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onemoretracy
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| Posted: Aug 05 2008 at 12:07pm | IP Logged
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I was interested in the nightime snacking thread because snacks are such an issue around here lately.
I am just uncertain about the whole snack thing in general. I know some nutritionists have said "six small meals" etc... but what that has turned into, at least in my community is kids (and adults too probably) snacking all day long!
I know they are growing and I do not want to deprive my kids if they really are hungry, but many times I know they are bored or want to snack because their friends are or because they didn't eat their 'gross' lunch and so on...
How do you handle the whole snack thing without becoming overwhelmed with the revolving door in the kitchen and the endless mess that is inevitable? I know some people have a snack shelve and allow kids to pick from that, but how often? how is it monitored?
I feel pressure when we go to meetings or field trips and the other kids are just eating and snacking the whole time it seems. There are juice boxes and water bottles and sippy cups everywhere, not too mention teh snack wrappers and gobs of trash and crumbs.  Sorry this turned into a rant!
Back in my day,  We ate what we were given and maybe had one afternoon snack if we were lucky! I just want to tell the kids to suck it up and wait for the next meal!  But, I know there must be some balance and I am hoping to hear from some wise moms out there!  I have tried the 'drink a glass of water' method and that does seem to help...
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Tracy
DH Lee
DS Jake-10
DS Ryan-9
DS Luke-6
DD Laine-6
DD Mary Clare-3
DD Sara (Dec.6 '08)
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Aug 05 2008 at 1:30pm | IP Logged
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Why not pick things to have available for snacks that could be part of a good meal vs treats?
Let them have carrots or celery or radishes or fruit.. if things are already washed off when in the fridge.. then you have no prep mess. And if they're hungry and still turn up their noses at good for them food.. they're not all that hungry and can wait for the meal.
And remember on the bedtime snack thread she was talking avout 4 hrs after a meal.. not just a couple hrs. And just going on myself except when I'm sleeping 4 hrs is about right to really be hungry again.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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onemoretracy
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| Posted: Aug 05 2008 at 2:04pm | IP Logged
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Yes, I totally see where if you are eating dinner at 5:00pm you would need a snack! I know I would! We usually eat later so after dinner snacking isn't an issue. For us it is more throughout the day.
I love to give them fruit. That is one thing I do use. It goes awfully fast though! I will try the veggies too, good idea.
Also, is the snacking something to be done at any time or do you have set times for snacks? How do y'all handle snacks when you are out and about?
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Tracy
DH Lee
DS Jake-10
DS Ryan-9
DS Luke-6
DD Laine-6
DD Mary Clare-3
DD Sara (Dec.6 '08)
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Aug 05 2008 at 2:12pm | IP Logged
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hmmm I'm rarely out long enough to worry about carrying snacks unless I know going out that we'll certainly be hungry. And if there's one thing I like to avoid it's cranky children because they're hungry.. so easy to fix that problem if you plan on it. But really except for days we pack a lunch.. we're usually home soon enough not to worry about it. Afternoon is when we mostly need the snacks.. since we eat dinner late... getting from lunch to dinner would be hard otherwise. I usually just have them ask for something.. that way I know what's not going to be available and have time to stop them if it's something I need for dinner or such.
But if you look at the 4 hr time frame it should give you a good idea when snacks will be needed.. for us if meals are generally around 8am, noon and 7pm.. obviously we need a snack around 3:30pm.
Sometimes if I've something made we'll have cookies or such as a treat.. that's a good time for the kids to have a piece of fruit or a carrot (they like carrots). Or occationally we'll have cheese or such. It partly depends on the day.. and sometimes I'll feel like having popcorn (even with the mess). So I guess I just keep my options open and have the kids ask for snacks.
Oh and usually if one asks.. everyone else joins in.. or I'll grab everyone else to have a snack then.. so it's not strung out all day long.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Kristie 4
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| Posted: Aug 05 2008 at 2:32pm | IP Logged
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Here the snacks are
-grab your own piece of fruit or carrots
-I will make a pot of popcorn on the stove
-homemade bread and toppings
-smoothies: especially now that it is summer and we tend to eat quite late, the smoothie gets them through (but my do we ever go through the milk lately  )
I can't stand the evening snacking- one child is hungry and then the domino effect happens and bedtime is pushed even later. If they are absolutely starving (my dd gets this way) then they come down alone, swear on secrecy, and I smuggle them a piece of toast!
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Angi
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| Posted: Aug 05 2008 at 4:59pm | IP Logged
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As a daycare provider, I have to provide snacks and meals at certain times. We eat at 7, 9, 11:30, 2, (daycare kids leave), 5, and 7. I have tried to cut one of these out by having dinner later, but it does not work for my children. Our snacks are healthy. If they do not like lunch, then they will have to wai2+ hours for snack. I no longer provide alternative meals for picky eaters. My children are not picky, so it drives me crazy when some one else complains about a meal that I have made.
BTW- this does lead to eating smaller meals for the children.
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Milehimama
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| Posted: Aug 05 2008 at 5:30pm | IP Logged
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I leave snacks out. Fruit and veggies.
A bowl of lettuce leaves, or a bowl of frozen veggies, or oranges etc. are always on the counter.
We do have a set snack time - around 3:30, after naps - but the other stuff is just out for people to graze on throughout the day.
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: About snacks ....
