Wwyd? 3 y/o thinking she is fat?

[Wossisface]

First off apoligies this is not Aibu? But I cannot get this out of my head and would lots of advice.

Dd 3 y/o has had d&v since Friday it's now settled. However she has failed to regain an apetite. She is small only just gone into size 2-3 clothing. She eats good things but not a lot of anything if that makes sense.

So today at mil's I pick her up from work and mil says she hasn't eaten much at all. Which is unlike her there as mil feeds her biscuits sweets cakes etc (gp prerogative in my mind) so usually she eats a lot there but a lot of crap food!! So I was surprised when she said she hdnt eaten much today.

I said to dd what do you want for dinner I'll cook u anything u like. So we went through 1000's of meals food answer was no!! Mil suggested leak and potato soup. I said oh yes you could help me make it and we can put cream in it. She said no it will make me FAT !!!! I was astonished wtf is my 3 y/o worrying about being fat.

I feel awful as I am very over weight I'm always on a diet and I go to the gym now. I'm worried she gas picked up on my issues with weight. I've always made a conscious effort to not talk about diets etc in front of her.

Should I address this? Leave it? Am I overthinking this? I feel awful that she would be worried about this??

Any advice would be appreciated ?

[snippywoo2]

was she at nursery before she got ill

[Wossisface]

She does go to nursery but only term time so hasn't been since July.

[squeakytoy]

She has probably picked it up off you.. sorry to say.. BUT you can also rectify this.

It will probably help you as well.

What I am going to say is not a dig at you. I have just lost nearly 3 stone after spending most of my adult life overweight due to eating junk, so this is what worked for me.

Think of your food in general as a need to eat healthy things, not it being a temporary diet. It isnt a quick fix and then go back to your old ways, it is a complete lifestyle change. I have been doing it for 6 months and now, the thought of cream, greasy stuff, sugary stuff, salty foods, junk food etc is actually off-putting. I do still crave, and eat chocolate.. but a couple of pieces, not a whole bar at a time!

You need to tell your daughter that it is only grown ups who worry about their weight, not children, because grown ups sometimes eat the wrong things, and dont do enough exercise, (I would probably give different advice if you had an overweight 7 or 8 year old, but a 3yr old needs a simple explaination for the moment in my opinion).

Your daughter will pick up on your habits and your dieting, I remember my mum constantly going on about her weight.. and she lived on a diet of ryvita and polo mints... and was obsessed with miniscules portion control.. probably part of the reason I went the opposite way as I grew up and did my own cooking...

[Wossisface]

Thank you for your honest reply. I think my weight issues stem from mum so I'm horrified to think I'm doing the same and at only 3, but I guess it's something I need to face up to and address this. Your advice is helpful. I really do need to make some life style changes.

Thanks

[squeakytoy]

The best advice I can give you is use the MyFitnesPal website or phone app, and be religious in logging everything that you eat or drink. You will be amazed at how quickly and easily your daily calorie amount tots up. But you can use this to plan your day, and it works.. it really does work!

You dont need to be following any particular regime.. you just keep an eye on your intake and it tells you how much fat, sugar, salt, as well as carbs, vitamins etc you are putting in to yourself. It is so easy to use and I cannot recommend it enough.

[Wossisface]

A friend of mine recommended this app and I did download it but I have to admit I haven't used it yet. I will give it a go as I now have had two recommendations. Thank you.