Appetite Killers!

Do you have a young one who picks at their food at mealtime, barely eating anything?  Do you find yourself pressuring your child to eat more, try certain foods, or clean their plate? It can drive a parent crazy! I know you love your child and want them to be a healthy eater and that is why parents do these things sometimes. But there might be an easier and healthier way to end the mealtime battles: Watch out for appetite killers!

What are appetite killers? Some examples are:

·         Milk

·         Juice

·         Snacks

·         Other drinks (punch, soda, tea)

·         Basically anything except water!

Having any of these appetite killers in the 2-3 hours before a meal can cause your child to not be as hungry or interested in food at meal time. When they are not hungry they may eat less, but also may misbehave at the table instead of eating.

If you are tired of battling your child at mealtime try this: in the 2-3 hours before a meal, the kitchen is closed! No food or drinks (besides water) are allowed. Try to have a schedule where your child is fed 3 meals and 2-3 snacks every 2-3 hours. This gives them enough time to feel hungry in between but not so hungry that they become cranky and tired.

Remember that children do best when we let them decide how much and whether to eat, and even if you watch out for appetite killers and set up a schedule, they still may not eat as much as you want them to. You have to be OK with that. It is normal for kids to eat a little bit some days, a lot on other days, and a “normal” amount on other days.  

-Allison Leonard, RD