Fed up with toddler obsessed with food

[Passthedyson]

Not his fault I know that but I can’t cope anymore now.

3yr old been obsessed with food since about 15 months.

Eats well three wholesome meals and snacks and fruit.

Wherever we are he wants food and begs all day long. If we are at a party he reviews the food and won’t play. Soft play we can’t go anymore as he grabs strangers left overs.

When out at meals will have a tantrum to eat other people’s plates while they are mid meal. Can’t go to most playgroups anymore as they have food out and he just asks for more more more more.

We don’t give sugary snacks as it seems to make things worse. He is on 95th for weight looks slightly chubbier than average but not obese.

Tried giving more protein at snack time (already eats balanced meals not fussy enjoys veg etc) made no difference and possibly worse as just wanted more cheese all the time.

HV said carry on as we are and let him scream once it’s gone but I’m drained now as food is everywhere we go.

I've no idea if it would carry over into them being a toddler but you can easily overfeed a baby if you always up their bottles when they drain them. Not all formula fed babies self regulate.

Carrot and cucumber sticks - sickened mine eventually

Mine are sensory seekers btw so wanted to chewing sensation. Offered carrot sticks everytime they asked and only carrot sticks (or cucumber) outside of meals

Celery is another thing to offer!

Hi @Passthedyson just wondered if you had any progress or improvements? We are going through the exact thing with our 3yo and it seems such a rare problem that we feel totally lost and alone. We are so worried she will develop an eating disorder. She seems to think about food constantly and it really upsets me I don’t know what we’ve done wrong or how to help her through this b

Hi! Sorry that you are going through this I remember how awful it was. Basically we avoided situations as much as possible with free flow food and then when at parties etc just let him let loose then tried to mitigate the next day. Now he is 6 and has improved a lot. He asks for more food than an average child and when it’s available open at parties he does eat quite alot however it’s gotten a lot better with age and isn’t at the level before where it was embarrassing - sometimes even does say that he is full!

Thank you so much for replying @Passthedyson ive been reduced to tears just now for the second time in 3 days by this, I’ve left the house as I don’t want to shout at her. How did you deal with it in the moment ? I’m just finding it so hard , it’s even affecting our relationship with family and friends and I see my baby learning from her too I feel like it’s ruining my life

@Girlscandoanything I remember asking the health visitor about it when mine was really young and she said that it will improve the more structure that there is and it was true. So when he went to nursery age 2 it improved and then again at school. Although it was still an Issue at pick up wkends etc. I remember I had to drag him screaming from the ice cream van one time. He still does sometimes cry a bit for more food etc now but gives up more easily. Junk food really sets this off so we try reduce that for special occasions. Does yours go to nursery?

I remember having lots of healthy food available and then just having set times for snack - I just had a Tupperware with the snack allowance in and explained it’s not snack time or this is all we have. I would avoid any processed packet snacks at home but not be too restrictive. I did stuff like boiled egg, hummus and veggies, cheese, oat cakes, peanut butter and apple. Home cooked meals. I put a smaller portion on as he would always ask for more.

I’m not a professional but I don’t think it means your child will automatically develop an eating disorder. Mine was SO food obsessed I was so embarrassed everywhere we went and felt stressed with it. I also think you have to let it go slightly and not be too restrictive with them and explain as much as possible about eating healthily and “that’s enough now let’s go and play” I hope it gets easier for you soon.