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Original poster

Is it normal for a 6 year old to constantly say she is hungry???

16 replies

bargainhuntingbetty · 17/04/2009 17:45

She is driving me mad. She is constantly complaining that she is hungry.
So far today she has had:

Large bowl of corrnflakes with milk i.e 2x variety boxes

2 cookies

(at soft play) Ham sandwich, quavers, apple and 1/2 orange and a Freddo bar. Bottle of water carton of orange juice.

Snack. Then half an easter egg (which her uncle just delivered and it is rude not to let her eat it

She is now complaining she is hungry again. I know it is dinner time but she will eat her dinner and then ask for something to eat, I actually went and bought yoghurts as I know this is what will happen. Then she will demand supper which will be toast or something. My other dd doesnt eat like this. Does anyone elses??

OP posts:

CarGirl · 17/04/2009 17:46

When did my dd2 move to your house?????

psychomum5 · 17/04/2009 17:47

my DS2 is 6, and exactly like this.

I think in part it is boredom, some in thirst (dehydration masks itself as hunger and so I offer drinks first), and that they genuinelyare hungry........tis hard work being 6 don'cha know

Original poster

bargainhuntingbetty · 17/04/2009 17:49

I have tried to offer drinks and make her go and do something but she always comes back with 'I'm hungry'. Doesnt it just drive you nuts?? It must be hard work being 6. LOL

OP posts:

meltedmarsbars · 17/04/2009 17:49

Is she having a growth spurt?

CarGirl · 17/04/2009 17:49

Think my dd just has a high metabolism, she is on the 98th centile for height and little more than the 50th for weight, she is constantly "a little bit hungry" and has been since the day she learnt to talk.

MrsMattie · 17/04/2009 17:50

My 4 yr old eats me out of house and home, and he is as skinny as a rake.

So far today he's had a big bowl of porridge, a banana, an apple, two bowls of strawberries, a small bunch of grapes, a ham sandwich, a jam doughnut, a bowl of yoghurt & honey, 2 veggie sasuages with a big pile of sweet potato mash, sweetcorn & peas, plus most of a pint of milk and a few glasses of water and diluted apple juice.

I guarantee you he will want more milk and a 'snack' (piece of toast or some crackers & cheese) before bed.

They are all so different, though. I know perfectly healthy young children who seem to exist on a couple of small snacks a day.

Original poster

bargainhuntingbetty · 17/04/2009 17:54

My other dd doesnt eat like this. I am not worried about dd2's weight or anything as she is a VERY active child and she never sits still it just does my head in that she can eat, take her plate away and announce that she is hungry.

OP posts:

amidaiwish · 17/04/2009 17:59

agree with the other posters, but have you tried giving her more protein?
scrambled egg at b'fast?

might sustain her for longer - the only protein she has had today is a bit of ham in a ham s'wich. (i know i know milk has protein etc... but i find i need to eat protein to keep me going/blood sugar steady).

curiouscat · 17/04/2009 17:59

I used to be like this as a child and dc3 is too. My mum used to just say 'have an apple' if it was between meals and it got so boring I stopped asking. I only wish I could stick to it now ... most guides say a child will know when they're full and stop but I don't really believe it. Asking for food can be about boredom, attention seeking and loads of other things than real hunger, it's a minefield. I guess you could be glad she's got a healthy appetite, as picky eaters are quite irritating

muggglewump · 17/04/2009 18:01

I'd say it's normal.

DD is 7 and I've not managed to fill her up for longer than an hour in her life!
DD can look a wee bit chubby and then the next week her jeans are a bit loose. I think she's just growing quick and although I never, and have never weighed her, she's always worn clothes for her age.

Original poster

bargainhuntingbetty · 17/04/2009 18:02

I have started now saying that she is only to get fruit but she loves fruit and that doesnt bother her (she is very twisted ). She has only had so much rubbish today as we were out with friends at the soft play and that just deserves to eat rubbish doesnt it?
Will try and change her breakfast.

OP posts:

idobelieveinfairies · 17/04/2009 18:03

All mine are like this and it isn't boredom because at the beach today they were asking for food/moaning of hunger inbetween building sandcastles, playing footie etc....

I don't know why they do this either-but it costs a fortune!

Pollyanna · 17/04/2009 18:04

my dd2 aged 6 is just like this too. as soon as she has finished one meal, she is asking what is for the next meal. She snacks alot too.

She is a skinny thing though, and constantly moving/bouncing/skipping.

TheProvincialLady · 17/04/2009 18:12

There is a LOT of sugar in that diet and not much protein or complex carbohydrate. She will be feeling hungry and getting the sugar highs and lows. I wouvld suggest egg at breakfast and some proper meat, cheese or other protein at lunch (am guessing the ham was of the wafer thin variety).

Cereal is generally crappy and full of sugar and not very filling. Porridge or wholemeal toast would be better.

I know this because my own diet needed some attention and I have been feeling much better on it.

Flamesparrow · 17/04/2009 18:14

DD is 5 and the same.

On a wednesday at school she will have breakfast at breakfast club:
2 bowls of cereal
toast
sausage and/or bacon (depending on how much they have)
beans/spaghetti

Then hot school dinner

Fruit and milk at break

Then come home and want some sort of snack

Then full dinner.

and still whinge about being hungry at bedtime.

Dottoressa · 17/04/2009 18:16

My DD (4.10) is like this! She never stops saying she's hungry. I don't know how to deal with it without giving her a complex. She's inclined to be heavy, too, which doesn't help - the last thing I want is for her to be concerned about her weight, yet if she ate all she wanted, she'd be colossal!

I have the opposite problem with 6.11-y-o DS, who barely eats a thing, and is very skinny...

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