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At what age do you start thinking about portion control?

12 replies

Lampshade685 · 24/02/2021 16:43

I have a 19m old and he has always had quite a good appetite. If he asks for more of something during dinner or lunch etc I give it to him. Soemtimes he eats loads e.g pasta is a favourite and he can eat a large portion. I know that they are meant to self regulate and stop when they are full which I think he does, but at what age should I look into portion size?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Bunnybigears · 24/02/2021 16:46

My boys are 10 and 13 and I dont think I have ever worried about portion size. As long as its healthy food they can have as much as they want. They are very active and burn it straight off I think I would only worry about portion size if a child was putting on too much weight.

FelicityPike · 24/02/2021 16:47

When they’re adults or when a medical professional tells you to.

MagdasMadHouse · 24/02/2021 17:03

Only when medically necessary, or if they are old enough to ask for help with portion control (teens if they are overweight)

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TradedAtlanta · 24/02/2021 18:25

I stop with my 16 month old's bread and butter addiction when she starts sucking the butter off and spitting the bread out Grin

GrumpyHoonMain · 24/02/2021 18:50

@TradedAtlanta

I stop with my 16 month old's bread and butter addiction when she starts sucking the butter off and spitting the bread out Grin
Hahaha
mynameiscalypso · 24/02/2021 18:53

DS is 18 months - I generally am very relaxed because I figure the extra food at some mealtimes makes up for the days when he decides it's more fun to throw his tea on the floor or has a sudden aversion to something he happily ate the day before.

Ihaveoflate · 24/02/2021 19:16

I have an 19 mo and I do say no to requests for more fruit or biscuits when she has them for snack, otherwise she'd fill up on them.

I wouldn't say no to second helpings of a healthy meal, but she basically never asks.

Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor · 24/02/2021 19:20

I really go on whether they are a healthy weight - and mine are 8 and 13.
I would only cut back if they were overweight and then I'd probably look at snacks first.

aapple · 24/02/2021 20:22

I wouldn't refuse seconds, but I thought about portion sizes from weaning age.

See "good food choices and portion sizes for 1-4 year olds" by the first steps nutrition trust. www.firststepsnutrition.org/s/Good_food_choices_and_portion_sizes_Jan2018.pdf

It was recommended by my health visitor. The portion advice kind of boils down to: use a 20cm wide plate for preschoolers. Fill it with a balanced meal. Give extra servings if requested.

Oblomov21 · 24/02/2021 20:23

Never have. Because teenage ds's have always been healthy weight.

3JsMa · 24/02/2021 20:34

I never did.But they never ask for seconds as babies/toddlers/children and I never forced them to eat more than they felt comfortable with.
I think they also inherited my DFather physique-tall,lean &athletic.

Wigeon · 24/02/2021 20:40

My DDs are 9 and 12 and can have as much of whatever our main lunch / dinner is as they like. They seem pretty good at eating until they are full and then stopping, and have always been a healthy weight. They can’t have unlimited chocolate /cake / sweet pudding.

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