18m old constantly asking for food

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So I know many chn ask for food all day every day up until older! Our 18m old eats a big breakfast, lunch and dinner (and I mean portion sizes of an 8 year old!! They then have five portions of fruit as snacks etc etc. They constantly ask for food and are always trying to get to the fridge. They also scoff food when they eat like an animal 😂 so I guess they aren't filling up until they've eaten double or triple what they should!

I have no worry - yes they are chubby but that's fine - but I just am wondering if I make food more available so they can have more in the day, what's the best food to be eating a lot of? Are there certain fruits that shouldn't be eaten too much etc? They are starting to now cry (fake cry) for food and even when I am bringing food out to them, they cry with frustration that it isn't in their mouth straight away!

I am surprised at the 2x Weetabix. My boy is 17months and can barely manage 1!

Popcorn- I'm pretty sure this is a significant choking hazard.

Mine goes through phases where he eats everything in sight for a few days or weeks, and then it goes back to more normal for a while. Could this just be a phase?

I am always surprised by this habit most mums have to give a sandwich for lunch.

There's nothing nutritionally wrong with a sandwich. It's barely different to your idea of a piece of meat with a potato and some green beans.

A sandwich of good quality bread with meat, salad and a side of carrots grated is just as good as a piece of chicken and potato and beans.

That was meant to be quoted I am always surprised by this habit most mums have to give a sandwich for lunch for @Cormoran

@User0ne Yes I agree. My DS who has just turned 3 I notice when he must be going through a bit more of a growth spurt, and sometimes he can want more and more, and I know they say the same rules don't apply exactly as to that of an adult, where carbs etc are concerned. But I think it can be a bit of a case of certain foods, I.e carry ones triggering more hunger! My DS asks for more meat at times too, and I think that is good as it's protein and sometimes he has had a piece of meat cut up for his dinner with veg or salad and seemed more full up.

More fat and protein. She’s eating a lot of very low calorie, not nutritionally dense foods.

Scrambled eggs made with whole milk with seeded toast & almond butter for breakfast. Wraps with hummus/cream cheese/cheddar/avocado and veggies for lunch. Dinner could be chicken thighs/salmon (make into fish fingers if you want) or pasta with veggies in creme fraiche etc.

If I eat low cal I’m hungry all the time. As soon as I up my protein and fats I’m full for ages. It’s the same for littlies. They don’t need to be massive portions, but it will help her feel fuller.

Yes I agree, more dairy fatty and foods needed

@FortunesFave thanks for proving my point 😂

@SillyOldMummy ooh I like the idea of making it more of a challenge to get the food in her mouth! Will do that this evening! Thanks for your help - she loves peanut butter so will snack with that! I always snacked with fruit so will change that!

@kaleishorrid thank you! I've got some boiled carrots on the side here and will see how she snacks on them! It'll also show us if she is actually hungry or just greedy 😅

@Cormoran yes we do often give our children a sandwich 😂 I guess it's just normal for us and when I do give her a "dinner" meal for lunch I always feels it's odd to then give her a "dinner" if that makes sense. But why on earth should it. Perhaps I'll continue and do what you said.

With regards to the meal examples I gave - it was just what came to mind. She has fishfingers ones every fortnight. We mainly eat fish as opposed to meat and we cook it from fresh so she does eat all of that!

THANK YOU ALL! I'm reading through and replying but now the toddler is asking for food and wanting my attention. She is currently snacking on carrots!! You have all given me so much information and I'm shall do the weekly shop and include everything I need! I really appreciate your help!

...is she asking for food because she's bored? Could you try distracting her rather than giving in?

Maybe she doesn't differentiate between empty stomach and hunger. If food, even small amounts such as a bite, is given frequently, one expects something.
A thing I have noticed here in Australia, is that people, and especially children, eat constantly. You see that at the beach, pool, during sporting events or even normal practice (athletics goes on for four hours) , in the street, kids in pram at 9, 10, 11 ....
There isn't a single in the day in which you won't see a kid - or adult - eating in the street.

So maybe for her it is an habit or expectation more than hunger, and she will adjust later.

Is the child Bored?

If we are out and about my kids never ask for a snack.

When hope they ask alllll the time, I think it’s boredom

Ignore those who say your 18month old shouldn't be slightly chubby, if they're following the curve then it's fine! My DS1 was like this until he was about 10! He was a chubby toddler but after about 3 he became skinny as a rake and stayed that way!

@FortunesFave this is a typical menu for a Monegasque nursery-preschool and when not at school, children will eat in the same way at home.
No matter the quality of the bread - and I believe the big majority will use industrial bread with additives - you can't compare the quality and variety of having a wide range of meats/fish with the diversity of vegetables offered in salads, soups or cooked.

There is no such thing as a morning snack. After breakfast, the next time food will be offered is lunch.

Fussy eaters are virtually non existent and I think it is due to the variety of constantly changing what's for lunch/dinner and with few exceptions, the filling of the sandwich will be repetitive with 5-6 vagrants. Never met or heard someone commenting of a fussy eater, while when we moved here, and we invited kids over, many time, a mother say " what are you planning for dinner, he / she is a bit fussy"

So no, I don't think a cooked lunch and a sandwich are equivalent both from a nutritional point of view (Meats in a sandwich are usually processed. ) but also for healthy eating habits building.

forgot the picture

I would only give fruit and veg for snacks and water inbeteeen their 3 meals

No advice but I'm amazed at their appetite, I eat less than that as a (small but grown) adult!

@Ohalrightthen yea I thought that today but I am trying not to constantly do activities with her or have her always getting my attention when she wants it. Obviously she has it most of the time but I'm trying to create more independence. Perhaps I'll note down when she asks for it and see if it is boredom!

@Cormoran I'm moving to Aus if eating everywhere is a thing! Ha! I actually lived in aus for a year and I agree!

@rainbownamebow thank you! I, too, was a chubby baby/toddler and often asked for food. I've always been slim since a young child

@OverTheRainbow88 I think this may be the case! Bloody heck - I do so many activities with her as it is 😫😫😂

@Cormoran I'm a little shocked at all the cakes given for 'goûter'. Seems like unnecessary sugar but it's the same in France.