Any advice for slow-eaters?

[nmhmum]

sakura_2009:

nmhmum:

Hi Sakura_2009,

My dd is in P2 now and only weighs around 19kg. I consider her to be very underweight but strange thing is when the Health Promotion Board's nurse came to take her weight in Feb this year, she was only classified as slightly underweight. Also she was not chosen to take the \"special\" milk. So I guess she is not too bad. Anyway, As long she is healthy, I not so worried cos last time her mummy also very skinny, but after giving birth, all the fats cannot be removed

DS is P3 and weighs 22 kg. For a boy, I also thought he's very underweight but MOH nurses also say he's only slightly underweight :? Anywa, as long as he's healthy, I'm ok lar....

Seems like kids who tend to eat very slow, especially on 'proper' meals, but superfast in junk food like fries, chips and other fried stuff, tend to be on the 'lighter' side, - but I always have this perception that junk food makes a kid fatter/heavier, or have I misunderstood? :?

I think junk food will only makes your kid heavier if u consume it frequently and in big quantities. I actually limit my kids on junk food. So I guess if i do not limit them, maybe they will be fatter?

[sakura_2009]

nmhmum:

I think junk food will only makes your kid heavier if u consume it frequently and in big quantities. I actually limit my kids on junk food. So I guess if i do not limit them, maybe they will be fatter?

Well, you are probably right :lol: Jokes aside, yes, as parents, we ought to keep them off from junk food as much as possible - I'd rather DS stay thin than unhealthy

[cnimed]

If they are hungry they will eat fast. If they are not hungry they will eat slowly lor.


For us, half an hour is the standard. Toys are not allowed, chatting is encouraged - afterall eating should be family time. After half an hour, plates are cleared regardless of how much is left. If they don't finish their food, they can't ask for supper after dinner. Portions are sized according to their appetites.

Re chewing - if you're using lean meat it can be harder to chew. My children hate that. I tenderise the meat first by pounding/using a bit of vinegar/slice very thinly and cook very quickly.
If making meatballs, add some breadcrumbs so that it's softer and easier to chew.

Children do like finger food. It doesn't have to always be unhealthy. You can give them small pita sandwiches, homemade meatballs with a dip and celery/carrot sticks at the side, sweet potatoes boiled and cubed, edamame (green soy beans still in pods), cherry tomatoes and cubed cheese to eat with toothpicks, small roasted potatoes with chicken drumlets etc. Add a small salad or sliced fruits at the side and a box of tissue paper.

[jeanieg]

wah, poor mussymommy, 1 1/2 hrs is pretty long.. so my situation not so bad la

[Akin]

the main concern for slow eater is normally they get distracted easily or not concentrating when they have food n their mouth as such they will keep chewing and chewing even though it’s time to swallow it.

[auntieM]

My DS used to eat slowly and get distracted all the time :x .. ..

I now give him a little more playtime if he eat properly/ faster..
If he 'eats' into his playtime, just too bad lor.
Heng this method works for me so far

[Simplymii]

Hi, My 23 mth old gal has become a slow eater (she will keep the food in her mouth) since 5 mths ago. She had her MMR and had fever… since then her appetite dropped… but her milk intake increased at night.


I can’t seem to get her appetitie back and she just keep falling sick (cough) when she is about to recover.

She is taking less than a bowl each meal. I realise that she has not put on since her 18 mth check up.

Anyone who has same experience pls share with me if you have any remedy/tips/supplement/advice that works.

Thank you.

[Akin]

same same, this is what i have told him and yes! He's improving.. Will continue to improve him from here. :lol:

[mocharita]

For me, my priority is to remind my kiddo to eat slowly and enjoy the food since he was a baby. I’m particular when it comes to digestion and good table manners. I don’t give him a time frame or an allocated time as when he has to finish his meals.


When he’s done with eating or uninterested (finished or unfinished food), I removed his plate. If he’s hungry later, I won’t fix him supper. I never have problems with feeding. My motto is “ You wanna eat, EAT. Don’t want to eat, Don’t. You are hungry again?? Too bad, kitchen is closed! It works fine and I don’t have problems when it comes to meals time at all.

[kids_r_innocent]

Yup... as for me, i will try to leave the tings tat they like to do, after dinner e.g watching DVDs and will try to ask them wat they would like for din. I will change the type of food tat i cook so tat they wun find it boring e.g Mon - cook porridge, Tue - cook noodles etc.