Worried my DC is eating too much (rubbish?)

[sodoffbeforemycupofcoff]

My DC is telling me they’re hungry constantly. I offer fruit or a healthy snack but if it isn’t sugary they aren’t interested. It’s a constant battle. I feed them their 3 meals but they’re extremely fussy with foods. They don’t like bread, cheese, fussy with certain veg, don’t like much fruit, doesn’t like chicken unless it’s covered in batter which I do not feed them, doesn’t like much fish, if any at all, doesn’t like beans. It’s frustrating. My DC dad and I are not together so he feeds her an awful lot of rubbish. when they want a drink it’s always juice until they’re at their last option and drink water begrudgingly.
when I feed them they ask “what can I have after this?” When they eat pudding they ask what they can eat after that. It’s constant. I love a good eater and if it were healthy foods I wouldn’t mind. I am worried she’s developing a seriously unhealthy relationship with foood and I believe her to be addicted to sugar. What can I do?her dad will not listen. He feeds her pure and utter rubbish. Meals out when he has her EOW and lots of sweets. She’s not obese and inactive but she does have unhealthy eating habits which is not her fault. What child wouldn’t have sweets if offered or doesn’t ask for them?
this morning within 2 hours I have given a bowl of weetabix, an apple, a banana and another bowl of cereal. This isn’t bad but she was asking for chocolate at 7:30am this morning and has been there on out. This is not her fault and I am purely seeking advice as I do believe she’s addicted to sugary foods and I feel bad she’s craving so badly. I am not giving any treats unless it is a reward from here on out, is that the right thing to do?

Sounds like she needs more protein. Would she eggs, peanut butter, even sausages at breakfast?

How old is she?

She doesn’t like sausages for breakfast, won’t eat cheese, chicken, milk etc. it’s very hard to get protein down her although you are absolutely right in mentioning that because I bet you that’s what it could be. Or atleast participating in the situation

She is 6

I would I argue they aren’t hungry and are just asking in the hope of getting snacky rubbish.
If my 5 & 3 year old moan that they’re hungry but say no to an apple or a banana then they don’t get anything because they aren’t actually hungry. That’s not to say they never eat a biscuit or whatever but I just don’t give them rubbish any time they ask out of fear that they’re hungry.
She only sees her dad every other weekend, as much as he might feed her rubbish it’s not actually the biggest part of the problem.

My DC is telling me they’re hungry constantly. I offer fruit or a healthy snack but if it isn’t sugary they aren’t interested

She's hungry for sugar.
She needs more protein. The best.id offer is a banana / easy peeler if thats being refused they are just after biscuits and chocolate.

Yoghurt (m&s do a vanilla greek one my kids love)
Ham toastie can also be good.
Chicken skewers woth peanut dipping sauce?

I'd just remove cakes and biscuits.

Lentil crisps vs regular (its not a huge amount of protein but something is better than nothing)
Hummus
Butter beans hidden in stuff is good.

My husband is also terrible for giving our DD’s junk food.
My advice is just hold strong when your daughter is with you. I also find the more times I present a food to my children the more likely they are to eat it. Stir fry for example they love now but the first 3/4 times I offered it they weren’t interested. For snacks I offer cashews with broken up dark chocolate or apple and peanut butter the naked bars you can buy are good for out and about they are a non upf.
I just don’t have any junk in the house then we can’t eat it.
I also try to eat with my girls so they can see me eating lots of vegetables.

at least chicken nuggets have protein... They do wholegrain ones now too. serve with peas if she will eat them or sweetcorn.

if she is ok with you cooking from scratch, make your own nuggets.

My kid can be like this.

For breakfast on weekends I make him a "hotel breakfast" tray with 3 or 4 items on, so he can eat his fill and I can mix up the choices. He rarely eats as much after breakfast.

3 or 4 items from:
Porridge
Pancakes
Cereal (try to avoid where possible but it lasts in the cupboard)
Toast
Scrambled eggs
Chopped up apple
Banana
Posh fruit if we have it (mango, melon)
Peperami or slice of ham
Ritz crackers with smoked cheese
Cheese chunks or cheese string
Greek yoghurt (sometimes with a sprinkle of muesli or frozen fruit or honey)

I've started talking to him about protein and healthy choices, and it helps sometimes. But eating LOADS in the morning and less later on is very much his style, and it stops him asking for sweets and ice creams quite as often. I certainly wouldn't be full if I was just eating cereal!

You can use stale bread to make breadcrumbs and just dip the fish or chicken in seasoned flour, then egg, then the breadcrumbs and pat them on tight. Then cook in oven or AF. That's not unhealthy.

But I reckon she is just alleging hunger to get junk food. Literally stop buying it.

You could bake oat and dried fruit and nut bars or scones. She could help make it with you and you could use a reduced sugar recipe. Or she can just have a small piece of that each day.

I’ve tried this😩😩😩 somehow they know!

Thanks everyone for the advice. I am going to go through all of this later on

I literally said to dh our 14 year old is earing too much shit it's really hard to police her cos she is out with mates a lot and l don't want to ban sugary stuff but we've always eaten well and never denied her treats. So hard op.

Is she drinking enough? Children often confuse hunger and thirst. I would say hold your ground. Offer what you feel is appropriate, if it’s something they’ve always eaten and they turn it down, they are holding out for something they consider better. If it’s a snack then they wait until dinner if it’s dinner they get the dullest alternative you can muster. Is it possible that your dd is bored and eating as entertainment?