Is it normal for pre teens to eat so much?

Question

Before people say obviously or anything else, note I am a step mom of just 2 years so I’m genuinely looking for advice lol. My step daughter is 11, almost 12 and eats SO much. Breakfast, lunch, after school snack, 2-3 servings of dinner, and evening snack. I only let her have 2nd’s from dinner if there’s enough for everyone to be able to. I just feel like all the snacks are so much. She’s constantly eating. She lives with us full time but when she lived with her mom they didn’t get home cooked meals and she didn’t buy them snacks they enjoy. When her and her brother go to moms on weekends they eat out or come back starving. My step son is 13 and doesn’t eat as much, he rarely finishes his lunch and eats 1 serving of dinner and sometimes 1 snack. She is on the bigger side, not overweight per doctor but is 110 and 4’9ish, in junior size clothing. I don’t want to say anything because I struggled with eating disorders and her mom has made her “diet” from age 9 which I am SO against. I just feel so mean when I say “let’s wait til later to eat” or “we can’t afford to be eating so much” when we can. :/ Also I cook healthy, she packs a healthy lunch, but her snacks are typically popcorn or goldfish or Mac n cheese. Maybe I should replace those for fruits and veggies?

Answer

Maybe you could try a rule- she has to eat a healthy snack before a “fun” snack. 
Make a spot in the fridge or pantry that has all acceptable snacks - clementines, yogurt, grapes, etc.... then have a bin of the “choice” snacks. 
She may not be hungry enough after filling up on nutrients or protein, or she may be eating as an activity (like I do) and will be satisfied with the first snack

Answer

So I dont have teens yet, but I do remember when I was about that age, I felt like a bottomless pit, and even got a little extra meat on me, to where my mom would poke my belly and tell me " thats not cute, boys dont like that." But within the next 6 months I ended up starting my period, and then over time things just mellowed out and the extra pounds fell off, I didnt eat so much and I was good, my younger sister did the same thing. So maybe its her hormones. Idk just my thoughts.

Answer

Yes it’s absolutely normal, especially if she’s into sports. Puberty can also make people hungrier as well. Just keep a lot of healthy snack options and maybe she should be eating 5-6 smaller meals a day.

Answer

If shes in basketball then you have literally nothing to worry about. The dinner portions is normal. When I was that age I literally ate more than my father at dinner. And mac and cheese and gold fish arwnt going to hurt her😂 these people are weirddd

Answer

I think its pretty normal at this age but I also like what another commenter said about having a snack drawer with healthy things to choose from. Also I think that you should try having her drink a glass of water before every snack and meal, a lot of the time when people snack constantly their bodies actually need water.

Answer

Yes my daughter is 11 almost 12!! And she eats none stop pretty much lol she just started a few months back!

Answer

Our rule for snacks are between meals unless I’ve prepared a snack like made muffins, or something that they can have as much fruit or vegetables as they want to eat as long as it’s not within an hour of another meal. So we keep lots of fruits and vegetables on hand but don’t keep prepared snacks like chips, granola bars, goldfish etc. I have regular crackers and will prepare cut up cheese and meat for them every once in a while for a prepared snack. High carb snacks won’t keep them full for long.

Answer

She’s, it’s normal for her to eat a lot... but sounds like what she’s eating is unhealthy. Try having more healthy snacks in the house for her..... fruits and vegetables and nuts and things. Some of my healthy go to’s are like, carrots with hummus, dried seaweed (doesn’t sound good, but theyre like chips honestly haha), figs and macadamia nuts.

Answer

My son was such a light eater until he joined football. More the kid could eat all day if I let him! We switched him to 5-6 smaller meals during the day and that helped. Basically he just eats a ton if protein,  he's not into fruits and only likes select veggies 🤦‍♀️
If this is her first time in a sport then that explains it. Get rid of the goldfish and mac cups,  stock up on some good protein bars,  nuts,  and yogurt. That plus the working out will help her and I bet she feels better for it.

Answer

Yes preteens eat a ton. My older kids are  all borderline overweight so I'm having to tell them NO to alot of the snacks they want, but trying to offer healthier things that they still find appealing. Also trying to  encourage a large glass of water before meals so they feel a little full sooner.

Is it normal for pre teens to eat so much?

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