It's such a tricky path, I know my food and body issues stem from my mum telling me I was overweight from about school age when the reality was I was actually athletic and just had a different body shape to her. I didn't become overweight until my teens and dealing with other things from her it was the one thing I could control!

Anyway my point is that it's great that you want to help her in a positive way rather than talking about her weight and causing body issues. There are some good points above already, particularly from SJ, giving her the confidence and strength on the inside.

It could just be a growth spurt, especially if she hasn't typically had a tummy before. Dd1 gets one right before she grows but otherwise is is very slender. Dd2 was always chubby until this year, she is about to be 5 and her body shape has changed noticeably in the last few months. She used to be stocky with chubby legs and a tummy but she has grown two sizes in shoes and also one in clothes and looks a lot more like her sister now.

In regards to food I know bake with sugar alternatives like maple syrup, coconut sugar or agave and I use coconut oil instead of butter. I also weaned my kids off juice and now it's milk or water. For me it was about their behaviour from additives and sugar rather than weight but it might also explain the change in dad's shape as I have dropped a few kilos too.