S/O: Do you "cut off"?

[Inspired by Reggio]

Ya for me I let them eat as much as they want - within reason.... i do not cook processed foods high in fat or sodium or fillers and i serve minimum high carb foods only in moderation anyway.

So I serve a balance first serving and if they are asking for more of the carb without having eaten the protein/fruit/vege portion on their plate they do not get seconds of anything until the plate is empty ... if they are truly hungry IMO they should willingly eat what is on their plate ... if their plate is empty I serve more of everything until what I prepared is gone ... of they are not willing to do that they are not truly hungry but just wanting extra of what they like.

So yesterday I served Taco salad and my crew of 4 ate two heads of lettuce, pound ground turkey with seasonings , 2 cups shred cheese, a pepper, a onion, pint cherry tomatoes and 1/4 bag Tostitos and salsa dressing ...I had intended to be able to prep once eat twice with that but they ate the entire salad so no leftovers for my lunch let alone for dinner salads for family...other days that same salad would have had leftovers but we spent the morning at the park - they worked up an appetite!

Many of my crew have appetites larger than my spouse who is 6'8" tall 250 pound retired army workout king ... none of my crew are over weight though ... we are just very active and burn through those calories.

Life is about common sense and balance ... if my crew were gaining weight and becoming obese I would certainly back serving more lower calorie options ... however TWO of my biggest eaters are not even at the midrange weights let alone top...been actually hoping one of them who is well over 40 inches would get to the 40 pound mark to allow him the option of the highback booster some days ... but alas sitting at 35 pounds forever!!

There is a difference too in allowing a child to eat 4 eggs and eating 4 bagels for example ... Eggs only have 70 calories each and 15 gram protein while a bagel is 300 cal and 54 carbs ... the eggs will take more calaries to digest than they are while the bagel turns to sugar in the system and the extra gets stored as fat!

[Spixie33]

This is a great question.
I have a 1 year old who is eating everything and anything and eating me out of house and home - lol I thought she would be the tiniest eater but she never seems to get full so I am often filling her bowl/plate at least 2-4 times a meal...same with snacks. She is never just done the first round.

As for my other kids - it depends on what we are having. Things like Spaghetti or lasagna will likely go 2 servings min for each kid because they just love it so much and keep asking for more. Sometimes I literally have to show them the pot/serving dish is totally cleared out and say ;sorry there isn't any more.' There are days where it feels like none of them are getting food at home. lol

I also wonder if I should be allowing them that many servings. I know another provider in my area gives one serving and then tells them that is all and they have to wait for snack. I am not sure I could do that and let a child cry or become upset or say they are hungry and I just say no.

I always give them more or offer another fruit or something if things get too tough. I estimated my meals for taxes at $7 a day but I am really thinking I am waaaaaay above that and the cost of food just keeps going up.