My daughter is 14.

[tawowao]

My daughter has been doing so well and I wanted to treat her for tea with McDonald's I normally get her the Chicken nugget meal with 6 nuggets and a medium fry. She never complained about the amount of food until today where she says she wants more. Shes normal weight and height for her age, Im just unsure of the amount of McDonald's I should be giving her?

Eh? That's a normal meal.

Add a mayo chicken?

Depends on the drink for me. The regular 6 nugget meal is enough if I have it with a milkshake, with a coke I tend to feel I could have a few more nuggets and like getting 9 nuggets (do they do this size as a meal now? they didn’t used to and I would just add a small chips). I’m similar with the select meal - with milkshake the 3 is enough, otherwise I want a bit more, but I always find the 5 too much regardless of drink choice!

McDonald’s isn’t real food and doesn’t fill anyone up, never mind a growing teenager. By nature it is designed to make you more hungry. Take her for a proper meal which will actually satisfy her.

6 nuggets and medium chips is not filling anyone up except maybe a teeny tiny French lady.

That is a standard meal. If that doesn't fill you up, then you are as a rule eating too much.
Also, please can we stop saying McDonald's is a treat? It simply isn't. I'm not saying don't eat it, go wild if you want to, but a treat it is not.
I'm calling it junk now with my dc. 'Anyone fancy some junk food, I cba to cook' type convos.

6 chicken nuggets and some fries isn't really a meal. Because Mcdonalds isn't that filling and also she's a growing teen and her appetite will change. Just ask her what extra she wants and order it if it doesn't seem like too much - she won't become unhealthy by having a little more Mcdonalds, especially as it seems you have it rarely.

If you really don't want to give her more, say that if she's still hungry, she can eat a healthier snack that you already have at home. Because it's possible that she might just want more junk food and isn't actually in need of more food.

Surely if she's a normal weight and says she wants more then she's the best judge of whether on not she's still hungry? I'd take her word for it and buy her more. I also assume you gave her the choice of what to order rather than selecting chicken nuggets for her? She'd probably find a Big Mac or a Quarter Pounder more filling than the nuggets tbh.

TBH I wouldn't be filled up with 6 nuggets and a medium fries. It might well have lots of calories, but it's not filling food for me. It's not what I would choose if I had to pick a meal in McDs.

Also, please can we stop saying McDonald's is a treat? It simply isn't. I'm not saying don't eat it, go wild if you want to, but a treat it is not.

treat - an event or item that is out of the ordinary and gives great pleasure. For me a McNugget meal meets the definition of a treat, it won't for everyone, but you must be pretty conceited to believe everyone shares your opinion and declare no-one should consider it such...

I get your point @SummaLuvin, that some people would consider it a treat for the reasons you've given. But I stand by mine too, and amend to that we shouldn't be telling children it's a treat. It's clever marketing to do so. It's a treat in terms of taste for some and convenience, but it's treat for no one in terms of what's being put in your body.

My 13 year old DD always gets the larger nugget box and has done for the last couple of years. I think it’s 9 nuggets? We don’t go to McD’s a lot only at service stations when we are on long journeys so I don’t think it really matters what she has.

@arethereanyleftatall and by that definition a coffee and cake with a friend isn't a treat either. I don't think food should be used directly as rewards or punishments as that can cause all sorts of issues. But I don't think outright banning categories of food is a healthy approach. Children should be allowed to enjoy junk food occasionally and learn moderation, that means the odd "treat" McDonalds or eclair or whatever in my eyes.

Just like eating a tonne of crap at a birthday party, one larger McDonald's meal isn't going to make a huge difference to her overall well being. Get her what she wants and make sure it's not frequent.

I'm no fan of McDonald's, but that makes no sense. A treat is an enjoyable thing you allow yourself to have or do on occasion. A McDonald's is something lots of people really enjoy but don't allow themselves to have very often because it's unhealthy. What is that if not a treat?

Good grief, either upgrade to the 9-piece nugs box or give her a hamburger on the side. Don't overthink it.

I agree here @SummaLuvin. I don't think I made my point very well. My point is that as adults yes we decide what is a treat. I just don't think a kids first experience of mcds should be 'let's go to mcds as a treat.' Tell them what it is - it's junk food which can be quite tasty and is super useful sometimes if you've nothing in. Then let them decide whether they think that is a treat or not.

Bully for you, call it what you like. Use whatever language you want around food to your children. Just don't start telling everyone else what tbey should be calling it.