How much ice cream should one kid eat in a day?
I know it’s summer but my kids are completely out of control wanting to snack all day long – particularly on ice cream!
The baby literally asked me for ice cream for breakfast last week. I walk downstairs to find Walsh trying to hide brown cows, sherbet cones and nutty buddies that he’s pilfered from the freezer at different times during the day.
Don’t get me wrong, they are eating reasonably healthy meals and lots of fruit and water all day too. But they want ice cream like three to four times a day. What makes this even more amazing is we’re not even home all day, and they are still managing to do it.
My girlfriend told me last week that her kids are doing exactly the same thing. She said she had to run several times to the grocery store to buy more food. Her children are particularly liking cups of pudding.
I don’t want to not buy it, I just want them to eat a reasonable amount during a day. Short of locking up my freezer, I’m not sure how to keep them from helping themselves while my back is turned. (I could put it in the basement freezer but then I think they would have access to it while playing in the basement and would possibly leave the freezer door open. Walsh defrosted the freezer one time stealing food from it. )
Are your kids wanting to snack all day long now that they are home from school? What are they particularly wanting to eat? (My kids are also liking the snack bags of chips that I am buying for lunches. I keep hiding those in different places but you can’t very well do that with ice cream!) What are you keeping stocked in your fridge and freezer?
How much ice cream should one child eat in a day?
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45 comments Add your comment
catlady
June 8th, 2009
7:17 am
I remember rationing the special food by buying limited amounts. Once the week’s supply is gone, it is gone till next week. Your two older children can learn this cause and effect. I never bought chips, koolaide, and such. Fruits and cheeses, yes, and one carton of ice cream a week. I also allowed them to forage in the garden–peas, lettuce, beans, tomatoes, etc. With the fruits and cheeses, nuts and raisins, and juices and milk, they could have pretty much what they wanted until an hour before the meal unless it interferred with their meal eating. Then, snacks were curtailed.
Your kids cannot eat what you do not buy (grow).
I had a sitter who bemoaned that her pasty, overweight kid would “only” eat saltine crackers and sweet tea (He was 2). She couldn’t understand how my daughter would eat pretty much anything. She seemed amazed when I suggested that she not provide or even keep them in the house.
32 Years In
June 8th, 2009
8:21 am
I like the idea of “when it’s gone, it’s gone” until the next scheduled trip to the grocer. Another suggestion are those cheap freezer pops. I know, they’re just frozen sugar water, but perhaps it’s the idea of something cold rather than ice cream they are craving? Also, is it boredom eating or are they really hungry? Perhaps there are some “projects” they can do around the house to keep busy?
Photius
June 8th, 2009
8:25 am
1. Don’t buy it all the time; if it’s not there, you can’t eat it (especially for the adults).
2. Or, let them pork out like so many parents do and have them become no neck monsters with a gut roll and a double chin by the time they are ten.
Don’t buy the bloody ice cream for crying out loud…
nurse&mother
June 8th, 2009
8:37 am
Catlady- I have to tell you a funny. I had a dream last night that your students called you catlady. lol. Isn’t it funny how we can have such crazy dreams?
Back to topic- I would probably limit to one or two ice creams per day. I also try to limit the amount of junk food I pick up at the store. I do better when the 12yo is not tagging along with me at Walmart/Kroger.
Leslie
June 8th, 2009
8:38 am
Buy the fruit sorbets or better yet, make your own: puree strawberries and freeze in popsicle molds. Put a little sweetener in if they’re too tart. You may have to strain if your kids don’t like the seeds.
Try frozen fruit too, like frozen grapes. I hear those are good. I only like Concords so haven’t tried it.
Both are a little healthier and probably more filling (fiber etc) than ice cream.
sd
June 8th, 2009
8:39 am
We don’t keep any ice cream in the house. Pretty simple solution. But the answer to your question is, one small serving daily. And if your children are over weight, then none until their weight is under control.
When you are out today, look around at the people you encounter. We are now at a point where the healthy are the minority to the obese.
When people become fat in adulthood, they may be able to lose the weight. When people become fat in childhood, its almost impossible to ever be healthy.
So, when you are letting your child have their 4th bowl of icecream, or third candy bar, or chips, or whatever, you may be dooming them to a life of obesity.
Patrick
June 8th, 2009
8:44 am
You could teach them to make their own frozen treats. This will teach them some independence, and patience, since it requires a few hours to freeze. There are several recipes online for homemade frozen treats, and you can buy kits for making said frozen treats. Some are very simple (fruit juice pops – pour favorite fruit drink into small paper cups, freeze partially, stick in popsicle sticks, then freeze all the way) to more complicated (pudding pops: mix together favorite flavored instant pudding, whipped cream/Cool Whip, few other ingredients, repeat as in fruit pops).
I also like catlady’s advice about rationing the food. Only buy a certain amount for a period of time. Tell them that this is to last them for that period of time (once a week, or better, once a month). If they eat it all up before that time period is over, there will be no more until next time. There will be complaints at first, but over time they will understand.
On a similar note, buy up a month’s supply or two, keep it in the chest freezer in the basement, and if it locks, lock it. Each day, dole out for each child one serving of said ice cream, or if you buy the treats (ice cream sandwiches, cones, pops), put one of each treat in the freezer for each child for one day. That is all each child will be allowed each day. If you do the cartons of ice cream, serve it up in the bowls or cups, and wrap them in plastic wrap or zipper bags before placing in the freezer. Or buy those individual cups of ice cream like they give out at the schools, or used to. Place those in the freezer, and tell the kids that is their ice cream allowance for the day. If they eat it all in one sitting, that’s fine, but they are not to come to you for more later that afternoon or evening.
Another thing you can try is make them work for it by working it off. Tell them if they eat one ice cream cone or a bowl of ice cream, they must go outside and play for one hour. It doesn’t matter how hot it is outside: they need to work off the fat and sugar found in ice cream. For every ice cream sandwich, cone (like Drumsticks), popsicle, or bowl of ice cream (three scoops) consumed in one sitting, they must play outside for one hour. They can’t just go outside, sit on the porch, and listen to their mp3 players, play with any portable video game systems they have, or read a book. They need to run around, ride bikes, play ball, ride their skateboards, whatever will keep them active. After they’ve been outside for an hour or two, they may come inside and cool down with a nice, cold, tall glass of water.
Another variation of that would be if they play outside all day, except come inside for lunch and the evening, then they can have one ice cream cone or bowl of ice cream with their lunch, and one after supper. No more than that. They have to really earn that reward.
Lori
June 8th, 2009
8:50 am
Uh, yeah. If your kids are going behind your back and eating the ice cream without your approval, then you have bigger issues than them eating ice cream. My son has easy access to his candy bowl, cookie jars, etc, but he has only once gone behind my back and stolen candy when he knew he shouldn’t. When I caught him defying me, I made him empty the entire contents of the candy bucket into the trash. He hasn’t done it again since and that was over a year ago!!!
If your kids can’t control themselves, don’t buy the ice cream. If they absolutely have to have a cool treat, but fruit pops, or make some yourself. For older kids, perhaps sugar free jello, or even the small regular jello cups only have 50 calories. The long frozen pops are only 1.5 oz, so really negligable sweets.
But like I said, if they are regularly going behind your back, you’ve got bigger issues.
Photius
June 8th, 2009
8:50 am
Your friend runs to the store to buy more food???!!!! Whatever happened to being a parent and not the kid’s friend by simply telling them “NO”. What parent in their right mind has to continuously run up to the grocery store in order to keep feeding their kids junk?
I bet it’s because Mom or Dad wan’t their little Scooby Snack as much as the children. MMMMMMOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Andrea
June 8th, 2009
8:55 am
Yes, the kids want to snack all the time. But, for me, it is not just at school break – it’s all the time. I too ration the “good snacks” (my son’s words – not mine). I plan to buy only certain amounts of ice cream and once it’s gone, it is gone. NO EXCEPTIONS. I am so glad someone else is doing this. My sisters (I call them the Mother Brigade) have been on me for years because my “when it’s gone, it’s gone” rule.
Within the last two years I started making healthy stuff cool. We live in the country, so fresh fruits and veggies are plentiful and most are home grown. I started making my own ice pops with fresh fruit. There is a huge peach orchard near us and everyone has pear trees, blackberry vines, strawberry plants, etc. This was a great alternative for me to doing the freezer pops.
@32 Years In: No, I have found mine are not as hungry as they pretend to be. I have found that by keeping them doing little projects, I don’t hear “I’m hungry” as much. Certain snacks (carrots, some fruits, etc.) I let them have with no restrictions.
Michelle
June 8th, 2009
8:57 am
I think one of the best ideas is to limit the weekly supply with the notion of “when it’s gone…it’s gone”! I will keep things like yogurt, grapes, canteloup, oranges for my little guy to snack on when he wants. I will usually limit the yogurt to 2 a day, but the fruit, he can eat at will.
Something to keep in mind, if you are talking about something being fattening and having to “work off” the food. These little guys are very impressionable. I have heard my 6 year old saying he didn’t want to eat something because it was too fattening and he didn’t want to get fat! He is a little beanpole!
So, I think if we make comments, we should make be cognizant of the message that we are portraying!
Jesse's Girl
June 8th, 2009
9:10 am
Luckily, the oldest and youngest don’t care for ice cream…like their mom, frozen treats aren’t something they delight in. However…allow a bag of kisses to enter the house and I must ration like crazy:) Our middle daughter would eat ice cream 3 times a day. My philosophy is very simple. The children are allowed to have one sweet a day and they get to decide what time of day that sweet is enjoyed. But once that sweet has been eaten….there will be no more until tomorrow.
Jesse and I talk about healthy food and exercise choices with the kids a lot. So many of their classmates and neighbors are horribly over weight. We simply will not allow our children to be like that. Parents are the providers for and the protectors of their children….if your child is fat and unhealthy..its YOUR fault. Not every over weight child and adult has a gland or hormone issue. Sometimes its because they are sitting on their hineys eating too many sweets.
Stan
June 8th, 2009
9:12 am
Photius,
I agree, the word “no” is the most under used word out there. Parents really need to get into the habbit of using it more.
Help me
June 8th, 2009
9:55 am
My two aren’t big ice cream eater,so not a big deal for us..The boy will eat fruit all day long if it’s in the house, so that’s what I keep on hand..Like others, I don’t buy a lot of junk, so they aren’t prone to eat it..
We have a tread mill and my two will “walk” on it, and ride a stationary bike, then talk about how much weight they have lost..It’s cute to listen to them tell us about how healthy they are..Both of them are like sticks, yet they always want to eat healthy..
Michelle, your story was cute..The girl came down one day and said that she couldn’t wear a certain shirt anymore, because it made her look fat..She’s almost seven (end of this month) and is the size of a four year old..
HB
June 8th, 2009
10:00 am
In addition to the great suggestions of rationing, making frozen fruit snacks, etc., stop buying single serve items like nutty butties, cones, etc that are easy for them to get themselves. Only have ice cream on hand that requires scooping into bowls. If it’s frozen good and hard, they’ll probably need to ask you for help. At the very least, preparing it in the kitchen should take them long enough for you to catch them in the act. Try something like Eddy’s slow churned that’s a little lower in fat but doesn’t have artificial sweeteners.
Becky
June 8th, 2009
10:09 am
Enter your comments here
Becky
June 8th, 2009
10:11 am
OOPS.. I don’t have any problems with mine as far as ice cream goes, my problem is keeping enough fruit in the house for the boy..
DB
June 8th, 2009
10:20 am
You’re the mom — one bowl or ice cream treat a day is more than enough. If they steal more, then they get consequences and discipline. Good heavens, they certainly aren’t starving! Don’t feel guilty for teaching them limits on food — THIS is when they learn it and learn good eating habits. Ice cream three times a day is NOT a good habit! Try freezing fruit juices like orange juice, etc. in those little popsicle molds — those are always fun. If you have a little ice cream maker, make sorbet. Or serve juice on crushed ice. Keep sugar-free Jello gelatin in the fridge for an inexpensive snack — I’d always make a bowl the night before I’d go to bed so we’d have some for the next day.
And I sure wouldn’t run to the store just to buy more junk food! If it’s gone, it’s gone. That’s the best way to ration it. If they eat it all in one day — oh, well.
LM
June 8th, 2009
10:38 am
My daughter was never a junk food kid, she would put down a lollipop for brocolli. Fresh fruit and veggies is her junk food and I never seem to have enough. About 5 years ago, her new meds were making her lose weight, a lot of weight and very quickly, about 20lbs in two months and she didn’t have 20lbs to lose. Her doctor told me to feed her milkshakes and ice cream as often as possible to get more carbs and fats. I used to make her a bowl of ice cream and pour ceral on top. This last year while her meds were again off, she gained 20lbs, she could afford to gaim about 10lbs but 20lbs was too much. This time more from her meds being off, depression and not getting enough exercise then from bad eatting habits.
It was very hard to discuss her weight gain, but I felt it was my job as a parent to discuss it. I suggested she pay better attention to what she was eating but more importantly I felt she needed to excersise more and that excersise would help her with her depression. I seem to have gotten her meds back under control, she is getting more active (working at a summer camp) and I hope she can lose those extra 10lbs.
JJ
June 8th, 2009
10:40 am
1) Make the kids earn some spare cash around the house, and then they can buy it from the Ice Cream Man. It will be amazing how much they want ice cream when they have to pay for it…….AND have to wait for the ice cream man…….OR they can use their allowance for these “treats”. The Ice cream man rolls through our ‘hood around 5:30-6:00 every day
2) make smoothies. I keep a lot of fresh fruit around, berries, bananas, pineapple, etc and vanilla yogurt (other flavors work well too). Make a smoothie. Mix it up in the blender with some ice, and VIOLA……..its cold, thick AND healthy……..my daugher loves these. What ever is left in the blender, she sticks in the freezer for later…..and the kids can make them by themselves.
I don’t keep junk food in my house either…..
Becky
June 8th, 2009
11:24 am
JJ, that’s what we do, make smoothies..They get to pick what goes in it, as well as helping me to put the ice in and blending it..They love knowing that they made it..
Denise
June 8th, 2009
12:07 pm
I’m 36 and I have the same issues! I eat so terribly (snacks, fast food) on the weekend. I do great during the week because I bring my lunch and I am more conscious of what I’m eating. Whatever I bring for lunch is all I get until I eat dinner at home. I guess it’s an adult version of “when it’s done it’s done”. As some of you have suggested, I go to the grocery store once a week unless it is a real food item since I always forget my carefully planned shopping list at home. Since every once in a while I can’t put down the cookies or ice cream (like last night when I ate a whole pint), I don’t buy that much junk. Usually don’t miss it because it’s not a staple in my home. Don’t know the last time before this weekend I had anything more exciting than sugar free jello and sugar free pudding. No, they aren’t as great as Blue Bell homemade vanilla but they help.
I think if you guys teach your children “when it’s done it’s done” now, you may have healthier children who become healthier adults. Definitely will teach them cause and effect…the effect of THEIR actions. Responsibility and discipline are things some children are lacking these days. It seems like this snack thing is a minor deal but I think it will make a difference in a lot of ways. Good luck!
Nadia
June 8th, 2009
12:27 pm
I tell my kids “No” plenty, but that does not stop them from asking me 5,487 times a day for ice cream and popsicles. I think they are just bored. I just stick to it and do not let them have it. I have reached the point of not wanting to buy any more of the popsicles/ice cream, just so I do not have to hear them asking for it so much. It gets annoying.
RJ
June 8th, 2009
12:50 pm
Theresa I feel your pain. Some kids will sneak regardless of the consequences because they think that they can get away with it; my son does! No matter how much we punish him, he still tries to sneak food into his room! I disagree with those that think you have a bigger problem. You have a child that will push the limits everytime he gets.
I buy food and let my kids know that once it’s gone, it’s gone. I will not be replacing it until the next time I go to the grocery store. My son likes to drink all day. Once it’s all gone, he says that there’s nothing to drink. I direct him to the water faucet. He also admits to eating out of boredom. He started camp today, so I am relieved for the next couple of weeks of not having to hear how there’s “nothing” to eat because he doesn’t like the choices. I suggest letting them know that once it’s gone, it’s gone! Also, the freeze pops are great! They’re cheaper than ice cream and should last a few days longer. I wouldn’t be obsessed about their weight. It’s the summer, I’m sure they’re burning those calories off by swimming, bike riding and just playing outdoors.
RJ
June 8th, 2009
12:54 pm
Just a note – my son sneaks food into his room because he’s told not to! He could probably stand to gain a few pounds but with his dad’s genes, it will probably never happen! How I wish I were that lucky lol!
anonymous
June 8th, 2009
2:55 pm
Here’s a CRAZY idea to stop them from sneaking the ice cream…tell them NO and then if they do it anyway, impose some consequences on them for not listening to you. Works like a charm. I can’t believe all the entries here advising you how to keep the kids from sneaking food without permission OTHER than just telling them not too. Did “blog for busy moms” somewhere along the line become “let your kids do anything they want so that they will like you”? You think this stuff is cute now, wait until they’re 16 and taking money from your wallet or hiding pot in the house. The behavior doesn’t start then…it’s taught to them NOW that its ok and mom won’t do anything about it.
You know what I find ironic is how much you criticize Michael for his strict attitude to the kids. I knew Michael in Naples when he was a kid and let me tell you, if his dad had told Michael not to take ice cream (or anything else for that matter), Michael wouldn’t have taken it. Hell, if his dad had told ME not to take something from MY OWN house, I wouldn’t have done it. If Michael is anything like his dad, the way to keep your kids from taking the ice cream is for you, Theresa, to leave the house for the week while Michael stays at home. By the time you get back, the problem will be solved…unless of course the kids figure out that you’re back in charge when you get home and can get away with that stuff without any consequences.
Photius
June 8th, 2009
3:34 pm
Anonymous – agreed. Children need discipline – a lot of discipline – and respond well to it. Sneaking food will result in a sharp whack to the fanny in our house.
anonymous
June 8th, 2009
4:12 pm
I agree Photius….its one thing when a kid can explain to you why he/she deserves/wants something. Even if its just, “mommy/daddy can I have a popsicle because (fill in the blank)”. But when a kid does something (taking the ice cream is just ONE example) simply because he/she knows the possibility exists that the parent may not let them and it’s easier to get forgiveness than permission, that’s the underlying problem that some above are referencing. That IS a problem. I’ll freely admit, I can be a sucker when my kids try their best to get “rational” on me, but that’s a collaborative process between me and them, which I think has value. But if my kids decide to do something simply because they know they’ll get a “no” if they ask….I refuse to let that become a pattern. I feel it’s teaching them the lesson that when it comes to a battle of wills, they’ve found a loophole and they can do what they want. I refuse to lose a battle of wills to a 5 or 3 year old. There’s really only one reason to lose that battle…it’s just plain easier than parenting, and that’s not a habit I want to get into. Actually…that’s not a habit I want THEM getting into.
April
June 8th, 2009
4:32 pm
I find that my kids eat more when they are bored. They probably get this from me, and let’s face it, we all have our weaknesses. I try to keep them busy (sometimes with fun; sometimes with work), and this helps the problem.
With some of the unhealthy food habits my kids have, I have tried a cold turkey approach followed by a gradual re-introduction of the food. For example, I realized they were drinking too many soft drinks, so we had a couple of weeks of absolutely no soft drinks. Then, I gave them a weekly limit. Each kid could have three a week. It works pretty well.
Luckily, my kids are very honest and will keep count of the drinks they have when out with friends. I also think there should be some consequences if the problem of sneaking food has gotten to the point you describe.
Good Luck!
catlady
June 8th, 2009
4:40 pm
I hadn’t thought about the activity part of this, but I think it is important. Not so much to “work off” weight as to stay busy. Teresa, let me suggest you get the kids involved in some volunteer activities. When you are busy you are not so likely to be “bored” and “hungry”. They can pick up sticks from a neighbor’s yard, or rake leaves, or sweep the walk at your church. It will help them in quite a few different ways besides the eating issues.
I’d also advise against overscheduling them with activities you have to pay for/supervise/take them to. For example, playing outside under the shade tree would be better than “enrolling” them in a camp. The kids I see at school are of two types: a few that are highly scheduled (soccer, baseball, Boy Scouts, yada yada) and don’t have any imagination and the others are allowed to just lay in front of the TV/computer/VCR/Nintendo and don’t have any imagination. Eat and move the eyes and the thumbs.
When my son was a teenager I think I went to the grocery every other day. He had a tremendous appetite (and was and is a string bean at 28– 5 ft 9 and 135 pounds.) He ate and ate and ate; mostly it was fruit and juice and cheese, but if I had bought other things he would have eaten them, too. He could put away a box of cereal and a half gallon of milk a day if I had let him. I literally could never keep enough food for him to last a whole week. However, he was busy and active and was not overweight. My daughters were very good eaters, too, but pursued reading and playing dolls out under the trees and board games on the porch.
Bottom line, to me: as the adult, you are in charge of what and when they are served. They don’t go in the kitchen without your okay. They decide how much they are hungry for from the good, wholesome, nutritionally dense food you make available at the times you choose. And you help them be engaged in other activities besides being “hungry.” Food for the soul as well as the body.
jack5656
June 8th, 2009
5:08 pm
I know there is the continuous about SAHM vs daycare virtues here…..but one interesting note is that my 5 year old son goes to daycare and he knows he eats what he’s given (whether they provide it or we pack his lunch, breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack) at given times and he wouldn’t even attempt to sneak down to the kitchen to swipe some food. Sounds like the daycare my son goes to has gotten at least one thing right.
Tiffany
June 8th, 2009
5:12 pm
I feel your pain. If I buy those ice cream snacks, they are always gone in a couple days. I usually just get ONE box of the special treat ice creams, then maybe some of the fruit pops-you can get the sugar free kind. Also the fruit pops are usually fat free as well. Then that’s it for the week. They will wait until the following weekend for the next shopping trip. Another idea that I like is to skip buying ice cream at all from the store. Take the whole family to Brusters or Dairy Queen ect once a week. We like to do this on the weekends. This way you can all enjoy a special treat and have some family time too!
Mom Of 2
June 8th, 2009
7:17 pm
Yesterday my 4 yo asked for ice cream at breakfast – I just said no, we don’t have sweets for breakfast. She complained but that was the last of it I heard until dinner time. At dinner time they need to do two things no earn dessert 1) They have to eat some of everything on their plate, including the veggies and 2) They have to have earned their “table manners” mark for the day. Bad manners = no dessert. These are lifetime habits we are cultivating at these young ages. My 6 yo son’s tastes were unfortunately formed when the doctors were telling us to feed him anything he’d eat and add fat to everything to help him grow better. Now he likes the idea of healthy food but he’ll only eat more than a few bites if its grease laden processed junk. I’ve been working on weaning him off the junk but it’s taking longer than I’d prefer. Especially with DH having been raised on junk food and not wanting to hear the complaints and whining from our son….
Margaret
June 8th, 2009
8:36 pm
Most children are on a snacking/eating schedule from school. Around here, they get breakfast if they want it. Then, depending on when they eat lunch they get either a middle morning snack or a middle afternoon snack and then get home for an after school snack. They really are used to eating all day. Unfortunately for the heavier ones, it gets to be a habit. Fat free snacks and veggies are a good idea as is limiting amounts available. Good luck
catlady
June 8th, 2009
8:51 pm
I think I have told this here before, BUT
I was determined not to raise fussy eaters (like I was) so food was not an issue for discussion (ie power play). I put the food on the table. If they liked it, they ate as much as they wanted. I never put sweetie junk stuff out. Chips were for picnics. No candy. No cokes or tea. They chose how much they wanted of each thing. Eating out at McDonalds or having ice cream was a rarity. Just a meat and three. No threats, no “just try a bite”. Here it is, have what suits you.
Of course, if they asked to snack real soon and they had not eaten well, they got a piece of cheese or a peanut butter cracker, with the observation that the next meal would be in ___ hours.
As for a sweet, it was fresh or canned fruit. For birthdays or Thanksgiving we would have pie or cake. During regular meals we never called it dessert. It was just part of the meal–that way, no “good” or “bad” food.
When I was introducing a new food when they were toddlers, my husband and I would just eat it in front of the child. When they asked for some, I would explain that I didn’t know they liked it, but I would fix some for them the next time. Then, of course, they would beg for a bite so I would (grudgingly) give them a teaspoonful, which they would gobble and beg for more. But I would not let them have any more, promising to “make more next time.” As a result all three ate just about anything.
My older daughter was in school before she realized that those marshmallow Easter eggs in the plastic bags were edible. Each year till then she would hunt them and then I would throw them away. She was a little annoyed with me when she found out they were candy.
A side benefit of this plain eating was virtually no tooth decay.
I really am in favor of parents showing leadership on these issues, speaking as a parent (now grandparent!!) and teacher. You should see some of the “meals” my students bring to school. I look at them and wonder who is in charge. It is like an 8 year old’s wet dream in junk food.
catlady
June 8th, 2009
8:54 pm
I think I may have mentioned this before, too, but when I was growing up my mother never fixed Jello unless someone was sick. But when my kids were born, she became THE JELLO QUEEN. She wanted to have it at every meal! I talked to her about the sugar and artificial colors, to no avail, so we worked out a compromise. One tablespooon of Jello after supper when we visited. I don’t think she was trying to kill their sense of taste, but it sure seemed like it at the time.
Theresa Walsh Giarrusso
June 8th, 2009
9:09 pm
Hey Jack 5656 — that is interesting comment — they know they can’t walk into the kitchen at the day care and help themselves like they can at home — I want to reiterate that my kids are good eaters and get a lot of fruits and veggies, lean meats, milk — but that ice cream in particular taunts them. My plan was just when we’re out, we’re out and that’s it. I did the real fruit pops one summer and they ended up with the runs from — I guess they had sugar added. They just need to learn on those particular items some self control and limits. we’ll be working on that this summer. Mommy needs to not snack so much too!!
Katherine
June 8th, 2009
10:57 pm
Ration the snacks, keep healthy foods around (carrot sticks, celery, frozen grapes, frozen bananas, and my kids absolutely loved frozen green peas!), and let them learn the meaning of “no.” There’s nothing wrong with delayed gratification. Oh, and how about giving them a lesson in budgeting while you’re at it? Even if you could afford to buy all the junk food you wanted, why not set up a budget and let the kids help? Set a limit ($10/week?) for ice cream or whatever, and once that’s spent, it’s spent. That’s a lesson many adults need to learn.
Patrick
June 9th, 2009
12:51 pm
Theresa: I think those real fruit pops have artificial sweeteners in them that when consumed in excessive amounts (i.e. more than one serving in one day), it can cause certain digestion problems. When sugar-free snacks indicate on the package a serving is “x”, you should really heed the warning. Regularly sweetened treats may not cause the same discomfort if you eat a little bit more than a serving (8 cookies instead of 5), but sugar-free can. I speak from personal experience.
I like the frozen fruit idea as well. You can buy large bags of frozen mixed fruit for fairly cheap, and the kids can help themselves all day long. It will be a nice, cold treat to help cool them off, and it’s a lot healthier than ice cream.
Allison
June 9th, 2009
4:30 pm
I think one ice cream treat per day is sufficient. If they must have more than 1 frozen goody per day, consider chocolate covered frozen bananas.
Turd Ferguson
June 10th, 2009
10:38 am
Stupid women
"Shakes Head"
June 10th, 2009
11:40 am
How ridiculous are some of these posts?!?!
The only people on this blog making ANY sense are photius and Anonymous.
Reason #456,983,219 why this country is screwed. . . .
madison
July 12th, 2009
2:25 am
im 32 and my son (rob,12) loves strawberries he eats them all the time he use 2 LOVE eating ice cream till i limited it 1 icream a week and he lost 12 pounds in a month and he was 67 punds when he was 4 so now he is at the right size for a 12 Y.O
and i belive that 1 icecream a week is a good thing because they are fit and like fruits a nd vegtibles more :)
Kyle
December 6th, 2009
9:56 pm
Kids should technically not have more then 1/2 cup (1 scoop) of ice cream, a day, unless they have weight problems (or disease like diabetes, anarexia, etc.).
HOWEVER, children can usually get away with snacking very frequently..even on unhelthy foods, as their bodies are growing- and they do need fat, and sugar- far more then we adults do!
Ice cream isn’t too bad, though I would stick to choclate, or vanilla flavors. If you find your kids eating too much ice cream, then you should just throw it away, and stick with healthier foods.
Keeping your house stocked with lots of fresh fruit, nuts, popcorn, and raisins, is probably the best. My mom often gave me, and my sister a big bowl of grapes to snack on, when we were both young kids. I would recommend doing the same. Also, make sure your kids are getting enough protein- namely meat products (not simply veggies). Protein helps both children, and adults from getting hungry too often.
Try not too feed your kids too much veggies, if they seem hungry often. Steak, hamburgers, hot dogs, meat loaf, and the likes, can be beneficial to your kids as it gives them a full appetite, and adds a lot of protein in their diet. If your too considered about the nutrional value of most meat products, then give them a low-fat version of said food (low-fat ground beef, etc.). Do stay away from organic beefs, and “veggie meats” as they’ll probably make your kids next to starving! These are quite often lacking in calories (for example, bocu burgers have only 90 calories each).
Kyle
December 8th, 2009
9:36 pm
One more thing, I forgot. Most poultry products are also excellent sources of protetin: namely chicken, eggs, fish, and turkey.
Also, ice cream eaten in moderation can be healthy. However, It’s a good source of calcium. Sure, it has sugar in it…but doesn’t milk do, too?
Also, remember that there is a reason why vegetables are considered a side dish! Their are way too few carbs/calories for childrens’ growing needs! If you limit your kids carb/calories intake they can develop health problems (stunted growth, for example). So, if they’re so terribly hungry, and not overweight, or in bad health- maybe, you should try feeding them better at the dinner table?
MOST kids have excellent metabolisms at their ages- even better then many of us adults, here. So, you parents should never not put your “hungry kid” on some crazy low-carb, or vegetarian diet, unless their health is poor enough to warrant it (and you’ve also consulted a nutrional health specialist regarding your kids, and what foods they should be eating). A diet rich in red meat, poultry, fresh fruit, and whole grains is vital for children to consume. Vegetables are slightly less important (way too few carbs/calories), but they should still be included as a “side dish”, with the rest of the child’s meal.