Your child’s appetite may change as they grow. Here’s what to do if you have concerns and how to ensure they are getting the nutrition they need.

Is My Child Eating Too Much?

The best resource for determining if your child is eating too much is your pediatrician, as they will consider various factors, such as age, height, weight, activity levels, and medical conditions, and provide specific recommendations for your child.

Children’s bodies come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, based on different appetites, metabolism rates, and growth speeds. Even a child’s interest in eating can vary from meal to meal, day to day, week to week, and month to month. It’s not uncommon for a child to boycott food one week and then suddenly seem starving the next.

Why Is My Child Always Hungry?

A busy child uses a lot of energy running, climbing, and exploring, and needs nutritious food to fuel all the fun they’re having. Try to provide three regular meals and two snacks a day to satisfy their appetite.

But keep in mind that children’s development doesn’t progress at a smooth, steady rate during childhood. In fact, small growth spurts are expected in the early years, which means you may notice your child’s appetite increasing from time to time.

You might also check with your child to see if something else is going on. For example, instead of being hungry, your child might be feeling another emotion (such as boredom or sadness) when they ask for another snack.

What to Do If Your Child Wants to Eat All the Time

If you’re concerned about your child’s eating habits, consult a pediatrician before making any changes to their diet. Your doctor can help answer any questions you have and offer advice on how to establish healthy habits for your family. In general, though, try these tips for snacks, meals, and everything in between:

Lead by example. Choose healthy snacks and meals yourself and keep fruits, vegetables, and other good-for-you options on hand for everyone in the family to enjoy.

Skip the pressure. Arguing over every bite or obsessing over how much they eat is counterproductive. And avoid the “clean plate club,” as it doesn’t teach your child to stop eating when they feel full.

Train those little taste buds. Introduce your child to a wide variety of healthy foods, filling the daily menu with whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy (after age 2).

Start with a healthy breakfast. Children who eat breakfast regularly are more likely to get their daily nutrients, maintain a healthy body weight, have better concentration, and miss fewer school days. Good breakfast ideas for young children include fruits, toast with peanut butter, eggs, and oatmeal.

Schedule snacks. Nutritious snacks help children refuel between meals. Offer a snack between breakfast and lunch and another between lunch and dinner. More than that can curb their appetite at mealtime.

Help them pay attention to hunger cues. Children who are spoon-fed often end up eating more than they want or need, so teach your child to feed themselves, and you’ll encourage them to take control of how much they want to eat. When they seem full, let them leave the table.

Encourage exercise. Give your child plenty of opportunities for physical activity. And lead the way — when you involve the whole family (walking, swimming, playing tag, biking), everyone benefits.

You know your child better than anyone, so take a good look at what they eat throughout the day and then talk with your pediatrician. Together, you can come up with some smart strategies for healthy eating for your little one, both at mealtimes and for snacks.