Help hungry teenager!!!!

crisispoint914

Hi I am really trying to lower all of my expenses, one of my 'biggies' (not counting debt!!) is food. How can I fill a 16 yr old lad (cheaply) who seems to be perpetually "starvin" any suggestions please???

Marisco

Hi CP, if you post up an SOA, there are many who can help you cut down on "living" expenses. Link below

http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html

Meepster

You could get said 16 year old to get a job and then he could pay for his own snacks...

determined_new_ms

do a search on teh old school boards, there have been lots of discussions around this (for obvious reasons!) There's teh "hollow leg" theory, so basically fill him up as much as he will take first thing in the morning, big bowl of porridge, toast, fruit that will even it out thru out the day! Don't buy the expensive foods (crisps/ch0c0late/expensive yogurts etc), encourage toast & jam/peanut butter, cereal after school. twinks hobnobs, cheap, easy and delish! Hm pizzas to reheat when hungry, bulk meals out with red lentils (spag/shepperds pie/chilli con carne etc anything "wet") and that tip used by restuarants all over the country, bread as a starter! (have 2 teens and a teen foreign students so have been through this myself!) does he know how to make pancakes? If not show him how, again cheap, easy and filling. Good luck x

pinkarsenalprincess

He is 16, tell him to get a job. Then if he wants more food he can waste his own money on it!

Geebee

Hi crisipoint... I have a teenager that seems to be continually hungry too, here are a few of the things that are a must....

Wholewheat pasta is packed full of starchy carbohydrates and fibre and also has a low GI (Glycaemic Index) so helps to keep blood sugars stable so that you dont get the 'lows' that leave you feeling hungry.
Beans are a great source of fibre, but also crammed with protein as well, and the combination of the two fills you up so that you're less likely to snack on sugary things inbetween meals that then cause a dip.
Nuts, rich in protein and fibre, again another food with a low GI. But they can be high calorie wise so keep a check on them. Also go for fresh nuts rather than the salted kinds.
Porridge is a brill breakfast food, full of soluble fibre called Beta~glucan which helps to slow down digestion and absorption of carbs which helps you feel fuller for much longer.

Also remember plenty of water as well. This helps to fill up and is great for clear skin and for flushing out the kidneys too!.

GB.

crisispoint914

Marisco wrote: »

Hi CP, if you post up an SOA, there are many who can help you cut down on "living" expenses. Link below

http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html

Hi Marisco have posted it on another thread and had some great suggestions on there, thread was 'any help greatly appreciated

crisispoint914

Hi pinkarsenalprincess and meepster he has been looking for a summer job and has been unsuccessful in his quest. However as a parent I see the responsibility of meeting a basic need (food) mine until he turns 18 and even then, longer if he is is in education.

pinkarsenalprincess

I must have been brought up in the 'tough love' home!
Both me and my brother had a job at 15, paid rent from 16 onwards. Mine was reduced while in education but my brother had to pay more due to his full time job.

crisispoint914

I was the complete opposite, my mum died when I was young so we lived with my dad who was not working when I was 16-19 and although I had a saturday job then a bar job my dad never took money off me for rent or food. I was very lucky.

pennypusher

Hi crisispoint, generally if you bake yourself that can halve the price of food. I found home made cakes very useful and a lot more filling than shop bought. Also most food works out about half price if you cook from scratch. Check the prices of pre packed fruit and veg against the loose stuff, mostly it's a lot cheaper to sort out what you want and put it in a bag than pay a premium for someone else to have pre packed it for you. Hope this helps.