Please if you can suggest any thing for the food situation I would be so grateful

[Guest]

Hi, hoping for some suggestions that may help me and my little lady. Millie is going to be 8 in August, she is the baby girl I never dreamt I’d have.

Let me give you a quick breakdown since she came into this world, after a horrific pregnancy and an even worse delivery, she was beautiful and all mine.

Dad was at delivery but spent barely any time with us as he was busy outside chatting to his girlfriend ( whom I knew nothing about ). Millie developed viral meningitis at just 6 weeks old, I had a 2 year, dad was still no where to be found but eventually turned up.

I had to send my 2 year old round to our neighbours who were pensioners, to look after him as I was so scared that he would see me and Millie go off in an ambulance and not know what to think. Millie was then found to have a hole in her heart, later on followed a leaking aortic valve, one kidney not working and so on and on.

Millie loves her food and it breaks my heart to think that she may grow up to be like me she is only a bit overweight but she is very tall for age. She will eat most of her meals, not that they are very big but it is the snacking, can you guys give me any idea on what to try, different snacks.

She’s already being called fat in school and that breaks both mine and Millie’s heart. Dad had a double life and was see another woman, I finally had it confirmed when Millie was just over two and my little man nearly 4.  I’m still a single mum of nearly 6 years, but all that matters is my little people, please if you can suggest any thing for the food situation I would be so grateful xx

I agree exercise is a major factor however I have a list of illnesses that limit everything I used to do which breaks my heart that I’m so limited on which activities we can do, even swimming. I work full time to keep a roof over our heads xx

[Kirsten]

Have you looked at sending her to swimming/dance/gymnastics...etc.. lessons? That way she gets the excerise but you don't have to do things you can't do?

Know these things cost money but there are often local council run session at leisure centres or our council does special classes after school to encourage kids to get active and they are very reasonably priced. Getting her active is really the key as well as filling up on healthy meals and snacks.

[Grace]

Bless you, no matter how much exercise you do you cannot out exercise an unbalanced diet/ intake and my god I wish I had been told that along time ago!! Try even just offering her things even if she leaves it just let her know it's there and she can poke and pull it if cautious to try new things. Maybe ask her if she has any ideas to design her own snacks?

We normally try and balance so packet of crisps or biscuits but have handful of grapes/ carrot sticks/ apple slices. Picky plate can be useful/ tinned fruit/ rice cakes/ ham or chicken slices in a 50/50 wrap.

[Jade]

I have health problems, so have never really been able to do any physical activities with my daughter. But she does activities that can be done alone with guidance swimming lessons, gymnastics, indoor climbing and a variety of other activities. She even tried weightlifting for awhile.

[Dana]

Try to stop focusing on the weight and only on her health, I have a very picky overly skinny eater and a larger young lady who I consider in all my food choices. Make food fun and educate them while getting them to help with meal prep and snack choices.

I teach my kids what nutrients they get from eating different fruits and veg which get chopped to make rainbow boxes for snacks, I have an open fruit bowl they can help themselves to whenever they are peckish and I just don’t have the sugar laden processed snacks in the house they are not convenient they are making our kids fat and unhealthy.

And don’t fall into the sweetener trap they make the brain crave more food, find a few good biscuit/cookie recipes and switch some of the sugar out for applesauce/banana which are naturally sweet, brownies are great for this too. Well done for taking control and really stepping up for your family, you got this momma, and at 11 my young lady is growing through without developing food issues or emotional issues because of it.

[Paul]

If she is only eight try not to worry too much or worry her too much about her weight. As long as you keep her diet varied and main meals balanced and she's eating enough. Focusing too Much on diet and weight at her age isn't healthy. As the others have said, physical activity will keep her fit and build her confidence.

Anything that she enjoys, keep it fun for her. After that, her weight will Take care of itself as she gets older. If you are unable to improve her self esteem then you should speak to your doctor who can recommend lines of support like talking therapies which can help put things us perspective. All. The best with it. I am sure with such a caring supportive mum, she will be fine. Xx

[Gemma]

My daughter has always been big for her age and a little overweight but now age 9 she’s in proportion. I feel when they are big for their age the weight holds for them to grow into a little. I have a snack area that she can help herself to which is all fruit, cucumber sticks, boiled eggs, and then a treat drawer that’s just for now and then.

I made slightly more dinner so she could have a little more later and made sure of healthy homemade meals. No sugary drinks or drinks with sweetners and try and avoid anything with seed oils (rapeseed oil is in practically everything these days) as this messes with your body.

Get her involved in cooking too, teaching her what each food item is good for. My daughter was keen to eat broccoli for example for her lungs.

Enjoy the journey of food discovery together, learn together

[Katy]

As a person with heart issues myself, the best thing she can do is exercise. Forget the food, keep her moving. You can be fat and healthy, and you can be skinny and unhealthy. She needs to keep those heart muscles nice and strong. A fitbit really does help, kids love tech. You can monitor her heart rate, set goals etc.

I also hear you when you say you're doing this on your own. You're doing a fantastic job, under difficult circumstances. Stay strong mama x

[Linda]

Arts and crafts on the days you are unable to go out and about, something she can sit down and do her self, make pictures, painting, diamond art is really good and cheap. My daughter likes it, keep her busy and not think about snacking. I find that if my daughter is bored, she will snack more. X

[Joanne]

Can she do any after school clubs they are usually quite cheap to sign up for?

My daughter has found a love for gymnastics so I’ve just put her in 2 classes a week. Something she can do herself with an instructor and make friends with and you don’t have to do the activity with her? My daughter has a very sweet tooth so this is something we struggle with. But she can have one sweet thing after her dinner.

I think depriving her will make her likely to binge when she does get something sweet. But I always do a big fruit plate or oat bars are good.

The other thing is now it’s nicer weather even taking her to the park while u sit and watch? Fresh air does u both good. Another thing is getting a trampoline for the garden if u have one.

My daughter is always on there. These are the things that have helped me and my daughter. She will never be skinny but I’d rather she was healthy and happy than focus too much on making diet a massive issue as this can lead to eating disorders.
Good luck sounds like your doing an amazing job.