my 2 12 yr old has suddenly been wanting to snack ALL DAY LONG> i do my best to make sure she gets 3 meals and 2 snacks a day, but she doesn't like to eat breakfast. anyway, the last 2 days even right after a big meal she is asking for hot dogs, popsicles, candy, chips, or anything else she can think of. if i tell her no she has a tantrum. and when its over, she thinks of something else to ask for and it starts over. does anyone have any advice for me? how do i know if she's really hungry, or just bored?
Strangely enough my son does exactly the same thing.. But I tell him i have none, but offer baby carrots instead.. I always keep a bag of baby carrots in the fridge..
That way I know that if he is really hungry he will actually eat the carrot.. If he is not hungry he refuses...
His papa has a junk cupbord and Francis knows where it is but can't reach.. :) But I still say I have none... :) I may give him a little treat after dinner depending on how long it took him to eat the dinner...
Good luck.. It is not easy, but I find baby carrots work real well with my son...
I keep the candy and goodies in my bedroom closet for ME!! They have no idea it exists. HA! My kids have a choice of apples or carrots. They love both now and that's one less fruit/veggie serving I need to worry about if I decide to order pizza for dinner! Don't get me wrong, they would never turn down a cookie, but when they are only offered what I want them to eat, eventually they learn to like it or starve!! Good luck!
thats the best answer i've heard so far! i was worried about keeping some snacks for me, because though i do like to eat healthy, i do need a pick me up once in a while! my husband works out of state and im a stay at home mom. i deserve some sweets! thanks for the closet idea! and i know my girl loves healthy stuff so i'll just offer it more often.
I agree with everyone else. The parents should be the ones in control of what their kids eat. If we provide junky food all they will eat is junky food. Provide a good quality snack before these times happen. Don't give into the tantrumsor they will start to rule you.
This is fairly normal at this age - my son did it and at just over 3 still does it some days. I make sure they both have something to eat every 2-3 hours - so breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack and then dinner. I also don't keep things in the house that I don't want them having often - if it's not their they can't see it & kick up a fuss when you say no.
What I found was the best thing and still do is control what is in my cupboard. Therefore I am happy to offer more food but only healthy choices. Therefore they can ask for whatever as long as it is different then last time so that they don't eat yoghurt all day if you get my drift. I try not to buy candy, chips, biscuits etc. except for special occasions. There is always fruit and popcorn, dred fruit, nuts, crckers, cheese etc. If they are really hungry they will eat. Have water on offer all the time too. Sometimes they could be thirsty.
At this age it is better to actually feed them every 2-3 hours. This way you can control what she eats by offering healthy snacks because you're avoiding the really hungry stage when she's likely to ask for anything and everything unhealthy under the sun.
My son is 3 1/2 and if I forget to offer him snacks, he doesn't ask for them until he is extremely hungry. At this point he asks for anything he could think of. So it's worked out so far to offer him something every 2-3 hours even he only eats a little bit.
thats a great idea. i think i'll set an alarm on my cell phone to help me remember to offer her something. then theres no excuses. thank you for your help! and good job with your son!
Any contributed content above is the subjective opinion of that member or external author, and not of Minti.com Pty Ltd. If you are searching for health related advice we strongly suggest you seek professional medical support. View our Terms of Service for more details.
