What age do you start losing control over your kids food? (1 Viewer)

[mr roboto]

Curious from parents who have teens or older. I was thinking back to what I are growing up. By the time I was 13 I ate lots of crap. Candy bar for lunch. Frozen pizzas, fast food etc. Single mom who worked so from 7:30-5:00 every day I had free reign to eat whatever.

I know some parents don't control what their kids eat at any age, but I'm assuming most parents believe that at younger ages you need to dictate to an extent. What age is that impossible or too much of a fight to be worth it?

 

[shadyridr]

2 lol

 

[MAC_32]

2 lol

 

[mr roboto]

2 lol

Sorry to hear that.

 

[MAC_32]

2 lol

Sorry to hear that.

it's getting better at four, still getting nowhere with vegetables and most forms of protein but processed foods are decreasing. Finally.

 

[mr roboto]

We've got a 4 and 6 year old. Is say we have very good control over the food. But they can't really make any or go buy anything yet.

 

[shadyridr]

My son is 5. Still never had a soda. Proud of that! We limit him to one juice box a day. He eats occasional fruit and likes brocolli and spinach. Thats the only vege he likes so we make it alot. He loves cookies and snacks like that so we limit him to one a day of those two. His biggest thing is cereal. He loves it. Weve lost all control on that point.

 

[MAC_32]

We have shifted them to granola waffles and a banana for breakfast, no syrup on the waffle. They both do milk for breakfast.

Fruit for morning snack

Cheese or pbj sandwiches for lunch for the four year old. Some fruit and crackers. Almost two year old? Oof. Lunch is a problem. Fruit is usually fe, but if he is not in the mood for a bagel that day he gets yogurt and that's it. Both drink water all day.

Both get a juice box sometime in the afternoon. Four year old gets yogurt, younger one gets oatmeal.

Dinner? Four year old will only eat pasta pizza or eggs. Thankfully we make our own pasta sauce so we slip some veggies in there.always offer him veggies, whatever we are having, if he says no then that's all he gets. He drinks milk. Younger one eats what we eat sometimes, if that fails we give him whatever we give the four year old. Also drinks milk.

Both can get treats at night, but only if they have been good.

I guess they're not awful, but I'm wary they don't eat enough. Definite onto any variety though.

 

[Maik Jeaunz]

question...

if you try and steer your kid away from crap food as a youngin' (soda, candy, processed junk, etc.), does it have any bearing on whether or not they eat healthier as a teen, young adult or adult? or are they just as likely to eat crappier later in life no matter how healthy you try to keep them as they're growing up?

 

[Clown Car]

It seems as soon as she was able to drive and earn her own money, she never ate at home anymore.

 

[Mr. Ected]

My son is 5. Still never had a soda. Proud of that! We limit him to one juice box a day. He eats occasional fruit and likes brocolli and spinach. Thats the only vege he likes so we make it alot. He loves cookies and snacks like that so we limit him to one a day of those two. His biggest thing is cereal. He loves it. Weve lost all control on that point.

Got a 10 y.o. who doesn't like soda. He says he doesn't like the bubbles. Not gonna push him. He drinks Gatorades and things like that when a soda would come up.

The other 2 (11,7) don't drink caffeinated soda. May not help too much, but it can't hurt.

 

[NCCommish]

question...

if you try and steer your kid away from crap food as a youngin' (soda, candy, processed junk, etc.), does it have any bearing on whether or not they eat healthier as a teen, young adult or adult? or are they just as likely to eat crappier later in life no matter how healthy you try to keep them as they're growing up?

Not a parent but I have known a kid or two. Seems to me, in many cases. the kids who are denied all the time go a little nuts when they get the control. So from the outside at least it would seem more successful long term when it is more about moderation than denial.

 

[MAC_32]

question...

if you try and steer your kid away from crap food as a youngin' (soda, candy, processed junk, etc.), does it have any bearing on whether or not they eat healthier as a teen, young adult or adult? or are they just as likely to eat crappier later in life no matter how healthy you try to keep them as they're growing up?

i think if you use snacks as incentives you'll better your chances of long term success with your kids diet. We take them running with us frequently, so we try to expose them to exercise as well. Our oldest already wants to start racing, kinda excited about that.

 

[D_House]

Heard an adage a while back that goes something like from toddler on up, parents control what and when food is eaten, while the kid determines whether and how much.

The best way to get kids to a eat a varied and healthy diet is to have good role models at home. If mom and dad drink soda and eat lots of processed foods, the kids will too.

 

[shadyridr]

One thing i do is no matter what vegetable i make i always put some on his plate. Sometimes he accidently eats some. No use forcing them. My son has gagged and thrown up eating veges before.

 

[UOFI_316]

For the young kids who don't eat veggies, try giving them the veggies still frozen (assuming that is what you are making). My girls (6, 4, 1) will barely touch the cooked veggies, but I can put a bowl of still frozen peas in front of them, and all 3 will eat them up.

 

[shadyridr]

For the young kids who don't eat veggies, try giving them the veggies still frozen (assuming that is what you are making). My girls (6, 4, 1) will barely touch the cooked veggies, but I can put a bowl of still frozen peas in front of them, and all 3 will eat them up.

theyre not too hard?

 

[eoMMan]

I feel bad for kids that don't eat veggies. Imo, you give them to the kid and if they don't eat them, guess what...no sweets/junk.

 

[shadyridr]

I feel bad for kids that don't eat veggies. Imo, you give them to the kid and if they don't eat them, guess what...no sweets/junk.

they still wont eat the veges so youre still at square one

 

[parasaurolophus]

I feel bad for kids that don't eat veggies. Imo, you give them to the kid and if they don't eat them, guess what...no sweets/junk.

they still wont eat the veges so youre still at square one

They would be ahead of the game because they would have no sweets/junk.

 

[UOFI_316]

For the young kids who don't eat veggies, try giving them the veggies still frozen (assuming that is what you are making). My girls (6, 4, 1) will barely touch the cooked veggies, but I can put a bowl of still frozen peas in front of them, and all 3 will eat them up.

theyre not too hard?

No, they are not all water, so they don't freeze completely solid, and they start to thaw out pretty quick. It isn't like trying to bite on an ice cube. Somehow it comes across as a snack rather than something they have to eat. I was surprised the first time they started to eat them. They also prefer frozen blueberries over fresh ones.

 

[El Floppo]

My son is 5. Still never had a soda. Proud of that! We limit him to one juice box a day. He eats occasional fruit and likes brocolli and spinach. Thats the only vege he likes so we make it alot. He loves cookies and snacks like that so we limit him to one a day of those two. His biggest thing is cereal. He loves it. Weve lost all control on that point.

my 7yo son eats tan. pretty sure tan is a food group.

3yo daughter eats everything.

 

[El Floppo]

For the young kids who don't eat veggies, try giving them the veggies still frozen (assuming that is what you are making). My girls (6, 4, 1) will barely touch the cooked veggies, but I can put a bowl of still frozen peas in front of them, and all 3 will eat them up.

theyre not too hard?

No, they are not all water, so they don't freeze completely solid, and they start to thaw out pretty quick. It isn't like trying to bite on an ice cube. Somehow it comes across as a snack rather than something they have to eat. I was surprised the first time they started to eat them. They also prefer frozen blueberries over fresh ones.

For the young kids who don't eat veggies, try giving them the veggies still frozen (assuming that is what you are making). My girls (6, 4, 1) will barely touch the cooked veggies, but I can put a bowl of still frozen peas in front of them, and all 3 will eat them up.

theyre not too hard?

No, they are not all water, so they don't freeze completely solid, and they start to thaw out pretty quick. It isn't like trying to bite on an ice cube. Somehow it comes across as a snack rather than something they have to eat. I was surprised the first time they started to eat them. They also prefer frozen blueberries over fresh ones.

don't think we've given the kids frozen fruits or veg before... will have to try this. Do these "peas" come in tan?

 

[UOFI_316]

For the young kids who don't eat veggies, try giving them the veggies still frozen (assuming that is what you are making). My girls (6, 4, 1) will barely touch the cooked veggies, but I can put a bowl of still frozen peas in front of them, and all 3 will eat them up.

theyre not too hard?

No, they are not all water, so they don't freeze completely solid, and they start to thaw out pretty quick. It isn't like trying to bite on an ice cube. Somehow it comes across as a snack rather than something they have to eat. I was surprised the first time they started to eat them. They also prefer frozen blueberries over fresh ones.

For the young kids who don't eat veggies, try giving them the veggies still frozen (assuming that is what you are making). My girls (6, 4, 1) will barely touch the cooked veggies, but I can put a bowl of still frozen peas in front of them, and all 3 will eat them up.

theyre not too hard?

No, they are not all water, so they don't freeze completely solid, and they start to thaw out pretty quick. It isn't like trying to bite on an ice cube. Somehow it comes across as a snack rather than something they have to eat. I was surprised the first time they started to eat them. They also prefer frozen blueberries over fresh ones.

don't think we've given the kids frozen fruits or veg before... will have to try this. Do these "peas" come in tan?

My nephew won't eat peas, but he will eat "little green balls".

 

[El Floppo]

For the young kids who don't eat veggies, try giving them the veggies still frozen (assuming that is what you are making). My girls (6, 4, 1) will barely touch the cooked veggies, but I can put a bowl of still frozen peas in front of them, and all 3 will eat them up.

theyre not too hard?

No, they are not all water, so they don't freeze completely solid, and they start to thaw out pretty quick. It isn't like trying to bite on an ice cube. Somehow it comes across as a snack rather than something they have to eat. I was surprised the first time they started to eat them. They also prefer frozen blueberries over fresh ones.

don't think we've given the kids frozen fruits or veg before... will have to try this. Do these "peas" come in tan?

My nephew won't eat peas, but he will eat "little green balls".

My 3yo daughter asks for daddy nuts constantly.

almonds... ####### perv. I like almonds, so she does too.

 

[shadyridr]

For the young kids who don't eat veggies, try giving them the veggies still frozen (assuming that is what you are making). My girls (6, 4, 1) will barely touch the cooked veggies, but I can put a bowl of still frozen peas in front of them, and all 3 will eat them up.

theyre not too hard?

No, they are not all water, so they don't freeze completely solid, and they start to thaw out pretty quick. It isn't like trying to bite on an ice cube. Somehow it comes across as a snack rather than something they have to eat. I was surprised the first time they started to eat them. They also prefer frozen blueberries over fresh ones.

cool tip. Will try

 

[shadyridr]

I feel bad for kids that don't eat veggies. Imo, you give them to the kid and if they don't eat them, guess what...no sweets/junk.

they still wont eat the veges so youre still at square one

They would be ahead of the game because they would have no sweets/junk.

id rather him eat the veges and some junk food then no veges and no junk food

 

[eoMMan]

I feel bad for kids that don't eat veggies. Imo, you give them to the kid and if they don't eat them, guess what...no sweets/junk.

they still wont eat the veges so youre still at square one

They would be ahead of the game because they would have no sweets/junk.

id rather him eat the veges and some junk food then no veges and no junk food

Well then the kid goes hungry. It's all about discipline. Tell them that this isn't a restaurant. You don't choose to eat whatever you want. Eat your veggies, dammit.

 

[pollardsvision]

For the young kids who don't eat veggies, try giving them the veggies still frozen (assuming that is what you are making). My girls (6, 4, 1) will barely touch the cooked veggies, but I can put a bowl of still frozen peas in front of them, and all 3 will eat them up.

What about just raw/thawed veggies? I guess peas thaw so quickly that they are eating them sort of half thawed.

This makes sense. Vegetables are good, but I'm convinced that much of the reason kids hate them is because they are so often boiled, ruining the texture and flavor.

Though, I guess some veggies might need enough cooking to ruin the texture to make them safe for kids to chew/swallow (like broccoli. overcooked broccoli is a travesty). Peas make a lot of sense.

 

[Ned]

I feel bad for kids that don't eat veggies. Imo, you give them to the kid and if they don't eat them, guess what...no sweets/junk.

they still wont eat the veges so youre still at square one

They would be ahead of the game because they would have no sweets/junk.

id rather him eat the veges and some junk food then no veges and no junk food

Well then the kid goes hungry. It's all about discipline. Tell them that this isn't a restaurant. You don't choose to eat whatever you want. Eat your veggies, dammit.

Who's in control, you or the kid?

Our oldest was an incredibly picky eater as a toddler and would eat slower than all hell. I decided one day to put a timer on him. You have 30mins to eat dinner. Once it buzzes, your dinner goes in the garbage. No snacks, no candy, nothing afterwards. It only took 2 tossed dinners for him to realize we meant business. He's now a model eater (will be 8 in a couple of weeks). He even eats a salad raw - no dressing (no idea why, but hey that's great). He also loves uncooked green beans. There's definitely something to the cooked theory....

We get comments all the time about our good eaters (both boys). Luckily the 2nd one eats like a horse and we never had to go through that with him. They get their fair share of junk, but they know that whatever meal mom makes is what they're getting. Eat it or go hungry.

The oldest doesn't like soda (too bubbly), but the youngest likes it. We treat it as a treat and nothing more.

 

[pollardsvision]

Yep, green beans are another one. A fantastic green beans recipe can be decent (usually if there's enough pork involved), but raw green beans are fantastic. Boiling them almost always makes them worse.

 

[parasaurolophus]

I feel bad for kids that don't eat veggies. Imo, you give them to the kid and if they don't eat them, guess what...no sweets/junk.

they still wont eat the veges so youre still at square one

They would be ahead of the game because they would have no sweets/junk.

id rather him eat the veges and some junk food then no veges and no junk food

We were talking about kids that wouldnt eat veggies. So now we are talking about kids that do eat veggies??? Goal posts, moved.

 

[shadyridr]

I feel bad for kids that don't eat veggies. Imo, you give them to the kid and if they don't eat them, guess what...no sweets/junk.

they still wont eat the veges so youre still at square one

They would be ahead of the game because they would have no sweets/junk.

id rather him eat the veges and some junk food then no veges and no junk food

Well then the kid goes hungry. It's all about discipline. Tell them that this isn't a restaurant. You don't choose to eat whatever you want. Eat your veggies, dammit.

Im not disagreeing with you. But you still didnt solve the problem. Him not eating his veges. Kids are stubborn. They'll goto bed hungry

 

[shadyridr]

I feel bad for kids that don't eat veggies. Imo, you give them to the kid and if they don't eat them, guess what...no sweets/junk.

they still wont eat the veges so youre still at square one

They would be ahead of the game because they would have no sweets/junk.

id rather him eat the veges and some junk food then no veges and no junk food

We were talking about kids that wouldnt eat veggies. So now we are talking about kids that do eat veggies??? Goal posts, moved.

Yeah Im just speaking hypothetically. My son eats broccoli & spinach with no issues

 

[pollardsvision]

question...

if you try and steer your kid away from crap food as a youngin' (soda, candy, processed junk, etc.), does it have any bearing on whether or not they eat healthier as a teen, young adult or adult? or are they just as likely to eat crappier later in life no matter how healthy you try to keep them as they're growing up?

Everybody I know that grew up in a super healthy food household generally carried those habits into adulthood (not from personal experience, as I don't fit in either of those categories).

It seems kids develop a liking for what they get used to, for the most part.

 

[shadyridr]

I feel bad for kids that don't eat veggies. Imo, you give them to the kid and if they don't eat them, guess what...no sweets/junk.

they still wont eat the veges so youre still at square one

They would be ahead of the game because they would have no sweets/junk.

id rather him eat the veges and some junk food then no veges and no junk food

Well then the kid goes hungry. It's all about discipline. Tell them that this isn't a restaurant. You don't choose to eat whatever you want. Eat your veggies, dammit.

Who's in control, you or the kid?

Our oldest was an incredibly picky eater as a toddler and would eat slower than all hell. I decided one day to put a timer on him. You have 30mins to eat dinner. Once it buzzes, your dinner goes in the garbage. No snacks, no candy, nothing afterwards. It only took 2 tossed dinners for him to realize we meant business. He's now a model eater (will be 8 in a couple of weeks). He even eats a salad raw - no dressing (no idea why, but hey that's great). He also loves uncooked green beans. There's definitely something to the cooked theory....

We get comments all the time about our good eaters (both boys). Luckily the 2nd one eats like a horse and we never had to go through that with him. They get their fair share of junk, but they know that whatever meal mom makes is what they're getting. Eat it or go hungry.

The oldest doesn't like soda (too bubbly), but the youngest likes it. We treat it as a treat and nothing more.

lol my son loves plain lettuce too. He calls it salad. So I make sure to give him that too.

Im gonna try the uncooked green beans. Thats what he gagged and puked on

 

[msommer]

14 and 12. still have reasonable control over what they eat. Sure, they like soda, sweets and chips but I don't buy it often. If they want more of it they can use their allowance.

I decide the meals and once a week or so make something that is a little challenging for them (new ingredient, new way of doing a known ingredient, new spice mix etc.). Sometimes more successful than others.

My wife doesn't cook very well, so if I'm not home the kids get more processed foods (like nuggets and the like)

 

[Ned]

I feel bad for kids that don't eat veggies. Imo, you give them to the kid and if they don't eat them, guess what...no sweets/junk.

they still wont eat the veges so youre still at square one

They would be ahead of the game because they would have no sweets/junk.

id rather him eat the veges and some junk food then no veges and no junk food

Well then the kid goes hungry. It's all about discipline. Tell them that this isn't a restaurant. You don't choose to eat whatever you want. Eat your veggies, dammit.

Who's in control, you or the kid?

Our oldest was an incredibly picky eater as a toddler and would eat slower than all hell. I decided one day to put a timer on him. You have 30mins to eat dinner. Once it buzzes, your dinner goes in the garbage. No snacks, no candy, nothing afterwards. It only took 2 tossed dinners for him to realize we meant business. He's now a model eater (will be 8 in a couple of weeks). He even eats a salad raw - no dressing (no idea why, but hey that's great). He also loves uncooked green beans. There's definitely something to the cooked theory....

We get comments all the time about our good eaters (both boys). Luckily the 2nd one eats like a horse and we never had to go through that with him. They get their fair share of junk, but they know that whatever meal mom makes is what they're getting. Eat it or go hungry.

The oldest doesn't like soda (too bubbly), but the youngest likes it. We treat it as a treat and nothing more.

lol my son loves plain lettuce too. He calls it salad. So I make sure to give him that too.

Im gonna try the uncooked green beans. Thats what he gagged and puked on

When we saw him first do it, we thought it was pretty bizarre but we were thrilled to see him eat something green. He initially was against raw spinach, but we've slowly introduced it into his salads. He'll now heat a whole bowl of raw spinach.

Green beans was a big hurdle - we lucked into the raw green beans thing. He grew his own little veggie garden this summer and grew some beans. He decided to eat it because 'they were his' and liked them.

 

[parasaurolophus]

One thing that always helps is getting the kids involved with the food preparation. My sisters kids are crazy picky eaters. No shock, but so is my sister and so is her husband. I always hear about how hard they have tried, how the kids will gag, etc etc. Every time I see them, meals are one big negotiation. It is annoying to be at the same table. The youngest one eats on his own schedule which is also a pain. They sometimes make 4 different meals.

When I come to visit I always make a point to cook one big meal. I try to make it unique and I have my two nephews help me make it. I set the expectation of how important it is to smell and taste when cooking. I sometimes have them taste things I know will be disgusting(like vinegar) and then have them taste something that I know will be good(like honey). Then I make a point to not put in the bad and put in the good so they know something they like is in the dish. It is a fun experience, and they always eat. They always ask when they see me now if they can be the "sous chef".

My son has always been involved in the food prep and is fully capable of making a whole meal. Not just a microwave dish. We are talking chopping, seasoning, oven, skillet, etc etc.

 

[Ned]

One thing that always helps is getting the kids involved with the food preparation. My sisters kids are crazy picky eaters. No shock, but so is my sister and so is her husband. I always hear about how hard they have tried, how the kids will gag, etc etc. Every time I see them, meals are one big negotiation. It is annoying to be at the same table. The youngest one eats on his own schedule which is also a pain. They sometimes make 4 different meals.

JFC this is my sister and her son; it drives me up a wall. It's to the point we dread having meals with them.

 

[MAC_32]

Im not disagreeing with you. But you still didnt solve the problem. Him not eating his veges. Kids are stubborn. They'll goto bed hungry

Yep. My oldest yacked all over his bedroom floor this morning because he didn't eat enough for dinner...again. This is not a new thing, probably 7-10 times over the last few months since he became a pickier eater. We've come to accept that this is going to happen until he actually learns and adapts. We talked to him about why he threw up (again) and he agreed to eat his veggies tonight. We're going to try the frozen route too. Give him some of what we're eating and some still frozen and see what happens. Never thought about that, so, good tip.