About what I feed my child

[Sunshineonacloud]

So at a recent 2 year olds party I noticed other kids eating and drinking stuff that my dc doesn't. I've noticed it a lot on playdates recently too..

My dc is 2.5 years old. We just give him milk and water to drink and veg puffs lentil chips and baby oat bars as snacks lots of fruit and veg. Occasionally chips or a slice of margarita pizza. The odd mini milk or lick or bite of our ice cream.

I've noticed children same age snacking on walkers crisps, drinking strong ribena, eating cupcakes, grown up biscuits like bourbons and nice's, midget gems etc.

I've also noticed my 2 year old being offered sugary biscuits and mini Cheddar at playgroups and when I decline I can tell people think I'm snooty. I'm not, I just thought I was supposed to follow guidelines. I'm a first time mum so enlighten me.. do most people let their kids eat whatever? Tbh it would make my life a lot easier 😂

[Soubriquet]

There are no guidelines after 18 months.

They can pretty much eat anything and it won’t hurt them to have mini cheddars or walkers crisps.

It’s all about balance

[Cigarettesaftersex1]

Lol

[Whattheactualfcku]

I was exactly the same! Always shocked me the crap people fed their kids. Now mine is 4 I am less strict but still don’t let him have ‘adult’ crisps and he might have a slice of malt loaf or a small bag of animal biscuits but I try and limit this and make sure he has fruit and veg. Also he’s only ever had water or milk and consequently doesn’t enjoy fruit shoots etc! You do you!

[00100001]

Lol as if a chocolate bourbon is worse than baby oat bars...

[Skinnermarink]

’baby oat bars’ are really no better than a big standard biscuit, just more expensive. You just feed gimmicks.

Ribena has no sugar in it anymore 🤣

[Underanothersky]

Congratulations 👏

[Skinnermarink]

BOG standard biscuit

[Flugelbinder]

It’s great if you want to do this. I don’t think anyone would think you’re snotty per se but I’d question whether you’re actually the one judging them. How do you know what the overall diet is of the other children, those are maybe one off treats and therefore within ‘guidelines’?

[CheezePleeze]

I mean apart from it giving you a chance to make yourself look wonderful on the internet, what does it matter to you what other parents allow their kids to eat?

[Mrsjayy]

A baby oaty bar and a burboun biscuit will have the same sugar value honestly it's fine to give them a biscuit and a mini cheddar now and again.

[miltonj]

My 2 year old has all of that stuff. Apart from the drinks. Once they start getting little mates at the playground it just kind of happens! Especially when they're all trying to learn about sharing together. Obviously she gets offered a range of healthier things as well.

[00100001]

Just because a kid has been given a custard cream, doesn't mean they don't have a healthy diet.

One doesn't exclude the other.

Also "I am less strict but still don’t let him have ‘adult’ crisps" what the flip are adult crisps? Do you mean things like walkers crisps or Kettle? Because is rather my kid have a handful of those than those weird over processed square tube crisps that are popular these days...

[Skinnermarink]

I give mine Aldi pom bears, far cheaper than those awful bland organix puff rubbish.

[CheezePleeze]

@Flugelbinder

It’s great if you want to do this. I don’t think anyone would think you’re snotty per se but I’d question whether you’re actually the one judging them. How do you know what the overall diet is of the other children, those are maybe one off treats and therefore within ‘guidelines’?

Of course she is, she's judging the shit out of them!

Cringe 🙈

[Mrsjayy]

Veg puffs and wotsits are kinda the same aren't they ?

[YukoandHiro]

I was like this first time round. Second time I've really let go.

[JustDanceAddict]

I was pretty strict with their eating too as toddlers but I didn’t police what they had at parties. Maybe the other children eat ok at home?

[Stickmansmum]

It’s not ‘guidelines’ it’s just common sense. And you are right but very foolish to think other people do as careful a job with their kids diets. Welcome to the real world. The longer you can keep your approach to food going the better for your kid. Don’t worry about other peoples.

[Flugelbinder]

I’m gonna look for “adult crisps” next time I’m at the supermarket - top shelf are they?

[SalviaOfficinalis]

“strong ribena” made me laugh 😂I’m imagine them necking it from the bottle.

In all seriousness, I’m similar to you OP in that I give my toddler very healthy foods and am trying to stay away from unhealthier treats for as long as possible.

I know people are saying ribena is sugar free, but sweeteners really aren’t good for you either.

But I’m not so naive to think that is the same for everyone. Particularly when there’s older siblings, of course the younger ones want the same. And if it’s an occasional treat that everyone else is having I wouldn’t single mine out and say he couldn’t.

A lot of the baby biscuits are very high in sugar though.

[Floydthebarber]

Apart from the lower salt, lentil puffs are just expensive Quavers. They might have been shown a picture of a lentil.

[sparepantsandtoothbrush]

grown up biscuits like bourbons

What 😂 Are you only allowed them once you get to 18 then?

[Sunshineonacloud]

I would allow them to have more of this stuff, I just wanted to know if AIBU for not doing it sooner! not looking to brag simply looking for more options for bargaining tools and dinner 😂

[Favour237]

There isn’t a guideline for your sons age, or a minimum age for crisps or biscuits. We’re not really snackers but my son the same age will usually try a bit of what we’re having, or at a party will have the crisps and fruit shoots etc.

Although today I did see a baby about 18 months swigging from a bottle or Dr Pepper so I think you might be the two ends of the spectrum. Balance is usually a better idea.

[sparepantsandtoothbrush]

@Flugelbinder

I’m gonna look for “adult crisps” next time I’m at the supermarket - top shelf are they?

They'll be next to the adult biscuits...