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!!

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

get him a sandwich maker for sure.

It's not; everyone seems to be obsessed with eating protein these days but as a nation we eat way too much protein if anything.

amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/jun/04/are-you-eating-too-much-protein

Does he like nuts? DS often had a large bag of unsalted peanuts on the go as a filler when he was hollow legged.

Slow cook a nice beef brisket and then keep it in the fridge for him to nibble on.
If there's any remaining after a few days make stew out of it for that evening's meal.

Try for large amount of discounted mince - beef, lamb or vegetarian even. Cook up with sauces, onions, grated carrots, peas etc. Freeze portions and use for spag. bol. , cottage pie with frozen mash and cheese - also can add curry for curry and rice - all quick easy and not expensive.

Packs of roast beef, cocktail sausage, scotch eggs, Turkey. My teen is also very hungry but carb focussed so I try to steer him towards more protein rich options.

Teen DSS ate vast amounts of eggy bread! Fried egg on toast - will he eat mushrooms with this too?
Fishfinger sandwiches are a good idea.
Make your own meatballs and keep in the fridge - nice cold but easily warmed up.
Does he like peanut butter? That's a satisfying snack on toast
Potted beef on toast.
Mackerel squished on toast is again quite filling and fairly heathy, squeeze of lemon and pepper.
Cold fritatta adds some veg in too.

I was going to say batch cook chilli/bolognaise too. Also, bulk it out with finely chopped veg and red lentils. The lentils will cook down to almost nothing but add more bulk and protein.

I'd give him a glass of milk and a banana and promise him a bacon sandwich in the morning.

I would also get a joint, cook it and let him himself. If he’s eating an awful lot of meat though, it’s not great for him. He needs to eat a balanced diet, easier said than done I guess.

High fat content with the protein will help fill him up for longer. I get like this. The craving for MEAT is awful. Belly pork cold or most meats cold with sticks of cheese help. But yes, out of choice I'd have a steak with a cream or cheese sauce every time!

My 15 year old is similar but for him, he always wants hot food!

I do a variety of stuff but usually the following ..

Hot chicken wraps
Steak baguettes
Beans on toast with cheese
Pesto pasta with chicken
Soup with wraps

How about things like Chorizo muffins? You can batch cook and freeze great for snacks I use a Joe Wicks recipe. I think you could also use ham or chicken as an alternative. I also do pizza pinwheels ready made puff pastry, tomato purée, Serrano ham. Pepperoni slices and sprinkle oregano/ mozzarella cheese roll cut and cook - freeze brilliantly.

@ChocChipOwl Do you do that in addition to dinner?

I could do bolognese and already add lots of veg/lentils to it so it might satisfy him.

I do offer milk as well. Perhaps high fat, high protein is the way to go.

If you have an aldis nearby have a look and see if they have packs of meat trimmings. They sometimes have packs that are like the miscuts off a roast, OH buys those to pick at. (They also make a quick filling for a roll or sanwich)

My 16yo son has protein powder that he puts in the blender with frozen berries, yoghurt, sometimes spinach and peanut butter. He also makes scrambled eggs quite a lot, or smoked salmon bits and cream cheese bagels. In my experience getting 13 year olds used to making their own food and washing up afterwards is a good plan (have both 16yo and 20yo!).

Does he like nuts? My DS devours bags of nuts and dried fruit, it’s amazing to watch. Huge protein hit. Can also whip up a nut roast very fast from packets by Artisan Grains, just add water and bake.

If he’s insisting on steaks that sounds a bit spoilt, I’d like a steak every night too!

If he just has a thing for meat then browse the deli aisle at a supermarket- I’m thinking lamb kofta, sliced cold beef, cooked turkey pieces, saisage rolls etc. Keep some tins of corned beef if he likes it maybe?

He isn't insisting on steak and I certainly don't provide steak either (I don't have any!) but if I ask him what he wants that is his answer. It makes me think he wants iron and protein if that is what his body is telling him.

He likes some nuts so I could get them in to snack on too, at least then I know it is nutritious. I think I need to have some agreed snacks/small meals and point him in the direction of the kitchen earlier so he has time to clear up after himself.

I got a smoothie recipe from DD’s dance teacher which growing teen dd says hits the spot after 8 hours of intense exercise - banana, milk (gold top, ideally), peanut butter and frozen berries. All whizzed up in the blender.

I also went to a talk with a dance nutritionist who said to aim for snacks with two of the food groups as they will be more filling (out of protein, crabs, fruit/veg), and that does seem to work too. Homemade energy bars (oats, dried fruit, bananas, nuts, seeds) and milk, for example. Or cheese and crackers.

If his body is craving meat (and haem iron and salt by the sounds of it), he's craving meat, not eggs, yoghurt, breaded shite, cereal or anything else. It's a time of extreme bone and muscle growth; his cravings are absolutely normal rather than fussy.

@NeverDropYourMooncup I agree that he/I needs to listen to his body. I'll try out some of the suggestions on here to fill him up.

I have a very hungry teen
He makes smoothies with Greek Yogurt (Fage), fruit, berries, nut butters, seeds etc
I batch cook plain turkey burgers and he has them with bagels
Both these are great high protein options.

Pasta with pesto is a great filler
I make pots of homemade soups

HTH

My son is the same. Farm foods do a pack of thin sliced steak that you cook from frozen, only take a couple of minutes. It’s like thick bacon but beef. It cost about £12 for 20/25 slices. I use these to make a steak sarnie for lunch for son / husband.

My teen likes ham trimmings in an omelette when he is hungry. You can buy them fairly cheaply or you could make your own by slow cooking a ham joint and shredding it.

Protein powder to make a milkshake is a good idea and protein yogurts ate great.

Peanut butter bagel is always a hit here.

Shepherds/cottage pie divide into portions and freeze. Can pack veg into the mince too.