave the rest.

The meal has a lovely variety in it…there’s just too much of it.

I disagree.

I think as young children they should be exposed regularly to lots of different foods so that they can get used to different tastes, textures and appearances of food. Children don't know what are "the best bits", what does that even mean? They are learning about what they like and don't like.

People who are overly concerned about wastage are the ones who are more likely to have picky eaters and children who feel they have to finish what's on their plate (which can lead to obesity and all kinds of issues around food).

If you are able to offer variety whilst your child learns and explores the world then why wouldn't you.

Mollymoostoo · 05/08/2021 18:04

She is your daughter. Tell DM thanks for the advice and then ignore and carry on.
I am the same as we had hardly any food/variety when growing up so now mine have a range. My DD is 8 and her favourite meal is a buffet style just like what you have done. I give her small punts of 6 to 8 foods including fruit, veg, bread and protein.
I don't like the notion of eating all food before dessert as it discourages children from listening to their internal programme and they overeat.

Why do mothers love to undermine us? If she has issues just remind her where she learned her parenting skills from 😂

LittleMissPlant · 05/08/2021 18:17

@onelittlefrog sure…but they don’t need to be exposed to ALL the food at EVERY meal.

Different foods at different meals.

Giving appropriate portion sizes and not wasting money/unnecessary food waste won’t teach bad habits. But, nice try! 🙄

Teaching over eating, picky eating etc will cause issues though…

Shedbuilder · 05/08/2021 18:17

I would give one protein choice, I think three protein choices is excessive

I can see egg and cheese. What's the third?

User5827372728 · 05/08/2021 18:17

I think it’s too much, I would make that into lunch and dinner for a 3 year old

Shedbuilder · 05/08/2021 18:18

@onelittlefrog

It looks like there are no carbs in the picture but you said about making bread so assuming you offered bread too?

If so then that looks like a very well balanced meal. It's quite a lot for a 3 year old but if she is allowed leave what she doesn't want then I think it's a great way to feed a child, to offer variety every time. She will regulate her own appetite.

The bread is the brown stuff. What did you think that was?
User5827372728 · 05/08/2021 18:22

Hmm Actually I change my mind! Looks good!

Maggiesfarm · 05/08/2021 18:32

Looks all right to me. She will leave what he doesn't want.

JustABloodyMinute · 05/08/2021 18:36

It looks delicious, but I hate waste so would serve a smaller portion and then offer more later.

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