How do you know if your kid is eating TOO much?
DS2 would (and often does) eat all day long. I swear if I never cut him off or the food didn't run out, he'd just keep eating.
The boys had animal crackers for snack and DS2 had a snack-size bowl full and then a second. He wants more.
The other night, he wanted H's plate of spaghetti instead of his own. It was a dinner-sized plate and covered. H figured he'd eat a few bites and then give up, but DS2 ate the entire plateful.
Last week, he wanted more ham lunchmeat. I'd already given him two additional servings, so H just put the container on the table. He ate all but one piece of what was left (it was maybe half gone, if even, before that).
It does seem to be more often with foods he likes, but it's not always unhealthy/unpopular choices. If he acts starving, I give him choices like yogurt (which we try to keep to a minimum since too much dairy upsets his stomach), fruit, a whole wheat bagel with cream cheese, etc.
It just seems like for two, he eats a TON. I don't want him to be hungry, but I don't want him to overeat, either. At what point do I cut him off?
Re: How do you know if your kid is eating TOO much?
I am curious about this. My DS is only a baby, but if he keeps up this eating pattern. . . ugh, I'm going to go broke.
I always worry that he's one of those kids who can't feel full and we'll have to put a padlock on the fridge.
However, he always signals when he's "all done" so I know he does have an endpoint.
This is what I do, too. I always have carrots, celery, and cucumbers cut up in the fridge, along with a lot of fresh fruit. If she says she's still hungry after having a snack food, like crackers or whatever, I'll tell her she can eat as many veggies as she wants or a banana or something. That and I usually try to get her to drink some water to see if that will help fill her up a bit.
Ditto!
My boys are a bit older (4&6) but they EAT! We offer BIG breakfasts with good protein. Lunch is sandwiches with veggies on the side. My guys would eat and eat and eat but we have put them on a schedule for meals and snacks.
Just to give you a peek into my grocery trip (and I am feeding 3 boys, MH included) 3-4 gallons of milk, 2-3 loaves of whole sprout wheat bread, about 75-100 bucks in produce, 1-2 dz eggs and a bout 75-100 bucks in lean proteins- that's just a portion of what we buy too!
~Lisa
Mum to Owen and Lucas
Max is the same way and has been since birth. At 2m we had to put him on Alimentum and a can would last us literally 2.5 days. At $25/crack. He cost more to feed than the other three of us combined!
Now he's a bit better, but some days he eats more than me - easily.