What are normal portions for a 3yo and 5yo??

[reezley]

Hi, I hope this is the right place to post this. I am always wondering whether I'm giving good or big enough portions to my two boys. They are very active, (running around all the time, jumping, dancing, etc.!), and they are definitely on the skinny side (as I was as a kid too). Healthy, average height, just slim.
Anyway.... They are constantly snacking, asking for food, and I am constantly getting it for them, and I've lately been trying to hold them off a bit on snacks so they have a chance of being hungry for dinner, so they will eat a decent portion of it, even if it's not their favorite regular stuff (chicken nuggets, etc.).
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OK, that said... I never know how much to give them! For instance, snacks. The younger can eat a whole banana, then if he's in the mood, might ask for more. Do I give him more? Or do I insist on something else? Or, what if I gave each of them a snack at 3:00 of a slice of bread, about 4 baby carrots, and about the equivalent of a string-cheese-size chunk of cheese. Now (this just happened!) at 4:00 they're asking for snack. Do I make them wait for dinner, a whole 1 - 1.5 hours away?? Did I skimp on their snack? Let's say I give them crackers (good, wheaty ones) with their snack - how many? I tend to give two at a time, giving a couple more if they ask, but then tell them they need something different (fruit, nuts, whatever). Or should have just given them 8 crackers or something to start with??

And then - let's say they waited for dinner. What's a good dinner? Let's say it's a chicken nugget night. (No, I'm not very creative, and they don't tend to eat much of unfamiliar, homemade things... dh and I, and often ds2, tend to eat the "real" dinner later). Is four chicken nuggets a good amount? What if the 5yo gobbles them up (dipped in applesauce generally) and wants more? Should I push the veggie and rice that I gave him? Or is 4 really not enough??
Or, how much mac-and-cheese (natural kind, yes) does your kid eat at dinner? One cup? Big heaping bowl?

I'm starting to think growing boys eat more than I understand.... but at the same time, I hesitate to give huge amounts of one same food. I feel like they could eat a whole box of crackers in one sitting if I let them.
Help me!!

[Magelet]

subbing.

[robugmum]

Do your kids get the chance to self serve their own plates? I tend to put out the food in serving dishes and let the kids dictate how much they'd like. Seconds are allowed if the first portion of everything is eaten. For snacks, I usually make a large plate of selections (crackers, sausage, cheese, fruit, veg., homous etc) and let them help themselves. They know that water, fruits and veg. are always an option when they're hungry and they can help themselves to these things whenever they like.

[Storm Bride]

My middle two are 6.5 and 4.5 - not the same age, but similar.

I never worry about waiting for supper. If they're hungry before that, they're hungry before that. For dinner, I really just want them to sit with us, and be exposed to whatever we're eating (dd1 won't eat certain things, but I keep exposing her to it, and hope she'll change her mind). I don't worry about whether or not they happen to be hungry just when we are. That said:

Originally Posted by reezley

OK, that said... I never know how much to give them! For instance, snacks. The younger can eat a whole banana, then if he's in the mood, might ask for more. Do I give him more? Or do I insist on something else?

In this case, I'll usually suggest something else (nuts or cheese or whatever) to mix up the nutrients a little). However, if they still say they want another banana, that's fine, as long as we have enough. DS2, in particular, will go on little binges of certain foods, usually protein (3 eggs in one morning, after not eating one in days - that kind of thing).

Or, what if I gave each of them a snack at 3:00 of a slice of bread, about 4 baby carrots, and about the equivalent of a string-cheese-size chunk of cheese. Now (this just happened!) at 4:00 they're asking for snack. Do I make them wait for dinner, a whole 1 - 1.5 hours away?? Did I skimp on their snack? Let's say I give them crackers (good, wheaty ones) with their snack - how many? I tend to give two at a time, giving a couple more if they ask, but then tell them they need something different (fruit, nuts, whatever). Or should have just given them 8 crackers or something to start with??

I certainly wouldn't make them wait for dinner. I'd just offer a few different things, and let them choose. A slice of bread, 4 baby carrots and a piece of cheese that size wouldn't keep mine going for very long, honestly.

And then - let's say they waited for dinner. What's a good dinner? Let's say it's a chicken nugget night. (No, I'm not very creative, and they don't tend to eat much of unfamiliar, homemade things... dh and I, and often ds2, tend to eat the "real" dinner later). Is four chicken nuggets a good amount? What if the 5yo gobbles them up (dipped in applesauce generally) and wants more? Should I push the veggie and rice that I gave him? Or is 4 really not enough??
Or, how much mac-and-cheese (natural kind, yes) does your kid eat at dinner? One cup? Big heaping bowl?

It depends on their appetite. As I say, I always offer choices, but if one of my kids really wants to eat a lot of one particular thing, I tend to figure there's a reason for it, yk?

I'm starting to think growing boys eat more than I understand.... but at the same time, I hesitate to give huge amounts of one same food. I feel like they could eat a whole box of crackers in one sitting if I let them.
Help me!!

Crackers don't have a lot to offer. They just taste good. I let the kids have one or two, then I put them away, and let them eat something else. I know the foods my kids like, so I have several alternatives on hand all the time. Honestly, if nuts, fruit, yogurt, cheese, veggies (the ones they like) eggs, etc. are all unacceptable, then they're not really hungry. That doesn't necessarily apply to all kids, but it definitely applies to mine.

[reezley]

Originally Posted by robugmum

Do your kids get the chance to self serve their own plates? I tend to put out the food in serving dishes and let the kids dictate how much they'd like. Seconds are allowed if the first portion of everything is eaten. For snacks, I usually make a large plate of selections (crackers, sausage, cheese, fruit, veg., homous etc) and let them help themselves. They know that water, fruits and veg. are always an option when they're hungry and they can help themselves to these things whenever they like.

No, they don't really get to serve themselves, for a few reasons, I guess. One is that they usually eat their own dinner, earlier than dh and me. (They're hungry by 5:30, and dh doesn't get home until at least 6:30. Then getting ready for bed starts around 7.) Then there's the reaching over and around their cups to get to food... I know I'd be wiping up a lot of spills. And finally, there's my guess that the 5yo would take a heaping helping of rice (or mac & cheese, or whatever is his favorite) and just eat that. Or that he'd take a lot and then not eat it. I just think they are a little young to serve themselves. I could be wrong ----- do other people do this at that age?

They *sort of* have access to fruit and water. Water for sure, and the 5yo can fill his own cup anytime. They can and do reach dried fruit from the fridge. But they would eat a ton if I let them! For the "fruit"... is there not a limit on how much is ok? Doesn't a lot cause their stools to be too soft? That's a problem in our house anyway. TMI. Sorry!!

[cristeen]

I agree with the pp that they're probably old enough to have some say in their portion size, within certain limits (like mom serving the first portions, and if they want more after their plate is clean they're allowed). But what I see looking at the snack you're giving them is that it's a bit heavy in carbohydrates (banana, cracker, bread, etc.) which burn quickly, and a bit light on the long-term fuels of fat and protein (cheese, meat, nuts, etc.). I would probably want to work on giving them better longer-lasting snacks. Also, from what you said, it sounds like they're carb-freaks (wanting more crackers, eating a whole bowl of mac & cheese) - and that definitely contributes to these problems. White flour, even in combination with whole grains can cause those sorts of cravings and binge eating, and I'd recommend addressing this now rather than having to deal with it later. Increasing portions of fats and proteins and decreasing the portions of white flour containing items should effect a difference in these eating habits.

[reezley]

Originally Posted by Storm Bride

My middle two are 6.5 and 4.5 - not the same age, but similar.
...

I certainly wouldn't make them wait for dinner. I'd just offer a few different things, and let them choose. A slice of bread, 4 baby carrots and a piece of cheese that size wouldn't keep mine going for very long, honestly.

It depends on their appetite. As I say, I always offer choices, but if one of my kids really wants to eat a lot of one particular thing, I tend to figure there's a reason for it, yk?


Crackers don't have a lot to offer. They just taste good. I let the kids have one or two, then I put them away, and let them eat something else. I know the foods my kids like, so I have several alternatives on hand all the time. Honestly, if nuts, fruit, yogurt, cheese, veggies (the ones they like) eggs, etc. are all unacceptable, then they're not really hungry. That doesn't necessarily apply to all kids, but it definitely applies to mine.

Thanks for all your input on this. So -- my snack was too puny. In my example of what happened today, I guess if they were still hungry I should have fixed them some more stuff at 4:00? Offer a yogurt, some nuts, fruit. Sigh.. I just feel like I give them snacks>ALL day.

[Magelet]

if you focus on foods with more fat, they will likely feel more full, and need less snacks. Most of the foods you described seem pretty low in healthy fats to me. Can you add more butter, olive oil, coconut oil, and whole fat dairy to their diet? It should help keep them fuller longer. (though they still might need bigger snacks, that much I don't know) also, white flour acts a LOT like sugar, in the sense that you feel full and good, and then crash an hour or two later, and are starving again. That might be part of the problem. goodness knows I have problems with that. If I need a snack and eat white flour, I'm hungry again so fast.

Fruits the same thing, if I eat fruit for a snack, I'll be hungry half an hour later. If I eat bread and butter, or peanut butter, or an egg, it will last a long time.

[LaughingHyena]

After a snack I'll usually offer a drink if they start asking for more. I'm not sure they are able to tell the difference between hunger and thirst and we do have constipation issues if they don't drink enough. Often after the drink they are no longer interested in eating.

Also when they have had a largish snack I'll ask them to wait a few minutes (while I finish whatever I'm doing) before get it. Again a lot of the time the are no longer interested.

That said if a few minutes later they are still hungry we will find another snack. Sometimes they are just stocking up for the next growth spurt and will spend the whole day eating. I know to watch the sales for bigger clothes when they start the all day eating.

[vbactivist]

Originally Posted by reezley

Thanks for all your input on this. So -- my snack was too puny. In my example of what happened today, I guess if they were still hungry I should have fixed them some more stuff at 4:00? Offer a yogurt, some nuts, fruit. Sigh.. I just feel like I give them snacks>ALL day.

Is there some way you can leave out helathy snacks for htem that they can get to during the day? I know some people fill muffin tins witha variety of snacks that are just out on the table all day. that way you don't have to keep preparing stuff.

[Alyantavid]

Originally Posted by cristeen

I agree with the pp that they're probably old enough to have some say in their portion size, within certain limits (like mom serving the first portions, and if they want more after their plate is clean they're allowed). But what I see looking at the snack you're giving them is that it's a bit heavy in carbohydrates (banana, cracker, bread, etc.) which burn quickly, and a bit light on the long-term fuels of fat and protein (cheese, meat, nuts, etc.). I would probably want to work on giving them better longer-lasting snacks. Also, from what you said, it sounds like they're carb-freaks (wanting more crackers, eating a whole bowl of mac & cheese) - and that definitely contributes to these problems. White flour, even in combination with whole grains can cause those sorts of cravings and binge eating, and I'd recommend addressing this now rather than having to deal with it later. Increasing portions of fats and proteins and decreasing the portions of white flour containing items should effect a difference in these eating habits.

That exactly. My 2 boys (7 and 3) eat alot more than that and I still feel like I'm feeding them all day long. I'm a huge fan of letting children learn to listen to their bodies so I let mine eat when they want. Definitely add some more fats and proteins to keep them filled up longer.

[Chicky2]

We're grazers here. All day. Then we eat a nice family supper. They're kids. If they're hungry, they're hungry. I say let 'em eat. Just make sure they're eating a variety, and lots of good fats (avacados, olive oil, butter, coconut oil, nuts, cheese), and lots of protein.

[reezley]

Thank you everyone. So- -more proteins and fats. I do offer nuts, but they don't eat much of them. I do give cheese and they could eat unlimited amounts - but I don't want them to, since I wonder if too much dairy for them is ok. Can anyone suggest easy, snackable proteins and fats? Here are the basic ones we do that I can think of:
-Deli meat (turkey, bologna (or turkey bologna))- sometimes a sandwich, sometimes plain piece just rolled up
-nuts
-cheese
-yogurt
-eggs
-peanut butter (they've been refusing it lately)
-lox

And for fats:
-cheese
-avocado (those get expensive!)

What do you put the butter/olive oil, etc. in/on??
And - maybe I should start another thread - how do you put things out without them getting yucky after a bit? (things dry out, etc.)
OK - more on point - how MUCH do you give of these things? If you give cheese, how big is the chunk? Or how many cheese sticks? If eggs, do you start off with 2 and give more if they want? If you put butter on toast, do you put a massive amount, or just enough to melt in? I just really don't know what amount people/kids eat. Thanks!

[Storm Bride]

Let's see...snacky stuff.

You mention nuts, but what about seeds? My kids love sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds. They also enjoy flax seeds, and I sometimes give them a little dish with about a Tbsp. in it.

I used to put a snack tray in the fridge for dd1 (stopped, because ds2 kept taking stuff out of it, and I haven't figured out what to do now...and we have a really small fridge). I put in a couple of slices of cheese, some fruit (berries, cherries, apple wedges, an orange, etc.), some veggies (carrot sticks, cucumber slices, broccoli trees, etc.) and...hmm. that's all I can remember at the moment.

The cheese would actually take a while to get dried out, but I would put a piece of plastic wrap on it if she hadn't eaten it in the first couple of hours...just sitting loose on top of it. She pulled the wrap off, took her cheese, and put it back on.

Because our fridge is small, I also kept a small second snack tray on the counter or table. It had some dried fruit, seeds and nuts, and maybe a couple of crackers or a slice of bread with butter. Sometimes, I'd leave a banana or an apple or something on top of it, as well.

I varied the amounts, as needed. If she was devouring the nuts, but hardly touching the fruit, I'd cut back a bit on fruit and up the number of nuts. Overall, she ate pretty close to the same amounts of things from one day to the next...but she might eat cheese first thing in the morning one day, then have it just before dinner the next night, yk?

[Suki Lu]

OK - more on point - how MUCH do you give of these things? If you give cheese, how big is the chunk? Or how many cheese sticks? If eggs, do you start off with 2 and give more if they want? If you put butter on toast, do you put a massive amount, or just enough to melt in? I just really don't know what amount people/kids eat. Thanks![/QUOTE]

I recall one tablespoon per year of age. So my 5 yo would get 5 tablespoons of yogurt and 5 tablespoons of granola and my 3 yo would get three table spoons of each. Then they could have more after that, but I'm not really measuring it out, just eye-balling it. We also have smaller scale plates, bowls, cups so there is less to fill or spill.

I tend to put more butter on toast for the kids than I would myself as they are slender and need the fats. If I'm putting peanut butter on top of the butter I put just enough to melt in. My 5 yo will easily eat 5 scrambled egg whites (with one yolk) and I let her. She loves it and will also eat other food with the eggs. Some days she eats one hard boiled egg and an apple for breakfast and that's it.

On home days, I put out a snack with three things on it. Say, sliced cheese, crackers and fruit or veg. Then I take three scraps of paper and write the number of each food they are welcome to eat. They serve themselves onto small plates. I learned this from their school and they love it. It teaches counting, number recognition and serving size. For quantity, I put 4 crackers, 4 slices of cheese (cut to fit on the cracker) and 3 fruit/veg. If something is small I let them have more, like nuts. Or big, they have less, like apple rings.

We also do family-style dinners. Everyone serves themselves, but the rule is one scoop or slice, what have you, of each dinner food. Then, at least one courtesy bite. We pass the platters and rarely have spills anymore. They are into cleaning up their own spills now, so that helps my sanity.