My two kids seem to want to eat right after school and then are not ready to eat dinner when it is ready because they are not hungry. It is hard to get them to stop at one apple or orange. They usually have some sort of carb as well. I hate to eat later than 6 because we don't have time to work off dinner.
SWEETERS 9/8/06 1:15 P
Tisha (EULOGYSCHILD) How is your boy's progress? Going good I hope.
Out local schools (in the UK) have just all changed their lunch time policies, no chocolate, crisps or fizzy drinks allowed in school. This week the boys all moaned on the first day, but now they seem to have accepted it and are quite happy with yogurts, raisens, apples and lumps of cheese!!! Amazing!!
Love to hear everyone's progress too.
Penny x
WINTERSJANIS 7/20/06 6:13 P
I took my four year old to the doctor today for her routine physical she is required to have by her daycare. The doctor asked us what she had for breakfast and how she was eating and my daughter chimed in (she's REALLY talkative) and told the doctor "I had a whole grain, low sugar cereal for breakfast and brought some cheetos for lunch which are not healthy but that's ok cause I ate my carrots and my grapes which are healthy so it should be alright." I was quite proud of her. She repeated back a lot of the things I say to her. She sees a TV commercial for juicy juice or something and comes running in "There's this new juice with vitamins!! .... well, it might be a lie, is it healthy?" It's amazing what children learn from example and how much of what parents say to them is retained, even if it doesn't seem like it at first. My steady boyfriend has a little 10 year old boy who has a tendency to be husky and he has started reading food labels with me, and makes choices away from things that are high in sugar or trans fat despite the fact he's a picky eater. He loves to do mental math so he can easilly compare labels. I also go rollerblading with him and his dad about 3x a week on my lunch hour. He's definately started to grow vertically instead of horizantally over the summer. From my own personal experience, teaching kids about what they are eating is a helpful tool for them to make their own good choices and the kids I know are very interested to learn about nutrition.
JOBUNNY 7/20/06 5:13 P
I think the biggest thing to remember is that spark is NOT a diet... This is a life style change, not just for those of us loosing the weight, but for our friends and family’s around us. We are learning good eating habbits, and these will rub off on our kids. We're not going to hit goal weight and go back to what we used to do... kids notice a lot more then we give them credit for. My kids have already started changing what they do, without being told... the smear of butter on their bread is no where near as much as it was. When we go shopping, THEY point out the healthier options. All we can really do for our kids, is lead by example.
Jo
PALOUSEPONY13 7/20/06 4:59 P
Thank you all for the great suggestions - my sister has done great with some of the SP recipes. This is great practice for when I have kids. Thanks so much, again!!!
BOCHIS34 7/20/06 3:43 P
When I started my weight loss program, we had plenty, and trust me when I say plenty, of sweets in the house. At any given time we had three different kinds of cookies, candy, all kinds of sweet snacks. But when I started the program my kids were right there with me. They got rid of the snacks, and they loved it, and we started doing more things. They walked with me, they would not let me get any of the sweets that I love. They encourage me. All of this was done because I asked them to help. kids love to help. Not only did it help me, but I was able to introduce more fruits and veggies in their diets. And they welcomed it, even though some they refuse to eat, but mostly they are eating it. Now I do not deprive them and allow them to eat some sweets, but it is in the house all the time like it was.
Just do things. Go and walk at the zoo. Go to the park. We play soccer and run around the track. We race each other, my kids love to beat me in running.
LADYFLANNEL 7/20/06 2:58 P
Children this age should not lose any weight but rather keep the same weight as they grow taller and of course not gain weight.
Teaching proper eating habits and encouraging outside play should help a lot. Does he have a bike?
My step-son is obese and here he finds it weird as we don't eat out a lot and there are very few processed sweets around. My children are used to grabbing an apple or carrot sticks for a snack. He isn't because it is not his habit.
If he is used to processed sweets taking them all out at once can feel like he is being deprived. Maybe buy less and less and when they are gone that shopping trip (we shop every 2 weeks) they are gone.
I serve a fruit plate at each meal. My step-son now asks us to 'pass the fruit' plate to him!
Be careful so as not make any child feel deprived or give them a bad self esteem over their weight.
Happy Habits!
P.S. We have 5 kids total and with us that makes a family of 7. I can not nor will I make seperate meals except on 'leftover night' and that is reheating ONLY. If a child doesn't not like something they may make themself something else to eat but I am NOT doing it.
BECKAJW 7/20/06 1:51 P
Remember children are still growing, their bodies need extra calories to do this. Children are also very impressionable, now is the time that they form their body image. Don't let your child eat junk food all the time, but be careful about making children diet. There are studies that show that children who are forced to diet become overweight as adults.
Please see a doctor before putting a child on any kind of diet. And remember their dietary needs are not the same as yours.
EULOGYSCHILD 7/20/06 1:05 P
I have an 11 year old (almost 12) that has a weight problem. This is probably my fault because of the way that we used to eat and he probably modeled my eating habits.He is probably about 5'1" and weighs about 138 pounds. He has a big stomach on him. For the last week I have been helping him watch his portion sizes and also we are jogging 4 times a week in the evening. I am going to weigh him next week and we will see how much he was lost. Hopefully that will be in inspiration for him.
JERZYDEB 7/20/06 7:13 A
Too bad I didn't post this earlier - we just got back from a 2 month vacation in Egypt - I could have brought it to you !! Yes, Amazon has it - don't know if I can post a link here or not - but I'll try
Thnak yu for the suggestion but can I gt the book on Amazon book. com
As I am based in the Middle East wa wondering how I could lay my hands on the book. Debra
JERZYDEB 7/20/06 5:40 A
As a mom to a once overweight 9yo, and also a 7 yo, 5 yo and 3 yo, I was desperate not to have to cook separate meals for everyone. (I was doing WW, dh LOVES to eat, and all the kids like different things). Finally read an excellent book - "Your Child's Weight : Helping without Harming" - and the major point was simple, but it worked - YOU as the parent decided where and when and what is served at meals - your child should decide IF they want to eat at all, and if so, how much. I was worried that if I let my 9yo decide how much she could eat, her weight problems would only get worse. BUT - once she realized that our meals were now more structured (we ate breakfast everyday between 8 and 9, lunch between 12 and 1, a snack at 3, and then dinner between 6-7) she knew that if she wasn't hungry at lunchtime, it would only be another 2 hours before she could have a snack (I didn't let them snack at times other than these - helped keep the kitchen cleaner too!). Over the past 4 months she's lost 10 lbs without trying, and is now a normal weight. My kids have tried some foods I would have had to force on the before - some they liked, some they didn't, but I'm seeing them try them again and again - because they know I won't force them to eat it if they don't like it. They must eat what they serve themselves - but they can serve themselves seconds and thirds if they like it. Really recommend the book, especially if you have a child with a weight problem, or a picky child.
BASICMOUTH 7/19/06 11:17 P
I agree, you can't make a meal for everyone. However, the "build a meal" idea is great. Just lay out the ingredients, and let the kids put together their own stuff. Salads, baked potatoes, tacos/burritos, pizza, etc... are all potentially "bad" foods (how many of us used to drown our salads in fatty dressing?) that can be made good with lighter, healthier meats, cheeses, fresh veggies, boneless-skinless chicken, ground turkey, etc...
Being a parent is important as well. We do set the rules and enforce them, but sometimes the arguements aren't worth the problems later on. My son used to cause SUCH a ruckus at dinner because my father would argue with him alllll the time. Now, he just has to try a bite of everything before he POLITELY says "No thank you. This is not to my taste." We have seen HUGE improvements in what foods he chooses now on his own, without being forced, and in his own time.
TRUFFLEMAKER 7/19/06 5:28 P
I agree that parents can't make a different meal for everyone in the family. With regards to really picky eaters though, you might want to look into allergies or food sensitivities. One of my kids never liked milk, pasta, or bread very much. At age 9 he was diagnosed sensitive to gluten and milk. Somehow, his body knew that he shouldn't have it! Look for a pattern and investigate (particularly if your child is ADD or ADHD). I'm speaking from painful experience... Sensitivities aside, I tell my kids that people are allowed to not like one or two things, but you can't not like everything!
JWILLIS1 7/19/06 2:15 P
OK the only other thing I will add after reding through this very long string of posts. Careful that in keeping to YOUR diet goals you're not sending the wrong message to your kids.
HEALTHY IS GOOD NUTRITIOUS IS GOOD
But dieting and body image are very critical at this age for girls and boys. Just becasue it's diet soda doesn't make it right. Just because it's fat free doesn't make it right. If you're really worried about eating habits talk to your pediatrician.
JWILLIS1 7/19/06 2:04 P
In my house we have an 11 year old and a 1 year old to feed. There's no way I'm making different meals for everybody. Somedays it's a struggle to get 11 to eat but here's what I've found.
The one rule we have is the no-thank-you-helping:
"You don't want the mashed potatoes? You still have to eat one small spoonful".
You'll be amazed at how quickly they find that what looks weird or gross can taste good.
Also, try foods that they can build - tacos, fajitas, even baked potatoes with a topping bar of cheese (soy cheese?!), broccoli, ground beef and of course non-fat sour cream. I do the potato thing substituting pasta too only using different vegetables, chicken and sauce. It's amazing what you cna hide in sauce. Before they know it they've had a balanced meal.
There are also two good shows on the Food Network. One is Jamie's School Dinner's the other is called Just One Bite.
LEAHKT 7/19/06 10:42 A
Wow! This is a great thread. I have a 10 year old son who is so picky. The kid won't even eat sandwiches because he says meat and bread don't go together. I used to make him a separate meal, but am getting out of the habit -- mostly because I would be too tired to make myself something. Then I would just snack.
He's not bad with fruits and some veggies, its main courses that are a mystery. Plus, I am a terrible cook, so that doens't help. he doesn't even like pizza.
Anyway, I'm definitely going to get him to help making dinner. He already knows how to make pancakes and scrambled eggs, but he won't eat the eggs. I'll try the other suggestions too.
TBMENDOZA 7/19/06 10:35 A
I am interested in finding out about the products that you use for the pizzas. Because my children and I love pizza too.
Thanks, Tanya
SDEBRA 7/19/06 9:23 A
HI Lizzy,
You are right, its better these days to ask what they and cook it for them than to give them food they want and have them sort of sulking, which I never encourage, but I always make it a point to make dinner very interesting. And on Firdays and Saturdays being my weekly off make them any special meal they request. That keeps them going! .....Debra
LIZZY0227 7/19/06 9:16 A
I am butting in here and my children are now adults. In the case of a picky child, sometimes you have to remember who the parent is? If my child would only eat Peanut Butter and toast, I would toss the peanut butter. kids won't starve themselves. I sometimes gave my kids choices but all the choices were healthy. Example: would you like your carrots raw or cooked tonight? They always "helped" me in the kitchen although it took about twice as long to make a meal, lol. By the time my boys were 12 they were responsible for making one dinner each, per week. I know that I was never allowed to be a picky eater as a child, I either ate what I was given for dinner or I went hungry (I ate). I followed that example with my own boys, they ate also, lol. I am not writing this to knock what anyone is doing,,, it just seems "these days", parents have less authority than ever before and maybe its time to get some of that back,,, Lizzy
KNIPPERDOG99 7/19/06 8:47 A
I am a Pampered Chef consultant and I am doing a Mommy and Me party (with moms and preschoolers) tomorrow to promote healthy cooking with children. For the adult we are making roast beef rollups and the kids are getting apples (apple slicer), healthy pb & j with the sandwich maker, and using our creative cutters to make fun shapes out of cheese and fruit. I also do shows for parents with older children. My kids love to cook. If you make it fun for them many times they enjoy eating healthy too. We just read the hidden sugar article together. My kids were amazed at home much sugar is hidden in things. We walked to the farmer's market for peaches yesterday for snacks instead of candy or cookies. Good luck everyone.
LAZARUS76 7/19/06 1:44 A
Remember kids like to eat like grown-ups if they see you eating certain foods they will probably want them too (even if they dont realize that its good for them) kids eat as healthy as you do. Remember your kids look up to you and the better you treat yourself the longer you will have with them. Eating healthy doesn't have to mean eat healthy all the time have a break once in a while. But show them if you can do it so can they in the long run they will appreciate you for it.
TRUFFLEMAKER 7/18/06 8:53 P
Wow, what a great bunch of creative suggestions! I have 3 boys who are all very good about eating healthy food. Mostly, I think it was me doing WW a few years ago that tuned them in. I was always talking about how much fat and sugar is hidden in foods, and they became very conscious of what is healthy and what is not. So, that is my suggestion--don't try to hide the truth from kids, coax them to eat healthy, or try to trick them. Give them the information and help them make good choices.
ARMLEYLASS 7/18/06 1:14 P
Hi, we have 10 year old triplets, and they eat what we eat. Before they were born, my husband and I ate a lot of fast food and restaurant food, since we both worked long hours. Once the kids were ready for solid food, we really cleaned up our food act! My husband loves veggies, and I have learned to eat them, so our kids love spinach, broccoli, peppers, squah, beans, and all the other colorful veggies. We buy organic versions of the things they eat or drink daily, such as milk and bread for instance, and we buy grass fed beef from a farmer we know. We have our own chickens out back even though we live in the city, and get lovely brown eggs from them. We eat wild Alaskan salmon that we buy at Trader Joe, and I amke salmon loaf with canned pink salmon which the kids love. We eat brown rice, whole grain pasta, and various breads made from oats, barley, and other grains. If we have cereal for breakfast, it is either one of the Kashi versions, or real oatmeal made in a pan on the stove. When the kids were little, we planted fruit trees in the back yard, and we now eat our own oranges, peaches, and plums when they are in season. We also grow cherry Tomatoes around the patio, and the kids pick some for me when I need them for a salad. Our kids are learning to cook, and like reading recipes, and they undertand that cakes/cookies/candy should be an occasional treat, not an everyday thing. The only fast food we eat is egg mcmuffins from McDonalds on Sunday mornings sometimes, and an occasional chicken sandwich. The kids get a soda once in a while as a treat (maybe once a week), but on a daily basis they drink milk, water, green tea, and little orange juice. I can't guarantee that they will always make wise food choices when they grow up, but for now, they are very insistant that we are "what we eat." We are moving to live overseas in a couple or three months, and we will be living in a small market town that only has 1 McDonads, and no other Western food! Thank goodness we don't have picky eaters, and the kids love noodles and steamed buns! Food education is important when kids are really little, and getting them involved in reading food labels when they are older is a big help too. It has helped of course, that we eat the same foods we expect them to eat!!!!
RINTHEAMAZING 7/18/06 8:48 A
Tacos or fajitas are always good, because you can put all the toppings in the middle of the table and everyone can assemble their own, just the way they like it. You can also do this with baked potatoes and an assortment of toppings (bacon bits, cheese, yogurt, sour cream, etc)
My kids love Chinese food - or any friend fish, or chicken but fried.
They love fries and sausages gosh hope this all good for them!
MYSPECIALKS 7/18/06 7:02 A
feeding kids..now thats a challanging proposition!
SINEADK 7/18/06 6:55 A
i've got an 11 year old and while he's not too fussy an eater, he did come out with something rather appropriate not so long ago - "why is it that the stuff you make yourself always tastes better?" he loves his kids cookbooks and makes mean homemade chicken nuggets. homemade pizza and chicken fajitas are always good bets too
SWEETERS 7/18/06 2:37 A
I agree that getting the kids to make the food is a good idea. Sam Stern is a teenage boy in the UK that has published a book called "Cooking up a storm (the Teenage Survival cookbook)" Which I found fantastic. My 3 boys have all developed completely different tastes and it has been a nightmare at times trying to keep them happy, but in this book they think some things are cool because he says so!!!It has chapters called "school recovery" and "impress the girls". I got it from schoollink (www.bookpeople.co.uk) for less than the published price. Any way it helped me and the boys are happy.
