To think toddlers don’t need snacks?

[Cuppasoupmonster]

I was just pondering this when washing up. I’ve never really given DD snacks, she has her 3 meals a day and that’s usually it, maybe once or twice a week she will have a digestive biscuit or yoghurt if dinner is going to be later than usual. However it seems like when we go on days out with other mums and toddlers, they come laden with snacks that are whipped out every hour or two. AIBU to think toddlers don’t really need to snack and this might be contributing to the obesity crisis?

I have read the thread. I read where you said you don’t think toddlers should snack, then claimed you meant because of the metabolism. But you still haven’t said why your kid needs pom bears at all, if you’re so worried about obesity in kids.

I eat snacks, always have done, so I give them to my kids too. I'm a little and often eater (maybe because I was given snacks when younger, who knows) and I think that's part of the reason I have always been slim. I never eat large portions because I've eaten regularly throughout the day.

Snacks don’t make kids or people fat. In most people it’s consuming more than you burn off
a kid having 3 small meals and 2 snacks could easily have less kcal than a child having 3 large meald

My children are all adults now ..they never had snacks and are all absolutely fine but are probably a bit tipsy for NYE 🥳

Because she isn’t obese?

Fruit (not berries) is high in sugar and releases those sugars faster than whole grains, oats etc. As a type-1 diabetic, you will know you have to be careful with fruit and fruit juices.

But they’re not born obese. How do you know she won’t become obese on this diet?

I think 5-6 hours between meals (7am to midday-ish to 5-5.30pm) is far too long to expect little stomachs to wait. DD would never have eaten enough in just the 3 meals to get her nutritional requirements. Also as a general rule she was notably ready for a snack after 2.5-3 hrs so it would be mean to leave her hungry to meet some arbitrary meal times more designed to suit the adults in her life than her.

If she started to become overweight then I would review. No doubt due to my ‘issues with food’ 😂

She’d already be overweight then though.

not for long!

You’d still be contributing to childhood obesity though 😢

If they're so hungry they're angry 3 hours later after having lunch, then I'd give them more food. Something like a sandwich, about more substantial than (say) an apple or whatever. That child, seemingly would do well with 5 small meals, rather than 3 bigger ones (as per OP)

I'm all for snacking, eating when hungry etc. :)

It's just I personally see snack as a small bit of food to keep the blood sugars/energy levels spiking etca and avoid a ravenous child that can't cope.

I agree op, i think snacking spoils children's appetite for their main (usually more healthy) meals.

I think it makes "good" eaters over eat and in my experience, it doesn't help underweight children gain weight, it takes the edge off their appetite.

He's tall and skinny.

In my experience it hasn't made my lad overweight, or any of my nieces and nephews, not m lads mates...nor my cousins....

DS eats when I eat which is usually about 10
times a day 😂 We’re both always hungry!

Well, maybe we should stop giving our kids food altogether and not run the risk 😉

OR we could just accept that people have different opinions on the best way to feed their kids and not start goady, ill-informed threads 😉

What will you do if/when your child starts some form of sports training? My eldest two do several times a week and it would be ridiculous for them not to have a snack before or after these activities. DC3 loves a good snack, she's constantly on the move, she's in no way obese.

Snacks don't make you obese. It depends on the activity levels of the person plus how often and on what they are snacking.

Anecdotal but in my experience those who are denied snacks at home often go mad when they're older with more freedom.

Well it’s only taken 12 pages to be called ‘goady’ so I would say this must be a fairly neutral and inoffensive thread.

@girlss4 Regular high level sports training isn’t what you would call a ‘normal day’ of exertion, so I can see how a snack might be needed then. But again, not really the norm and toddlers don’t do sports training

Ah come on, don’t be a coward now 🤣 Of course it’s goady, you’ve not brought in any depth or nuance, and you’ve ignored any posts that prove you’re talking nonsense 😉

Anecdotal but in my experience those who are denied snacks at home often go mad when they're older with more freedom.

100% this. It’s the kids whose parents are militant about snacks (or lack thereof) and who are never allowed processed sugar who are going to be mainlining haribo and smarties at birthday parties in a few years time.

You still haven't answered how many kids you've got, OP.