LOVE My New Lunchtime Rule!!

[Hunni Bee]

I started doing "family style" dining where I put the serving bowls and spoons on the tables and let the kids serve themselves, last week. I notice that we waste a lot less food because the kids actually eat more when they have serve themselves.

[daycare]

I started doing "family style" dining where I put the serving bowls and spoons on the tables and let the kids serve themselves, last week. I notice that we waste a lot less food because the kids actually eat more when they have serve themselves.

wow you are brave. I could never see that happening here without it all ending up on the floor....
but glad that it works for your group... interesting what works for some but would never work for others

[GretasLittleFriends]

I don't know how to explain the tune but I'll try and find out. The words go like this...
Bobby made a happy plate, a happy plate, a happy plate
Bobby made a happy plate, and we're so proud of you!

The tune "Mary had a little lamb" works. That's what popped into my mind as I read this.

I started doing "family style" dining where I put the serving bowls and spoons on the tables and let the kids serve themselves, last week. I notice that we waste a lot less food because the kids actually eat more when they have serve themselves.

I've been doing it this way from day 1, though I don't usually allow the kids to serve themselves...

[Unregistered]

I give them the amount the food program suggests and that's all they get. They are allowed to ask for water but they get no seconds. They get plenty to eat and get fed 3 times a day so I don't see any point in letting them eat until they are stuffed. Kids need to learn portion control sometime.

This is exactly what I do... we get breakfast, two snacks and lunch including having water available all day. Food program portions are and should be enough for a child. I couldn't agree more that kids need to learn portion control.

I also have No Thank You bites.... they have to try one bite of everything on their plate... after that if they don't like it they can say No thank you to the rest of that food. Also they only get additional milk after their first serving if they have eaten all of their food.

All my parents appreciate the way I deal with meals/food and their children

[Unregistered]

Goodness! Left over fruits and vegetables?

We wouldn't want kids to eat too many fruits and vegetables. Gracious no!

[dEHmom]

This is exactly what I do... we get breakfast, two snacks and lunch including having water available all day. Food program portions are and should be enough for a child. I couldn't agree more that kids need to learn portion control.

I also have No Thank You bites.... they have to try one bite of everything on their plate... after that if they don't like it they can say No thank you to the rest of that food. Also they only get additional milk after their first serving if they have eaten all of their food.

All my parents appreciate the way I deal with meals/food and their children

This is how I do it as well, but I save milk for snack times, and serve juice or water with lunches. But if the kids wants 2nds after they finish and there is still more than I allow it. We don't have food program, and there is NOTHING that tells us how much of everything. So I give each kid a tiny bit of everything, expecting them to want more. But rather than throw away as much, I choose to give less and they get to decide if they want more of something. EXAMPLE...1 1/2 TBSP of corn, 2-3 TBSP of mashed potatoes, and some meat (no idea how to measure that) . Of course portions also vary depending on age and size of child.
milk is filling, and the kids decide to drink all milk and aren't as hungry for food. An hour later they are hungry again, and can't wait for snacks. SO I don't do this anymore.

Here's something my dad brought to my attention once....
Younger generations get drinks WITH meals or BEFORE meals. When my dad was alittle boy, they got drinks AFTER they finished eating. Whether this is true or not, it raises a good point. When you are raised with drink w/ food, your mouth has been trained to not salivate. You use the drink to "rinse" your mouth out inbetween. But you are filling up on drink whatever it is.
When you've always had a drink AFTER you eat, your mouth naturally produces the moisture to chew and swallow your food.

[dEHmom]

We wouldn't want kids to eat too many fruits and vegetables. Gracious no!

That's not the point. The point is that kids need to not pick 1 thing out of 3 things on their plate and only eat that. They need to eat healthy.

[jessrlee]

We wouldn't want kids to eat too many fruits and vegetables. Gracious no!

That's right. I'm glad you pointed it out. We wouldn't want to teach our children that any one food group will sustain them. We want the kiddos to eat, try, and enjoy everything on their plates. I don't see any providers saying "oh wow! No more broccoli for these kiddos! I sure wish they would eat snickers instead!"

[Unregistered]

When I worked for the nutrition department in our school district, they taught a course on "Controlled Portions". I now know what is a portion for all ages and I utilize that in all of our meals and snacks. There is no 2nds. This saves me a lot of extra time in the kitchen, extra food to cook and refrigerate and walking back and forth offering additional helpings.

[thecrazyisout]

My doctor sayss....

So, I always have gone by the advice my doctor said to me since my DS was beginning to eat...it is your job to offer the variety and healthy meas/snacks it is their job to eat it....and if they don't then they don't...

I agree with him when I apply it to my preschoolers. They don't get to choose what they want to have more of unless they finish their plates!