Sticky_Mommy responded June 10, 2008 at 11:18AM

  I love my job, it gives me a break from my kids!

Did you see the Sneaky Chef's cubby today? With my kids I *try* not to stress about how much/what their eating each day. You have to look at it over the course of a week. One point is to offer something she likes at dinner, but without making a seperate meal for her.

Last night we had sausage, eggplant & tomatoes and all my daughter ate was tomatoes. Then of course she complained about being hungry at bedtime, but I told her she should have eaten more dinner!




No more ???clean plate club.??? Teach kids to listen to their bodies??? cues and stop eating when they are no longer hungry. Forcing kids to finish everything on their plate will weaken this natural internal sense and lead to overeating in the future. One great way to have them fill up on healthier foods is to substitute highly nutritious vegetable ???fillers??? for some portion of a denser calorie meal. For example, a little pureed spinach and blueberries substitutes invisibly into part of a hamburger without anyone knowing the difference (yes, spinach and blueberries!) or try hiding pureed cauliflower in mac n??? cheese. In the end, kids have healthier versions of their favorite foods, with less calories and fat. Find out about many more great ideas like these at www.TheSneakyChef.com.

  mommylove responded June 10, 2008 at 11:53AM

  Having the time of my life!

thank you so much for the response! This is great advice. Now, how do I get my son not to eat so much at dinner? He is thin but built like an Ox. Very strong and solid. However, personally I feel like he eats too much, but I might be overreacting. How do I determine what is too much for a 5 1/2 yr. old?

  Sticky_Mommy responded June 10, 2008 at 12:33AM

  I love my job, it gives me a break from my kids!

I think as long as he's eating fuel foods he should be fine. Is he drinking water at meal times? That will help him fill up too. I wouldn't worry about it unless your DR says something.

  mommylove responded June 11, 2008 at 11:16AM

  Having the time of my life!

yes he is drinking plenty of water at meal times. I limit his juice intake and he has milk with breakfast. Thank you so much for your response.

  likeomgsara responded June 11, 2008 at 9:45PM

  

I do in my household this: It's made, you eat it or go hungry. period. We don't do special meals for all of us because our household is 3 children! If one started on wanting something different, then another on would start in on it. She will eventually learn to turn around and try it, even if you feel like this is hurting her. In the long run it's teaching her that she won't get her way all of the time. Including meal-time. I also do a once time rule, if they try it once and don't like it. fine... a couple of months down the road try it again.

But don't give into her, let her give into your rules! After one or two meals of not eating, she'll come around... guarenteed!

  mommylove responded June 12, 2008 at 1:48PM

  Having the time of my life!

I agree with the "try it once you don't like it rule" with my son because he will usually try anything. My husband would definitely agree with you that they should eat what is there, don't create multiple meals. That is how I grew up myself so I am used to it. But I do have a hard time with not giving in to her. My hardest thing is she was a preemie, but is doing great except for her size so I always give in to her, which is bad. She did try some chicken last night after she opened her mouth thinking she would get a cheerio, I put a piece of chicken in and she liked it.

  matty39 responded June 13, 2008 at 10:27AM

  

My oldest was always a mac n cheese fan and even at almost 15, she would eat it at probably almost every meal if given the choice. When she was smaller she eventually expanded her likes. She's still a picky eater but she will eat some fruits and veggies so there's usually enoug variety for her at mealtimes. Just offer choices and probably your little one will break out of just eating mac n cheese all the time. I think its fairly common for them to go through food phases at this age. Good luck.