my DD is always hungry. always

[slightlyconfused85]

My DD is 2 and a little bit. She's lovely, happy, developing well but is always hungry. She eats almost everything, and I.try to give her generous while appropriate portions. She is not fat on the 91st for weight and just above 98th for height so a bit girl. I think she must say she's hungry every hour, and often if I say no you have just had lunch she will cry and cry saying she is hungry. Does.anyone else's child behave like this? I realise that I am lucky she eats well and I feed her a good range of proteins, carbs and fruit ans veg. Snacks are fruit or crackers, and she will have a smoothie for.a treat at the weekend. I am worried that she will develop poor habits and become overweight if she can't control her hunger a bit better.

Thanks for all your interesting points , lots of useful things here. As I pointed out up thread my daughter does get offered a lot of protein In her meals except breakfast, where she does have milk. I will look at more protein heavy snacks rather than crackers as I can see that might not be helping. Having posted this, she's caught a virus and has barely touched any food so I'll pick up this train of thought when she's better!

My dc were like this when younger and my eldest started to put on weight. They constantly nagged for food and it wasn't boredom as even out and about or in play areas, they would want to eat while all the other children happily played.

She still raids the cupboards now and I have to monitor her food intake closely.

Even the school mentioned she was always hungry and asked what I gave her for breakfast!

I do think the snack culture contributes. They are used to grazing rather than three meals a day.

Now they are older I am trying to get them to be aware of when they are full and that it is ok to feel hungry sometimes. Then the moment can pass.

No! It's the meals that we give our children that make them hungry/want to snack! It's not the snacking that the issue.

What do you consider an ideal day of food BIWI? That would stop hungry kids saying they were hungry a lot?

I would be looking to up the protein and fat - so for breakfast having something like scrambled eggs, made with butter and with some wholemeal toast, or some baked beans with toast. (I know you said she's fussy about what she has, but if she's happy to eat scrambled eggs later on in the day I can't see any reason for giving her this at breakfast time!)

For lunch, what you're serving sounds fine, but I'd add some grated cheese to that, and serve with veg as well as carbs. And then dinner, some meat/fish with veg as well a carb portion, but don't base the meal around carbs if you can help it.

Avoid fruit for snacking, and definitely give the smoothies and fruit juice a swerve. These are just pure sugar! I'd be giving natural yoghurt with some fruit added to it, rather than just fruit. Again, full fat not low fat yoghurt!

If she's hungry in between meals, then try cheese, or some raw carrot/cucumber/celery/pepper sticks with (full fat) hummus.

I certainly wouldn't be cutting milk down either, as this is full of good nutrients. Again, though, make it full fat milk.

What else does she drink and how much is she drinking?

HTH - I'm not a nutritionist/scientist/doctor/medic, but I do know a fair bit about the impact that carbs can have on us.

She drinks water only. Smoothies are a treat maybe once or twice a month. She always has veg or salad with every meal. I can't tell you how many times I have offered eggs for breakfast, she will not eat hot food first thing, she even waits for toast to go cold!

She's good at drinking water, has a cup on the go most of the day

Thanks newsnow I've not really thought of nuts, will try that for a snack

I think kids graze quite a bit. This '3 meals a day' seems to be adult nonsense as every toddler we know eats little and often.

It might not be silly either as it could keep metabolism much more level than rise and fall of 3 meals

so if she wont eat stuff for breakfast and is pickier at that time she isn't actually hungry?

I think that they all have growth spurts when they are hungry all the time and it evens out.

She doesnt sound overweight to me, i'm tall and not overweight. my friend has a slim daughter whose height is off the chart.

So i reckon just keep doing what you are already.

Wouldn't nuts be a choking hazard for a 2 year old?

Will try some crushed nuts on some yoghurt thanks for the idea.

She is hungry at breakfast, she will eat a variety of cereals and things on (Luke warm!) toast or bread and asks for these things, proceeding to eat loads. I know you are all finding it hard to accept that she won't eat cooked breakfast food but it's true! To be honest I hate hot food and drink first thing too, but am also hungry. I will give pancakes a try though thanks

Chia seeds swell to 12 times their size and are incredibly good for you, they would fill her up.

For breakfast try oats cooked in milk of choice with a tbsp of chia seeds, some frozen fruit and a mashed up banana all mixed in. Top with maple syrup if you like. Much less sugar than shreddies and far more filling. I don't think her example day of food is that much or that filling. Try complex carbs. Pad out bolognaise with lentils, sweet potatoes etc.

To get eggs in her for breakfast try American pancakes. Apples are filling too. Fir snacks consider making granola or cereal bars instead of crackers. All filling stuff and really good for you. I adore ohsheglows.com for inspiration. Chia seeds by the way seem expensive but they last ages.

If she doesn't like hot oats try overnight oats where you soak them overnight and eat them cold. Lush. Use all the same ingredients as above.