To stop my daughter (what I see as) overeating?

[isthisfairidontknow]

She's 7, fit and healthy but neither skinny nor fat. Does gym, dance, etc each week.

But she has an enormous appetite. And we keep clashing over it.

For example this morning she has cried that she is hungry but has had a bowl of rice crispies, a banana and a cheese sandwich. She's only been up since 7. I've made her have a big drink in case she is thirsty. I would be full if I had that.

Yesterday she had a bowl of bran flakes, strawberries, breadsticks and Nutella (as a snack) mid morning, kids portion of fish chips and peas (at a restaurant) and apple crumble and custard for lunch then 'green pasta' for tea (peas, pesto, courgette, garlic, onions) and a corner yoghurt for pudding.

There is a rule in our house that food is unlimited but if it's outside of mealtimes it's fruit veg and water or milk. And I've offered all of that but she's still whinging on.

She's been like this every day of the holidays and it's relentless every day. Even before the holidays she was always complaining about portion size, 'can I have more? I'm hungry etc'

Is she just chancing it for more food? Because she doesn't want the fruit and veg and water on offer.

[SomewhereInbetween1]

I'm really surprised some people think you aren't feeding her enough. I think it sounds like plenty!

[viques]

I would make sure she has more protein at every meal and cut out on all the breakfast cereals except for porridge. She also has a lot of sweet stuff , Nutella, apple crumble , sweetened yogurt. I would try to reduce those a bit as they are helping to develop a sweet tooth and an expectation of a sweet end to every meal.


Good she likes fruit but I would encourage fruit that takes a bit more effort to eat , like apples, oranges,pears, rather than sweet, easy to eat fruit like bananas and strawberries (delicious as they are) . Try to get her to slow down when she eats so that she leaves the table satisfied .

But as others have said, she might be eating because she is a bit bored so some distraction might be in order. Maybe some cooking lessons, learning to make favourite food like spagbol or macaroni cheese.

[Nyon]

I would be full if I had that.

My mother used to restrict food and had a similar attitude; I ended up with an eating disorder that I still struggle to control. Please think more about how you react to your daughter especially as what she's eating doesn't have enough protein or fibre to keep someone going

[DistanceCall]

I mean I'm in my 30s, and if I'm starving and want crisps and someone suggests an apple I think about giving them a smack.

Then you're not actually hungry. You feel like eating crisps. There's a difference.

[Lazydaisies]

Yep boredom but the addition of more filling foods might be good, but quantity wise the amounts sounds fine. I totally agree with your fruit, veg and water thing, we have the same rule. If they are starving they won’t refuse these so really they are just looking for something “nice”.

I totally agree with PP that cereals are not filling food and protein at breakfast could make a difference.

[HiJenny35]

My 6 year old is underweight and would eat all that. She's hungry constantly at the moment. If she's hungry she's hungry. I wouldn't give her sweets but another bowl of cereal or another sandwich is totally reasonable.

[ma1s1e22]

Up till i was a teenager i ate and ate and ate. Always hungry! I have never been overweight and in a healthy BMI. I wouldn't worry to much she does a lot to burn it off and is eating healthy meals not junk. Maybe as others have said try more protein and fibre x

[Passthecherrycoke]

My DD boredom eats and it’s driving me crazy, and she is slightly overweight (4YO) but I don’t know what to do- I can’t keep her busy all day every day!

[BogglesGoggles]

Maybe if you give her better food she won’t be so hungry? Often hunger is a result of not getting enough nutrients other than calories.

[Passthecherrycoke]

Sorry meant to ask what other do-

[SoyDora]

I would be full if I had that

That’s irrelevant, really. Growing children have different dietary needs to an adult. Appetite can also vary depending on growth spurts etc.
My 25th centile 5 year old has been known to have two adult sized bowls off porridge for breakfast before school. No way on earth I could eat that amount for breakfast. Doesn’t mean she’s ‘overeating’ though. She’s eating for her needs.

[bigKiteFlying]

If she is coming up to a growth spurt more protein might be a good idea anyway.

Some foods like cereals - not bran flakes though - can set off my sweet tooth and seem to make me want to eat more.

Unsweetened whole fat yougrts with some fruit - bannas frozen berries might be worth trying.

However:

There is a rule in our house that food is unlimited but if it's outside of mealtimes it's fruit veg and water or milk. And I've offered all of that but she's still whinging on.

Does suggest bordom eating to me at least.

[AnastasiaVonBeaverhausen]

if you're genuinely hungry you'll eat anything

I mean I'm in my 30s, and if I'm starving and want crisps and someone suggests an apple I think about giving them a smack.

Ha! Fair point. But you're in your 30s and can be trusted to regulate your own eating. I think if 3 decent meals plus snacks have been provided and you want anything extra to eat, fruit should be enough.
Or, even hang on until meal time! There's nothing wrong with being hungry if nutritionally adequate food is being provided in appropriate quantities at meal and snack times.

[NoSquirrels]

Boredom. And a bit more protein, I guess.

The "I would be full if I ate that" sticks out to me. I very very often am still full from lunch, when I've eaten with my DC, and they are ravenous and ready for more food. I just accept my metabolism is greatly reduced compared to theirs.

One of mine definitely eats through boredom and so the fruit/veg/water offerings weed out the actual hunger from the chancing it.

[IsobelRae23]

We have unlimited fruit. I done the food shop 2 weeks ago, ds14 asked for fruit out of the fridge, as normal I said ‘of course help yourself’. Several hours later I went to the fridge. I was missing- 2 x boxes of strawberries, 1 x blueberries, the sliced pineapple, the sliced watermelon, the chunks of honeydew melon, 1/2 box of plums, 2 out of 4 flat peaches, 1/4 of a box of gooseberries and 2 peaches.
The shop arrived that day! I was like ffs, I don’t begrudge him any fruit. But we had 8 bags of sweetclems, 4 bags of tangerines, 2 bags of oranges, 3 bags of apples and 10 bananas delivered too- and he didn’t touch one of those! So now fridge fruit is limited to what I say he can have. If I had an unlimited budget it would be fine, but I’m not working due to health reasons, and I probably spent £35*+ a week on fruit and veg as it is. I can not afford more 😤 But I too think it’s down to summer holiday boredom.

[Passthecherrycoke]

Yep Isobel my children can demolish fruit too. Especially blueberries

[Halo1234]

Anything else u have noticed. Has she lost weight? Is she thirsty? Started bed wetting? Or going to the toilet more? Is she tired? Hunger can be a sign of type 1 diabetes. But in the absence of any other signs (thirst. Thin. Going to toilet to pee more. Tired) then she is probably just going through a growth spurt or something. I wouldnt make it an issue. Kids normally now when they are full. If she isnt over weight and she is eating healthy foods. I wouldnt stop her.

[UpToonGirl]

Sounds like boredom as most posters are saying, what I do if I'm not sure if mine are bored or hungry is to get them to make something themselves or help me. Solves the boredom issue and if they are hungry theres something to eat when they've finished!

You could look on Pintrest together for something fun and healthy to make?

[Fatted]

I dunno. My 6YO eats a lot. But he is tall, slim and very active. He does seem to be able to regulate his own appetite well. So there are days he will inahle his food then ask for more and others he will struggle to finish a meal. So if he asks for more food I will trust him that he's hungry.

If she is refusing fruit and veg, is there something else she is after? Does she know there are crisps, sweets etc in the house and is really after them?

What is she doing when she is asking for food? Is it a good way of getting your attention when she otherwise wouldn't? Is she having to entertain herself and looking for something to do instead?

[stopgap]

My son is about to turn 8 and might put away, in a day:

A two-egg omelette
Bacon
An apple
Strawberries
Beef tacos with avocado and pinto beans
A yoghurt
Pasta with chicken and broccoli and sauce
Two slices of toast with butter
He only drinks water, with the occasional smoothie.
Portions are adult-sized. He is 50th centile for weight and 80th for height.

I’m slim, and my dad—who’s 6-feet tall—weighed 10.5 stone until he turned 50. I’d give her the benefit of the doubt and believe that she’s hungry and has a good metabolism, but definitely up the protein.

[Goldenbear]

Personally, I would be so happy if my DD (8) had a cheese sandwich for breakfast or even cereal but she just isn't interested! You should be pleased she eats the variety she does and I wouldn't get in to battles with her as it will make her feel greedy which is unfair on any 7 year old.

What does she do with her days? Does she play with any toys? My DD is often so engrossed in her story lines with her toys that she is not interested in being pulled away from these to eat. My eldest is often engaged in organising fantasy football teams or reading about sport on the news so again has to be asked to come and eat his dinner but he certainly eats lots as his appetite reflects that of an adolescent which in my mind is as it should be. He is guided by his own appetite and naturally self regulates which is a good job as you can't control teenager's eating habits when you get there.

[Blondebakingmumma]

I agree with a pp that you should add more protein to her diet. It will keep her full longer

[isthisfairidontknow]

Oh she's really active and certainly not bored, yesterday we visited her grandparents then spent the afternoon outdoors doing a walk and then off to the park.

Today we are making soap balls, off to the park then to a birthday party. Got a play date the day after.

I think my concern is that she could tip herself into being overweight if she continues, she's certainly a robust lassie, but with her doing it exercise im not too worried about that.

Will try porridge in the morning instead of crispies or bran flakes. Tonight we are having a (home made) chicken curry with veg and rice.

Main meals are normally things like bolognaise, fajitas, roasts, quiche and salad etc. She's a great eater but I agree with most of you it's likely boredom. She's like a bloody collie! Needs constant attention, exercise and food!

[Tiredtessy]

My son can eat a huge breakfast, he could eat 2 bowels of cereal and 3 pieces of toast but he isn't a snacker, hes very much breakfast lunch and dinner but big portions, what about eggs etc for breakfast?

[isthisfairidontknow]

I think the example Day was unusual in terms of not much protein, but she does love chicken and fish and green veg.

Maybe she's just a gannet.