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Understanding Portion Sizes

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Written by Staff Writer

One of the most important things we can do for our children is help them develop a healthy relationship with food.

A recent survey by the British Nutrition Foundation puts into perspective how parents set portion sizes for their children and calls for better guidance in this area of nutrition.

Are We Eyeing Portions Correctly?

A survey conducted throughout Great Britain revealed that over one in two parents (57%) relies on ‘visual estimation’ when serving food. Only 15% measure portions, while 14% base the measurement on package instructions. Regarding judging how much their children should eat, 51% of parents estimate their kids’ eating habits and another 16% by kids serving themselves.

What’s on Our Plates?

Turning the mirror on their eating behaviours, 20% of parents confess to eating until full, while another 12% admit to eating leftovers even after they no longer feel hungry. So the question remains: Are we leading our kids to listen to their own hunger cues, or are we teaching them to clean their plates?

Shockingly, 37% of parents always make their children finish everything on their plates, and another 23% do this sometimes. Encouraging children to listen to their bodies is vital for their long-term relationship with food.

Confidence in Portion Choices

Interestingly, almost two-thirds of parents, 63%, report that they are confident in their selection of portion sizes for their children, while nearly a third, 32%, say they’re not. This means more resources and support are needed on the issue. Confidence aside, a paltry 8% rely on guidelines or portion charts to help them know what’s right for their kids.

The first taste of s’mores that one of my children had ever had - we cooked the marshmallows over some hot coals and had a blast.

Second Helpings and Snacks

The survey also examined children’s snacking habits outside of mealtimes: 48% of parents reported that their children request seconds at least once a week, while 21% have seconds two to three times a week. 77% indicated that their children like dessert or pudding at least once a week after dinner.

When it comes to snacking, 88% of parents report that their child snacks between meals every week, while 38% do so every day. This is far more common for younger children: 49% of parents of children under four report snacking daily.

Seeking Guidance

A quarter of parents (28%) want more information on how much a healthy portion size is for their children. Younger parents, particularly those aged 25-34, want more information: 42% want more support compared with 27% of parents aged 35-44 and just 17% of those aged 45-54.

Final Thoughts

Results from this survey again outline that portion sizes have to be clear, enabling the facilitation of healthy eating patterns in children. Increased awareness of what is served and a respectful attitude to cues on hunger and fullness will lay the foundation for eating patterns in the future.

For more information about portion sizes and some helpful resources, refer to the British Nutrition Foundation website.

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