Use common sense feeding children between meals

Being a parent for the first time wasn’t an easy task.

When my toddler was growing, I had to face kids feeding problems which were a daily chore that I couldn’t avoid.

My toddler used to ask for food in between meals.

It is hard to resist my toddler’s pleas with those cutie pie eyes gazing at me.

Giving in to his pleas for food,

I had finally realized that parents had to use their common sense in between feeding time.

Most toddlers, children and even teenagers are keen in snacking before having the real mealtime.

For example, snacking before lunch or dinner because they couldn’t wait for mother to finish cooking.

I hear parents complaining that their children are lacking of appetite when it is time for lunch or dinner.

This problem arises because parents like us are too lenient about giving in food to our hungry children.

If we are consistent, insist on “NO FOOD” 30minutes before mealtime, I am sure that our children would be willingly to eat up everything serves on the table.

If healthy snack is given at a sensible hour, it shouldn’t interfere the child’s appetite which would lead to feeding problems.

NEVER give any snacks to your child 30min before mealtime, this is an IMPORTANT point that you should know.

It is advisable for children to be given snack not closer than 1.5 hours before the next meal.

Snacking before mealtime depends on the type of food you give to you child.

Snacks Recommended

• Fresh cut out fruits such as apples, pears, grapes or honeydews are great meal starters. Most children are able to go without solid food before mealtimes.
• vegetable salads such as Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, carrot sticks with a little salad dressing. Don’t over do it.
• fruit juices are recommended because these foods are easily and quickly digested. Give a glass of tomato, apple or orange juices 20 minutes before mealtime, improves your child’s appetite and his digestive system. You will notice that your child is still hungry even after having fruit juices.

Snacks Not Recommended

• Feed only food that are not sugar content, would less likely to lead tooth decay. No candies, chocolates or tidbits.
• Although milk is a healthy drink, it stays in your child’s stomach much longer, feeling full and tired. Milk takes away your child’s appetite for the next meal. In addition, milk is slow to digest, makes your child feel full for a couple of hours.
• Avoid cakes, cookies and pastry which are high in sugar and butter. Too much calories and lack of nutrients which will induce your child to put on weight easily.
• Biscuits, Cream Crackers and bread sticks stick to the teeth for some time. Sticky food in between the teeth will rot, turned into cavities.
• Salty and dried snacks , takes away appetite after drinking lots of water.
• Carbonated, caffeine and sweet beverages, bad for the teeth. Carbonated drinks are full of gasses and sugar.
• Don’t give oatmeal or 3-in-1 beverage because they are made from oats and mixed with powdered milk, making your child to feel fuller.

It is best to make mealtime an enjoyable time not a war time between parents and children bickering over food.

When your child is fed full with nutritious food on every meal, it is rare for him to keep asking for snacks before the next meal unless he is a glutton !

photo taken by peachpurple

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