The food saga... and a small ranting :)

I've been reading that toddlers are suppose to get about 1000-1300 calories a day. I'm always worried that Luke isn't eating enough so today I thought I would keep up with what he ate and approximately how many calories he took in. Here is today:

Breakfast: 8:15 am
Wholewheat Blueberry Waffle- 85
Kiwi- 56
6 oz juice- 100

TOTAL- 141

Morning Snack: 10:15 am
Mini box of raisins- 42
1/2 of a 100 calorie pack of cheese nips- 50
Water

TOTAL- 92

Before lunch total: 333 calories

Lunch: 12:15 pm
1/2 'chicken' nugget (they are soy chicken nuggets)- 24
1/2 c whole milk- 75
1/8 of a piece of whole grain bread w/ butter- 12
Total: 111
*He was actually offered 2 chicken nuggets, a slice of toast w/ butter, peas and milk.. but he didn't even touch his peas.

After Lunch Total- 444

Afternoon Snack: 4:00 pm
Oatmeal Apple Raisin Bar - 120
1/2 c of whole milk- 75
Total- 195

After Snack Total- 639

Supper: 6:00 pm
cheese toast (2/3 rds of it)- 130
1/4 c green peas
1/4 c grapes- 30
1/2 c milk- 75
Total- 263

After Supper Total- 902

Night snack: 7:30pm (He usually wants a little snack about an hour before bed)
1/2 100 calorie pack cheese nips- 50
1/2 banana-54
Total- 104

DAILY TOTAL- 1006

You would think that after 6 'meals' he would be getting enough calories!! The absolute minimum is 1000, so he is just above that. They (APA) say to multiply the height in inches by 40 calories and that's roughly how many calories the child needs. Well, Luke was 32 inches at 12 months, which was almost 6 months ago! 32x40 = 2800! I know most toddlers like to 'graze' and will eat more food if offered in small amounts throughout the day (which is what I am trying to do!!) The times he eats varies but most days it's about every 2 hours he's munching on something. I've tried giving him less for snack but then he just seems to be cranky because he's hungry! And I am trying super hard to make sure that what goes in his little body counts! Yes, I could give him 3 chocolate chip cookies and he'd go over his limit but that's not the nutrition he needs! He, as you can see, loves his fruits! He was offered peas twice today but only ate them at supper time. He does get some veggies in his juice... it's V8 Fusion... but don't tell him! I'm not sure how good he's eating.. but I think if I only ate what he eats I'm sure I'd lose some weight!!

Below is the Oatmeal Apple Raisin Bar recipe (but I will warn you.. they aren't that good! Very bland and not sweet at all!) But who knows there may be some mom out there who is like me and wants to give their kids something healthy! They are about 120 calories each. Next time I may add chopped walnuts to up the calorie intake for him. Oh and the recipe that I adapted them from says they freeze well.

Oatmeal Apple Raisin Bar
1 1/2 c quick rolled oats
1/4 c whole wheat flour
4 mini boxes of raisins
1/4 c orange juice
1 TBS honey
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 c apples, shredded

Preheat oven to 375. Mix all ingredients together. Let set for 10 minutes. Spread mixture into an 8x8 baking dish that has been sprayed with non stick cooking spray. Bake for 25 minutes or until top is slightly brown. Cut into 12 bars while still warm.

Like I said, Luke liked them, and that's what counts! He even called them a cookie... that just goes to show that the poor child doesn't get real cookies very often! And while I'm on the subject.. I would like to add that at times, in my short span of motherhood, have felt the need to defend myself for feeding my child healthy foods.. and more so for not feeding my child unhealthy foods. But recently I was thinking about it and thought to myself, "How ridiculous Crystal!! You are his mother and responsible for him! If someone thinks you're crazy for being careful about what he eats (i.e.: taking good care of him} then who cares!" I should not have to defend why my son has never eaten a sucker (ok, so he has licked one on 2 different occasions but was never allowed to finish even half of it!), has only had ice cream twice, has never had a pop tart or a fruit loop! Yes, I am the mother who made low sugar carrot cake cupcakes on his birthday! I am the mother who gave her son 'dessert' baby food for Easter (he was only 10 months old!). My child is not suffering, I promise. His daddy even gave him a few M&M's the other night! Ok, just had to get that out.
BTW, I'm not trying to offend anyone who gives their children pop tarts or the like. Seriously!
:)