AIBU to think a tomato is not a sufficient breakfast?

[TomatoBrain]

DD 10 is not one for eating much when she's just woken up. Being back at school is a slight issue as she needs to leave at 710. To have a chance of eating something she needs to be up at 630. This morning she took a tomato for breakfast. I've just noticed she put toast in the toaster but didn't take it out.

That means for breakfast today she has had one tomato and 100ml of energy milk. She's taken a cereal bar (20g) and water (which she probably won't drink) for break time. Do you think this enough food to power a 10 year old through 5 lessons this morning at school?

I think is isn't enough (YANBU) but at am a loss to know how to get her to eat more. As you can see, I let her have free choice in the mornings just so that she eats something. YABU what she ate is fine.

Mumsnet does make me laugh. Half of the replies are your child should be cooking all their own meals from 5 years old half are you are not being "parental" enough.

It doesn't matter if she doesn't eat loads of dinner, does it? Let her eat when she wants to at school.

What country are you in?

I couldn't eat breakfast before school. Could you pack a more substantial snack for her to have at break?
I know your child is only ten and yes she needs more - have you discussed with her if she's hungry or irritable or even dizzy when she doesn't eat? Maybe involving her in the problem with help motivate her to eat more.
My own daughter is 17 and doesn't eat at all during the day!

What does she eat like on non school days? Does the school not provide any food at all?

My dd eats very little before school. In the holidays (as we are now) she'll get to 11am ish before she will eat, sometimes later.
She always starts her day with a milkshake and will often only have half a slice of toast that she doesn't finish.
She's 11.
Some people (me included) just can't stomach breakfast.

Some people just aren’t breakfast people. If I got straight out of bed and was faced with toast and marmite I’d feel sickened and definitely not want to eat it. I’d happily have it an hour or so later but I’m never hungry as soon as I wake up.

Absolutely this.

Many people, myself included, aren't naturally hungry until lunchtime. I've never really eaten breakfast and it often made me feel a bit nauseous eating early in the morning. Sometimes it's just peoples natural rhythms.

What's wrong with a bacon sandwich??

My son never ate breakfast and never will. He managed to get through school and university ok. Sometimes I'd get "you sent him to school with no breakfast?" but hey, he was fine.
Even when he had exams, he only ate in the evening. Don't get anxious - if she's happy and healthy she's fine.

Would she be allowed a few snacks in her pocket - babybels, raisins?
No, no food allowed in classrooms

Why does your 10 year old start school so early? And why not get them up earlier if they need more time?
Thats how it's timetabled. Because 630 is unpleasant enough....

Whole milk, butter in sandwiches, full fat cheese, peanut butter etc
we do this except the milk because she rarely uses it.

Do you think this is a deliberate thing to lose weight?
I sincerely hope not, but I was getting concerned if it was an attempt to not put weight on/puberty etc. I know a couple of girls in her class are already quite well developed and she has expressed some concern about not wanting to have periods etc. There was issue last year with the boys commenting on the girls bodies and giving them diet tips but she said that has stopped now.

She does get grouchy short tempered and irritable which I have been putting down to basically not eating enough.

Bacon is really bad for you - consumption of processed meat is a leading cause of cancer so I would really not want my child to be eating it on a regular basis, as you are setting them up for a lifetime dietary habit that puts them at risk of bowel and other cancers.

It's carbs, fats, and protein. Especially if you butter the bread. If this white bread it will provide extra vitamins. If it's brown it will provide extra fibre....

Better than a single tomato for providing energy...

Oh so a sugar laden cereal bar is obviously a better choice....

I don't think being parental means doing everything for the child - sometimes being parental means deciding hwen to step back - but it is quite weird to be worrying about a 10yo child's eating but also to be hands off about it - pick a side!

Who said that? Not me. I just answered factually about bacon.

Cereal bars are not good either, but that has got nothing to do with bacon.

I also don’t see a huge issue with how she’s eating but maybe you’re worried about her getting more nutrients? Maybe rather than the milk you can do milk based smoothies with fruit and a bit of nut butter in? Either for breakfast or when she gets how
from school. It’s sugary but would be better than a cereal bar.

My daughter was stick thin and resisted breakfast. (Left for school by 7.30). So I gave her whatever she wanted for breakfast as long as I got something down her throat. Buttered fruit scones, rice pudding, pancakes and even Yorkshire puddings and gravy!

Also, consider all having breakfast together, but get up and make something good. Like porridge, omlettes, bacon sandwiches, toast and peanut butter etc.

Honestly if I had to leave the house at 7:10 (which is really very early) my stomach would turn at the smell of porridge or omlettes or bacon. I don't know anyone who cooks breakfast in real life on a school/work morning, and I think she's doing well to eat anything at that hour.

Bagel with peanut butter and a banana to take to school.

I would not be able to eat breakfast at that time either. If she's eating enough, but at different times of the day, I would not worry. What can she take that is actually nutritious, instead of the cereal bar?

obviously a tomato isnt enough
what about a banana, more nutritious

Is she allowed nuts / peanut butter at school or is that restricted? Even a mini sandwich with nut butter would be better than the cereal bar

I thought exactly the same. See also the post about a boy getting up to plates of melty roast and a pre-peeled satsuma - oh so smug! Not everyone likes breakfast. I actually think you're just getting your knickers in a bit of a twist about nothing here OP. She'll eat more if she's hungry.

Why is a banana better than a tomato?