Our childhood food habits often stay with us well into adulthood, so parents are encouraged to model healthy behaviors for their kids.
However, Reddit user Main-Bat-2458 started feeling like she had to take drastic measures. In a post on the subreddit 'Am I the [Jerk]?', the mother revealed that she was struggling with her son's excessive eating, so she decided to limit his intake.
But this soon spiralled into a huge conflict between them and now she's unsure if she made the right decision.
Kids need to fuel their growing bodies with enough food, but this mom thought her son was having too much
Image credits: RDNE Stock project / pexels (not the actual photo)
So she decided to limit it against his will
Image credits: Polina Tankilevitch / pexels (not the actual photo)
Image credits: cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Main-Bat-2458
Tweens and teens need extra fuel for a healthy mind and body
It might sound like the 16-year-old is eating a lot if we compare him to the average adult, but we have to consider the context. Classes, after-school programs, fluctuating moods — everything plays a part.
"Kids often have a hard time fueling their activities," said Cara Marrs, registered dietitian nutritionist at UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center. "We need to remember that they're not just fueling for sports and activities like adults, but they are forming organs and bones as well."
How many calories should a teenager eat a day?
According to Marrs, when it comes to caloric intake, there is a notable difference between boys and girls, pre-adolescents and 16- or 17-year-olds, and athletes and non-athletes.
It could further depend upon how many hours a day a girl or boy practices, the specific sport, and how much they weigh. With that being said, the broad ballpark numbers to keep in mind are:
- For children ages 6-10 = 2,000 calories/day;
- For boys ages 11-15 = 2,500/daily and girls = 2,200/daily;
- Older teens = about 3,000 calories a day, but more active athletes may need up to 5,000/daily.
Since the mom said the issue is not about health, it's a bit curious why she decided to take away some of the foods.
Marrs said parents can limit ultra-processed products, but they shouldn't create taboos or ultimatums as they can create issues.
Instead, parents can set a good example for their children by making healthy food choices in front of them, sharing meals together when possible, and offering lots of options.
"Kids are smart, they're savvy, and if we talk to them in an adult manner about the reasons why we want them to be eating in a nourishing way, you often get a good response from them," she added.
As the story went viral, a heated discussion broke out in the comments between its author and the people who read it
