UO - maybe you can explain this to me

WithBananas

When my daughter was really little, I read a book called "French Kids Eat Everything" which laid out a different perspective from the American one on how to get kids to be less fussy about food and more open to vegetables, etc. In the book, the author talks a lot about how American kids are constantly being given snacks throughout the day and this leads to them not being hungry at meal times and they get most of their nutrition just from the snacks.

 

So I thought this was overblown, but now I belong to a play group, and no matter what time of the day playdates are held, all of the babies and toddlers who can eat food are given snacks during the playdate. Like I said, it does not matter the time.. I just don't understand why the kids have to be constantly eating? I don't remember it being like this when I was little.

joshandpanda

I feel the same way... I don't give Ky snacks just whenever, but only at certain times of the day. Just to kind of ride him over till his bottle. And when he gets a snack is just a couple of little puffs or one of those gerber cookie biscuit things.

mamathompson7

Yes, my pediatrician calls it 'grazing' and has talked to us about NOT letting Hunter eat all day since he was 4 months old. 

He doesn't, but mostly just because he would rather run around than eat, lol! That being said, he does eat his meal

picklesx

DS has a small mid morning snack if he wakes up early and has a while before lunch. So, if he wakes up at 6, I give him a cup of milk and some regular breakfast and then around 9 or 10 I give him a small amount of fruit or two or three crackers to tide hi

pc150805

I don't really like kids grazing either. My nieces are gazers and they are terrible eaters. I don't know that one equals the other, but I've tried to keep more of a snack schedule instead of letting her pick all day.

bornmommy

Eh, I let DS graze.  I like the idea of five small meals a day and that's pretty much what he gets.  I graze throughout the day. As long as snacks are healthy, I see no issue.

GromMom

I think you are right. Its like a self fulfilling prophecy, I'm afraid my kid is not eating enough, so I provide snacks and he or she proves me right be not eating anything at meal times. My niece is exactly like this, refuses to eat anything because

DeAndraM01

I give Jaden a limited amount of snacks throughout the day and I try to make them healthy choices.

Even if I use the Gerber snacks, it might be 2 apple harvest wagon wheels, a few puffs, a few crunchies, or something.

He loves celery and ca

bellelamb

My kids get snacks when were out because it keeps the happy and I like to snack too. But they are all under the 50 for weight and eat their meals very well. They all eat any and all veggies and will try anything. Well right now Nathan us being picky bu