The "Two Fist" rule

[maribelle]

Hi all. I have a son, and my family and my husbands family all tend to be on the heavier side. I'm worried about my son's genetics, although he is fine right now...not too skinny, but by no means even chubby. I've heard his tummy is about the size of his two fists put together, and so I'm trying to keep his portions even and small enough that they would equal the size of his two fists. Does this sound alright?

A little funny besides: Everytime we go to visit someone, my son tells them "My mommy is on a diet, because she wants to get shorter!" He just can't seem to get it. ensive

[SanSSanity]

not really sure. I thought it was 1 fist but that may be the size of the heart lol But seems like ive seen some kind of commercial on tv for something saying that a childs stomach is the size of his fist. Might want to see if you can find any info about the tummy size on the net somewhere.

[book]

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/viewtopic.php?t=49050

not2late shared some info on sample portion sizes for different ages, it might help a little!

book

[maribelle]

Thank you! That explains why my son can't finish alot of what I give him. I think I remember the comercial having one fist too, I'll have to go look that up. Thanks for the link, Book.

[not2late]

The other "Rule of Thumb" for portion size is 1 tablespoon per year of age, especially true until around age 6. So for a 2 year old, a serving size of spinach is 2 tablespoons.

The "Rule of Thumb" for daily calories for ages 1-3 is 40 cals per every inch of height. So a child who is 30 inches tall, needs around 1200 cals daily.

This link has serving sizes for kids aged 4-6. 30 grams = 1 ounce.

http://www.health24.com/child/Nutrition/833-855,25358.asp

And here's another one with serving sizes for children

http://www.drugs.com/CG/NORMAL_DIET_FOR_CHILDREN___1_TO_11_YEARS_OF_AGE.html

[book]

So a child who is 30 inches tall, needs around 1200 cals daily.

which explains why my 40 inch granddaughter wants a snack every time I turn around. Portions are small, but calorie wise that is quite a few! Although yesterday she ate two flax pancakes plus a whole fried egg, when she finished the first cake and the egg and asked for another, I thought she would never finish it, but she did!

And kids have days where they eat a lot, and then days where they don't seem as hungry. All perfectly normal!


book

[2big4mysize]

Re: The "Two Fist" rule

remember we don't want to fill his tummy either just enoughto serve his growing needs and satisfy his hunger so he will not over eat when he gets biger cause he has room in his tummy for more food.

A little funny besides: Everytime we go to visit someone, my son tells them "My mommy is on a diet, because she wants to get shorter!" He just can't seem to get it. ensive

That is great. I told a bunch of 4yr olds i took to the zoo the aminals were on special diets so they could only feed the aminals the food provided in the petting zoo and only those animals. Took the kids back a few months later and this little boy says "have the elephants lost enough weight so I can feed them this time." started a whole conversation about how different types of aminals need to eat different foods and diet doesn't mean only weight loss eating plans.

[not2late]

Definitely agree with what 2big and book said.

Children have the abililty to eat enough to satisfy their energy needs. (Unfortunately, some of us lose that ability when we grow up and overeat :sadblinky ) Some kids will eat "little" for a few days and then eat a huge meal one day--totally normal.

[cypressgirl]

which explains why my 40 inch granddaughter wants a snack every time I turn around.

book

Goodness, book, you look so wonderfully young to have someone calling you GRANDMA! What an advertisement for this WOE you are!