How much do your children eat for a meal?

Canada
May 3, 2008 8:56am CST
As many of you know, my son will be five at the end of June and I just wanted to share what he has already eaten this morning! It has been a huge breakfast spanning over three hours! I just can't seem to fill him up today!!! He has had a bowl of cereal, a pear, an egg and a rice crispie square!! Now he wants some chips!!! He just keeps asking for food and due to his Autism and high metabolism he is by no means obese! He is actually very tall and slender! There are some days he eats very little! I wonder what he will eat for lunch!?! So, what did your child(ren) eat for breakfast this morning? Do they sometimes blow you away with the amount of food they pack in? Are there days they eat very little? What is there favorite Breakfast, snack, lunch, and dinner item? Do you find there is a difference between boys and girls in this area? Thanks in advance for joining in here! ~Heavens~
1 person likes this
13 responses
mummymo
@mummymo (23706)
•
3 May 08
Oh heavens my kids are likew that most of the time too - they eat endlessly and then turn round and say they are hungry! lol I have seen Niamh eat that much and more and then say but Mum I haven't had lunch yet! lol Both of mine are tall and slender too and the little one in particular is always on the go so I guess they need the fuel to keep going! My daughter is a potato freak and will eat them in any form and will eat more than many adults would! Niall on the other hand loves currys , meat etc - I don't think it is a girl/boy thing , I think it is just their own individual taste preferences! xxx
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heavenschild
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
5 May 08
Thanks so much Mo for your response here as always! Yesterday I had a day where I had to coax him to eat and so it is a toss up always as to what the day will bring! This morning he had two bowls of cereal before he went to school and so I sent him a nice sized lunch...We'll see what he comes home with! HUGS ~Heavens~
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heavenschild
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
10 May 08
My boy doesn't always eat at school either but as soon as he gets home he wants his school lunch! ~Heavens~
mummymo
@mummymo (23706)
•
5 May 08
LOL the main time we can't get Niamh to eat is when she is supposed to eat lunch at school - she is so desperate to go out and play that she never eats it all! lol xxxx
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weemam
@weemam (13372)
•
3 May 08
As you know pal mine are no longer wee boys , he sounds good and healthy though and as you say he will be burning it off as quick as he is eating it , My friend has 2 autistic teenagers at the opposite ends of the spectrum and they are the same , no filling them up some days , give him a hug from his wee friend in Scotland xx
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heavenschild
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
3 May 08
Yes, I seriously think that the Autism has something to do with this also....Although I know that boys in general can really pack it away! I certainly will give him a big hug for you today! Love and Hugs to you as well! ~Heavens~
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carmelanirel
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
4 May 08
Children go through ups and downs when it comes to eating..A few months ago, my son (5, now, 6 tomorrow ) was eating as much if not more than his 18 y/o sister and then a few weeks ago, he would barely eat anything, then all of a sudden, he will eat a meal and within half an hour he is starving again...They do this all through out childhood, as long as they are in a good weight range and healthy, I don't worry about it..
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carmelanirel
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
5 May 08
He had a great time yesterday, even though we didn't throw a party, the cake his sister made for him was awesome..It was the tri-force symbol from Zelda..(though Zelda is mostly for older kids, since he has a 18 y/o sister and 21 y/o brother who love the game, he learned pretty quick..lol)
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tessah
@tessah (6617)
• United States
12 May 08
i have two daughters so i dunno what the comparisons are tween boys and girls personally.. but ive found that my little girl, also very thin and lanky.. will seem like a bottomless pit a few weeks right before a growth spurt. on a "normal" day.. she will have an egg scrambled and some toast, juice.. or some cereal and fruit.. or just simply a yogurt or a cereal bar. then theres the "growth prep" days.. where she will eat 5 pancakes and a few peices of bacon.. two glasses of milk.. an apple.. and still be asking for more! over the years, when she turns bottomless like this, ive taken it as cue to buy her some new clothes, because within the month she will shoot up 3-4 inches and nothing she has will fit her anymore!!
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heavenschild
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
18 May 08
I know the feeling!!!! Thanks for sharing here! ~Heavens~
ladym33
@ladym33 (10979)
• United States
5 May 08
Sounds like a growth spurt is on the way. My children usually eat a bowl or two of cereal most mornings. But when they seem to eat more than usual on any given day I usually notice they grow a bit that week. Macaroni and cheese, and sphaghetti are the big favorites here. When I make spaghetti I can never seem to make enough of it.
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heavenschild
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
10 May 08
Sounds like my house! LOL ~Heavens~
jalucia
@jalucia (1431)
• United States
4 May 08
I completely understand. My six year old is asking me for food right now. And, his grandmother is reading off a laundry list of things that he ate not too long ago. Kids need to eat, but sometimes I make him wait a bit before given into his request becaus I feel as though they are eating out of boredom. When they are busy playing outside they don't worry about food. When my kids have their cousins over to spend the night, I feel like I'm a chef/waitress. It's just a vicious cycle of feeding all them, cleaning up after them and, then, thinking about what I'm gonna feed them next.
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heavenschild
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
5 May 08
You have a point here jalucia! Thanks so much for your response! ~Heavens~
heavenschild
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
5 May 08
Also, Welcome to My Lot!! I do hope that you are enjoying yourself here!! ~Heavens~
cajundharma
@cajundharma (641)
• United States
3 May 08
That sounds like my son. He is 9, weighs 65lbs, and easily eats as much food as I do. For breakfast I make the amount of oatmeal that the package says will serve four people and he eats it all, then wants yogurt, an apple, string cheese, etc. School gets out for the summer in a few weeks and I am trying to figure out how I'm going to feed this child all day long!
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heavenschild
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
3 May 08
So glad I am not alone!!! My boy is around forty pounds and as you can see can really pack it away at times! Good Luck this summer! ~Heavens~
Modestah
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
3 May 08
my children seem to be ravenous most of the time - especially my just turned six year old. I think they have to make up for lost time somehow - or maybe it is a growing spurt? They certainly are always on the go using up whatever energy the food provides.
1 person likes this
heavenschild
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
5 May 08
On the go is right Modestah you have no idea!!!! ~Heavens~
febinsoft
@febinsoft (213)
• India
4 May 08
If they like it then they may eat more. But if they dislike it then a short. SO i prepare tasty and spicy foods. And enjoy life.
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heavenschild
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
5 May 08
Thanks so much for your response here febinsoft! I try to prepare things that my boy likes but that provide him with good nutrition also! ~Heavens~
dragon54u
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
3 May 08
My boys are grown now but they could really pack it away! Their dad used to call them "land sharks", as sharks will eat anything. Children, especially boys, go through growth spurts and become ravenous just before that. Sometimes you don't notice the growth because it's not in height, it's adding to bone or replenishing a vitamin they need. As long as he's not fat, I wouldn't worry about it. Just try not to borrow money to feed him!
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heavenschild
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
3 May 08
Borrow Money to feed him! I certainly hope it does not come to that and thanks so much for your response here! ~Heavens~
gemini_rose
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
3 May 08
He has a good appetite today!! Mine eat when they are hungry, I have a 7 year old that eats like a bird, little and often and he is built like a little bird too!! My 6 year old has a good appetite and he eats quite a lot, I would say he is the best eater of my 3 little children. My eldest is 16 and he eats a lot now, but as a child he was picky and fussy and a real pain to feed!! None of my children are overweight as I like to try and keep their meals balanced, though they all love to snack!!
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heavenschild
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
3 May 08
Yes, snacks are often more popular than the meals I find as well! I sometimes have to bribe him to get him to eat the good stuff but not today! Hope you have an excellent day Rose! Hugs to you! ~Heavens~
longbangod
@longbangod (1785)
• Philippines
3 May 08
My kids eat very little not only during breakfast but the rest of the meals. We find it very hard to let them eat the amount we think enough for them. This is also a problem of most of my friends. Kids just like playing but when it comes to eating, they eat very little. This is the reason why my kids are thin though they are tall. Good that your son has good appetite. At least you wont force him to eat just as we usually do with our kids...
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heavenschild
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
3 May 08
I actually do have to force him some days longbangod! I find some days if I just leave my son some healthy snacks out where he can access them that he eats at his own pace throughout the day sometimes and get some in him that way and also the meals if I just leave them out for a bit and don't force he will sometimes nibble at it a few minutes later...If not then I try to feed him the meal myself or a couple spoons anyway! I do hope that these ideas help you and your friends! HUGS ~Heavens~
maliki2
@maliki2 (255)
• United States
3 May 08
I have one almost 2 year old child. The weird thing is that he can eat alot, but sometimes he chooses not to. Lucky for us he is young, and even when hungry doesn't eat much. He is like me, I eat a little here and there, but unlike alot of my friends who say I eat like a "bird". My wife tends to eat alot more than I do. So I think children vary obviously like adults...but I hope my kid doesn't eat me out of house and home when he is older!
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heavenschild
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
5 May 08
I had someone mention in here that they hoped I would not have to take a loan out to feed my son!!! Surely not! There are days that my son eats very little also and I think that you are right...It is an individual thing! Take Care ~Heavens~