Children that are allowed to eat/graze constantly?

mumps

notanewuser wrote: »

An interesting read.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2013/may/04/leave-them-kids-alone-griffiths

Thank you for posting that, it is brilliant, I must get the book.

mumps

Tenyearstogo wrote: »

My boys can snack when they like but they can only eat what's in the house. They need to learn to understand they're appetite themselves, not have me dictate it for them.

I know the food is healthy. I bought it so I know what's there. They cannot gorge on rubbish if it isnt there.

If it runs out before I do the weekly shop that's tough. This way they learn to control it. My 14 year old used to eat yogurts like they were going out of fashion but he soon slowed down when he'd eaten all his by Monday and I wasn't shopping again until Friday.

When mine were mad on yogurts I got them to make their own. They loved the whole process and it was super cheap.

Tenyearstogo

mumps wrote: »

When mine were mad on yogurts I got them to make their own. They loved the whole process and it was super cheap.

I think part of the appeal for him is the lack of preparation!

spender

As a mother of four children I have let mine grazed when need be. The youngest has gone through huge growth spurts this year and has days when he has been constantly hungry. However this is balanced out on days when he is less hungry. I had plenty of selection of food in the fridge and cupboards and apart from what I call treat food they could eat what they wanted (but discouraged in the hour or so before dinner).

My son often is down the park with his mates kicking a ball around each day all day when not at school so therefore he needs the extra calories.

I found having a chilled approach towards food has made it less than issue and I encourage them to have snacks that will provide nutrients etc but accept that mum sometimes can not win! However if I feel they have eaten too much rubbish I don't buy it the following week.

I am astounded some days with the amount that is eaten but as said before this is balanced out over the year. My youngest daughter is a tiny sparrow eater but she too has days when she eats for England! I have known children who don't eat very much but are not active and therefore carry weight.

I do not think there is a right or wrong answer but as a parent you can judge, but I did find in the past the constant saying of "no" makes it into a battle and makes them want food. I do however also encourage them to have a drink frequently and make sure they have fluids before school. Son eats breakfast, daughter does not often, but then as a child I could not face breakfast.

In short there is no wrong or right answer, do what is best for your child which may not be the best for another child.

happy35

i am a grazer rather than a meal eater, food became a battle ground for me as I was brought up with 3 meals a day. I dont eat big portions so find it a hassle so eat when I am hungry, even if it is a meal I will eat it when I want it rather than at 5pm for example and might half it for later etc

I always let DS have healthy snacks but he isnt really a snacker he likes to eat meals with maybe occasionally fruit or yoghurs, doesnt bother snacking very often

We are both slim but eat very differently, I could quite happily graze forever and never have a proper meal again, DS couldnt as he likes meals.

koalamummy

My children are given 3 proper meals per day. They snack constantly in between meals as well. They are all healthy and happy and despite constantly eating are at the lower end of the weight spectrum for their ages despite being tall.

MarilynMonroe_2

My daughter doesnt graze but then I give her fairly large meals.She will have something around 4pm though and then I make the tea for 6pm.
We never had snacks as kids and we wern't fainting all over the place, I don't understand this snack at school thing I've heard of, surely kids can go a few hours without food and a drink?
I watched a Supernanny once and she said you had to keep kids blood sugars up with snacks..? I'm not so sure, it seems since snacks became the norm thats when you didnt get one obese kid at school but an epidemic started.

koalamummy

MarilynMonroe wrote: »

My daughter doesnt graze but then I give her fairly large meals.She will have something around 4pm though and then I make the tea for 6pm.
We never had snacks as kids and we wern't fainting all over the place, I don't understand this snack at school thing I've heard of, surely kids can go a few hours without food and a drink?
I watched a Supernanny once and she said you had to keep kids blood sugars up with snacks..? I'm not so sure, it seems since snacks became the norm thats when you didnt get one obese kid at school but an epidemic started.

Snacks apparently help boost concentration levels.

MarilynMonroe_2

Surely children can concentrate for a couple of hours without a snack though.

koalamummy

MarilynMonroe wrote: »

Surely children can concentrate for a couple of hours without a snack though.

Being totally honest I don't know my younger two barely last an hour and they eat substantial meals as well. My sister is a head teacher of a primary school and I know that she would only take well conducted and accurate research as credible. She assures me that you can tell which children have had sensible snacks and generally eat a healthy balanced diet as they have a significant tendency towards outperforming their peers who do not. I will ask for a list of her sources though for anybody who wants to read it.