This is what we need. Who can do it?

[NAB3wishesfor2008]

For those of us worried about what our children are eating we could do with a definitive list which

Gives them all the things they need to grow well and healthily,

Gives them the energy they need to get through the day but doesn't make them too full of beans,

Helps them have a good nights sleep.

I know I would benefit from it.

I don't think it is possible to write such a list of foods, and even if it were, you can't make your children eat certain foods.

Or is it guidelines that you are after?

Do you think it's common sense though? We all KNOW what we should be eating, but somehow we don't (advertising/lack of time/not bothered?). ie, fresh fruit, fresh vege, grains, little sugar. cut out processed stuff.

OTOH my sis's are growing their own vege, and very careful about what they buy due to fertiliser residue, big scare in nz over the past few years.

sorry, meant pesticide residues!

I think there are probably things I could buy my kids that I assume are bad but are actually okay.

I would like some kind of menu plan that gives guidelines for how much of each food group they need. My son especially always seems hungry and I wonder if I am not feeding him the right kind of foods he needs to grow.

They have everything made from scratch (except for fish fingers and the odd pizza) and they don't have sweets at all apart from some chocolate occasionally.

Well, it sounds like you are feeding him the right stuff Nab. How old is he?

He is nearly 7 and weighs 3 stone 4lbs.

This looks helpful.

Is that too much? I don't know, I can't remember! Once they're at school, they seem to eat constantly from when they come in. I did start off all holy and used to dry apple slices in the oven and give DD raisins and stuff, but I soon lost interest! I think as long as you make it clear that all food is fine, but some better than others, you'll be fine. You need to do it early though. I've never been a chocolate eater, so that just rubs off on DD. Its only in the house on highdays and holidays and she can't even eat a whole Mars Bar at once! She famously said, when she was about 3, 'what can I eat at this time of day!' In other words, don't ask for chocolate, coz you won't get it!

I am always and have always been very careful about talking about food too. I have never talked of diets or said 'that's really bad for you' I have always included DD in the kitchen, making food too. The more she gets involved in the food we cook, the more she understands good nutrition.

It is easy for me though, I have to admit. I've never been one for sweet stuff. Don't eat crisps or 'bad' stuff, so it has automatically rubbed off on dd.

Is that too much? I don't know, I can't remember! Once they're at school, they seem to eat constantly from when they come in. I did start off all holy and used to dry apple slices in the oven and give DD raisins and stuff, but I soon lost interest! I think as long as you make it clear that all food is fine, but some better than others, you'll be fine. You need to do it early though. I've never been a chocolate eater, so that just rubs off on DD. Its only in the house on highdays and holidays and she can't even eat a whole Mars Bar at once! She famously said, when she was about 3, 'what can I eat at this time of day!' In other words, don't ask for chocolate, coz you won't get it!

I am always and have always been very careful about talking about food too. I have never talked of diets or said 'that's really bad for you' I have always included DD in the kitchen, making food too. The more she gets involved in the food we cook, the more she understands good nutrition.

It is easy for me though, I have to admit. I've never been one for sweet stuff. Don't eat crisps or 'bad' stuff, so it has automatically rubbed off on dd.

Do you mean was I asking if he weighs too much. I really don't think so as sometimes I can see his ribs. He is thin but not too thin, I think.

I have relaxed a little. They seem to be coming out with Haribo sweets a lot at school (I wish mother's could be a bit more inventive about what they send in for birthdays.) and the rule was always they could swap them for something from the home cupboard (usually choc buttons/coins) but yesterday I let him have 1 and he wasn't bothered when he realised the others had gone in the bin.

I do have food issues from not being fed as a child and do comfort eat but try not to let that rub off on the kids.

BTW he was scarily helpful last night.

Maybe that's why people like Haribo! Perhaps there's a secret ingredient that turns your child into an angel