Do you limit what your kids eat at meals? For instance if you were to BBQ hamburgers and have all the fixings and sides, would you let your child have another hamburger after eating everything else?


My dd is 7, and I'm just wondering what other parents do

By Juli4 on Friday, August 18, 2006 - 09:32 pm:

I tell them to eat until their belly is full and have since they were small. I am sure they overeat on things they like at times, but normally it is not a problem. If the child has a history of eating too much, then I would be more careful, but if they are average size and generally have a normal appetite then I wouldn't say anything. I try to make food a non issue.

By Tink on Friday, August 18, 2006 - 09:42 pm:

If my kids want seconds on something (like their pasta), they have to have eaten their first helpings of everything (meat, veggie and salad). Like Juli, I let them eat until their bellies are full, as long as they are making healthy choices. If they want a third helping of pasta, I'd encourage them to have a second helping of veggie or salad first. All that said, my dks are all of normal or too-thin size so this is rarely an issue.

By Luvn29 on Friday, August 18, 2006 - 09:57 pm:

With my kids, I would offer them half of another burger. But I usually can't get mine to eat a whole one to begin with, and they are 10 and 7.

But on other things, I give them seconds if they want them, it usually is mashed potatoes or something like that.

I make rules more on how late they are allowed to have a snack, etc. My dd has a bad habit of wanting to eat right before she has to lay down for bed. I am trying to break that habit. She just figures out all of a sudden that she is starving. I'm trying to set boundaries on things like that that are unhealthy habits.

By Insaneusmcwife on Saturday, August 19, 2006 - 10:38 am:

I let them eat until they are full but before they get a second helping of anything they have to finish everything else on their plates. I do limit their snacking because if I didn't they wouldn't eat regular meals. Lately it seems as though mine have a tape worm or something because the only thing they want to do is eat. I told ds yesterday he's going to have to get a job if he keeps eating like this, lol. Both of my kids are average size in weight and a little taller than most of the kids their age.

By Kaye on Saturday, August 19, 2006 - 04:24 pm:

Yes I do. We have a limit of 2. You just can't have more than 2 of anything. But that is mostly for things like snacks, fruits, etc. As far as burgers. To me it is about size. How big are the burgers, what else did they eat today. We tend to make small patties, and they just eat the bun and the meat, so yes I would let them have a second. But if we are some where that has large burgers, then no, but I would suggest some more sides, like carrots, or fruit. For me I have to balance out just how much they are eating. My middle one sometimes eats out of boredom, he isn't fat, but he is defintely not skinny. So we have lots of discussions on serving size. But we also really stress that being hungry isn't the right way either. However, if he does eat two burgers at lunch, then we balance that at dinner, we have salads or cereal, not a huge meal.

By Karen~admin on Saturday, August 19, 2006 - 05:18 pm:

Ditto Cori. My kids were always thin when they were young though, and they always liked vegies, so it wasn't a problem. That said though, if I'd had a child that was prone to weight issues, or was a picky eater, I'd definitely push 2nd helpings of healthier foods, rather than fatty foods or carbs.

By Breann on Monday, August 21, 2006 - 10:26 am:

Thanks everyone

Parenting is so difficult at times...