Healthy Meals for a 5 Year Old

Angel1978_2

poppy-glos wrote: »

sorry to be back again, sign off then have another idea!

when i did weight watchers, what they were saying about was good planning, of having available the good foods rather than going looking for the not so healthy ones.
especially with working too, planning can really help in having healthy foods available.

hope that makes sense x

It makes perfect sense Poppy thank you. This is why I came on here tonight. As i'm off shopping tomorrow and needed to get ideas of what to buy etc. I don't see the health visitor until Friday but figured it wouldn't hurt to get started now and get some healthier things in for her tomorrow.

Becles

Angel1978 wrote: »

Not just me with the cheese strings then? I feel like a terrible parent now! I honestly didn't think there was any harm in them.

Don't worry. The packaging on children's food products can be very misleading.

As someone said before cheesestrings and other processed cheese products are made from a mixture of cheese by-products and emulsifiers. Statements like "100% real cheese" are true but it's not 100% natural cheese like a block of cheddar. It could be a 100% mix of left overs from making other cheese products which is still technically 100% real cheese, but it's 100% of crap cheese rather than 100% fresh natural cheese.

Would she eat normal cheese? I buy a block of cheddar etc., and just cut cubes off for my lot. They like my version of lunchables with natural cheese, cooked ham and crackers. You can add other ingredients too depending on what she likes.

Would she eat yoghurts like Shape, Weight Watchers etc.? I usually give mine adult yoghurts as childrens yoghurts can be higher in fat and sugar.

There are a few cook books out with quick and easy meals to cook from scratch. Here's a couple I have and the dishes in them are easy to make and quick to cook. Once you get into it, it's easy to adapt recipes and add extra or different ingredients depending on your tastes.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Short-cut-Rhodes-Quick-Easy-Recipes/dp/0563537361
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fays-Family-Food-Fay-Ripley/dp/0718154606

Slow cookers are great too. You can chuck everything in the night before or in the morning and come home to a ready cooked meal. If you want veggies seperate, buy a steamer and a timer plug and it will turn itself on and cook the veg ready for you coming in.

chloe99_2

hmmmm...

I understand that your daughter's weight is more than it should ideally be. But the establishment (and therefore also those members of the public who are concerned for their children's health) have become a little obsessed with dietary balance.

I think the lunch you mentioned is fine. My 4 year old eats this for lunch and is not overweight. My 9 year old eats considerably more and is not overweight.

Unless your children are having chips, burgers, pasties etc half the week or more for dinner, then I think you are probably feeding a balanced diet. Really, if you are clued up enough to know that healthy eating is important, then it is very unlikely that the diet itself is unbalanced.

It is also realistically unlikely that cutting out a cheese string or packet of crisps here etc is going to affect your daughter's weight.

Take care not to make the mistake of jumping on the healthy eating wagon, banning banned stuff like crisps etc, and ending up with a child who are the age of 8 has an unhealthy attitude to dieting and body shape.

What I really think is more important is lots of calorie laden snacking eg ice creams, chocolate bars, soft drinks (not sugar free). The odd load of junk an grannys really shouldnt be making much of an impact overall. Crisps arent actually that unhealthy in terms of calorific intake at 100 colories a bag (same as one and a half apples).

Also a regular intake of high fat high calorie foods eg tons of cheese, ready made pastries like pasties, takeaways, loads of deep fried food. But there's no need to cut chips out, use over chips, no need to buy low fat cheese, just use it a little sparingly.

If she is already avoiding many of these foods except on occasion, then the key factor could be over sized potions (we give our children more than they need, they get used to it and think they need it). A great program to watch is the jo frost program (not supernanny) over on 4od, there is an episode about portion size and it is shocking!!!!

patchwork_cat

What about bread sticks or wraps, houmous and crudites and bread sticks is a favourite of my DD and always has been.

Don't make her lose weight, just get her to grow into her weight - she may shed a pound or so at the beginning, but then just maintain for a bit.

xmaslolly76

Is it all potatoes that she doesnt like as my kids hate normal potatoes unless they are chips (typical) but they love little potatoes especially now its jersey mid season they eat them skins and all could you maybe try those and if she takes to them then give her a potatoe salad once a week :-)

jackomdj

Could you get her to grow some potatoes? We have just harvested 4 of our earlies & my girls ate them up before anything else on the plate as they had grown them (although mine do like them)

Like other people have said it is variety that is important so try and find a variety of things she likes.

My 5 year old is always on the move. She loves her scooter, trampoline & bike. She has just got into skipping and although it is one jump, prepare, another jump, prepare...it is still moving. Also she has just started playing swingball a lot & loves our swing & slide set which also get used as a climbing frame moving from one side to the other.

We often set up an obsticle course for her to go around...& time her as she goes. We also do swimming lessons once a week & go to the pool a couple of times a month outside of lesson times.

HTH

Angel1978_2

chloe99 wrote: »

hmmmm...

I understand that your daughter's weight is more than it should ideally be. But the establishment (and therefore also those members of the public who are concerned for their children's health) have become a little obsessed with dietary balance.

I think the lunch you mentioned is fine. My 4 year old eats this for lunch and is not overweight. My 9 year old eats considerably more and is not overweight.

Unless your children are having chips, burgers, pasties etc half the week or more for dinner, then I think you are probably feeding a balanced diet. Really, if you are clued up enough to know that healthy eating is important, then it is very unlikely that the diet itself is unbalanced.

It is also realistically unlikely that cutting out a cheese string or packet of crisps here etc is going to affect your daughter's weight.

Take care not to make the mistake of jumping on the healthy eating wagon, banning banned stuff like crisps etc, and ending up with a child who are the age of 8 has an unhealthy attitude to dieting and body shape.

What I really think is more important is lots of calorie laden snacking eg ice creams, chocolate bars, soft drinks (not sugar free). The odd load of junk an grannys really shouldnt be making much of an impact overall. Crisps arent actually that unhealthy in terms of calorific intake at 100 colories a bag (same as one and a half apples).

Also a regular intake of high fat high calorie foods eg tons of cheese, ready made pastries like pasties, takeaways, loads of deep fried food. But there's no need to cut chips out, use over chips, no need to buy low fat cheese, just use it a little sparingly.

If she is already avoiding many of these foods except on occasion, then the key factor could be over sized potions (we give our children more than they need, they get used to it and think they need it). A great program to watch is the jo frost program (not supernanny) over on 4od, there is an episode about portion size and it is shocking!!!!

Thank you. I don't feel like she has huge portions. And tend to give more vegetables than anything else as she likes certain vegetables. We rarely have chips. I shall have a look into portion control and see if that is the issue.

I certainly don't want to give her 'food issues' that she may have to deal with later on in life. Which is why i'm trying to keep it fun for her. I guess we need to find the right balance.

patchwork_cat wrote: »

What about bread sticks or wraps, houmous and crudites and bread sticks is a favourite of my DD and always has been.

Don't make her lose weight, just get her to grow into her weight - she may shed a pound or so at the beginning, but then just maintain for a bit.

She loves breadsticks. She loves the greek raita type dip to go with it. Is this any good?

I'm really thinking exercise is going to be key mixed with healthier eating. Just need to think of things she can do. Hopefully the Health Advisor will help me with this.

xmaslolly76 wrote: »

Is it all potatoes that she doesnt like as my kids hate normal potatoes unless they are chips (typical) but they love little potatoes especially now its jersey mid season they eat them skins and all could you maybe try those and if she takes to them then give her a potatoe salad once a week :-)

She won't eat any potato's at all i'm afraid. Boiled, mashed, jacket, wedges. She sniffs her nose up at it. Even at the occasional Mcdonalds she'll choose salad instead of fries.

Angel1978_2

Becles wrote: »

Don't worry. The packaging on children's food products can be very misleading.

As someone said before cheesestrings and other processed cheese products are made from a mixture of cheese by-products and emulsifiers. Statements like "100% real cheese" are true but it's not 100% natural cheese like a block of cheddar. It could be a 100% mix of left overs from making other cheese products which is still technically 100% real cheese, but it's 100% of crap cheese rather than 100% fresh natural cheese.

Would she eat normal cheese? I buy a block of cheddar etc., and just cut cubes off for my lot. They like my version of lunchables with natural cheese, cooked ham and crackers. You can add other ingredients too depending on what she likes.

Would she eat yoghurts like Shape, Weight Watchers etc.? I usually give mine adult yoghurts as childrens yoghurts can be higher in fat and sugar.

There are a few cook books out with quick and easy meals to cook from scratch. Here's a couple I have and the dishes in them are easy to make and quick to cook. Once you get into it, it's easy to adapt recipes and add extra or different ingredients depending on your tastes.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Short-cut-Rhodes-Quick-Easy-Recipes/dp/0563537361
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fays-Family-Food-Fay-Ripley/dp/0718154606

Slow cookers are great too. You can chuck everything in the night before or in the morning and come home to a ready cooked meal. If you want veggies seperate, buy a steamer and a timer plug and it will turn itself on and cook the veg ready for you coming in.

She would eat normal cheese but prefers the cheese strings. Apparently it's the latest craze at the school. I didn't see the harm if it makes her happy. Now i'm not sure to be honest.

I have a slow cooker and i'm really looking at some recipies for it. Thank you for the links. All tips gratefully received!

jackomdj wrote: »

Could you get her to grow some potatoes? We have just harvested 4 of our earlies & my girls ate them up before anything else on the plate as they had grown them (although mine do like them)

Like other people have said it is variety that is important so try and find a variety of things she likes.

My 5 year old is always on the move. She loves her scooter, trampoline & bike. She has just got into skipping and although it is one jump, prepare, another jump, prepare...it is still moving. Also she has just started playing swingball a lot & loves our swing & slide set which also get used as a climbing frame moving from one side to the other.

We often set up an obsticle course for her to go around...& time her as she goes. We also do swimming lessons once a week & go to the pool a couple of times a month outside of lesson times.

HTH

Unfortunately our garden is in desperate need of a clean up and therefore in no fit state to grow our own potatoes. I like your style though!

I'm thinking skipping rope and hula hoop to start with. But I love the idea of setting up an obstacle course for her. I wonder what I can do with the drive!!! I've also considered swimming lessons and need to look into this. Not just for health reasons but because I believe she needs to learn how to swim.

Some fab responses. Thank you all so much

scottishchick27

I agree with using a slow cooker. I also work 9 to 5 but I've got my spag bol in the fridge, ready to be chucked into the slow cooker in the morning. I'm following Weightwatchers diet at the moment and it doesn't have to be fattening. I use extra lean mince, tinned tomatoes, herbs, onions, mushrooms, tomato puree and worcester sauce and seasoning. It means I've only to cook some spaghetti when I get home tomorrow night.
How much exercise does she get?

Angel1978_2

scottishchick27 wrote: »

I agree with using a slow cooker. I also work 9 to 5 but I've got my spag bol in the fridge, ready to be chucked into the slow cooker in the morning. I'm following Weightwatchers diet at the moment and it doesn't have to be fattening. I use extra lean mince, tinned tomatoes, herbs, onions, mushrooms, tomato puree and worcester sauce and seasoning. It means I've only to cook some spaghetti when I get home tomorrow night.
How much exercise does she get?

Out of school we're talking the park at the weekends if the weather holds. Apart from that though not much at all i'm afraid. This needs to change and I know that. I just need to find some extra time to do more things with her. And some ideas of what to do with her.

Just come across this and it looks like these will be able to help us:

http://www.nhs.uk/change4life/Pages/Default.aspx