Feeding my children too much

[QuirkyKoala]

I am hope this can settle a debate.

I have 2 boys (5 and 2) and we are in disagreement about how much they should be eating in the morning. A family member has been giving 5 year old 2 Weetabix and a slice of toast and 2 year old 2 Weetabix. I feel this is too much as I could barely manage what the 5 year old is eating.

YANBU - that's too much food
YABU - let them eat what they want

my 4.5 year old has 1 slice of toast with PB and then also a bowl of cornflakes (I would prefer he eat weetabix but genie is out of bottle on that one). But no it doesn't seem too much.

tell them to give them a banana with their weetabix instead of another carb

Do you know anything about children?
Are you pretending to do fake under eating?
Do you want to give these children food I and eating issues?
Are you quite well?

I still remember the time when ds1 was small, and I was giving him 1.5 weetabix for his breakfast each day. One morning, he ate it all, and asked for "More!", so I gave him another one, which he ate, and then asked for "More" again. I decided to go with it, and see how much he actually wanted - and in the end, he stopped after 5.5 weetabix!

It was a one-off - though I did start offering him 2 weetabix for his breakfast, in case he was going through a growth spurt and needed a bit more fuel in the mornings.

He was perfectly fine afterwards - although he didn't eat any lunch that day, and his nappies were a sight to behold!

@QuirkyKoala - if your children are eating what they are being offered, and are active and a healthy weight, then I wouldn't say it's a massive problem - though the posters who have suggested a bit more variety are probably right.

My 5 year olds goes through phases of this level of breakfast, usually just before a growth spurt. I wouldn't generally eat that either but then I'm not growing (or shouldn't be!) and I'm nowhere near as active in the day (though I should be!)

If they're happy, eating at a reasonable pace and not complaining of feeling overly full, it's probably just what their bodies need. By all means introduce variety but please don't start arbitrarily policing the amount they eat.

Hardly in disguise..

It’s not anything particularly unhealthy, let them eat weetabix until they’re full. My 2 year old’s record is 3 in one sitting (then a banana an hour later)

Sorry. If I'm hungry a yoghurt doesn't fill me up

My children can have as much 'real food' as they like. Their appetite also varies massively so I don;t think you can be too prescriptive. Sometimes my 3yo eats almost as much as me and sometimes he barely eats.

Nanny0gg

A frontage drain is nothing on its own, no, But after a weetabix and toast I think it would round it up and fill them. 2 weetabix is very stodgy for such a young child.

That's good to read. 20 years ago, I was told not to rely on Weetabix because of the salt content.

But it's pretty high in high GI carbohydrates and probably not good just on its own - there should be a decent protein source as well: plain yoghurt or eggs, for example.

As long as they are having the weetabix & milk with no added sugar or berries / honey, that's fine. Otherwise it would be way too much sugar content.

Something with protein would be better though, like egg on toast.

Perfectly good breakfast to see them through to lunch.

My 13 month old eats one wheetabix with fruit and 2 big tablespoons of natural yoghurt mixed in so no I don't think your children are eating too much.

Probably the same protein in weetabix with milk as an egg on toast

Are they being forced to finish it or are they allowed to leave what they don't want?

Wow. My 4 year old has a cup of milk and a banana at about 6.30, then a big bowl of porridge and raspberries at about 7.30/8am. Or, 4 slices of toast, honey and jam (he would have more if I let him!).

Pre school also give them a hearty snack at 10am but on the days he's at home, he'll go through to lunch without a snack.

Obviously depends on the child but no, I don't think it's a huge amount. My son has huge amounts of energy and is slim but well built and tall. I imagine a smaller child would need less food.

My 5.5 DD woukd take down 2 weetabix and toast in a heartbeat, and still ask for a breakfast bar before school.

Honestly sounds like you OP need to eat more for breakfast, it's the most important meal of the day.

(5.5 year old is an extreme fussy eater too and on perfect centile )

My two (boy and girl) would have tanked those breakfasts, son still would and daughter wont eat breakfast now. If they are healthy and happy to eat it then let them, better than some unhealthy alternatives

The dentist said once a day as part of a meal is fine.

They should definitely be eating a lettuce leaf with maybe 2 blueberries. If they’re not too full after the lettuce leaf. 🙄

I think you can also rinse with water after juice if you're concerned. Not sure how practical it is, though.

As long as they're not being force fed it's fine!
Appetites fluctuate as they grow, increasing during growth spurts
I remember DS2 could easily eat 2 Weetabix around 18 months.

My DS is two and has two wheetabix every morning, more often than not he asks for more so he has three and polishes it off.

Nursery often give him a second bowl of cornflakes as he asks for it.

If he’s hungry he’ll eat it if he’s not he wont, if he wants a slice of my toast after his wheetabix he can, he’s a healthy weight and an active growing boy so I don’t over think it.

You might want to start mentally preparing for the teenage years now if you're worried that is too much food. Teenage boys in particular are renowned for their appetite, and I can definitely attest to the fact that 2 Weetabix might just about meet snack status!