Giving Slim-fast to children?

Question

Alrighty, I have been a nanny for a five year old little girl for a few years now, and just recently since she started Kindergarten her mother has been giving her slim-fast shakes for breakfast. This peterbs me.

On the bottle, it says to consult a doctor if you're under 18. They're christian scientists so they don't believe/trust doctors, so there's no way in hell I'll be able to get her to ask one. But my question is, is this healthy for her? I honestly couldn't imagine it is, because not only is slim-fast packed with chemicals, it's a WEIGHT LOSS supplement, and a five year old should be putting on weight and taking in as much nutrients as possible.


I've already voiced my opinion on this but her mother seemed to have just tossed it aside. Being this child's nanny for days at a time I feel necessary to be concerned about her nutritional upbringing.

Anyone have any other information? Thanks! =D

Thank you so much for the insightful comments. When I'm this child's nanny, I usually stay over night or a few consecutive nights and I do give her breakfast. The thing is, I am not there for this child every day, unfortunately. I am thinking about talking to a pediatrician off-the-record just to see what damage this could really do to her.

I love this little girl with my entire heart and soul. I've nannied her virtually her entire life and she means the world to me. I'd hate for her to end up hurt or sick just because of a drink.

I'm thinking about picking up a pack or two of nutri-pals or ensure and leaving it at the house just so she has free access to it. She is a very intelligent five year old and when I explained that it could hurt her, she told me that she'd refuse to take it anymore, but her mother can be very spiteful and manipulative, and not being a mother of my own, I doubt her mother would really listen to me.

Thanks.

Oh, and Wishmaster? They're CHRISTIAN SCIENTSTS! Not Scientologists.


However, in my humble opinion, both are nuts. *cough*

I --HAVE-- disposed of all the slim-fast I could find. There wasn't much left in the canister anyway. I threw it away outside just before the trash man came.


She is -not- overweight. She is VERY tall and filled out nicely. There would be no weight-loss reason for her to need a weight loss supplement.

Next time I am out at the store I will be picking up some kid-friendly nutritional drinks for her.

Answer 1

Good grief, does the mother have no common sense? SlimFast is made for adults as a weight loss aid, not as a replacement for a child's breakfast!

I would suggest buying her some Carnation Instant breakfast or Ensure (usually for seniors, but I think they have a childrens, too). Tell her mother that you saw these at the store and they have way more vitamins and minerals for a growing five year old than the slimfast - and I think they're cheaper, too. Hopefully she won't think you are stepping on her toes.

BLONDIE: Nutri-pals - thanks! That's what I was trying to think of... that would've driven me nuts all night...

Answer 2

Why in the world would there be a problem? Read the ingredients next to a can of Enfamil. The exact same nutrition word for word. Slim fast is NOT a weight loss supplement...look at how many fat people use it and DON'T lose weight. That's because they're not in a caloric deficit. She probably just wants her daughter to get a good source of micronutrients. Consider how stupid a child's diet is at least five days a week thanks to ignorance and public school.
***AVERAGE AMERICAN ELEMENTARY STUDENT: Breakfast (toaster strudel, doughnuts, sugary breakfast cereal [same nutrition facts as slim fast f.y.i.] an array of reputable fast food establishments, or the ever so popular NOTHING....mmmmm.)
Lunch ( hot dog meat, nachos, chicken nuggets &&other processed meats accompanied by canned vegitables, dessert and your choice of white or chocolate milk...or nothing.
Stfu && give the kid a scoop of slim fast.

Answer 3

I would consider Slim Fast a weight loss medication. I don't see how people who don't believe in doctors, would give there 5 year old daughter, a weight loss shake. They might as well buy her some Trimspa, and shove it down her throat for breakfast. These people are nuts, if your really worried about this child's health I would call child protective services, and see what they could do. Good Luck

Answer 4

that does not sound healthy. Maybe you could find a good alternative that is just as quick and easy as Slim-Fast. If I had to guess, I'd say the mom's giving it to her b/c it's fast and she can't be "bothered" (pesky kids...so demanding, right?) Or, she's obsessed that she has a "thin" child, and that she's not at all chubby, which is totally ok in Kindergarten
anyway, if you found something better, maybe she'd do that.
are you there for breakfast? Could you volunteer to fix/give her breakfast? I would think the poor grl gets hungry!!

Answer 5

No it's not safe, you are right to be concerned. SlimFast makes people go to the bathroom A LOT. That's how you really lose the weight. My MIL used to drink this all the time. It's not healthy and it's very irresponible for the mother to give the child this. It could also dehydrate her which can cause her to be very ill.

Answer 6

why don't you pick up a can of that pediasure(spelling?) its a safe healthy supplement for kids and see if the mother would be open to giving her daughter that. What she is doing now scientologist or not is slowly killing her daughter. If you are the nanny you have a legal and moral obligation to call the authorities.

Answer 7

You are right to be worried and I congratulate you on being a nanny and showing concern. I feel you should take this further or speak to a doctor confidentially, i would class this as abuse from the mother. Good luck

Answer 8

Ok I think it's great that you really are looking out for this child. This is what I would do...personal opinion only. I would literally REMOVE all the slimfast (or hide it from Mom) and act dumb when she ask you about it. Then I would replace it with a nutrional drink like you thought about doing. Now you don't mention if this child is overweight or not. Look at the link I posted below "IF" she is.

Answer 9

What if her child is obese??? If not then yes, I would say maybe dump it out and switch it for nestle quick chocolate powder, no big deal. But if the child has a high BMi it could be of concern and that isn't of concern of the nanny.

Answer 10

Use a vegetable bean dip for instance hummus instead of ranch dressing or maybe a fatty cream-based dip.