My 12 Year Old wants to loose weight, Help???

[sassy03]

Hi All, :help:

I have a 12 Year old boy who lives he is with his dad about 6 hours away. I have been telling him and preaching to him about the importance of being healthy and slim. I had a talk with him the other day over the phone, he's been getting teased in school, he has problems with gym, it's basically hard for him to loose weight also with the habbits his father has and what's around him. I sent him one of my atkins books and he's been reading it, also been interested in loosing the weight. He is very smart and has said to me he will dedicate himself to loosing the weight. I need some suggestions for him. Some prepared foods he can make in the micro, since his dad might not help him as much. I also need ideas on snacks and ways to include veggies. You know kids. I have made a list for groceries and his dad will be taking him to get them. Here it is:
*Alot of items are not induction friendly, Just want him to eat Low carb
eggs
precooked bacon
precooked sausage
LC Bread
hot dogs
cheeses
Wings
Ham
Sf Peanut Butter
Sf Jelly
Sf hot chocolate
LC ice cream
Green Beans(only veggie he likes)
Carb Countdown Choc milk
Pork Rinds
As time goes by I will be helping him add more healthy stuff.
Any ideas? Lunch at school is horrible, any pre made supermarket items you recomend? Any help will be appreciate it. Thank You.

[cnmLisa]

Don't forget the already roasted chickens at the supermarket.

Some people may get all hyped up that they may use sugar in either the marinade or outer seasonings, I have found that it has done nothing to hinder my weight loss and it is a quick grab and go meal.

Celery with ranch dip!

[Lisa N]

Depending on how bad his dessert habit is, don't forget sugar free jello and sugar free jello pudding with whipped cream (either sugar free mix to be made with the carb countdown milk or pre-made in the refrigerator case).
Good ways to include veggies are in casseroles, soups and stews. Ranch dressing goes a long way towards getting kids to eat veggies as well. ;)

Nuts may be healthy snacks for him if he can portion control them.
Also, string cheese and Carb Control yogurt.
Don't forget berries and melons as well as carb controlled breads if they are available in his area. Flatout still makes low carb flat breads which make great sandwich wraps, pizza crusts and soft taco wraps if he can find them. Come to think of it, fajitas may be a great way for him to sneak in some veggies. ;)

[Laura W]

How about deli turkey or chicken? Will he eat raw veggies with a dip? I see you do Atkins, but I have seen several South Beach items at our store ie. pizza, wraps (like a Lunchable) he could take it out of the box at home and no one would be the wiser at school, I think I've seen some frozen dinner type things as well, pepperoni/pepperoni sticks.

My daughter is 17, last July she decided to lose weight. She doesn't eat anything made with white flour, potatoes, or sugar-no sugar free stuff either! She started eating a lot of yogurt and whole grain cereals-she's lost about 50 pounds. Maybe since he is so young, it would be easier for him to have a few of the higher carb things-corn, carrots and the like.

I wish him and you the best of luck and I am so happy he is choosing to help himself now.

[sassy03]

Thanks Everybody for all your great advise, I will surely take each into consideration.
cnmLisa: Thanks for the idea on the pre made chickens. He can split that up into several meals.
Lisa N: Nope, no self control. He recently moved with his dad, maybe over a year and a half ago and when he lived with me I had to control him. I was the same way, is a food addiction. Berries, :thup: and yogurt too. I will def. add that to the list.
Laura W: Yes I am following atkins, but I have no desire to get him from eating like the rest of the world to strict atkins. It will not be easy on him. South beach sounds like a great way. I have the book and I believe in it. Whole grains cereal is a great idea. I might have him add that too. But which one? There are so many. He likes Honey bunches of oats, but I'm not sure about it being so healthy. I may be wrong.
Thanks again. It makes it so much easier having the support.

[GunaB130]

Sassy...For lunch at school he could have a sandwich w/ Lc bread (sara lee's is not too high in carbs) trukey lunchmeat, real cheese slices, mayo, & lettuce. Cheese sticks. Pork Rinds. Pop corn. Even the LC atkins bars.

My kids love chicken breast cut into strips, baked in the oven with Hooters Hotwing sauce (walmart) baked on, w/ bluecheese dressing to dip (carb options). Will he eat more veggies if they had melted butter & cheese? :yum:

Anyway good luck for you both!!!! :wave:

[bride911]

lean cuisine and south beach have microwave dinners that are low carb...i lived on them when i was student teaching...they are portion controlled for you so you don't have to worry about it.

Have you talked to his doctor about him doing the low carb thing? they might be able to suggest some guidelines as to how many carbs per day would be healthy for him at his age...and also some vitamins so that he's not missing anything his growing body might need.

[truckgirl]

Sassy- kudos to you, and good luck!! I was overweight between ages 9 and 12, so I definetley sympathize! Be sure to let us know how it goes! :)

[sassy03]

Thanks Truckgirl, Is been hard to help him since his dad is not series about him getting on or changing his diet. I will have him for the summer most of the time, since he is going to be 13 I will teach him about food, labels and what to eat. Maybe I'll teach him some basic cooking too. :)