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Help! They're Stuffing Me!

Saving Money Through Portion Control

By Jill Cooper, Frugal Living Expert

Pages: 1 2 3 4

Many parents wonder why small children resist eating everything on their plates. What if you were given double portions at every meal? When parents press kids to keep eating when they are full, they inadvertently encourage obesity. When deciding how much food to give your kids, start small and work your way up. Remember, if they eat what is on their plates you can always give them more. If they consistently ask for seconds, then increase their portions.

Use the same method for drinks. Even a small sippy cup should only be filled half full. This not only reduces the amount that you throw away, but it also reduces the losses from spills. I once heard a mom say she always bought two gallons of milk instead of just one. One gallon was for the kids to drink and the other was for them to spill.

Another great way to save a lot of money is to give children more water. In addition to serving children overly large portions, failing to give them enough water leads to obesity. At this point, many parents point out that young children need lots of mlk and juice. That is true to a degree, but consider this: The USDA recommends 12 ounces of milk per day for children under 4. That is equal to two sippy cups. Before you fill those two sippy cups, remember kids get milk from other sources, too, including milk with their cereal and cheese on their sandwiches. Ask any doctor and he will tell you most people are not getting enough water.

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