Argh!! Toddler constantly complaining of hunger.

[TribbleWithoutATardis]

How do I deal with this? I can't work out if he's actually hungry or just wanting snacks constantly. He has three decent meals a day, and a snack mid morning (he has breakfast quite early). He's also very active, and constantly on the go.

Take tonight for example, he's had three bean and lentil chilli and a small jacket potato. He's then had a mini milk as a treat (he normally has yogurt, fruit pot or some grapes afterwards). Immediately following tea, he was scrambling at the cupboards wanting Cheerios.

I've told him no, and given him a drink.

How do I handle this correctly?

He's 3.5 BTW.

I would say if he's overweight, you might need to think about this issue, but if he is a normal size, he's probably having a growth spurt and is actually hungry.

Some people need to eat loads just to maintain a normal weight.

Sounds quite a light meal- what was the portion size? The meal sounds a bit carb light.Some breads or rice, perhaps a good pudding with fruit/nuts/custard may help.

He sounds hungry. I would be too after a meal like that. Does he eat meat?

Some days I simply cannot fill up my 3 year old son.

He eats healthily and is not remotely overweight but quite tall for his age.

I put it down to growth spurts and some days he doesn't eat so much so it balances out.

I think it comes down to protein. Giving toddlers snacks of bread/ rice cakes/pasta/ etc will never hit the mark.

Sounds just like my ds (3y5m) seems to have weeks where he seems to demand food every hour! He is 100cm and 2st 8lb so solid but I don't think. He often has 2 helpings of lunch at nursery. He has occasional weeks/days where he arely eats so it balances out. Hard work at weekends though - it feels like you are constantly preparing meals/snacks doesn't it?

deep I think you might be right re protein v carbs. I am trying to up the protein quota

He has a bowl this sort of size. Never full to the top, more sort of half way or their about.

He doesn't look overweight, he's fairly tall for his age and I think his weight matches his height (I don't have scales in the house though).

Can someone give me an idea of protein heavy snacks? I thought the lentils and beans would have done for his protein. He does eat meat.

I've now given him a slice of bread, which disappeared fairly quickly.

Cheese, chopped cooked beef, chicken, boiled eggs,ham,tuna, my kids loved meat/fruit combinations.

My DS (3 yrs 5mths) has just come out of a growth spurt which has been in full swing since January-ish..

He grew 2 inches in height in four months and went up a shoe size!! He is exactly the right weight etc that he should be. He has been eating everything he has had given to him and even the nursery where he goes part time have noticed his increase in appetite over the last few months.

Yy to protein heavy snacks suggested by deep. As long as he isn't overweight then feed him when he is hungry. My DS appetite is probably just about back to normal now.

DS (3.6) has just been through this too, and he had definitely had a growth spurt, I've just had to replace all of his age 3-4 trousers with age 4-5

Stock up on healthy snacks, DS spurt lasted 2-3 weeks

If he is hungry that soon after meals then the portion isn't big enough. Concentrate on protein though as others have said.

My 13 month old can put away what you've described, no probs. I wouldn't worry!

Bear in mind that even fruit pots and yoghurt have quite a lot of sugar!!

I read and was told by doctors it is actually healthier to eat every 2-3 hours instead of the traditional 3 meals thing. I would give him healthy light protein filled snacks every 2-3 hours. Ex Breakfast 2 pieces of wheat(not white) toast with peanut butter(protein)w/ a string cheese if he still seems hungry. 2-3 hours later an apple w/string cheese or slice of cheese. lunch can be more carbs. but you always need a protein to balance everything. lunch:salad & a meat(tuna,ham...)sandwich/w milk. 2-3 hours later 3 cups of popcorn or carrots, w/cheese,or peanuts, or slice of meat then dinner.. then 2-3 hours later a snack. Try to add a protein with it if he will. This should keep him content and healthy. It is an excellent way to eat for adults too:) If you try this and he is still hungry offer him some milk. That should hold him over until 2-3 hours later. If he is running around a lot get some protein bars and let him have one of those if he is really active that day. There are tasty ones that have low calories and carbs.

A lump of cheese or some Greek yogurt or nuts/seeds or homous and a carrot would be better then bread or Cheerios.

Sounds just like my dustbin DS, also 3.5. He weighs 2st 11lb and is solidly built but perfectly healthy.

When the asking for food started after meals etc, I would offer first offer a drink then boring stuff like wholemeal toast et. If he ate it I would know he was actually hungry.

Agreeing with PP. Fill him up with protein-rich meals and definately make sure he gets enough exercise. As long as isn't starting to become overweight, then just feed him when he is hungry.

DD (4.5) goes through phases like this. She is a healthy height and weight but at times I can't fill her. The last time she was like that I realised she had grown 5cm in 3 months!