My son is very active in sports but he eats a ton of junk food and a ton of food in general. It doesn't seem like he is ever full. I hate to deny him food and I won't but I'm not sure what to do. After football practice last week I made him a rather large sandwich and he was still hungry and almost having a fit because of it saying I didn't understand how hungry he was, I don't want to make food a big issue but he is unhealthy right now.
His dad feeds him fast food for every meal and he has him 50% of the time.
He is getting overweight now and I'm getting scared.
He just got braces so I think he is limited on what he can eat. Any suggestions?
Last night I made him whole wheat/protein pasta with preggo sauce. Any other food suggestions?
ETA: He came home tonight after football practice and said he wasn't going to eat junk food anymore and he ate cherries for dinner.
Filling him up with carbs (bread, pasta, cereal, fries) shoots his blood sugars up and causes insulin spikes, which then leave him hungry. If he's overweight, that's all the more reason to stop with the carb-heavy foods. Carbs turn to glucose, which turns to fat if it's not used up by activity.
I have 2 teen boys. We don't eat those carb heavy foods and they don't get raving hungry. They fill up on proteins and healthy fats (nuts, eggs, avocado, some dairy) and veggies, and they love apples and berries. Funny thing, all of those foods have tons of nutrition and the fruits & veggie have enough fiber that will keep them feeling full.
I've got good recipes for a chocolate/banana/avocado pudding (no dairy) that they love, for "granola"/trail mix made with nuts & dried fruit, for chunky monkey muffins, pizza, or cookies or pancakes that are made with nut flours (high in fiber and vitamin E, have protein). They also eat hard boiled eggs, cheese, guacamole & corn chips or veggies, homemade jerky (it's a LOT cheaper than in the store.) I think the nuts (not nut flour), jerky and corn chips may be off limits for your son with his braces, though.
Would you consider whole wheat protein pasta more of a carb? I thought it was healthier than regular pasta.
This is a good start. Do you have a couple favorite recipes you would share? He's a picky eater too.
Quoting michiganmom116:Filling him up with carbs (bread, pasta, cereal, fries) shoots his blood sugars up and causes insulin spikes, which then leave him hungry. If he's overweight, that's all the more reason to stop with the carb-heavy foods. Carbs turn to glucose, which turns to fat if it's not used up by activity.
I have 2 teen boys. We don't eat those carb heavy foods and they don't get raving hungry. They fill up on proteins and healthy fats (nuts, eggs, avocado, some dairy) and veggies, and they love apples and berries. Funny thing, all of those foods have tons of nutrition and the fruits & veggie have enough fiber that will keep them feeling full.
I've got good recipes for a chocolate/banana/avocado pudding (no dairy) that they love, for "granola"/trail mix made with nuts & dried fruit, for chunky monkey muffins, pizza, or cookies or pancakes that are made with nut flours (high in fiber and vitamin E, have protein). They also eat hard boiled eggs, cheese, guacamole & corn chips or veggies, homemade jerky (it's a LOT cheaper than in the store.) I think the nuts (not nut flour), jerky and corn chips may be off limits for your son with his braces, though.
Whole wheat protein pasta will still have a load of carbs. Personally, I don't consider anything made with grains to be healthy, but that's another story.
This has many of the recipes I use: http://www.cafemom.com/group/115445/forums/read/15071346/Paleo_primal_recipes?next=1#replies
Quoting mysonsmom99:Would you consider whole wheat protein pasta more of a carb? I thought it was healthier than regular pasta.
This is a good start. Do you have a couple favorite recipes you would share? He's a picky eater too.
Quoting michiganmom116:Filling him up with carbs (bread, pasta, cereal, fries) shoots his blood sugars up and causes insulin spikes, which then leave him hungry. If he's overweight, that's all the more reason to stop with the carb-heavy foods. Carbs turn to glucose, which turns to fat if it's not used up by activity.
I have 2 teen boys. We don't eat those carb heavy foods and they don't get raving hungry. They fill up on proteins and healthy fats (nuts, eggs, avocado, some dairy) and veggies, and they love apples and berries. Funny thing, all of those foods have tons of nutrition and the fruits & veggie have enough fiber that will keep them feeling full.
I've got good recipes for a chocolate/banana/avocado pudding (no dairy) that they love, for "granola"/trail mix made with nuts & dried fruit, for chunky monkey muffins, pizza, or cookies or pancakes that are made with nut flours (high in fiber and vitamin E, have protein). They also eat hard boiled eggs, cheese, guacamole & corn chips or veggies, homemade jerky (it's a LOT cheaper than in the store.) I think the nuts (not nut flour), jerky and corn chips may be off limits for your son with his braces, though.
Thanks!
Quoting michiganmom116:Whole wheat protein pasta will still have a load of carbs. Personally, I don't consider anything made with grains to be healthy, but that's another story.
This has many of the recipes I use: http://www.cafemom.com/group/115445/forums/read/15071346/Paleo_primal_recipes?next=1#replies
Quoting mysonsmom99:Would you consider whole wheat protein pasta more of a carb? I thought it was healthier than regular pasta.
This is a good start. Do you have a couple favorite recipes you would share? He's a picky eater too.
Quoting michiganmom116:Filling him up with carbs (bread, pasta, cereal, fries) shoots his blood sugars up and causes insulin spikes, which then leave him hungry. If he's overweight, that's all the more reason to stop with the carb-heavy foods. Carbs turn to glucose, which turns to fat if it's not used up by activity.
I have 2 teen boys. We don't eat those carb heavy foods and they don't get raving hungry. They fill up on proteins and healthy fats (nuts, eggs, avocado, some dairy) and veggies, and they love apples and berries. Funny thing, all of those foods have tons of nutrition and the fruits & veggie have enough fiber that will keep them feeling full.
I've got good recipes for a chocolate/banana/avocado pudding (no dairy) that they love, for "granola"/trail mix made with nuts & dried fruit, for chunky monkey muffins, pizza, or cookies or pancakes that are made with nut flours (high in fiber and vitamin E, have protein). They also eat hard boiled eggs, cheese, guacamole & corn chips or veggies, homemade jerky (it's a LOT cheaper than in the store.) I think the nuts (not nut flour), jerky and corn chips may be off limits for your son with his braces, though.
I do not have a 13 yo son--yet. I have a 6, 4, and 2 yo son, though, and they eat a ton for their age (I hate to use pancakes as an example since it isn't healthy, but the 4 and 6 year old can eat 6-8 6 inch pancakes and the 2 yo can eat 4-5.) One of the problems with junk food is that it is calorie dense and nutrient low. That is why he is always hungry. His body will tell him to eat until he gets the nutrients it needs (and it needs a lot at that age!) But since he fills his belly with empty calories, he just keeps eating and eating and eating. My boys used to be picky till I decided to change out eating habits. It became this is what there is to eat. Eat it or be hungry. We have no junk food in our house. They are welcome to help themselves to fruit and veggies at any time (my 2 yo is CONSTANTLY in the fridge eating fruit). The first reply to your post is great. I am concerned that your attempts are going to be foiled by Dad if you can't get him to at least stop with the fast food. But still, eating clean 50% of the time is better than not at all. Don't be fooled by "whole wheat" stuff. It's overrated. Good luck to you. I am terrified of having 3 teenage boys in the house (plus triathlete DH!). =)
You can get pasta made with spinach to get a bit more veggie in there (it's yummy!). Or quinoa pasta, which has lots of protein. I've learned a lot about different varieties of pasta since I had to go gluten free! :)
Definitely try to steer him away from the junk... I know that's hard at his age. Set a good example by taking care of yourself, too! Good luck.
~ Random Thoughts May ~
- mysonsmom99
on Jul. 24, 2012 at 4:08 PM