Sometimes when I look at the calories my sons snacks have less calories than mine
ANN118 10/14/07 9:58 P
I do not have too much problem with this, because I try and serve quite healthy meals and snacks on a regular basis for my 15 month old son and save junk food for special times. What I struggle with is eating my healthy meals/snacks with him, but than wanting to eat a treat (or two) when he is taking his nap or in bed for the night. I think feel worn out and like I deserve something yummy to help me relax.
ROBYNHOME 10/14/07 9:20 A
I, too, will finish what they don't. Usually, I can resist snacking on junk food with them. although I may have a graham cracker with them. gotta keep track of the calories.
MRSFUNDY 10/11/07 11:06 A
I often snack with my DD, she's 20 mo. She's use to a pretty predictable schedule from daycare and we try to stick to that as much as poosible on the weekends too. She eats 3 meals and has about 3 snacks a day. Since eating smaller meals more often is typically considered healthy, I try to time my eating with hers. I'm not a big fan for an early breakfast, so my LO eats and have coffee and glass of milk. For a morning snack (my breakfast) we both have yogurt or share a bagel with cream cheese, maybe some fresh fruit too. For lunch we sometimes eat together but usually she's hungry and tired, so I get her something quick and I'll eat once she's napping. Not long after her nap she's wanting a snack, this is one I try to skip. For this snack I usually do not indulge myself if it's fairly early (not long after my lunch), I put cheddar bunnies (they are similar to goldfish crackers) in her snack cup and immediately put the box back away.
She's usally numgry again before dinner time. I try to give her another small healthy snack that won't mess with dinner...sometimes if realy close to dinner I give her a popsicle, otherwise if well before dinner maybe some fruit and/or cheese.
I try to put out small portions of snacks and put the rest away. It is way to easy for us to eat too much if we leave the whole package open in front of us. Another BIG help is that we do not by cookies or other less healthy snacks. And we do not buy the "snack size bags" for things. Another HUGE help is that my daughter rarely leaves much behind, and when she does I usually give it to the dogs rather forcing/allowing myself to eat it.
REBECKYPM 10/8/07 1:09 A
I hear you loud and clear! I was wondering why I wasn't losing weight when I started counting my "toddler calories". It is so hard to not finish off her mini corn dogs or chicken nuggets - or the PB&J sandwich. I finally stopped and it has helped, but goodness gracious, it is so HARD!!! I hear you on the Teddy Grahams, cheese sticks, and so on. Goldfish, dried fruit, you name it. I LOVE a dried fruit mix from Trader Joe's and realized when I would finish that bag I was eating 300 + calories. I mean, who can eat a 1/4 cup of that stuff?? I hear you and if I can stop, so can you. You can totally do it. I'll allow myself part of certain snacks and only if I'm in a good place calorie-wise during the day. I always count them even if it's only a few. I avoid the Teddy Grahams, Goldfish, or anything in bags that hold more than 2 servings. That's tough, though, so I'm with you. I often find my hand in the bag while I'm driving. One thing that has helped is packing fruit instead of those snacks. I had to laugh and I'm so glad you made this post. I often put left overs in bags and reheat them later. If she isn't interested I throw them away. Growing up, we had to clean our plates, so it seems so awful to just throw away food. When I'm tempted to eat her stuff, I just remind myself that my pants are tight and it sure would be nice to fit into them. I don't know if this helps at all, but if anything know you're not alone!!
AAANA1 10/7/07 5:54 P
Hmmm, maybe make smaller portions for your toddler -- you can always make more if they need it. Make a 1/2 a sandwich first ( or whatever food item ), if they seem to want more, make it afterwards...you should have less "leftovers".
BROWNEYEDGIRL31 10/7/07 4:44 P
I so know where you are coming from. With two of my children in the toddler age they will do this. You don't think about the few bites or the little left over but it does add up.
ANDREAONHEROWN 10/6/07 8:18 P
Hello everyone!
I thought I'd start a new topic on this forum, because I didn't see anything that I thought fit the problem I seem to be having. So here's my true confessions story !
I've gained about 10 pounds in the last 4 months, and despite the fact that I got back on SparkPeople a month ago and started tracking my calories again, I'm still adding a few pounds. Today, as I sat down to track again, I figured out the reason why things didn't add up.
I wasn't counting the "toddler calories".
If you have a little one, you know what I mean. You fix them a sandwich and a glass of milk. When they abandon the last 1/4th, you eat it, and drain their glass of milk. When she demands a pack of teddy grahams you open it, but then when she abandons it after two bites you eat the rest. You polish off that last bit of apple juice or half a cheese stick, rather than let anything "go to waste". Although a year ago I would never have considered eating her leftovers and routinely threw out the rest of her formula, etc., somehow now that she's on "real people" food, I feel obligated to help her clean her plate.
It's taken a rainy Saturday at home to make me realize that although my meals were reasonably conservative and healthy, my snacks were disastrous. When I really sit down and count every bite I put in my mouth today, I've added an extra 350 calories to my meal plan today by consuming my child's leftovers, and that doesn't count the cookie I snuck in when she woke me up at 4 am this morning.
Does anyone have any helpful hints for averting the impulse to snack this way and convincing yourself to throw away the leftover bits? Although this may be the quickest way to tidy up after a meal, it certainly isn't the healthiest!
!
