I have had from one extreme to the other. DD was just like your DD2 and just was hungry- she's still always hungry, but now she's only allowed to eat and understands why at brekkie, morning tea, lunch etc....DS on the other can get by on oh a rice cake and a tub of yoghurt ....I know which one was easier....
I used to worry DD was eating out of habit/boredom and as we both have morbid obesity seemingly running in our families I was paranoid but if you could see my DD grow at her rate of knots and how active she is...well I know where all her food is going. Totally agree with beckoes.
Three bowls of pasta and a tub of yoghurt last night, and about 5 mouthfuls of dinner and half a cup of juice tonight.
My strategy (when I remember) is to have the appealing stuff (well, stuff that appeals to them, like cereal, sandwiches, yoghurt, bikkies, sweet fruit, pasta) at the main meal times, and then the rest of the time it's water, apples, carrots, plain crackers, or whatever they left over from the most recent meal. That way I know if they're eating, they're hungry. We get ours 'hungry' for tiny teddies and turning up their nose at a vegemite sandwich, so that gives their game away sometimes...
My DS (2.5) is a huge grazer. Its impossible to get him to eat anything substantial at meal times, and I feel like he just lives on snacks (PB sandwiches, cheese, ham, fruit bars etc). He will have maybe a bite of mince or similar at dinner.
It frustrates me no end! But my research suggests that they are naturally grazers at this age, and also that their appetites are very good at regulating what they need too. I think your LO sounds fine- as long as they're not overweight, I wouldn't be concerned.
Nelle, your idea is good- give the appealing stuff at meal times. I might try this....
hun I don't think its a good idea to limit her at this age. I think there is a high chance that could just lead to her wanting food more (because she can't have it) IYKWIM? And then you've created a battle ground over food. I've also been told they naturally graze at this age and probably, if I did that much running and jumping and climbing and dancing and all the rest of the activity I would drop my weight and be able to eat like a horse too
Is she overweight? I think if she's in normal limits then it's all cool.
DS is a bit like Nelle's, he runs hot and cold with meals. Sometimes he eats heaps and other times he seems to skip meals, sometimes two in a row He also grazes constantly most afternoons from about 3pm through to dinner-time. Often CC report that he "ate heaps" or "had seconds today" and those are the days he doesn't want much dinner.
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