? for Kimmer...@ Teenagers

[Maggy]

Kimmer, I have read that you have teenage boys and was wondering if they also eat L/C? ..and what type of healty food do you keep around? I noticed your answer in the Tab thread, that the cans would be "cool" for your boys and I totally understand that!! I have two teenage girls who need to lose a little and although they do okay for a while, they inevitably give in to what their friends are eating along with the sodas, etc. I want them to eat healthy, and at home they do...I keep NO junk in the house! Do your boys eat well or indulge occasionally? Did they ever have a weight problem? Sorry for all the questions...but any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated.
I read through all your posts and have learned soooo much from you! Thank you for all the support you give everyone here!!

[Lisa Rae]

Maggy,

I know your wating for Kimmer..but thought I'd just post this little hint via drinks

My son just turned 13 and has been doing maintenence levels of Atkins since he was 7. He has done an amazing job! anyway..we buy a case of the flavored waters at Smart and Final. I keep 2-3 bottles in the freezer. He takes one in the am..and buy his break for a snack..it has mostly melted. He liked the drinks..but didn't like them warm..so this has been great. In doing this..he also can refill his bottle at school, as he is a huge water drinker. Just a thought..now back to the Kimmer Show! (LOL)

[bprieto]

Bump.

[Maggy]

Thank you Lisa

[Maggy]

Bump for Kimmer.....

[GoodbyeKiss]

I have a high school student who is quite carb conscious, though she's doing more of a Sugar-Busters kind of diet than Atkins. For the most part, she's content with "whole foods."

Because of her age and level of physical activity (she's at practice or games 15 hours a week and at dance 6 hours a week), I really focus on helping her make good food choices and being conscious of carb counts rather than having her adhere to a specific diet. She rarely drinks soda, and is more inclined to "munch" on almonds than chips or other junk.

She will eat popcorn at the movies, but today she asked for a bottled water rather than a soda. She does like a dish of (lower carb) ice cream now and then, and she does look forward to dessert on special occasions. Her big temptation is corn chips and salsa---so I only have them around if we're entertaining. If I make a low-carb cheesecake, I have to count on her eating a slice a day (especially if I make Key Lime).

Her team had a sleepover last night and they had pizza, but it wouldn't surprise me if she scraped the toppings off and left behind the crust. She will often take her own beverages to sleepovers.

She always takes her own lunch to school.

Some of her basics are:
--"Lettuce sandwiches" (turkey or ham roll-ups using lettuce leaves, cheese)
--HALF a turkey or ham sandwich made with whole grain bread, cheese, lettuce, tomato and avocado
--HALF a whole wheat bagel with cream cheese, smoked salmon and tomato
--Two mini whole wheat pitas stuffed with with baked tofu and hummus
--Blue Bunny Light (Splenda Sweetened) Yogurt and a salad
--DaVinci's flavored Yo-Cheese

She always has some kind of fresh fruit (in my fridge right now I have pineapple, strawberries, grapes, cantaloupe and watermelon). On game days, she takes a second fruit that doesn't require a container (apple, peach, pear, etc.).

As "extras" she'll take:
--Macadamia Nuts or Almonds
--Snack Pack Pudding or Gelatin (No aspartame---they're Splenda sweetened)
--Low Carb Cheesecake

I find that having "good choices" prepared and easily accessible really facilitates "smart eating." I have melons and pineapple cut up and ready-to-eat in the fridge. I always have nuts (usually almonds). Leftovers from dinner (pork chops, pot roast, salmon, etc.) are cubed and ready to be added to salads for lunch.

DD doesn't have a weight problem---she's about 5'.5 1/2" and weighs about 117. But if she wasn't so physically active and conscientious about what she eats, she would have a problem (like her mother!).

[Kimmer]

Originally Posted by Maggy

Kimmer, I have read that you have teenage boys and was wondering if they also eat L/C? ..and what type of healty food do you keep around? I noticed your answer in the Tab thread, that the cans would be "cool" for your boys and I totally understand that!! I have two teenage girls who need to lose a little and although they do okay for a while, they inevitably give in to what their friends are eating along with the sodas, etc. I want them to eat healthy, and at home they do...I keep NO junk in the house! Do your boys eat well or indulge occasionally? Did they ever have a weight problem? Sorry for all the questions...but any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated.
I read through all your posts and have learned soooo much from you! Thank you for all the support you give everyone here!!

Thank you, what a nice comment! I hope many parents will post on this thread because I think it's really valuable to have insight from different families.

The thing is I'm a foster mom and I feed these boys differently than I fed my own bio kids. So often these kids have enormous emotional turmoil and very strong identification with food. For many kids food was in short supply and they "hoard" (even hide stuff in their bed). The stuff they hoard they don't even eat, it's like a hamster saving for bad times. These are the kids that are first in line at dinner and will shove another kid out of the way for the biggest piece.

What's the difference? For my bio kids I cooked healthy lower fat foods with smaller high carb "sides" and whole grain breads. Between meal snacks was fresh fruit from the big basket on the kitchen table. Rarely did we have dessert, but occasionally ice cream or I'd bake a treat. About once a week, fast food or pizza. Beverages were milk or iced tea, although my older son loves water (go figure!)

For my foster kids I cook foods that kids like because I want them to eat. They have enough stress without worrying "is she going to make something weird for dinner" ... and food is a definite comfort for these kids. The fresh fruit bowl is still there, although few kids eat any except my bio son. I make LOTS of food and there's always enough for seconds. Everyone serves themselves, no one "has" to eat anything and I make NO COMMENT about nutrition, except maybe to mention the vitamins or phytonutrients in the veggie. I do not talk about carbs. They would think you're speaking Greek if you asked them what "ketosis" is. These are kids with generally poor self esteem and the last thing they need is something to obsess about. I do serve whole wheat breads & rolls, although they would prefer Wonder.

Monthly I have to weigh & measure height for each boy which I do separately and privately so there's no comparing.

But to answer your question, it's so rough being a teenager today. Frankly, I don't think I'd have the guts, LOL! There's other threads about ideas for teens that you might enjoy, but this is what I would do:

1) Sit down with your daughters (or take them out to lunch) and briefly describe low carb. I wouldn't get into "ketosis" because kids obsess enough as it is and they'll need something flexible that works with their social schedule.

2) Ask for their help in planning dinner menus, what to have on hand for breakfast (check the "breakfast" threads for quick ideas) and how they think LC can fit into lunch since it's a "public" meal with their friends.

3) I'm not real keen on artificial sweeteners for kids, but I'm even a less a fan of obesity. So, if it's the lesser of two evils I'd go with diet soda. Ask your daughters which types they would like. Show them that 3 sodas a day is XX carbs (and XX calories a day), but diet soda is nil. We recently bought a 12 pack of the new Diet Rite grape and berry sodas ... taste good, the can design doesn't scream "diet soda". So would the no sugar Tab Energy.

4) How do they feel about LC or dieting? What I notice is that teen girls at normal weight seem to enjoy "dieting" or talking about it, while overweight teens tend to find it embarrassing. If they're OK with dieting that makes life easier, but if not it's harder and you'll have to find a way that they can eat the right stuff away from home without them feeling "everybody's looking at me!"

5) Plan what they want on hand at home for snacks or to keep in their backpack if they get hungry at school ... especially that crazed "I'm starving" period when they get home from school (or is that just boys, LOL?) I would buy low cal salad dressings, not full fat, if your girls like dips for their veggies or frequent salads. Air popped popcorn might be good, minus butter.

6) Adding activity would also help and be fun, too. You might check the community center or YWCA for hip hop dance classes or sports if they enjoy them. Any sports activities at school that they like? Cheer? Softball? Tennis?

You're a good mom to be concerned!

[bprieto]

Kimmer,
Thanks for your thoughtful reply.

[Philmontienne]

Kimmer, your foster teens are lucky to have you!

Your relaxed attitude about their eating sounds just right. How many guys do you usually have at once and for how long?

[Maggy]

Kimmer,
I can't thank you enough for your reply...and what a wonderful thing to take in foster boys, and care so much for their emotional needs!!! You never cease to amaze me!!:humble:

My girls are 15 and 17...and yes they have talked about wanting to L/C....they each have @ 18# to lose. I know for most on this board that may not seem like much, but to a teen it's the difference between and 11 and a size 7 jeans. They are both active, well my younger DD not so much now...but my older DD cheers 8 months a year...practice 6x per week. The thing is I just didn't get "educated" early enough to stop the high carb eating. They grew up on pasta, bread,etc..and "low fat" stuff. Boy, what I wouldn't give to go back in time and discover this WOE for them!

My 17yr old just joined the Y...asked for it for her b'day gift...so it's not that she is not trying...younger one has expressed interest but not quite "there" yet. I have no junk in the house...buy them diet soda occasionally..mostly water and fruit 2o and they are fine with that. I guess I've done ok so far as they haven't asked for chips, cookies or anything for over a year(since I've been l/cing)...but it's the darn social stuff with their friends on the weekend that does it....and that's why I totally got the "cool" can thing...my girls hate to carry around diet AND caffeine free, which is what I buy ...when all their friends are able to indulge in all the high sugar, high carb "crap" and still wear size 2's!! It's frustrating for them...and it's my fault for raising them what I thought was "harmless" carbs in the 80's and 90's...so I think they are always going to have a tough time with them.

I do try to have things ready for them after school....and YES..girls are just as famished as boys when they get home.)...i do celery and cream cheese or pb...turkey club roll ups...shrimp scampi..pepperoni "chips".deviled eggs..dinner is usually chicken or fish with a salad or occasionally Dreamfields pasta..I suppose I should be happy that they will eat these things.but they just can't seem to stick with it! But I will keep trying, just wish the weekend would not come sometimes I appreciate all you help and I will continue to listen to your great advice.

Thank you also Lisa and Goodbyekiss...you're so nice to respond also!

OH BTW...I got my popsicle molds Saturday and started making the Diet Rootbeer and Crystal lite ones. so far so good, and will continue to experiment with these also! I'm having chicken and salad for dinner...they had mozzarells sticks today for a snack when they got home(I made them yesterday and are breaded w/ half L/C breadcrumbs and parm cheese) and had them w/ a little heinz one carb ketchup...

Thank you again guys, this board is a huge help to me!!
Keep telling my girls that you are learning to eat for the rest of your life...just b/c your friends can eat junk and are skinny doesn't mean they will stay like that!!

Kimmer...do u think I ruined their metabolism by eating so high carb b4?????