Are you feeding your kids too much?
Australian children and teens are not an overly healthy bunch. Data suggests that at least 1 in 4 has significant weight issues and they are eating far too much, and too much junk food. In fact, up to 30% of the calories our toddlers eat each day are coming from ‘extra’ or ‘junk’ foods, while up to 40% of a teens calories can be attributed to discretionary ‘extra’ foods.
At the root of this issue is habitual overfeeding – consuming too many calories on a daily basis that leads to weight issues and overeating over time. So how much food do toddlers, school aged children and teenagers really need? Probably nowhere near as much as you think.
Toddlers – 1-3 years
Unlike newborns and infants in their first 12 months of life, toddlers energy requirements reduce significantly and while toddlers can be a busy bunch, their lack of interest in food at this time confirms this. Indeed it may appear that they can literally survive on air, and with energy requirements of just 800-1000 calories on average each day, there is no need to worry about adding in extra milk, yoghurt or junk food simply to make sure they have had enough.
Breakfast
1 boiled egg + 1 slice of toast = 160cal
Small cup of milk (150ml) = 100cal
Lunch
1 slice bread + avocado = 140cal
100g yoghurt + fruit = 160cal
Dinner
50g mince + ½ cup pasta = 160cal
Cut up salad = 40cal
Snacks
20g cheese = 70cal
1 fruit = 80cal
Total = 910cal
Primary School Children – 4-7 years
1000-1400cal
Primary school aged children can have widely differing energy demands depending on gender, daily activity levels and timing of growth. In general they will eat less than a small female but across a number of different times during the day. Often they will eat very little at school before overeating later in the day and including regular high calories treats such as sugared drinks, muffins, banana bread and confectionery can very quickly increase their overall calorie intake.
Breakfast
Smoothie with milk and banana = 250cal
At School
Carrot sticks = 20cal
1 fruit = 80cal
Popcorn = 60cal
Chicken Wrap = 200cal
After School
Homemade banana bread = 150cal
Glass of milk = 100cal
Dinner
70g chicken + 1 potato + peas = 200cal
Dessert
½ cup yoghurt + berries = 120cal
Total = 1180cal
Pre-Teens – 8-12 years
1400-1800cal
The energy requirements of this age of older children will largely depend on activity levels. Extremely active children may require 500 or 600 more calories than a younger inactive child. An indicator of overfeeding at this age may be a child who always claims to be hungry, who can eat far more than a small female and who is clearly carrying excessive weight around the abdominal area.
Breakfast
Ham and cheese toasted sandwich = 300cal
At School
Cut up salad = 60cal
1 fruit = 80cal
Popcorn = 60cal
Cheese and crackers = 150cal
Tuna and avocado bread roll = 250cal
After School
Toasted sandwich = 300cal
Homemade milkshake = 200cal
Dinner
2 lamb cutlets + 1 potato + peas = 300cal
Total = 1700cal
Teenagers – 12-16 years
1600-2200cal
Perhaps the hungriest group of all but also the group most likely to fill up on high sugar, high calorie junk foods on a daily basis. In fact, teenage boys are the highest consumers of sugar based drinks. Instead the calories consumed at this age should be all about quality over quantity.
Breakfast
Banana Smoothie = 250cal
At School
2 pieces of fruit = 160cal
Chicken sandwich = 200cal
Tuna salad = 200cal
Cheese and crackers = 150cal
Nut Bar = 150cal
After School
Bowl of leftovers = 200cal
Dinner
150g chicken breast + potato + sweet potato + peas = 500cal
Total = 1810cal
