2 Year Old Eating ALL the Time

I agree with the doctor feed him as long as is healthy food, however I wouldn't give him AS MUCH low fat-fat free food (is full of unhealthy ingridients) or red meats/porks (a lot of saturated fats)give him organic products instead, read the labels and you'll see the difference. Our family changed to organic and love it. I don't work or represent any organic company, nor in the medical field, just looking for healthy and nutrient food.

Good luck

i have to agree with the no fat thing. babies/toddlers dont need to be fat free, its required for all sorts of things like brain development. I mean they need whole fat milk and cheese and yogurt. though have the doc check him for an imbalance on a disorder i cant remeber the name of but the person is hungry all the time!

2 year olds do NOT need fat free food. (healthy) Fat is ESSENTIAL for brain develop. Not to mention that it is partially the fat that cues the stomach/brain for satiety (fullness).

Children that age will NOT overeat healthy foods. If your child is constantly asking for food, he's _hungry_. Stay away from extremely low-fat foods and start introducing things that are higher in the good fats. Obviously no trans-fats or saturated fats, etc. You might try introducing some kind of nuts or seeds that are loaded with the good stuff - peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, etc - depending on your comfort level and food allergy concerns.

If your child is not eating junk food and is only eating healthy foods, you have nothing to worry about. Listen to your doctor. How big are you and your husband frame-wise? If you are tall/average, your child may just be following your genetics.

My three are TINY. My husband's family are all short and skinny. My almost 6 year old isn't even 40 pounds yet. And she eats anything and everything. My just about to turn 4 year old is 36" tall and 29 pounds soaking wet. My youngest (the only boy) is much heftier than the girls ever were at his age, but compared to other kids he's dinky. In contrast, my cousin's son is 3 and he's taller and heavier than my almost 6 daughter.

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/major/nhanes/growthcharts/c... This link is to the CDCs website and they have charts to track growth for children from birth on up to 5 years or so. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/growthcharts/set2clin...

At 27 months and 36" high, your son is hovering aroun the 50th percentile according to the chart. That's average. He's about the 97th percentile for weight, but that could mean anything. He could be about to hit a growth spurt and shoot upwards. I've found that they don't grow up AND out symetrically. It's one then the other. So the get heavier and then they get taller. I REALLY wouldn't worry.

Toddlers are very active, growing children. They do tend to eat a lot. What my doctor has had me do with my children, is give them little snacks to munch on. Cheerios, or maybe baby carrots. Just little things to snack on in between meals. This worked for my older two. My current 2yr old, wont eat a meal at all. She has mini meals throughout the day. She has a bowl of cereal that she might snack on for a while in the morning, and a yogurt for breakfast. I buy her little toddler meals by gerber for her lunches, she has an afternoon snack, she picks at a plate of dinner, and an evening snack.... all healthy foods. We do have desert once in a while, but its usually something small.
Every toddler is different, easting habits and needs are no different.

Hi there, Until your child is around 3 years old, his body will control how much he needs to eat. Chance are good that his body is not getting enough fat because everything you are feeding him is low fat or fat free. His body is telling itself that it needs the fat and he will need to keep eating to get it. Children need fat to help their brain develop properly. It doesn't have to be bad fat, but nuts or avacados, or cheese, whole milk yogurt.....are all good for you, and for you child. If you are concerned about him getting fat, encourage him to go for walks with you, or have a running contest, or "how far can you jump...how many times?" games. Your doctor is right about not saying no. Unless it is right before dinner, let him have a snack. As for him being over weight, most boys pack on the pounds before they go through a growth spurt and will then thin out as they grow. It also sounds like you control his portions too much. He WILL stop eating when his body has everything it needs...including fat.

No wonder he is eating all the time, he is starving for fats. Children need a high amount of fats to develop their nervous system, brain, bones, and just about everything properly. I mean like fat from real butter, not that toxic margarine, and not those industrially processed vegetable oils that are making everybody sick. He needs butter, cod liver oil, and a high fat diet to make up for all those low fat meals. I hope you will let him eat as much plain butter as he wants, it's very good for children. The reason he would be hungry all the time is because the body knows that when it gets enough fats it is full, yet no matter how many carbs a person or child consumes, the body will always hunger for more. The same goes for food that is not nutrient dense. If he is already on a low fat diet, he is probably in dire need of the fat soluble vitamins and essential fats. Please check out www.westonaprice.org and you will find a great deal of information on healthy food for children.

I know a lot of other posters have mentioned this, but children that young need fat! It's crucial for brain and nerve development. He probably eats constantly because he's craving fat and not getting it. I'm sure you can find the correct percentage of his calories that need to come from fat somewhere online. It's a great opportunity to teach them healthy sources at that age--cold water fish like salmon, nuts, omega-three eggs and similar items. I gave my daughter whole fat dairy products (organic) until at least two. At three and a half, she's down to two percent.

Hope that helps!

Hi C.,

I agree with many of the repsonses already. I have been in the nutritional industry for 14 years so I do have some advice as well. Fat free and low fat foods are terrible for anyone! They are loaded with chemicals but they are also loaded with sugar. The added sugar is going to continue to make your son eat more. Avoid anything with high fructose corn syrup, or any thing that says dextrose. I also beleive that the more organic you eat the better and find a great mutti-vitamin, one that does not have any preservatives or additives.

your son is not overweight and you should let him eat whenever he wants, especially since the food is so healthy. I worry when someone already restricts a two year old's diet and says no to food. I know you want the best for him, but what is best for us is not what is best for him. Let him eat and change some things over from no-fat to regular, they need it! All the reports on childhood obesity are scary, but don't let them put you over the edge. The average kid can eat junk and be fine. It is when their only three activities are watching tv, playing video games and computer that they get into trouble.

Kids eat when and how much they need to. The best advice I ever got regarding feeding babies/kids is that as a parent/caregiver it is your job to offer your child healthy choices of food, it is their job to pick what they want from those choices and decide how much they want to eat.So as long as you are giving him a balanced diet to choose from--don't worry about how much he is eating--he will stop when he is full.
BTW that advice came from an excellent book that was recommended to me by a dietitian and several moms called "Child of Mine: Feeding with Love and Good Sense" By Ellyn Satter.
http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Dora-Explorer-Floating-Let...
Awesome, awesome book...worthy of a read. :)

There are many kids this way and it is very possible he has an extremely fast metabolism which is good.

You need to listen to the doctor and never tell him no. As long as you're giving him healthy food which you said you are, you can't go wrong.

Kids have huge growth spurts and its important they get the food they need to support ths growth.

Best wishes, and keep on feeeding him in a healthy way.

J.

Well looking at a growth chart I would say he is just fine. a little heavy but not really, more likely that he is getting ready for a growth spurt.
My daughter would eat like you are describing for about a month before a growth spurt and then virtually eat nothing for a week and sleep the whole time.

Also are you using the home scale? Most scales sold for in home use are not accurate under 85 pounds, while the one at the doctors are nore accurate for smaller weights.

http://pediatrics.about.com/library/growth_charts/nboysbi...

Hi C.,

Your doctor is right... keep feeding him however much he wants. As long as it's all healthy and not junk, there is no danger. Toddlers and preschoolers appetites come in waves as does their growth. And they will keep asking for food when their little bodies need more and stop eating when they're done. I wouldn't deprive him of anything at this point, it's such an important stage of growth. Besides, he sounds quite tall for his age, so it sounds like he can handle it.

Good luck,
K.

I agree with everything the other mom's said. Especially adding some healthy fat to his diet. It will help him stay full longer and provide important nutrients too. Avacado's, nut butters etc. Lowfat is OK but I wouldn't do fat free anything for a toddler.

I have a four year old and he has always eaten a ton. He is the same way and I was worried when he was younger but not now. He can eat two grown up meals like it is nothing. Although in order for him to have more he has to eat everything and I make sure he has two veggies at least. I try to make only healthy meals and I limit the fruit because it is high in sugar. I have two sons 4 and 7 and they were both this way, my oldest was 105 percentile until he was 5 or 6 and now he is average. My oldest is now extremely lean and people think he works out because he has great muscle tone. Sometimes he still eats like that but about half the time I have to make him eat. My 4 year old has already slowed on growing he is now small and needs to gain a little weight. If they eat healthy, balanced meals then the more often they eat the better because it keeps their metabolism high. My advice don't worry as long as he eats healthy and stays very active (we are). Gymnastics is great for boys that age.

My son is 2 1/2 and he is a hearty eater as well. Things change around 4 they slow down a bit. Right now they are growing and need the food. There is nothing to worry about since he is eating all good food. But I know it is a challenge to keep up with a child who is always hungry. He is probably in a growth spirt. There are times when I feel my kids are going to eat me out of house and home. Just keep up the good work on providing the right food. He will be fine.

wow I just finished writing about my 2 year old and his weight he weighs in at 40 lbs and is 27 months old, as yours he also LOVES to eat!! EVERYTHING, the good thing is your son sounds like he eats better then mine, So i wonder then is this weight normal? they weigh about the same, same age, only difference is yours eats healtier, maybe this is Okay, maybe little boys just go through this Spurt... ???

If your doctor isn't worried about him, I wouldn't worry. Maybe try giving him some foods that aren't low-fat to help with his satiety. I wouldn't deprive him if he's still hungry. He is too young to be emotionally eating. He is just still hungry. You describe yourself as active, so I'm guessing he's active too. He probably burns a lot of energy during the day.

Hi C.,

It sounds like he is eating very well and you've got a handle on it. Most licensed clinical nutritionists will say you can eat all day if you don't eat the wrong food.

I'm with Jennifer on giving him some healthy fats. The nuts and avocado would be great. Maybe even some cashew butter....

Regards,

M.

Hi C.
You know, the thing that stuck out to me in your post was the very end where you said everything he eats is either fat free or low fat. As much as it might seem counterintuitive (when you're concerned about weight gain) giving him some good fats may be just what he needs. The biochemical feedback that lets him know he's full works best with fat in the diet. Nuts, avocados, olive oil, whatever he's interested in. A good balance between lean and fat.
Good luck!

That is wondeful that you feed your child such healthy food. Good for you. yes, it is normal that they constantly want and ask for food....for numerous reasons! Its our responsibility to temper situations...regardless. If you believe he is getting enough, then say "let's wait until after we play outside" or something to the sort. Also, don't be so hard about the low fat/no fat...that may be why he is still so hungry. You know that kids require "fat"...and it's the "fat" that fills them up...and as you know, there are good fats...like don't skip the butter on his wheat toast or a piece of cheese, etc...this is what gives him satiety! and its vital for his growth. i have four boys and it NEVER ends...I promise...but i just allow them to chow down on fruit and veggies as much and as often as they wish...it runs in to dinner and then they EAT like MEN!!! amazing...but they run it off every day! I love it! Enjoy!

I read the responses and noted the one in which the woman told you that the child needs good fats. So true! Also, soy is POISON, go to www.mercola.com and other places and check it out. Try rice or almond milk. Best of luck to you.

Kids tend to go through spurts of eating, they have alot of growing to do. Take it while you can, currently my daughter has decided to not eat. Every meal is a negotiation of trying to get her to eat something! Since your son is already eating fruit you can allow him to eat extra fruit after his meal. Varying fruits will get him extra nutrition. Keep him active, which I'm sure is not a problem at 2!

Many blessings to you and your family,
A.

Hi my name is K., i have a 23 month old who is exactly the same size as yours, 36 and 36. He perfectly healthy as is yours. They are not overweight just growing alot. If he is eating healthy, I agree with your doctor, let him eat and give him as much as he wants. If he has always been this way then he should already be overweight and he is not. He is probably in 95-100percentile and that just means they are big boys. i love it when my little one eats a whole tomato at the grocery store and people stare at him then we get home and eats his whole meal plus his desert. My child sleeps well at night and I attribute that to an active day and a full stomach. I honestly believe a 2 year old will only eat if he's hungry so let him eat all that good stuff and be very thankful you have a good eater, they are few and far b/w. K.

I commend you on your eating habits and the habits you are instilling in your child. I think however, he's hungry. If you guys are that active more so than already a 2 year old is, then he's burning all that you are putting into him. His weight sounds fine and I wouldn't be concerned with him being over weight as you aren't feeding him anything that would make him so.
I agree with your doctor in that you should continue feeding him healthy foods and not tell him no when he wants something.
Give him a different mixture or different types of healthy foods that will change things up for him.
Curious as to what the doctor thinks about you only giving your son Soy milk. I would check into what effects soy has on men compared to women, rice milk might be something to consider. But you sound very educated in nutrition so I am sure you have already researched your options.

as long as the doctor says his weight is normal and you feed him healthy foods let him eat. he is probably very active and has a good metabalism. .
some people eat more. i eat more than anyone i know, including my husband, and am underweight.

Sounds like he's not getting enough fat and/or calories.

C. -

A growing child has very different needs than an adult. It is so great that you are teaching him healthy habits, but he many not be getting all of the fat that he needs. Children do not need to be on a low fat diet as long as it is healthy fats and not sat. fats. Your doctor can tell you what weight is right for his height and frame, but I have a 35 month old and he is naturally skinny and he weighs 34 pounds. I know he is no where near 36 inches. let him eat and don't be so crazy about restricting his diet. Does he like yogurt? The organic ones are great. He should be drinking organic milk, but not skim. If he isn't allergic to nuts, let him have trail mix (or make your own) just watch the sodium.

My son also drinks my shakes and eats my bars. It is great nutrition for growing kids. Check out http://poweup.isagenix.com - we have an entire kids program including great tasting vitamins.

Your son is probably just hitting a growth spurt and his body is telling him he needs more right now. They know how to listento their bodies better than we do our own! There is no need to be measuring out his food like you do your own. The meal you said sounds like a perfect portion for an adult on a diet, not a child. It also sounds like he may be a grazer - someone that needs to eat constantly, just little bits.

Let him be a child and feed him!

S.

*We are crossing our fingers for the next one too!