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 would have sanctimoniously agreed with you after having DS1, who had a sparrow’s appetite from his first breastfeed to every meal since. Never needed snacks and would refuse an ice cream on a hot day.
I obviously credited my exceptional meal planning and cooking skills for keeping him full between meals…

DS2, on the other hand…
We assume every knock on the door is a social worker responding to reports of a starved child after hearing his wailing if he has to go more than 2 hours without a meal or snack…

This thread just makes me feel shit about myself for giving my toddlers snacks.

Don’t, it’s actually advised for toddlers to eat little and often to develop their metabolism and the fact their tummies are so small.

Well yes every child is different but if we worked on that basis we would never be able to discuss anything in a general sense would we?

I just looked online and 25% of preschool children in the U.K. are either overweight or obese, which is quite shocking actually. So I wonder why the NHS says snacks are a must?

Who decided that 3 meals a day was the ‘right’ way to eat?

Everyone is different with different appetites - I don’t eat 3 big meals a day. I couldn’t manage it. I have a relatively light breakfast, fruit/yogurt for lunch, then a large tea.

Why are children any different?

You must find the world very challenging!

If a toddler has breakfast at 7, I think waiting until at least 12 is a long time to go without a snack- same with adults.

Oh you wee wind-up merchant, OP

They need them if they’re hungry. They might want them other times. The only perfect parents are those without kids.

It’s not about perfect parenting (believe me DD loves her cake and ice cream), it’s me wondering whether the relatively new phenomenon of snacking is causing a quarter of our pre schoolers to be overweight 🤷🏼‍♀️

The problem isn't how frequently kids eat but what they eat, you are over simplifying a big problem OP.

Stop comparing other children to yours.

I’d probably say this about children over the age of 5 rather than toddlers. Toddlers use a lot of energy and rarely eat a full meal out of sheer fussiness.

Now look at the parameters for overweight or 'obese' children. It's ridiculous.

I don't see that my 3 year old having an orange between lunch and tea is going to make her fat.

My DS is underweight - bottom centimetres for his age. I let him snack because he needs the calories and doesn’t eat much in each meal. He can’t eat a lot in one sitting and as he’s grown he needs more food than he can tolerate across 3 meals. I think parents are best placed to know how to feed their own chikdren.

Some children just need their calories spread across more, smaller meals than others 🤷‍♀️DS has always hovered between 25-51st centile for weight (91st for height) and eats like a sparrow at mealtimes. He’s not fussy, and will reliably try a bit of everything that’s put on his plate, but I’ve never seen him eat a big portion of anything in his life. If we give snacks (generally limited to fruit, breadsticks, soreen, Greek yogurt, cheese etc) then he wouldn’t get anywhere near the calories he needs to stay a healthy weight.

It’s not about perfect parenting (believe me DD loves her cake and ice cream), it’s me wondering whether the relatively new phenomenon of snacking is causing a quarter of our pre schoolers to be overweight 🤷🏼‍♀️

Out of curiosity, do you count pudding as a snack? Because it is. It's not part of the 3 meals a day really.

Snacks are recommended especially for under 5’s. Little and often (and healthy) is best way for children to eat

It’s not though. So that’s the answer to your question.

If mine are having a growth spurt they can eat all day long! They always eat their meals, always home cooked and always get their 5 a day. They’ll go through phases. Sometimes they’ll have 3 square meals and other periods of time they don’t seem to stop.

I just looked online and 25% of preschool children in the U.K. are either overweight or obese, which is quite shocking actually. So I wonder why the NHS says snacks are a must?

My DS was weighed at school in reception and was classed as obese. He was v chubby as a baby/toddler and even when he started school but he didn't (and still doesnt) like most biscuit, cakes, sweets, desserts or chocolate. I was really upset because he rarely snacked or ate unhealthily. He started doing more exercise but we've never monitored his diet and in a year or 2 he was in the average category. Now he's 13 and I find it difficult to find trousers/shorts that have a skinny enough waist, if the length is right. (We buy adjustable ones in next or M and S and have them on the tightest setting) He would still put away 2 portions of lasagne in one sitting, given half the chance but he doesn't snack or eat sweet things. He'd rather have a banana or carrot sticks than a biscuit or cake unlike me or DD

How do you define "snack "?

I think you are misunderstanding the concept of the ‘snack’ and assuming it is junk food. Kids have small stomachs and the snack is a equally wholesome food item as a meal.

little and often is often used in weight loss plans because people then feel less hungry and therefore don’t overeat at mealtimes.

kids who eat too many calories can get overweight but this isn’t the fault of the snack it’s a problem with highly calorific unhealthy foods which are cheap and easy.

How do you know that?