Your preschooler eats lunch, then 20 minutes later claims to be
hungry. Is it OK to offer a little something? Maybe yes, maybe no.
Here's why:
Around the preschool years, many kids start to use the word
"hungry" to express other feelings such as boredom,
loneliness, sadness, or other emotions they don't understand or
can't name. Using food to relieve sadness, for instance, will
establish the connection between food and feelings other than
hunger. Over time, that can be increasingly difficult to undo. And
it won't address the underlying reason for the sadness,
either.
If your child complains of hunger, take a minute to gently ask
questions to see what's really going on: "What have you
been doing?" or "Would you like me to come play with you
for a while?" If your child quickly forgets about a snack,
you'll know he or she was in search of your attention or just
looking for something to do. If the hunger complaints continue, you
probably have a hungry kid on your hands.
Talk About It
It's wise for parents to talk to kids about what it means to
be hungry and what it means to be full. Most of us are born with
the ability to gauge our body's need for food, but over time we
can learn to ignore these signals, which may contribute to weight
gain.
Kids who truly understand when they're hungry - or full -
can better regulate how much food to eat. Not surprisingly, kids
who don't recognize when they're full are more likely to be
overweight.
Here are some ways to encourage kids' awareness of when
they're full:
- Don't use the "clean your plate" rule. Let your
preschooler know that it's OK to stop eating if he or she
feels full. This encourages kids to respond to their own hunger
and fullness cues.
- If your child regularly leaves a lot of uneaten food, try
serving smaller portions.
- Draw attention to how you eat more slowly as you become full.
Pass on seconds if you're no longer hungry. Say, "This
is delicious, but I'm going to stop because I'm
full."
Remember that kids watch what others say and do. If parents and
siblings all model healthy eating habits, a preschooler will have
good examples to follow.
Preschoolers Who "Eat All Day"
The average preschooler eats three meals a day plus two or three
snacks. But given the opportunity, many would choose to snack all
day long. Kids who "graze" like this might never feel
hungry for a regular meal.
Additional reasons to discourage grazing:
- Kids who are hungry at mealtime may be more inclined to
try new foods and eat the healthy foods presented.
- Kids who graze are often snacking on higher calorie food and
drinks, putting them at risk for excessive weight gain.
- Kids who snack frequently, especially on sweets, are more
likely to get cavities.
A regular routine of meals and snacks helps discourage grazing,
and kids like it because they know what to expect. For example, if
kids start to feel hungry during story time, it helps when they
also know that it's always snack time afterwards. And a child
who doesn't feel hungry when it's time for an afternoon
snack knows it's OK to skip it because dinner is just around
the corner.
On very active days, though, it's perfectly normal for kids
to be extra-hungry and need more than usual to eat. On those days,
be flexible if your child wants an extra snack or eats more at
mealtime.
Reviewed by:
Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: April 2008
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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