| Child's
Play Home | Child
Development | Is My Pre-Schooler Eating
Enough?
Child's Play
....sharing information &
ideas!
"Is My Pre-Schooler Eating Enough?...
Too Much?"
Many parents and caregivers are concerned about
how much their child eats. For some, their concern is that the child
is eating too little; for others, it is that the child is eating too much.
Children know best how much they need. Parents and caregivers can
help them meet their nutrient and energy needs by providing a variety of
foods and by:
respecting the child's ability to determine how
much food to eat;
offering portions suitable for the child, with
options for seconds, and allowing children to serve themselves when possible.
setting regular meal and snack times - ones that
work best for the preschooler and the family;
making the time for healthy eating so that meals
and snacks are not rushed;
providing a comfortable setting for eating - one
that is without distractions such as television, which can interfere with
hunger and satiety cues;
not pressuring the child to eat!
Preschoolers can determine how much to eat!
While parents and caregivers determine the
selection of foods offered, preschoolers can determine how much food the
need. Throughout the day, children are able to adjust their intake
of energy. For example, if a child has a low energy meal or snack,
the next one tends to be higher in energy. This explains why some
children eat more at one meal than at another.
By trusting their hunger cues, preschoolers
can learn to choose an amount they can expect to eat. Parents and
caregivers can help build this trust by responding appropriately to signs
that indicate when the preschooler is hungry or satisfied.
Small Frequent Feedings:
Because preschoolers have both small stomachs and
relatively high needs for energy, they may need to eat small amounts of
food frequently throughout the day. This is most commonly achieved
by three meals with a nutritious snack between meals. (Click here for great
snack
ideas) Most preschoolers prefer regularly scheduled meals and
snacks.
Appetites of Preschoolers Fluctuate
Appetites tend to increase during growth spurts
and periods of intense activity, and fall when the preschooler is overly
tired or excited. Food intakes of preschoolers can very from day
to day. Over time, the child's intake of nutrients and energy typically
average out, thus achieving a healthy balance.
Children with Small Appetites
Preschoolers who have small appetites and who typically
eat smaller amounts of food - for example, the small child size portions
at the lowest number of servings - need foods which are high in both nutrients
and energy. In feeding the smaller eater, parents and caregivers
can offer:
food without insisting that the child eat if not
hungry
small meals with a nutritious snack between meals
smaller portions with the option for seconds
nutrient rich foods, including foods high in iron
such a meat, whole grain and enriched cereals, peas, beans and lentils
some energy dense foods such as peanut butter,
cheese, higher fat yogurt, whole milk and muffins, which are nutritious
and higher fat foods enjoyed by many preschoolers.
**Adapted from Canada's
Food Guide to Healthy Eating: Focus on Preschoolers, 1995
*Beary* special thanks to
for the wonderful graphics for this
page.
Copyright © 1999-
Child's Play All rights reserved.
|