Portions / serving sizes

I didn't want to hijack the other thread, so making a new one.

I was reading in a magazine (Parenting, I think) about how one of the main causes of obesity now compared to 30 years ago is the difference in portions. I'm confused though... did kids starve back then or something? They say a serving of cereal is 1/4 cup for a preschooler. Really? Does anyone know any kid who will not be asking for more food if all he gets is 1/4 cup of cereal for breakfast? I mean, I remember when I was a kid and had those little boxes of Keloggs cereal for breakfast, if I only had one I was starving an hour later. So my kids usually get a cup or so of cereal for breakfast and 2 small yogurt smoothies (they're 2oz or something), then say that they are hungry 2 hours later. DD takes it even farther, if she gets a happy meal at McDonald's she'll eat it all (the ones with the tiny fries, apples, and 4 chicken nuggets) then say she's still hungry (and she's still not even 35lb at almost 4.5).

Then I see other moms who pack huge lunches for their kids. Like, a full sandwich and 3 sides or something. My kids only eat half a sandwich and 1/2 cup of strawberries for lunch (for example), then say they are hungry 2 hours later, but they wouldn't eat more at lunch. I give them more fruit, a yogurt tube or 1/3 cup of goldfish or something, then they barely eat dinner.

What kind of portions do you give your kids?

 

I think it's really normal for kids to be hungry approximately 2 hours after they eat. I try to remember that their stomachs are smaller and can only hold so much food until they feel full.

I think breakfast is usually a bigger meal because the last time they ate something was dinner which could have be 10 or more hours in between.

As for portions, my kids (like yours) vary from kid to kid, day to day, meal to meal, and the food in front of them. DS will eat and try just about anything we give to him. DD is hit or miss and will only eat if she has no other alternative. Except for bacon and chips. She could eat these non-stop if we let her.

GL!

 

I wonder if part of the difference is that people used to offer one small portion, and then kids would need to ask for another if they were still hungry? Maybe now, with food being so plentiful and cheap, we are more likely to offer large portions from the start, even though we know they won't eat it all? I know my MIL is horrified by how much food her grandchildren throw out. I never really thought about it until she said something about it.

 

Mine are the same too. I just got finished making my one DS 4 eggs and he ate every last bite. But there are other days he won't even eat half that amount.

And I just now heard him ask for something else to eat! :woah:

 

I always give them tiny amounts first, then seconds if they finish it. It doesn't seem to help much frankly.

 

My kids need to eat every 2 - 3 hours. I try to include a healthy fat & protein with each meal as that's what helps us "feel" full longer. I start with small portions & offer seconds if they're still hungry because I'm tired of throwing food out. But, if they're having a growth spurt, all bets are off. I've seen them pack away more food in one sitting during a growth spurt than my 6' tall, 200 lbs husband. ardon: I feel strongly that it's important to respect their understanding of their own fullness/hungriness (<-- I just made that word up ya'll ) as much as possible because I think that's what helps lead to healthy portion habits as they get older. I don't make my children finish their plates, but I also don't let them graze all day long (we have set but flexible-within-a-half-hour meal/snack times every day).