Concerned about DD's eating

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-14-2006
Concerned about DD's eating
17
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 2:45pm

I'm not sure if I need to worry about this or not.

As background - my DD16 was overweight from about age 6 until age 11 or 12. At 11, the pediatrician told us he was concerned. Through trial and error, we've found that the WeightWatchers program has the right amount of structure and flexibility for her and her lifestyle. In addition, she's made a concerted effort in the past 3-4 years to increase excercise, and she's gone from someone who could barely walk a mile with me to a really fit athlete (keeps up with DH in tennis, runs 1.25 miles easily, and is on Varsity Softball team). All this is good, and I'm so proud of her!!

She continues to talk about being "fat", but in reality she knows she's not.

What I worry about is does she eat enough? She was with my parents for two weeks, and I set my mom up to be a secret reporter - to see if I"m over-worrying. Mom says she thinks it's fine - that L is just someone who eats alot of veggies and has great self-control.

For anyone who knows WW - L's typical day is 15-17 points a day. By WW standards she should be closer to 20 or 22. Each "point" is roughly 50-70 calories - it's not a perfect relationship because it depends on fat and fiber, and veggies are "free". On a typical day, L eats

breakfast - WW english muffin, smart balance margarine, coffee wiht skim milk and equal
lunch - salad with fat-free dressing, water or diet soda
dinner - small portion of what cook, with attitude if it's too much pasta or cheese; salad or extra veggies

snacks may include - 94%fat free popcorn, Boca Burger (only the ones that are 80 calories or below), fruit, veggies

There is occasional variation here - she does eat sweets once in a while, but in small portions. I'm worried because it doesn't seem like enough food and not enough protein.

Whaddya think? And if you agree with me that it's not enough, how do I talk about it with her? I'm overweight myself, by 30 pounds or so, so I don't know if I have credibility with her about food issues! I've said I don't think it's enough protein, and she knows that I don't think it's enough overall, but it's hard to get further than that in the conversation. Yesterday she said she had been "shaky" during the day, and my first question was "did you eat today?"

Sorry this got so long.

I'm open to any and all input!
Sue

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-14-2000
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 10:15pm
You hit it right on at the end of your post - it definitely is an emotional issue.
Pam
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-25-2006
Fri, 08-31-2007 - 1:42am

It looks like, so far, only one poster thought your DD might be okay with her diet. If she would add more protein, as you suggested she might need, I'd be the second saying she's doing okay.

Her diet doesn't look a whole lot different than mine, with the exceptions of my eating a lot of nuts and drinking a quart of milk a day. I lost about 12#s the past year, not trying, but due to stress. But I am eating a whole lot more healthfully--very little junk food. When I'm super-busy and know I'm low on protein, I mix a soy-milk whey protein shake, or grab the nuts. (In the last hour I ate about 1/2 cup of 50% salt cashews and about a cup of low-salt peanuts.) Because I'm hypothyroid and 51, my MD ordered a bone density which turned out just fine--like in the top 1%ile. And I exercise regularly and take vitamins.

I do not think she needs to see an MD or a dietician unless the visit will convince her to add protein and take a multi if she doesn't already.

The questions Pam suggested you think about are very good ones. Like your DD, if I were going out to a burger joint I'd order a veggie burger or just a salad. (I had so much ground beef growing up as a kid--3X per week--I never have a desire for it, but will eat it if that's what's left over in the frig.) And I think that's the healthful choice, not necessarily the sign of an impending eating disorder.

It is tough getting teens to listen to us. DS17 refuses to take a multi and rarely eats fruits and veges. Good luck with your DD!

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http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/october/meet_the_new_health_.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQTBYQlQ7yM

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-24-2006
Fri, 08-31-2007 - 8:08am

Sue -

I've been on WW for almost 2 years first losing, now maintaining and I think her target points are low too. Does she eat her flex points and activity points? They have out a new quiz to take for points. I'm not sure if it's okay if I post the link or not, if it's not okay let me know and I will edit it out. It also says if your under 17 see your leader for information on your points. I believe they get more points. I would be concerned that she's not eating enough and that her metabolism is going to change. Good luck I worry about my dd eating enough too.

http://www.healthdiscovery.net/forums/showthread.php?t=170046&highlight=quiz

You may have to scroll down a little bit to get the questionnaire. I hope this is useful for you and your dd.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
Fri, 08-31-2007 - 9:42am

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That was my initial thought when you described her typical diet. There is not enough protien. Protien is vital to anyone, but especially to an athelete. It's the basic building block for muscle and soft tissue repair.

I strongly suggest having her speak with a sports nutritionist.

stacy

Avatar for weberdns0
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-25-2000
Fri, 08-31-2007 - 9:44am
From what I can see she is eating way below the points permitted for someone her age.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-14-2007
Sat, 09-01-2007 - 11:28am
I haven't read all of the responses so far. But I have been on WW several times, and am on it now. My first question is, where is her calcium? Is she drinking any milk or eating yogurt? That is so important at her age (and any other age, really). The points range sounds really, really low. Perhaps someone at WW could look at her food diary and see where she's lacking. I know they recommend a certain amount of protein, dairy products, fat, fruits and veggies, etc. per day. Even 20-22 points per day sounds low because that doesn't take into account the 35 extra points you get per week, so assuming she's not splurging sometime during the week, she should be closer to 25-27 points per day.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-17-2005
Sat, 09-01-2007 - 12:29pm

Hi Sue,


I don't have any btdt experience, my kids were blessed with

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