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Parenting

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Original poster

Does my 6 yo eat too much?

16 replies

Dogsbehfir · 12/03/2025 18:13

I have a recently turned 6 year old DD and noticed whenever we have play dates she eats considerably more than her friends

example - friend came over and they had 3 fish fingers, mash and brocolli. DD cleared her plate, DD friend barely ate 1/4 of the food

another example, different friend came over and they made pizzas. DD ate her whole pizza minus the crusts. DD friend ate 2 slices

my DD is bigger than her friends - she's one of the tallest in the class and these friends are a fair bit shorter.

im just worried that im over feeding her? But I dont want to leave her hungry, and she eats healthy and gets lots of excercise.

im just worried as the amount she eats seems so different to her friends

OP posts:

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comfyshoes2022 · 12/03/2025 18:18

It doesn’t sound like there’s anything to worry about to me.

poppyseed68 · 12/03/2025 18:19

If she's bigger than her friends then she likely needs more calories. And if she's not overweight then I would trust her to self-regulate.

Another point to consider is that not everyone eats the same at other people's houses. My skinny DS has a huge appetite but he tends to eat very little at other people's houses as he's too distracted and excited. He always has a (big) second tea when he gets home 😀

TwentyTwentyFive · 12/03/2025 18:21

I'm guessing you don't mean a whole 12" pizza and the mash isn't a mountain of mash in which case I don't see an issue.

My DS is quite short but can eat and eat and often surprises people with how much he can put away. Some kids are just good eaters and some are grazers, nothing wrong with either but don't lessen the amount you're feeding your daughter just because others are not eating as much.

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bettydavieseyes · 12/03/2025 18:23

Id be proud of this, unless she is overweight? 3 fishfingers, mash and broccoli is a normal portion (mine had 4 fishfingers age 5). How big was the pizza? Her friends are fussy/overwhelmed or too busy. Maybe their parents give different food. (Always offer pudding or snacks when friends kids don't finish a meal) It's nothing to worry about.

Topjoe19 · 12/03/2025 18:23

What @poppyseed68 said, I agree that they don't eat much at other kids houses so that may not be an accurate reflection

wherearemypastnames · 12/03/2025 18:24

Can you see her ribs or is there a layer of fat?

If she is skinny then she isn't eating too much - size, activity and growing all affect how much children need

ShyTealBiscuit · 12/03/2025 18:24

When you say bigger do you mean just taller or overweight as well? Because if she's just taller then obviously she needs more food than her peers to do all that extra growing. But if she's overweight then you're giving her too much food. Sounds harsh but it's basic science.

Original poster

Dogsbehfir · 12/03/2025 18:25

No not a massive pizza!
thsnks all, seems I'm worrying for nothing!
I was an overweight child myself so I'm very conscious that I want DD to be healthy but also not to project any food issues onto her

OP posts:

CrispyCrumpets · 12/03/2025 18:27

Is she overweight? If not then, no, she isn't eating too much.

gototheshop · 12/03/2025 18:33

If she's overweight then she's eating too much and you need to reduce portions

If she's a healthy weight then she's eating the right amount and you don't need to reduce her portions.

JoyousEagle · 12/03/2025 18:35

Id be proud of this, unless she is overweight? 3 fishfingers, mash and broccoli is a normal portion (mine had 4 fishfingers age 5).

I agree that it's not an issue unless she's overweight, but I think it's an odd thing to be proud of. To be clear, I don't think it's something to be actively not proud of, I just find eating to be neutral in pride terms, I wouldn't link pride with amount eaten (in either direction eg I wouldn't be proud of under eating).

Also there's really no way of us knowing whether it was a "normal" (or appropriate) portion of mash.

But basically OP I wouldn't see any issue as long as it's a varied diet and she's not overweight. I wouldn't compare to other children because I don't think that's relevant.

Pinkhat123 · 12/03/2025 18:36

What’s her centiles?

Snorlaxo · 12/03/2025 18:36

My kids never ate well at other people’s houses and school because they were excited at being with their friends.

TaggieO · 12/03/2025 18:38

If she’s not overweight then there’s not a problem. At 6, my DS could eat a whole 12” pizza or a whole box of fish fingers. He’s over the 99th centile for height and only about the 30th for weight. At only just 8, he’s 5’3 and eats even more. There’s not a bit of fat on him, he’s just really tall for his age and never not hungry.

Bristollocalknowledge · 12/03/2025 18:40

Focus on the centile she in on now compared to where she was when she was born. Like a PP said can you see her ribs clearly when she is naked?

What children eat at your house is not reflective of what the eat at home. My DD1 wouldn’t touch mash and DD2 wouldn’t touch fish fingers.

BobbyBiscuits · 12/03/2025 18:41

I always ate loads as a child. When I went round my little pals' houses I sometimes felt like I was being starved as they didn't seem to eat anywhere near what I wanted to! I was quite a bit taller than my peers.

As long as she's not overweight it's great she has a healthy appetite. There nothing wrong with finishing your plate. I was always taught that was polite.

If you get concerned you could just reduce portion sizes at home a tiny bit.

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