my daughter is such a fussy eater she nibbles all day on snacks but not interest in dinner?

Question

i know your say don't let her snack all day but if i don't she still wont eat her dinner what i call proper food,she snacks on yogurt fruit sandwhich crisps.any idea's please

Answer 1

actually it is healthier to eat about 6 small meals a day. my daughter was what is called a grazer/ she ate healthy snacks. If your worried try pulling the timing of the snacks longer and longer in between until they are at more set times so that she is snacking at just certain times. Unless your daughter is very overweight(mine ate like that and is now 11 a nice weight in the lower range) and still prefers healthier foods. she doesn't over eat and now eats at normal times.

once they hit school time they have to "normalize" somewhat so it isn't as huge an issue when they are younger.

Mom of 4 kids ages 14, 12,11, and 5

Answer 2

Close the snack cupboard and say, "Not until dinner." Serve her a healthy dinner at the appointed time and if she won't eat, let her down from the table and put her food in the fridge. When she's hungry enough, she'll ask for her food. And if she doesn't, one night of going to bed with a rumbling tummy won't hurt her in the slightest. If she whines, repeat this like a broken record, "Snacks are for between meals. You didn't eat your dinner, so you can't have a snack."

Answer 3

Your daughter sounds like my boy. Currently, we're giving him healthy snacks like fruits and baby biscuits and bread. As suggested by the other answerers here, either you cut down the snacks and make sure she's really hungry during dinner time or continue with the healthy snacks and not worry too much. We're doing both (certain days - it's snacks and small dinner or no snacks and dinner), depending on the daily circumstances ! I've been assured by other Mums that this is a phase they will outgrow! :)

Answer 4

Fighting about food entertains kids and destroys parents. There will probably be plenty of time for her to learn that there is a routine to food. Is she about three or four? If so, then try to work with her. So long as she is eating enough, don't beat yourself up about it. There are more important issues to worry about than whether or not your child eats when you want her to.

Try to cut down a bit on the snacks, and still require her to sit down at mealtimes with the family even if she doesn't eat dinner. At least make her sit down and make an attempt on eating. She will sort it out one day.

Remember that kids have small stomachs and are more suited to lots of small meals occasionally than a few big meals each day.

Answer 5

I would make her sit in her chair until she ate her dinner.. dont let her snack during the day.. I know it is healthy but try not to let her snack.. maybe reward her sometimes with icecream if she does.. or something she likes to do if she eats all her dinner? I have the same problems sometimes and I make him sit there and if it is real bad I will just make him eat a set number of bites of each thing and then he is allowd to go play or whatever.. good luck!

Answer 6

SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE MIGHT KNOW HOW TO PUSH BUTTONS, NO OFFENSE. IF SHE'S EATING SNACKS ALL DAY OF COURSE SHE WON'T EAT DINNER. MY DAUGHTER WAS THE SAME WAY UNTIL I STARTED LIMITING THE AMOUNT OF WHAT SHE WAS EATING SLIGHTLY. AS LONG AS SHE IS EATING HEALTHY STUFF I DON'T SEE IT AS A BIG PROBLEM. IF SHE WANTS NOTHING TO DO WITH GOOD FOOD THEN YOU WILL HAVE TO HOLD OUT A LITTLE UNTIL SHE CAVES AND EATS THE GOOD FOOD OR UNTIL SHE GETS HUNGRY. SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO BE THE MOMMIE AND BE FIRM WITHOUT BEING TO MUCH OF A TYRANT. IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO INSIST SHE SITS AT THE TABLE WITH THE FAMILY EVEN THOUGH SHE'S NOT WANTING TO EAT, IT WILL BE GOOD ENCOURAGEMENT AND IT'S GOOD FAMILY TIME AS I'M SURE YOU KNOW. IT CAN BE QUITE A JUGGLING ACT, GOOD LUCK.

Answer 7

Your teaching her that eating all day long is ok. She is going to grow up eating all the time. Limit her to a snack every 2 hours. Make sure you keep them healthy snacks.

Answer 8

You have two options..
you can take away all the snacks.. eventually she will eat a meal.. she can't hold out forever..

or
you can be resigned to the fact that you have a grazer on your hands.. and as long as she is getting proper nutrition from the small meals she is eating then you are ok..

Answer 9

Let her snack all day as long as it's healthy. I wouldn't worry about dinner now; she'll eat it eventually. I wouldn't refuse snacks.

Answer 10

just make sure she is getting all the vitamins and nutrients in her snacks and son't worry about her not eating at meal times. I would still make her sit down with the family at the table though.