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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To make my kids eat their crusts

209 replies

cbaaaaaa · 29/09/2022 07:30

I am soooo over trying to make my kids eat their crusts! Like what is it!? What is so awful about a crust!!?
I am however going to continue to battle making them eat them each time in the hopes they eventually will.
Is this unreadable? My husband thinks it is and it's not worth the battle, that they'll eventually eat their crusts.
But what if they turn into those adults that don't eat their crusts!

OP posts:
ReviewingTheSituation · 29/09/2022 07:45

I am not a fan of crusts, mainly because they are often dry. If the filling or topping properly covers all the bread (inc crust), then I'll happily eat them. Plain, dry bread- no thanks!

Corners are the worst. Filling never goes all the way to a corner. Cutting things diagonally into triangles rather than straight across into rectangles negates a lot of this - only 2 right angled crusts to tackle, rather than 4.

CourtneeLuv · 29/09/2022 07:47

cbaaaaaa · 29/09/2022 07:30

I am soooo over trying to make my kids eat their crusts! Like what is it!? What is so awful about a crust!!?
I am however going to continue to battle making them eat them each time in the hopes they eventually will.
Is this unreadable? My husband thinks it is and it's not worth the battle, that they'll eventually eat their crusts.
But what if they turn into those adults that don't eat their crusts!

Yanbu. I always internally side eye people that don't eat their pizza crusts Confused

lavenderfine · 29/09/2022 07:50

I'm an adult that doesn't eat their crusts🙈 I don't like crusts! It's never harmed me and I'm a fully functioning adult with 2 children a job and my own home🤷‍♀️ not eating their crusts won't harm them. I pick my battles, this isn't one of them!

lavenderfine · 29/09/2022 07:51

Also, I feed my crusts to the birds. So it's not wasted! Or I cut them off and blend them into breadcrumbs if I need them for cooking or something

Daleksatemyshed · 29/09/2022 07:55

I have curly hair and I don't eat my crusts.

goldfinchonthelawn · 29/09/2022 07:58

Never force children to eat food they can't stand.
Get them to feed their crusts to the birds and teach them the art of sharing and giving to others what they don't need or want themselves.

Better than giving them food issues.

Afterfire · 29/09/2022 07:59

Can’t stand crusts and have never eaten them.

Don’t ever make food a battle, you’re storing up issues for life doing this. Even now I feel physically sick at the sight of mashed potato after being made to eat it at school as a child.

FinallyHere · 29/09/2022 08:05

My mother never ate crusts, she cut them off before serving bread and put them out for the birds.

Predictably, we longed for crusts. The 'heel' of the loaf was the most prized especially as toast.

If it's the waste then keep some in the freezer. Spritz with oil and toast or air fry for a few minutes for croutons on soup.

p.s. the wider advice is to 'not sweat the small stuff' aka pick your battles.

StillNotWarm · 29/09/2022 08:08

My youngest, who isn't that young, only eats crusts if we've had bacon. He eats the middles as normal, then goes and dunks the crusts in the bacon fat.
Don't sweat the small stuff.

WillPowerLite · 29/09/2022 08:11

Switch to a different type of bread to avoid waste. Rolls, perhaps.

Username1234321 · 29/09/2022 08:13

Mine won't eat their crusts, and were wasting loads of bread near the crusts. I now cut them off and they eat the whole sandwich so are eating more than they ever did with crusts on.

Never thought about using the crusts for breadcrumbs so thank you for that recommendation!!

ForensicFlossy · 29/09/2022 08:16

My dad always goes on about making the kids finish their food (crusts is a huge issue for him), my dd 12 has stopped wanting to go round because he goes on and on at her about finishing her food. Please don't make this an issue.

Starlightstarbright1 · 29/09/2022 08:17

I was fearful of eating crusts as my hair is already wavy didn't want it any curlier...

I still don't eat crisps.. i survive...

If you cut the crusts off it wastes far less than if they leave them

Lullabies2Paralyze · 29/09/2022 08:19

When I was little we used to get told eating crusts gave you curly hair. My hair was curly and my sisters wasn’t…we both ate our crusts so clearly that isn’t true (not that I ever thought it was 😂).

you could tell them that though if they have straight hair and wish for curly hair 😂

Snugglemonkey · 29/09/2022 08:19

I do not eat crusts, I do not make my child eat crusts. There is no good reason for doing so. We do not waste crusts, I usually cut them off when preparing anything and stick them in a tub. Sometimes DC wants to feed them to the birds, which is fine by me, but mostly I turn them into breadcrumbs and use them. Why make anyone eat something they dislike? They are definitely not worth the calories for me.

Littlegoth · 29/09/2022 08:22

I feel this! My 2 year old has recently stopped eating his crusts and I don’t know why! We eat crusts. The other kids at nursery eat crusts. Everyone eats crusts except for him, and it’s a very recent thing.

starrynight21 · 29/09/2022 08:22

I've never forced my kids to eat anything. They never ate their crusts. Now they are adults and they eat everything . Let it go, OP.

HangOnToYourself · 29/09/2022 08:23

Very unreasonable, crusts are horrible. Dont be the shitty parent that forces children to eat food they dont like

Abraxan · 29/09/2022 08:24

I sometimes eat my crusts, sometimes don't. Depends on the bread and how I'm feeling.

Not sure I see any issues tbh.

NotOnTheSofa · 29/09/2022 08:25

I find my son eats a lot more of the sandwich if i cut the crusts off as close to them as I can. That way there is no "too near the crust" parts iyswim

CrystalCoco · 29/09/2022 08:27

Kingsmill make a loaf with no crusts, you have the option to buy this - unless you secretly enjoy the battle-of-the-crusts

ReeseWitherfork · 29/09/2022 08:28

ForensicFlossy · 29/09/2022 08:16

My dad always goes on about making the kids finish their food (crusts is a huge issue for him), my dd 12 has stopped wanting to go round because he goes on and on at her about finishing her food. Please don't make this an issue.

That’s a good way to create problem relationship with food. Especially a 12 year old girl. I’m glad you’re on your DD side.

Goldencarp · 29/09/2022 08:30

You shouldn’t “make” your kids eat anything. My mum used to make us sit at the table until everything was gone and I truly believe that’s why I’ve always struggled with my weight. You won’t make them like them so what’s the point.

mumarewenearlythereyet · 29/09/2022 08:35

Crusts make your hair curl. No way am I eating them after spending ages each morning straightening my hair!!!

SomethingVexesThee · 29/09/2022 08:39

cbaaaaaa · 29/09/2022 07:36

Wow I actually didn't think I was being unreasonable but maybe I am!
I don't like fussy eaters and I don't like waste. But I guess I should maybe cut them some slack..

I thought I didn't like fussy eaters either. Until I had by daughter who is extremely fussy. I like her enormously.

Don't make food a battle. Ever.