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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Eating too much!

21 replies

CwmbranChildminder · 29/10/2006 09:12

Hi all - Need some ADVICE from you lot dealing with children on a daily basis!
Does my DS eat too much?
My son eats eats and eats - not unhealthy and he isnt fat but for a long time now there isnt half hr that goes by where he doesnt say 'Im starving'
An example of his breakfast(This is a 3yrs old)
ChocoPops(big bowl)
Bananna
Big bowl of Porriage
then he is still demanding Toast.
Before dinner he will have Yogurt / cheese string / biscuit and he will create so much I tend to give him lunch at around 11.45. He will have something like 2 Chicken Rolls for dinner and a packet of quavers then say all afternoon he's hungry - have the usual snacks cheese / yogurts / fruit then have a very big portion of tea (example cottage pie and veg then have a dessert)
Its driving me insane the constent demands for food! Ive asked friends and his old CM and they all just said oh well hes a growin boy and he's no eating rubbish so its ok!
Do u think I should take him to the Dr's or am I being over the top and he is normal?
Advice MORE than welcome!

OP posts:

franyfroo · 29/10/2006 09:53

i would think a talk to the dr might be a good idea. lots of food there.
one bowl of cereal in the morn is plenty, and avoid coco pops, porride is healthy add honey instead of sugar or better still, nothing. for snacks only ever offer fruit or raw veg. and if you just give him less slowly his body will get used to it. cheese strings are full of salt and are really not great as with crisps. what does he drink? he could just be bored so eating is something to do. get him out as much as poss and keep his mind active.

soapbox · 29/10/2006 09:58

Fran - I think that advice is a bit off the mark really. The OPs little boy is of normal weight therefore I would conclude that he needs the calories from his food that he is getting currently. Substituting fruit and veg and taking away sugars is cutting out on vital calories that this boy needs.

I am not saying that the OP doesn't need to look carefully at what she is feeding her child, there are a few bits of junk stuff in there, but overall his diet seems to me to be quite balanced.

My DCs are also big eaters - just be thankful that they are blessed with good metabolisms, and be careful to ensure that all those calories come from reasonably healthy food

HappyMumof2 · 29/10/2006 10:03

Message withdrawn

Original poster

CwmbranChildminder · 29/10/2006 11:57

I know everyone has different opinions on healthy foods so understand what your saying but I believe if your child eats lots of fruit and veg then them having a treat like crisps/cheese strings are perfectly fine for my DS. He doesnt eat sweets.
He drinks flavoured water (as he wont drink plain water)lots of milk . Sugar Free squash.
Think maybe I could mention it to my DD h/v as she is only 6mths and we see her regulary maybe she can offer some advice too

OP posts:

sarz · 30/10/2006 10:34

I look after a 3 year old, who i think i currently going through a massive growth spurt!!! so he is eating way more than i do! He also never sits still so i am sure he needs all this food. What i have started to do (and touch wood, this is working for me!) Is feeding him alot of pasta and jacket potatoes which he loves and which tends to keep him fuller for longer. i always start the day with porridge and raisons (again keeps him full, until about 10ish!!) I also make big soups with big lumps of potatoes, carrots, turnips. So long as your DS is not over weight and is fairly active, there is nothing wrong with eating alot. My DP eats in a day what i would eat in 2 days and he is solid muscle! some people just need alot of food!

SSSandy · 30/10/2006 10:58

Dd is a big eater too, I seem to be constantly making her something to eat.

I'm astounded at how much he can eat for breakfast though, a bowl of cereal, a banana, a bowl of porridge and toast seems an awful lot. What time does he eat in the evening and when does he have breakfast? Dd couldn't manage all that at one sitting. She's 6, just to give you a comparison:

She has a bowl of cereal or porridge at 7. At school she has a sandwich and fruit around 9, another sandwich and what's left of the fruit around 11. She comes home for a cooked lunch (2-3 pm) Daft German school times here.

She wants to eat a real meal again before going to bed (pasta, stew and potatoes or something around 5.30pm). Just before bedtime a glass of milk (7pm).

Don't think your ds is eating more than her over the course of a day.

BudaBeast · 30/10/2006 11:07

Have a friend who has 3 like yours! It drives her mad - they are constantly hungry. She gives them lots of fruit!

Your DS sounds fine. If very active he will need lots of calories.

Maybe give him a bowl of soup with his roll at dinner - may fill him up a bit more?

franyfroo · 30/10/2006 16:02

i just feel that there are plenty of other healthier choices that can be made when children want snacks. cheese strings, crisps etc are all full of salt and other nasty things. even flavored water is loaded with suger. went on obisity in children workshop run by a nutritionist some weeks ago and it was a real eye opener. we all eat far to much these days, children included and we are now all paying for it by being the fatest country in europe. i just think keeping an eye on what your child eats would be a good idea and if you are worried talk to your doctor.x

franyfroo · 30/10/2006 16:02

Boowila · 30/10/2006 16:56

Maybe you could feen him foods with a lower GI. Not because there's anything wrong with his current diet, but because it might keep him full longer, and that might keep you both happier. Perhaps he just has a high metabolism? On the other hand,I think I'd pop into the GP and say "I know it's probably nothing but I just wanted you to confirm that this is normal" Who cares if you waste the GPs time. It will be well worth the peace of mind.

katierocket · 30/10/2006 16:58

agree with boowila. Lots of sugarary or starchy food will make is blood sugar shoot up and down and consequently he will feel more hungry more often.

catew · 30/10/2006 17:38

My problem is the complete opposite my DS just doesnt eat and i am constantly worrying but he is the right weight and he sleeps well he does eat fruit and some veg and only has sweets now and again - I took him to the doctor and they she said as long as he is healthy and happy and sleeping not to worry or change any thing because if you do make a right issue of it that could have an adverse effect in him! I know its hard and you just want him to eat "normally" but as long as he is eating heathly and is not gaining a lot of weight I really would try not to worry - but if you feel something is wrong it would be best to put your mind at rest and go see the doctor. x

Original poster

CwmbranChildminder · 30/10/2006 18:09

Thank you for all your advice and opinions = they are appreciated - I think I might keep a diary of his eating habits and take it a long to the dr's and just ask him - mayb he can advise - im not too up on all the right ways and too much GI's confuse me! I could always see if i could go on a course through my CM regarding food & finding a bit more about things! I didnt realise DairyLea Cheese Strings were full of sugar etc so maybe I need some education.

OP posts:

Boowila · 30/10/2006 21:09

Basically, if you stick to whole grain rather than refined ones (white bread, sugar, etc.) they take longer to digest. Most things marketed for children are made of refined sugary chemically crap. Don't think you need a course, just ask MN.

mrspoppins · 19/11/2006 14:19

Lots of info here!! It is hard isn't it to decide what's right and what's not when it comes to kids food and healthy eating!

I'd say that so long as a child isn't overweight and eating the recommended daily intakes of fruit and veg,and no more that the recommended intake of salt etc...then leave well alone!!

Ensure that he doesn't get a complex regarding his meals. A few basic rules I have in place with my children and charges are that all meals and snacks be at the table...no "eating on the hoof" wandering around the house or in front of the TV. Occasionally as a treat is fine but not the norm.You can eat a lot when watching TV but not if it's on a plate.

Sometimes eating is due to boredom just as some adults comfort eat or boredom snack. Lots of planned activities where eating can't happen...swimming...gym club...story time at the library etc...could fill up your afternoons and not give him the chance to think about eating.

In addition, why not decide to only offer fruit between meals and not anything else? That way, he doesn't keep asking in order to get lots of different choices.

If only to ease your own mind, pop along to your Health visitor with a food diary.

Some parents would give their right arm to have a child that eats as some hardly eat at all. It's all perspective!!

xxKaren

toddletots · 19/11/2006 15:07

does your son drink plenty of fluids? as thirst gives you the same feeling as hunger

mrspoppins · 19/11/2006 21:47

Great thought, toddletots!

Starrmum · 19/11/2006 22:41

Probably nothing wrong with eating loads - they use up huge amounts of energy at that age.

Just make sure your choices are healthy ones. Lots of fruit and veg, and unprocessed foods.

If you don't know what's in something, turn it over and read the label!!! You would be amazed at how much sugar and salt and other unpleasant ingredients are in food.

Drinking plenty of fluid is a good idea - does he like milk?

Also, make sure he's eating plenty of fat. Young children need fat and it's also very satiating, so should stop him feeling hungry. Cheese is a good one - but give him ordinary, 'real' cheese as opposed to processed cheese like cheesestrings.

Avoid sugary things like Cocopops - they provide a huge rush of energy and then a quick dip/drop, which may make him think he's hungry.

If you're still worried, then a chat with the HV or GP is probably a good idea.

soapbox · 19/11/2006 23:08

Wholemeal foods are not recommended for under 5's. Too bulky and filling and stop child getting enough nutrients out of the food, leading to middle class malnutrition, as I believe it has been tagged! Low GI foods may fall into this class too - but the message is right in a way, it would be wise to take out some of the highest sugar foods and replace with something else which is still calorifically dense but not so high GI.

Also swapping things like cheese strings for real cheese (not real processed cheese) is a good idea

The child is not overweight, so there is no indication whatsoever, that the calorific value of what he is consuming is too high. As such, with a bit of careful switching off some of the junkier foodstuffs, it is more that likely that this child can continue with his pretty healthy diet without any adverse affects.

Gillian76 · 19/11/2006 23:13

My DS aged 3 always seems hungry. I just give him what the rest of us are having at mealtimes and unlimited access to the fruit bowl in between. He does have the occasional sweet and loves helping me bake.

If he's normal weight and active enough I wouldn't worry. If you are concerned you could always speak to your GP or HV.

Cwmbrnachildminder · 20/11/2006 09:11

SOME MORE great advice thankyou.
Will do as you say and swop the sugary cereals and he loves cheese and me being uneducated in this area I didnt realise cheese strings were no good. I always have plenty of cheese available and he does eat fruit non stop.
Since I have been more active with my ds taking him to toddlers etc daily he does seem to forget about asking for food so much so some of it could have been bordem.
I'll try adjusting his diet and see how he goes. If im still concerned then I will take him to see Dr just for peace of mind. Mind u he has a Dr's app Friday as Ive found a lump on his leg and really worried about it so after Dr's seen his leg I could just talk about his diet habbits to see what he thinks

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