Teen DS constantly wants MEAT as a snack - how to fill him up?

[Londono]

DS, 13, often declares that he wants MEAT (said in capitals to me!) when he is hungry. He often has dinner at his dad's and I collect him afterwards but rustling up MEAT not long before bed is not happening. What can I do to fill him up and satisfy him? He'd quite happily eat a load of toast/pasta but it feels like it is protein that he is craving.

If he liked chicken I'd just roast a chicken and let him snack on that but he isn't keen on chicken (will eat it sometimes). I'd like to keep away from processed stuff like pepperami/ham etc as I'm not convinced that would be filling enough. Any suggestions? I think his ideal would be if I put steak in front of him every night!!

Hard boiled eggs
Cheese
Chicken

If he won’t eat these and wants red meat then frankly that points to him being demanding rather than hungry for protein!

Could you cook up a big pot of chilli and let him just heat up a bowl as needed over the course of a few days ( or even freeze in small individual portions for heating up in the microwave).

Batch cook Pork satay sticks, sausages, beef meatballs or rissoles, Make up a load and keep them in the fridge?

if it’s protein what about boiled eggs, or adding eggs, pate, or baked beans to the toast he wants to up the protein content?

In the same boat here so following for ideas.

sausages? Can cook a load at once and keep in fridge. Although I would only allow this once a month or so, sausages are not that great as a regular snack.

My dd always made eggs as a quick snack. I know it's not meat but it's protein and easy enough for your son to cook on his own. Pork steaks are cheaper than beef if that's a consideration.
Do you know what he eats at his dad's for him Uk be hungry again before bed?

Is his Dad feeding him properly/enough?
Growing teens often eat A LOT!

From my LCHF days, it's hard to avoid the processed stuff to some extent without it costing £££££ but

Cook some decent sausages and keep in the fridge
Metballs
Jerky

Is he not eating enough at his dads? Would he eat cheese and crackers, nut butter and apple, hummous and pitta, tuna pasta instead of focusing on meat?

You can get protein yoghurts and puddings at the supermarket too. These are popular with people who are health conscious.

There's as much protein in greek yogurt as a protein yogurt, don't waste your money on that.

I'm wondering if he eating at his dad's really early because dad might have younger kids living with him? Either way can he get his dad to pack him some leftovers for later ?

He definitely is demanding and fussy. He won't eat boiled eggs (will eat fried ones) and won't eat baked beans/soup/weetabix ie the kind of quick small meals I want to offer to fill him up.

@CRbear Good idea re the satay sticks - that would be good and yes I want something he can quickly grab.

@Seeline He definitely isn't getting a balanced diet at his dad's. But he is not someone it is easy to talk to. Think fast food and lots of pizza/pasta without veg/protein.

@AriettyHomily Yes, I think he'd eat all of those options and I think cheaper/healthier alternatives to meat would be good all round.

I often cook up a dozen good quality butchers sausages and put them in the fridge for my children to have in lunches/snacks. It’s easy and I can’t see what’s wrong with them as long as you buy good ones.

I’m not sure how expensive Rump steak is in the UK but it’s a cheaper cut here and with a lot of flavour. That can be cooked and stored for a few days in the fridge too with a couple of slices taken off when he wants a snack. It makes for a quick tea too served with salad and bread.

Scrambled eggs on toast for supper
Batch cook roast nuts to keep on hand for snacks.

Eggy bread. I've yet to see a child turn down eggy bread & ketchup

Why don't you prepare something like scouse or an Irish stew? You can store them in the freezer in small portions for when he needs them.

Or, on busy days, simply buy chicken that has already been cooked at the grocery store. He is free to assemble sandwiches and eat them however he wants.

In addition, if he were that hungry, I would ask his father to pack some extra food for supper.

It just seems like a nighttime hassle that you don't need.

Sainsbury Greek yoghurt 3.6g
Fage strained yoghurt 9g
Protein yoghurt (lindahls) 12g

all per 100g. So it’s worth reading the labels.

he's 13.

give him a cookbook and ingredients.

my teens like to make themselves a toasty.
warm, filling and as easy to prepare as it is to clean up afterwards.

If he eats fried eggs can he fry himself a couple of eggs with toast as a fill up snack? Eggs keep forever in the fridge so are easy to keep in the house. Bit messy but hopefully he will clean up after…!

Greek yoghurt with nuts and honey - no cooking and plenty of protein

Would he eat quiche or frittata. That’s easy to make a big one and cut slices when hungry. Or egg muffins with veg cheese and bacon in them.

As a student I used to eat tuna straight from the tin.

Or try making him fish pate he could spread on toast?

I'm not sure eating tons of meat is especially healthy.

He's 13!! He can fry his own eggs.

He does eat quiche and I've never made him eggy bread but I could give that a whirl too.

I take the point about him sorting himself something but I don't want him bashing around in the kitchen making a mess when he is supposed to be getting ready for bed.

Fishfinger sandwiches. Cold sausage sandwiches are a good shout too.

Asda do a just essentials ham joint for £3.50, pop one in slow cooker and slice when done and he can pick at it over a few days.