Are toddlers suppose to eat all day?

Question

My toddler wants to eat all day long,she eats at meal times but she does'nt eat a lot and she wants to eat fruit or junk food.I have stopped buying junk food so that took care of that part but can she get full on fruit?She is a very picky eater and I am at a loss as to what else to feed her.She will eat veggies also and a little meat but I am having trouble getting her to eat much else.What should I do?

Answer 1

No, they aren't. I sympathize with a picky eater. My son is 4 and is still driving me crazy with this!!

I would set up a schedule and pretty soon she'll understand that she has to eat during meal time what is offered or she'll be hungry till next snack time.

Have a timer and when it dings it is time to eat if she gives you too hard of a time.

Many times eating has become a habit. Make sure that eating is always done at the table with no toys, no sillyness, and definitely no TV. Time to sit quietly and behave.

If she gets up really early then I would feed her breakfast pretty early. I would offer her a morning snack around 9:00 of maybe yogurt or fruit then. I would have her lunch ready at 11:30 or 12:00 depending on how tired she is put her down for a nap around 12:00 or 1:00. After she wakes up from nap (around 2 or 3) have a pretty healthy snack (fruit, graham crackers, goldfish, jello, vanilla wafers) and then that's it till dinner. After dinner another scheduled snack and then bed. She can always have her snack if she doesn't eat her meal but not until snack time. And, limit her snack. You can also save her meal she didn't eat and offer that to her too and if she eats it then her treat as well.

Make sure she isn't filling up on drinks too.

Good Luck. Don't get too stressed! SD

Answer 2

I'm mom to 3 and toddlers do "graze" alot. Most toddlers eat 3 meals and then 2 or 3 snacks a day. Yes the fruit is filling and better for her. As long as she's eating right now, she'll be fine. I think since she is picky, I'd include a daily vitamin so you know for sure she's getting what she needs. Best thing to do is keep trying with the things she doesn't like. Her tastes will change and she won't be such a picky eater. Try things like peanut butter or if she wants junk food, try fruit snacks. The kids think they are getting junk food, but it's not really.

Answer 3

Toddlers are notorious for picky eating and "weird" appetite habits. Some days they seem to eat more than we do and some days nothing at all.

If you offer healthy choices, your child's diet will balance out over the course of the week, especially if they're not already "hooked" on junk food.

A healthy, active toddler has a caloric requirement nearly the same as an adult!!!! Remember that they are growing at a phenomenal rate and they are more active than even professional athletes. Therefore, they rarely overeat unless they have a malfunction in their appetite center or there are nutritional issues (exposed to a high junk food diet, little activity, poor nutrition, etc).

Answer 4

It is natural for children to want to eat little bits over the course of the day. It is your job as a parent to ensure that they eat healthy snacks (which it sounds like you are doing). It is natural for people to eat several small meals throughout the day, it is also healthier. It is society that has the belief in 3 meals a day. Most dietitions will suggest having small portion meals more speratically throughout the day rather than three oversized meals during a day.

My kids 'graze' on the weekend, and are allowed to have a snack at daycare if they are hungry during the week. I keep a bowl of cut carrots and celery in the fridge in ice water and they are allowed to get as little or as much as they want whenever they feel they need to. I also have fruit available if they ask.

hope this helps!

Answer 5

Yes!!!!
I have a 4 year old girl and since she was born all she wants to do is eat!
I feel she has very high metabolism like mu hubby does.
Last night she ate a huge bowl of chilli and, seriously, 30 minutes later she was "starving"!
My daughter is in love with fruit salads!
I cut up bananas, apples, strawberries, oranges, and grapes. That usually keeps her alright for awhile.
Oh, and any kind of 100% fruit juice gummy snacks are really good too!

Answer 6

Childeren will self pace their eating, if they have good healthy choices , and do not fill them up on fruit juices. Don't sweat about the eating as long as the diet balances out over a couple of days. As Mom's we worry too much about this, offer small amounts throughout the day to match your child's activity level. Relax and enjoy!

I am a mom ( of two grownup girls ) and a RN

Answer 7

My grandson was picking a lot & not eating much of his main meals. The picking was cut down so he was only having the equivalent of morning & afternoon teas & definitely not eating close to meal time & things improved. Common sense thinking really. Same as you would apply to yourself. She may want to eat all day long, but there's lots of things kids want to do. It's up to you whether you let them or not.

Answer 8

I read someplace that toddlers should eat like every two hours. I think your doing a great job, as long as its healthy food she should be fine. If we moved as much as those tykes do in a day we would want to eat all the time too.

Answer 9

if she will eat fruit then give it to her it is good for her but keep her away from the junk food and if u want her to slow down on the eating keep her busy

Answer 10

Let her eat as amny snacks as she wants as long as they are all healthy. Make sure she sits down for 3 meals a day too.
Try offering cheese, yoghurts, crackers, flapjacks, or egetable sticks