"Seeking Moms in USA"

I sounds like you have given her the choice between nutrition and fun snacks. What child would opt for chicken and broccoli rather than graham crackers or pretzels? If she is getting healthy snacks, try to include one of those at meal time and slowly wean her off of snacks except maybe the long stretch between lunch and dinner. If she is truly hungry between meals and you feel bad about letting her feel hungry, warm up that plate of mashed potatoes and steak she wouldn't touch at dinner. If it is a matter of preference on her part, she will soon learn to appreciate meal time if you cut out the snack options.

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DON'T GIVE HER ANY SNACKS! THROW THEM OUT! THROW THEM AWAY! If you don't have the snacks, then she can't eat them then she will be hungry for meals! I can't believe that this question deserves any more comment than that!

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Hello Christina,

My first question to you would be what is she snacking on? If she is "grazing" on fruits and veggies I wouldn't worry about mealtimes. But if she is snacking on goldfish, snackmix, gummy type fruit snacks, or anything with sugar and empty calories I would just not allow snacking. I would schedule a snack time between meals, sitting at the table with something healthy, not just a fly by and grab something everytime she is in the kitchen. I don't feel like eating at mealtimes either if I am not hungry due to too much snacking.

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Hello Christina.

I must agree completely with Kristin R.

We have 6 children ages 7mos - 15yrs.
All of my 5 older children have gone through this at least once.

They know now that if they refuse a meal it will either:
A. be saved for them for the next time they are hungry.
or
B. they go without

And if they choose B. then they do not eat again until the next main meal (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) and they are not offered a snack.

When weighing out their options and knowing the given consequence that follows with their choice...we don't have to suffer the whining that would normally follow.
Instead, we just remind them of THEIR choice.

It's pretty hard to argue with Mom or Dad when it was them that made the choice.

The best to you & yours!
~D.

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I know someone who still eats like that but she eats at mealtimes - she just extends the length of the meal - and she is over 40 now. She is out of shape because she doesn't exercise, but she isn't overweight the way you would expect someone who eats constantly while they are awake would be, but she is vegan if that has any correlation. As for your daughter, if she were mine, I would not let her have access to the food she snacks on all day. Then she will be hungry at meal times and eat what you serve. Talk to her and explain what you are doing and why. If this change causes a problem with her behavior (ie: blood sugar drops, mood swings, etc.) you may just have to realize that it is the way her metabolism works and she may need to eat more often than you serve meals. Make sure she eats healthy foods and not just empty calories between meals.

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dont buy snacks. if she wont eat during meal times, then let her go hungry. she wont die. after a few missed meals she will eat her scheduled meals. if there are no snacks available then she will have to eat what you cook.

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My first advice would be don't let food be a battle. It's a power struggle you'll never win, and if it feels like you do, you'll probably regret it. That said, remember kids' stomachs are smaller and metabolism faster, so they need those snacks through out the day... but - keep it healthy. Keep only healthy snacks available. As a 6 year old, your daughter is old enough to learn the basics of nutrition and help you plan and prepare meals. If she's involved in planning, shopping, (or better yet, growing) and cooking, she's more likely to look forward to eating at mealtime.

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Hi Christina,

Well, you either cut back on the snacks or you cut them out completely like I have had to do with my son. In fact, if my son had it his way he would thrive on snacks all day and never eat a meal with us!!

Just remember, "Your the Mom", you decide- "What", "Where", and "When" with Your Child. You have to be in control and let them know that and respect that.

Now, if you have lost her respect or never had it to begin with. You have some work ahead of you. Really, in order to get your child to do anything they MUST have RESPECT for you!!

Also, a child should be able to eat a meal within 30 minutes. My son especially will try and drag that on and want to full around or pick. We have said that if the meal is not done within a reasonable amount of time that we will then give it to them for the next meal but absolutely NO Snacks in between if the meal was not eaten. I hope you understand that the "Norm" is usually 2 healthy snacks in between 3 normal meals of B/L/ & Dinner. That is usually what the Pediatricians and Nutriionists recommend.

What will eventually happpen (with just eating unhealthy snacks) or possibly already has is that bad eating habits are established and she could eventually become over weight at a young age.

I was told a story not long ago from an Aunt of mine when I was sharing about my son and his issues with wanting to eat snacks all the time. She said she has a friend who's child refused to eat a meal when everyone else would have the normal B/L/Dinner meals. But she said that junk snacks were always accepted. Anyway, this apparently went on for awhile and she finally took her to the Doctor. The Doctor told her that her child was thriving and definitely not starving. In fact, gaining weight! He said that you could survive on junk food but it eventually catches up with you and not in good ways. Obviously, he told her that she had to re-gain back her control and deal with it.

My Aunt told her if you hardly ever see her eat anything then she's obviously sneaking around and doing it! (My son tries to do that too!). So eventually, she went to her room and to her surprise she found cookies, candy, chips, etc. under her bed, in her closet, everywhere that was not visible when you first walk in. It was really sad! But it was a rude awakening for this Mom and a reality check.

She got the "Snap Out of it" slap as my Aunt put it and became the Mom and got control. All snacks were taken away and miraculously the little girl started eating again. They eventually get hungry enough to appreciate and enjoy what you give them. Especially if you can make sure and find out what some of her favorite meals use to be. But absolutely no snacks until she gets she needs to eat her B/L/D first and when she does earn a snack make it a healthy one!!

Hopefully this helps and you are not offended but rather enlightened.

Happy New Year!

A.

my kids aren't 'allowed' to have snacks unless they eat their meal.
i.e. if they eat breakfast, they can have a morning snack, if they eat lunch they can have a mid day snack. i don't allow snacks after dinner.
if you feel like your child eats a snack and isn't hungry at meal time, they will be hungry for a snack later, which is too bad for them because they don't get one because they didn't eat their meal.

I have a daughter that did that. She is very slender @ 16 and continues to snack. If you think about it as long as the snacking is healthy and not candy and empty calorie foods, it is ok. The consistant snacking keeps the metabolism up. When dieting we are told to eat 6 small meals in a day, well as a child they are burning energy all day. With my kids I made smaller portions at night and then they were not rewarded with a treat if they did not eat their dinner. If they were hungry after dinner then they could finish thier dinner. I came from the clean plate generation and do not advise that the child eats everything that is in front of them. Smaller portions and more often. Hope this helps.

I would lock up or hide the snacky stuff. He will eat meals when he is hungry from not snacking all day.

YOU NEED TO STOP THE SNACKING!!! stop buying the snack foods!! If you do not have them, she will not eat them!!