does this seem like too much?.....

Both of the boys are eating three packs of oatmeal a banana and some raisins for breakfast, and sometimes they want more oatmeal. Just wanting to know if you all think it is too much. They just love it, but I am afraid of giving them too much (although I dont know why). I always make sure that they are getting enough fruit at breakfast too, but is it possible for them to eat too much oatmeal?

 

How much is a pack?

 

I'm not sure how much is in a pack but it's the individual ones in the box that you add hot water to, the instant oatmeal. Although considering how much they are eating I should switch to the stove top type.

 

I don't think they can eat too much oatmeal, as long as it's not constipating them or something (and I don't think oatmeal usually does).

 

Oatmeal is very good for you but filling! I'm suprised that their tummies can hold that much! I would say let them eat it if they want it!

 

The only thing I can think of is that unless it's the unflavored kind, it may be quite a bit of sugar. That's six packs a day? Aren't there only ten in a box? Yikes! I would go to stove top. We use that and I find it doesn't take long at all.

 

If it's flavored then it has quite a bit of sugar in it. I only buy the old fashioned oatmeal and I cook it in the microwave (1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 cup water, 5 minutes at half power)

I add all kinds of things to it to flavor it though (without sugar) and the kids never get bored. They gobble it up.

--mashed banana and chopped walnuts
--frozen blueberries (add before cooking)
--unsweetened applesauce and a dash of cinnamon
--a teaspoon of cherry extract and some chopped dried fruit (before cooking)

My kids all LOVE oatmeal and I eat it every single day for breakfast. I also put flax oil in mine and a little soy milk.

 

I'd let them eat however much they want to but I'd go stovetop and cut the sugar. I fix the girls with whole milk.

Flavoring ideas(BC=before cooking):
Mixing in yogurt
BC: A dash of vanilla, cinnamon, and just a bit of juice (will have alot less sugar than the prepacked)
BC: Vanilla, cinnamon, gerber diced apple bites/applesauce(apple piey)
BC:diced peaches
BC: Raisans and cinnamon
Maple syrup
all fruit jams(blackberry, strawberry, blueberry)

They may also like cream of wheat I know I do!

 

Wow, you have some hungry boys there. Personally I would let them eat until they are full, you don't want them doing too much snacking through out the day. PP's gave you some good suggestions about how to cut the sugar though. Can you imagine how much they may eat when they are older. They may eat you out of house and home. But nonetheless, fill them up.

 

I do use the unflavored kind and they dont mind it plain, but I like the idea of putting in yogurt so they get some of each. Thanks for all the suggestions. I know what you mean about how their tummies can hold that much, and they arent over weight at all, they were in the 25% for weight at their 18 month checkup. Just one of them by themselves eats more than my 5 1/2 year old, it's crazy!!!!

 

You better start saving $$ for food now, cause when they are teenagers they are gonna eat you out of house and home!!!!! LOL! I agree with all the PP!

 

Ditto on the instant/microwave kind. I only have to cook mine for 90 seconds....you can make a big, unflavored batch instead of motoring through those packets.