Hello!

my 9yr old son always ask for maccas, it drives me insane. hes not an active kid, hes on the chubby side (man boobs are seen). my husband is not exactly the right role model as he has a pot belly himself. my son sees that its alright because my nefew whos a year older is bigger than my son but is very active, his 2 brothers are really tall therefore he will be tall too. my son doesn’t see that. he brings home fruit and eats the treats at school. ive given him no treats today but seeing if he will eat his fruits. its only cut up bananas and apple. he always ask for 2 toasted sandwiches with cheese after his cereal. hes a fussy eater and tends to go towards the process food stage.
he doesn’t eat proper cheese but plastic wrap cheese, soy milk and only brand jalna yoghurt. only eats bananas starting to like apples again, grapes when in season and strawberries too. ive made date choc balls with chi seeds that I say its yum balls but they are not, just without bsicuits. weetbix 4 of them, sometimes corn flakes and rice bubbles. likes ham sandwiches on its own with butter. this is not the best food I have here, he has constipation problems since he was a bub, hes on movicol for a year now, he is doing lovely poos. his concentration is not so the best at school. I need some advice what you mums put in school lunch boxes, afternoon snacks and breakfast. I try to throw in vegies but haven’t eaten enough salad lately. that’s slightly my fault.


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  • Getting him involved in team sports would be a healthy distraction.


  • No treats. It’s time to stop this in its tracks now. It’s great you are thinking about this. Maybe consult a nutrition? And enrol him in some sporting activities.


  • maybe focus less on the food if you are worried about his weight and focus more on getting active, I know if i am told i can’t have something I only want it more. They say if you want kids eating differently to involve them in the preparation process


  • He is now at an age where Food doesnt mean sleep, you are the MUM. you need to get him trying new foods. Try and not use food as a reward, get him involved, maybe a garden ? and in the kitchen to help cooking/meal planning. And maybe once a fortnight have a treat meal.


  • Ask him what fruit or vegies he may like to take to school and don’t give him any treats for school. Perhaps make a deal with him the if Monday thru to Thursday he eats food food then he gets. Treat on Friday. It’s hard saying no when it comes to food but at the end of the day his health is far more important


  • It’s tough trying to keep up with growing kids!
    The vital thing they need is something to fill them up so they aren’t hungry. you’ll get this through protein like chicken drumsticks, chicken wings, chicken kebabs, lamb chops, meatballs, kofta’s all cooked in coconut oil. All these are great for breakfast, lunch, snacks or dinner. Avocado is full of good fats that will fill him up.
    This is what my kids usually have;

    BREAKFAST
    eggs, bacon, mushroom and avocado
    or granola with coconut milk
    left over dinner from the night before

    MORNING SNACK
    apple or banana
    home made or plain Jalna yoghurt

    LUNCH
    Tuna
    carrot, celery and cucumber sticks
    cherry tomatoes
    pickles

    AFTERNOON SNACK
    home made sugar free biscuits
    cashews or almonds
    or
    preservative free dried fruit
    home made sugar free jelly
    chicken kebab

    DINNER
    lamb chops and steamed veg
    Chicken thighs with a tossed salad and a raw broccoli salad
    home made bolognese with zucchini noodles
    roast meat with roast veg
    beef casserole loaded with veg
    chicken curry with rice noodles

    We don’t ever buy processed cheese, foods with sugar and avoid most grains. If it’s not in the house, he can’t eat it.

    Don’t forget, you’re the one in charge, you’re the adult. If you don’t want him to eat Macca’s then simply don’t buy it.


  • I used to make salad sandwiches and shaved ham for my youngest son. And the older boy it was devon and sauce though that was the thing to do. Found out now my older son threw his devon away and got teacher to buy him lunch some day. My younger son sold his sandwicheds to other kids no fool and bought fatty food at canteen as a rule. They told me all this as they did reminise. Both are fit and healthy and after all look good for all of it. Another tip at home I used to chop up cheese ,carrots nuts etc in bowls in fridge to help themselves… Yes their Dad did buy them macca’s a lot much to my dismay but they turned out ok. So take heart


  • Change how the entire family eats, Monkey see,Monkey do


  • This is a serious matter. I suggest that you see a GP with your son about his eating habits. Diet is NOT optional. His long term health is at steak. There a numerous diseases that can develop from his current habits, and lifespan will be drastically shortened. I think a visit to a dietician/nutritionist is warranted and might be covered by medicare if the GP approves. Please seek medical help for this problem for the sake of yur son. Ask your son to look at websites with you about the dangers of poor diet (eg http://nutritionfacts.org/ although this is more aimed at adults there are hundred of videos and transcripts that can help you realize even 1 maccas seriously damages the body)


  • Only offer healthy food.
    Try muffins with hidden vegetables,


  • At my kids school they have brain food time where they only allow fruit to be eaten,, If you forget to send it they supply a apple or orange… No other food is accepted at this time of day.. This is the snack before morning tea.. Its to ensure all kids are getting some fruit in their diet.. If your school does not offer this i suggest you approach them or someone in the parent committee and ask them to make it part of the kids day… As the school is 5 days a week it is important they take the lead on these kind of matters…
    My kids to ask for Maccas or KFC every time they see the sign but i tell them its only for special treats… Once every two weeks or if they go out with their grandparents… I find if its not in the cupboard they do not get it and ask for healthier options instead… Yes the whole family has to go with out but if it not there they do not get it… Goodluck…


  • I have found that kids won’t starve themselves. If they are given no options but healthy options, they’ll get hungry enough to eat it. Keep persevering and good luck with it all


  • I have no experience myself, but my friend had a similar issue with her daughter.
    In the end, they took the “you’ll eat what you’re given or go without” approach. There were a few tantrums, but she soon came around. Now she loves having grapes and apples for her snacks.
    They also got her involved in preparing snacks and meals, and she seemed more willing to try different foods as she had helped to make them herself.
    She was very much a boredom eater, so my friend takes her to the park or out for walks regularly. They found if she was sitting around at home, she tended to ask for more to eat.
    I’m sorry I can’t be of much help, but I hope you find the solution that works for you and your son.


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