Ms. Mary Silva
Specializing in feeding and nutrition.
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 Ask Mary Silva
Four-Year-Old Wants to Eat Frequently | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Ms. Silva,
My four-year-old son wants to snack or eat every 45 minutes to an hour. He is thin so overeating is not a problem. I try to give him nutritional meals and snacks, but as soon as we eat he complains of being hungry again within the hour. Do you have any suggestions as to what is causing this or the best possible way to handle it?— Snacked Out Mom | | | ANSWER |
August 17, 2001 | | | Dear Snacked Out Mom,
Most young children need to eat snacks in addition to meals to provide adequate calories for growth and activity. Some children do need to snack more than others. It appears that if your child is eating meals and snacking frequently yet is thin, he is either eating very small amounts or eating foods of low caloric density. You might try to give your child three meals and three snacks. The snacks should include as much food as a small meal. That is, give the foods that you would normally give at mealtime in smaller portions, about four tablespoons of each food. Adding foods of high caloric content such as dairy products, dried fruit, peanut butter (or other nut butter) will give him the extra energy he needs. You can increase the caloric density of food by adding grated cheese, butter or oil, wheat germ, mayonnaise or cheese sauce. You can check the calorie content of foods by reading the food label.
You will also want to monitor the amount of juice or other sweet beverages your child drinks. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting the juice give to a child one to six years of age to four to six ounces a day.— by Mary Silva, M.S., R.D. |
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