Any tips on getting my 8 year old daughter to eat faster?

Question

It's getting to the point where we hate to take her out to eat, because we know we'll be at the restaurant forever. We give her mostly healthy foods, and she's an otherwise fairly well behaved child. She's just REALLY pokey at the table.

She spends about 90 minutes at the table on average, whether we are at home or away. It's not just for convenience's sake, but I really am tired of being late to everything she does (school, karate, play practice, church, ect...). Every meal is the same, but supper seems to be the worst. If I pack it up and tell her we'll eat it later, she's hungry in aobut 30 minutes.

Answer 1

I understand that it is probably very frustrating. However, I would probably stay away from trying to make her eat faster, because if it works to well it could be bad for her. Studies have shown that there are links between eating too fast and being over weight. It takes us a while after we eat the food to feel full and if you are still shoveling it in you could eat a lot before you get the fullness sensation. If it is just about her being picky, try letting her pick the where you go to eat so you know there will be something she will like.

Answer 2

It is better to make her a bit hungry when going out in restaurants, give her just enough food in smaller amounts, otherwise, you can always bring home her left over.
At home, it is also not a goid idea to eat faster, food has to be digested whence she is eating.

The problem is while she is eating she seem to be playful and not even putting the food into her mouth.. She seem to be imagining or her thoughts are far awa..

My six yr old grandson is like that,, as if his thoughts are not on the table or on the food he is eating but somewhere else..

Answer 3

Plan for something special after dinner. Just something to make a big todo over, even though it may be nothing much. Plan the dinner (a bit) around her schedule.

Sometimes it's okay for the grown-ups to eat a bit slower too.

Enjoy the meal, but have hers sent out as soon as possible to give her a head start.

Barring all else...get a sitter.

Answer 4

Remember an adult can scoff down the food pretty fast. asking her to keep up with you is not going to do anyone any good. Portions for 8 year olds at most restaurants are the same size as portions for 40 year old men. Maybe sharing her plate and removing any distractions from your table would benefit you both.

Answer 5

My nine yearold is the same way. I really don't mind that much because it's better to eat slower, but two hours is a bit much. I usually let her order what she wants with the understanding that she has to eat what she gets. Then, if everyone else is done and she has made a good effort, I get a box to take it home. Don't worry about it, it just makes it worse.... and who knows, they may both grow out of it yet!

Answer 6

Well as slow is slow ?
Is hard to figure out are slow your daughter is , I don't see here eating.
But did you know if you eat fast and don't sew your food properly that not good for the human body,
And eating to fast that increase the chance to get over weight .
Because your stomach don't have time to figure that's enough food.
Well if you don't believe it check with your Doc.
Today everything is fast ,Work,shopping event Sex .
No one take time to enjoy the moment in life.
Maybe you find your daugther eat fast because you are in the hurry to do other stuff?
Thing about all that and check it with your Doctor or other professional .

That only my personal opinion
Have a great day

Answer 7

For the aid of digestion,is why I'm guessing she eats slower...my older daughter 10 eats slowly to...she told me food sits in her belly better if she doesn't rush to eat. There is also a condition,not sure the name...but some younger children have it,they have a hard time swallowing,there's alittle flap of tissue in the throat that makes it hard for some to swallow,it's a simple day surgery to fix it. I wish I could remember the name of it dang it.....anyways ask your daughter if she has a hard time swallowing,have your family doc take a look at her.and go from there......

Answer 8

I wouldn't try to mess with her eating habit for convenience purposes only. It's actually smart to eat slowly, and some people need to eat even slower than others to avoid long term health issues.

You didn't say how long you want her to spend eating the meal.

Answer 9

Well if you ask me, don't force her to eat. Everybody has their own way of doing things. My best friend is the same, he eats slow. But I don't argue about it because I respect him. If that's how he does it, then ok thats great I see no harm in it. Hope this helped. peace and all good to your family.

Answer 10

I had 7 children, and it always seems the girls were the slowest. Basically it is nothing to worry about. Even at he table at home they were always the slowest. It is a stage they go through, in a year or two you wish you would never had said anything :) :) lol! My sister Beth we use to call" pokey" she was slower than a seven year itch=when she moved it was taking her time. She moved out of that stage-as we had 3 boys and 3 girls in our family, we also owned a 950 Acre farm and therefore , we had to move quickly through our chores etc. She always wanted to be like me and my brothers and get on the tractor and plow, springtooth, plant, disc, harrow, bail hay and straw- My mother use to be on her case always, because in those days the girls were trained from day one to cook, take care of family, and homemaking-my mom finally gave up on her and Dad-"God rest his soul" was tough as nails, as taught her the farm life-of course us boys always felt she was in our way! :) :) We always considered her a" odd duck", but she could whip that tractor around like it had power steering, shift those tractors and drive them like silk-she was smooth-all of a sudden she was faster than a deer running through the w oods, the way she took on to the farm. Of course later in life she was accepted as one of the boys, and of course we boys protected her. "Over protected her really", But do not worry she will get faster-some children just like to taste and take their time eating. She will grow out of it...