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 😂

Baby foods are full of salt and sugar. Adult stuff isn’t much worse. As long as everything is in moderation.

There are guidelines for two years olds particularly regarding salt which can be dangerous and of which there is too much in processed food…

At parties I let my kids have what’s there as I don’t want them to see food being restricted but there isn’t anything like that in our house or that we feed them.

i am sure you are doing what you feel best op.

I had always thought that any sugar in those baby oat bar type things was sugar from fruit which whilst can still damage teeth is not as bad as processed sugar? Am I completely wrong and a bourbon is actually better for them?? It’s so confusing because even if you make homemade oat bar things most of them still have fruit as part of the recipe… wasting my time and should just give baby a Bourbon biscuit??

DD has multiple allergies so I let her eat whatever she wants. She likes bourbons and custard creams with a little cup of tea for dunking.

But then it's balanced out with her tea which is normally chicken and rice because that's her favourite atm. She also loves McCoy's crisps but she does live off veg puree as a snack and jelly because she won't eat the fruit whole because of a aversion.

My approach is similar to yours OP. I have a 2.2yo and have always been pretty careful about what I feed him.
Majority of his snacks are home made - mini muffins, hummus/veg, rice cakes, cheese, fruit etc. But I'd say at 18mo I started to relax a bit and if we are out and about I'll give him a kiddie muesli bar or organix crisps with some fruit or something.

We have little kiddie pizza from M&S on a Friday when he is home with me.
We also started taking him to a cafe on a sat morning before his little kickers and he has a crossaint.

Towards the end of the summer I've started giving him frozen yoghurt ice creams or sometimes getting him a vanilla ice cream if we're having a day out at a national trust property or something.

He has only had milk or water, I'm not keen on giving him juice or fizzy yet.

I'm pregnant again and I'm sure the next one's diet won't be quite as 'pure' for so long. I can't imagine they'll sit back and watch their older brother chow down ice cream and crossiants without kicking up a stink!

I am with you! I was horrified by the birthday buffet of a 2 year old’s party we went to - everything was high sugar and high salt and choking hazards everywhere (Maltesers, sausages, whole grapes!). Also sugary drinks.
The party bag was also full of Haribo and various toys with small parts!

By adult crisps I mean things full of salt like mccoys or kettle chips. I’d rather he didn’t have them at all or had kids pop corn or the Ella’s kitchen ones.

I was fairly careful with my first. It was impossible with my second and she was eating full sized ice lollies and ice creams at 9 months child number 1 was still having the homemade version at that age.
it’s not made any difference though.
I am careful about overall salt and sugar levels.

Be really careful with popcorn, it’s very dangerous as they can aspirate.

Stop! 😂

Lol at strong ribena, adult biscuits and adult crisps….made it sound like they’re feeding them alcohol and illegal drugs…. it’s not much different to organix crisps and oat bars tbh, you need to do better to get top mum award I’m afraid. Also they’re at a birthday party, I’m sure their parents don’t feed them that everyday, lighten up!

If your buying stuff aimed at babies and toddlers you are just falling for a big con. Most of its full of sugar, processed rubbish and is worse than food not aimed at children. There was none of this crap when we were babies, i was never fed this crap, we ate what are parents were eating wether it was a health stew or fish and chips. Biscuits and crisps at are party are fine, it’s a party and it’s what people do (eat unhealthy food), it doesn’t mean kids are being fed this every day. It’s all about balance.

My DD is 4 and from about 2 years old, she has had strawberries, bananas, fromage frairs, mini scotch eggs, mini cheddar, pom bears, barney bears, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, biscuits, popcorn, all kinds of things as snacks. I just try avoid giving her chocolate and she can sometimes have this as a treat after drink. She does only drink water though and no other type of drinks

• after dinner that was meant to say 😃

congratulations hun, celebrate with some adult biscuits

Hahaha hahaha

Please come back and update when your child is 6 years old about how much he still loves his lentil puffs and still hasn't had a ribena or crisps.

You do realise it doesn’t matter what you feed them as babies and toddlers - as teenagers they will live on junk food and drink copious amounts of cheap lager!

and caffeinated energy drinks!

Most teens I know are either really sporty and so health conscious and/or want to look good, meaning they actually have quite good diets.

Its not just about sugars, is it.

DT’s played sport at country level - didn’t stop them wanting a McD’s on the way home from practice.

I strongly disagree that it doesn't matter what you feed a toddler because they all end up eating crap as a teenager. Most of their brain develops before they are five. The damage ultra-processed food can do to adults as well as children is easy to find. I find it a lazy argument.

I'm convinced that eating as well as possible for as long as possible does make a difference. Personally I don't think eating junk at the odd party matters, and I'd be relaxed about that. But on a daily basis I do try to avoid as much ultra-processed food as I can. That isn't the same as avoiding treats - I do try and make cake, flapjacks and biscuits at home for example. I think it's better than packaged versions whether adult or child. Also try and feed DC what we eat for ease - sometimes that's fish and chips, or pizza, but I try and be healthy at least 5/7 days a week.

I do avoid all squash. What DC has never had, hopefully won't miss.

I agree with pp that child branded items are often not much better than adult versions.

Presumably they didn’t ‘live on junkk though.

A bourbon is completely devoid of nutrition but a bar made of oats and fruits would have fibre, vitamins and minerals from the fruits, beta-glucan from the oats, and a lower glycemic load. Having at least some real food ingredients in it is better than just the ultra-processed stuff that comprises a bourbon. And I say that as someone who likes bourbons.