Daughter binges aged 14.

[fuddle]

Can anyone help me with my daughter? I cook her healthy meals and encourage healthy eating but when I'm not there she will just buy and eat lots of chocolate and sweets a ridiculous amount. For example my friend brought round 10 mini rolls and she ate eight of them. I didn't realise until later. She's not exactly slim and I honestly thought it's just a phase. She doesn't get loads of pocket money. I don't have loads of things in the house normally. I just don't know what to do. I've talked to her and have tried to be sensitive. Any ideas where I can get help?

I’d try not to worry. Lots of teens make frankly shocking choices when they’re away from home. Keep offering the balanced meals and snacks at home and see if you can give her a multivitamin and mineral but honestly, I’d try not to worry too much. The best you can do is is offer the health food and do some exercise yourself in the hope that she’ll eventually copy

Have you found the teenager section on MN too?

No but I'll have a look thanks.

Is food all she spends her pocket money on? If it is, and you are very concerned, then you could tell her that it's up to your job to buy her food and that it isn't what her pocket money is for. If it all goes on food you could just stop giving her pocket money. I think this may be quite harsh but if her weight/health is of real concern then you would be justified in not giving her money to spend on unhealthy food.

Does she get occasional treats at home? If she gets no sweets or chocolate at home then it is a massive treat and she might be more likely to overindulge when she has the chance. But if she gets a bit of chocolate (1 or 2 squares) after most dinners it will be normal and not so interesting.

As a kid, orange juice was very rare, mum would only buy some only maybe every other month. But when she did between me and my sisters the 3 litres was gone in 6 hours or less. Now as an adult I can have orange juice whenever I want and it often goes sour before I can finish it!