I have a relative with a 2 year old child. They have been staying with me and I was concerned to see that he was fed mostly on chocolate or cake. He would be given 3 bottles of chocolate milk a day several chocolate covered biscuits some chocolate bars and often doughnuts and cake and of course lots of sugar coated sweets. The mother says he won't eat proper food so she gives him sugary things for energy. My concern is if this carries on can the child become diabetic? Thank you for your advise.
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Concerned for a child relative
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sugarless sue
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Is there any history of type 1 diabetes in the family? The more likely scenario is that the child will become an obese adult and develop type 2 in later years.Trying to critise a parent for the way they feed their child is a mine-field.You may end up not seeing them again!!When they visit try offering the child some fruit,see what happens.Try raw carrot as well ,you never know you may find that he/she may take to these things.Sometimes mothers take the least line of resistance and feed what they know will be eaten instead of constantly battling with a wilful child.
IanD
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Christmas dinner with ALL the trimmings :!: but 3-y-o Nathaniel only wanted sweet potato, & he didn't eat much of that. He had some ice-cream for pudding (& so did I :wink: )
At some point the attitude changes - "I always have CNCs for breakfast" to - "Why do you always give me CNCs for breakfast :?: "
My sons are now finding the questions for themselves, if not the answers :wink:
You could try, "If you're not hungry for egg & soldiers, you're not hungry for chocolate." And fit the ear plugs :evil:
At some point the attitude changes - "I always have CNCs for breakfast" to - "Why do you always give me CNCs for breakfast :?: "
My sons are now finding the questions for themselves, if not the answers :wink:
You could try, "If you're not hungry for egg & soldiers, you're not hungry for chocolate." And fit the ear plugs :evil:
phoenix
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they're not called the terrible 2's for nothing :wink:
Why not buy Mum a copy of Fussy Eaters' Recipe Book by Annabel Karmel , she also has a forthcoming one called Mummy and Me Cookbook .
I doubt you have to worry about diabetes at the moment but if it does carry on it might be setting up the senario for obesity and or disordered eating.
Most of these kids grow up fine. In the old days you would let the child starve till the next meal and so forth or give the kid a skelp on the legs. These days you just feed the kid what they want.
It is amazing how your standards drop when you become a parent.
It is amazing how your standards drop when you become a parent.
as a dietitian I get kids referred to me like this all the time.
One of the problems is that kids do not have a routine and that often causes problems - kids thrive on routine. This applies to food and sleep as often kids who are poor eaters do not sleep well.
it would be useful to keep a food diary - it may not be as bad as you think!
If you are really worried speak to your gp who could refer you to a paediatric dietitian. In my experience alot of kids who have poor eating habits as kids carry them on as teenagers . Giving in to them is a big mistake - i have learnt this from my own kids , i have 3 teenagers who eat most things because I practiced what i preached ! It may sound harsh but if they do not eat a meal and you take it away most kids will eventually eat - the worst thing to do is give them choccies and crisps.
If they live on a diet of rubbish it doesnt mean they will get diabetes but they may have a higher chance of being over wt which can lead to it.
One of the problems is that kids do not have a routine and that often causes problems - kids thrive on routine. This applies to food and sleep as often kids who are poor eaters do not sleep well.
it would be useful to keep a food diary - it may not be as bad as you think!
If you are really worried speak to your gp who could refer you to a paediatric dietitian. In my experience alot of kids who have poor eating habits as kids carry them on as teenagers . Giving in to them is a big mistake - i have learnt this from my own kids , i have 3 teenagers who eat most things because I practiced what i preached ! It may sound harsh but if they do not eat a meal and you take it away most kids will eventually eat - the worst thing to do is give them choccies and crisps.
If they live on a diet of rubbish it doesnt mean they will get diabetes but they may have a higher chance of being over wt which can lead to it.
