How Much Snack?

[DaisyMamma]

I don't want the kids hungry but jeeze, I thought a 7yo could be trusted to serve himself and ate the whole box of crackers! Two other kids had 5 each and 5 other kids hadn't had even one yet.
If I let them eat as much as they wanted they would go through three boxes plus a bag of apples and 2 containers of juice - for example. Is this a normal amount for 8-9 kids? If I regulate the snack they share a box of crackers and a half a bag of apples and one container of juice.
I don't want to be stingy, but letting them stuff themselves for afternoon snack seems excessive to me. I know I don't want my own kids eating that much.

Ages
8 mo
20 mo
2.5y
3Y
5
5
6
7
9

[clep]

I give each child about 5 crackers and a few apple slices. I used to give them more but the parents were finding the children weren't eating dinner very well.

Snack is a snack, not a meal.

Heck, when I was a kid, we played outside all day and snacks were unheard of. We came in for our main meals.

I really believe that all the snacks hinder their appetite for main meals. Then they pick on what they truly like and leave the rest. There are a lot of picky kids in this world and they aren't born that way.

[Country Kids]

WOW is all I can say!

I'm thinking a box of crackers and for the ones up to about five I give about four slices of apples. I wouldn't be serving juice but water and they can have as much of that as they want.

[crazydaycarelady]

I have some 3 year olds that will eat a whole banana, a graham cracker and a glass of milk. Snack is at 3:00 and dinner is not until probably at least 6:30 for most of these kids. If they want more to drink I switch to water. I would serve the snack and not let them self serve.

[Crazy8]

I don't have kids that old but our afternoon snack is pretty light here. In your example I'd give them each a little bowl or cup with a few crackers (4-5) and probably just 2-3 apple slices. A box of crackers would last me a week! I don't do juice either - when/if I do its just a splash of juice in a cup of mostly water. So a bottle of juice will last me forever (we do milk earlier in the day).

[DaisyMamma]

Yea, I actually do a lot of water.

[Blackcat31]

I don't want the kids hungry but jeeze, I thought a 7yo could be trusted to serve himself and ate the whole box of crackers! Two other kids had 5 each and 5 other kids hadn't had even one yet.
If I let them eat as much as they wanted they would go through three boxes plus a bag of apples and 2 containers of juice - for example. Is this a normal amount for 8-9 kids? If I regulate the snack they share a box of crackers and a half a bag of apples and one container of juice.
I don't want to be stingy, but letting them stuff themselves for afternoon snack seems excessive to me. I know I don't want my own kids eating that much.

Ages
8 mo
20 mo
2.5y
3Y
5
5
6
7
9

Here is the link to the USDA food program meal/snack requirements

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/care/ProgramBasics/Meals/Meal_Patterns.htm

Scroll down to the snack section.

It tells you exactly how much to feed kids at what ages. We do seconds when avaialble for lunch and breakfast but never for snack.

[Cat Herder]

I used to let them eat as much as they wanted.

I now know that is why I had so many disciplinary issues back then. Nan helped me fix it first, then I found a resource I can also give to the families "In a pleasing Gift Package". They are actually doing it, too!!!!

I stick with "My Plate" now. happyface It really works. I got my packs at "Positive Promotions" since they made it affordable. The education association charged almose twice as much for the same stuff... :confused:

[familyschoolcare]

My snack is usualy a fresh fruit and homemade mini muffins the children are allowed 4 mini muffins this is one serving and all the fruit they whant. School aged children will load up on carbs if you let them.

[DaisyMamma]

Here is the link to the USDA food program meal/snack requirements

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/care/ProgramBasics/Meals/Meal_Patterns.htm

Scroll down to the snack section.

It tells you exactly how much to feed kids at what ages. We do seconds when avaialble for lunch and breakfast but never for snack.

Good idea.

[rhymia1]

Here is the link to the USDA food program meal/snack requirements

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/care/ProgramBasics/Meals/Meal_Patterns.htm

Scroll down to the snack section.

It tells you exactly how much to feed kids at what ages. We do seconds when avaialble for lunch and breakfast but never for snack.

I am always referring to this site. When I first started out I was piling on meals and snacks. Now I always use measuring cups for serving spoons so I know I'm not over or under feeding the kids.

[Soccermom]

I no longer provide snacks for my DCKs. They bring their own things from home which has been working out really nicely here.

But, when I was serving snack, I would always portion them into little dishes. To me 5-6 crackers and half of an apple is plenty for a SA DCK and I would offer the SA a full cup of juice but then water afterwards if they are still thirsty.

I think 2-3 crackers, a few apple slices and a half cup of juice is probably enough for the little ones.

SA kids WILL eat you out of house and home if you let them. You have to portion it out for them in order to control how much they eat.

My SA kids will now eat a whole pudding, a cheesetring and a box of raisins from home and whine for the next hour about how starving they are and how much they can't wait to get home to eat!

I let the SA kids eat from 3-3:15 and then all snacks are to be put away because if not they will eat the entire ziploc bag full of snacks they brought for the week !

[itlw8]

It would take a whole box of crackers for that group but pre portion it i snack bags and then they pick up one bag. 1/2 of an apple is correct for school age 1/4 to 1/3 for th younger kids.

You could serve the small kids first and then the older kids could serve themselves from a plate.

No need to juice if you are serving apples.

If they serve themselves tell them how many crackers are a serving

[melskids]

I am all about family style and allowing them to serve themselves, but I agree. If you give SA the freedom to take what they want, they WILL eat you out of house and home.

I use serving utensils that are the size of the right portion. (I am on the FP and follow their serving sizes.) So I can say "everyone gets one scoop/ two scoops, /whatever the particular serving is." Or I will say (and sometimes even write on an index card and place next to the item) everyone gets ONE soft pretzel, TWO slices of cheese, etc.

No one is allowed seconds until everyone has firsts. I only put enough out for everyone to have seconds, and after that, if someone doesnt want their seconds, then MAYBE the SA can have the rest, depending on how healthy of a choice it is.

I also have a tendancy to feed the SA all the stuff the littles didn't want for breakfast and lunch. (Extra fruits and veggies mostly) They are the best source for cleaning out the fridge. ::

So if they are REALLY that hungry, they get the green beans left over from lunch. That usually lets you know if they are truly hungry, bored, or just eating because its there.

In fairness to my SA though, they get lunch at 1030/1045 and dont get home until 4. I know they are really hungry, and sometimes need more.

[DaisyMamma]

That's so funny!
I usually offer X amount of snack. When they ask for more I say No problem! We have lots of carrots! 9/10 times they say no thanks and run off to play.