best time to feed toddler??

Question

My little boy is 2yrs 3 months and eats quite well - just wondering....when do all u parents out there feed ur little ones their MAIN hot meal of the day? At lunch time or evening?? i think i shall start giving my little boy his main meal in daytime as itll give him energy etc - in evening he isnt so active so surely that cant be good - heavy mean then no physical activity...?? Whats everyones opinion?

Answer 1

Sounds good. The old saying is to eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper.

Answer 2

It would actually be healthier for everyone if we ate our main meal at lunch time, but most people don't do that. Your reasoning is right on. A heavier meal at night isn't digested as well and sleeping sure doesn't help burn off those extra calories. Not to mention that if you eat to close to bedtime, you won't sleep as well. The problem usually is that most families wait to have their main meal together in the evening. I'd go with whatever works best for your family and make sure that he's eating healthy food at all meals.

Answer 3

I have a 20 month old and I feed her breakfast at about 8am, a light snack,toast and a yoghurt etc, at 12am and her main meal at about 4.30pm. She has the odd bottle in between times of course.

I find she's not too tired to eat, as can happen with youngsters, and she can eat with her older brother which makes for a proper mealtime at the table.

It also means that if my husband and I are eating early during the week (about 6-6.30) then she and her brother can sit with us and pick without it being the be all and end all that they eat-which makes for good conversation and less stress all round.

At the weekend we all eat together but usually an hour later across the board.

Answer 4

All meals except for snacks should be hot.
A hot breakfast helps the child with opening his bowels first thing in the morning.
Lunch and dinner should both be of main meal type foods.

For example, if you give him a few chips and fish fingers for lunch
You should give him a proper meal of maybe rice or potatoes with meat and vegetables for dinner.
2 year olds are always active so giving dinner between 4 and 6pm is fine.

Answer 5

Just feed him what you are eating. That's the normal thing to do. Soup is good for a quick hot meal in the middle of the day. Fresh fruits and veggies are good to feed at this age and gives them a head start on good nutritional habits.

Answer 6

He should eat when you eat and what you eat for the most part. break, lunch and dinner and snacks in between. Breakfast actually should be the biggest meal of the day, followed by lunch and a smaller dinner for everyone.

Answer 7

My toddler gets a hot meal at nursery - she has sometimes a hot meal at night but its never anything big otherwise it would lie on her tummy all night. she will maybe have macaroni cheese and vegetables but then at about half hour before bedtime she will maybe have some bread or a yoghurt, just so she isnt starvingduring the night.

Answer 8

I have always fed both mine in the evening at around 5pm. It depends on individual needs but if you do feed a lunchtimes it ties you down more for going out for a day.

Answer 9

I reckon lunch time is best for hot meal or depends on if you are out or not whichever suits really but i prefer it that way

Answer 10

i say lunch because it is best to eat heavy meal in the lunch period because after no activity after dinner normally