Hunger and Your Preschooler

Your preschooler eats lunch, then 20 minutes later claims to be hungry. Is it OK to offer a little something? Maybe yes, maybe no. Here's why:

Around the preschool years, many kids start to use the word "hungry" to express other feelings such as boredom, loneliness, sadness, or other emotions they don't understand or can't name. Using food to relieve sadness, for instance, will establish the connection between food and feelings other than hunger. Over time, that can be increasingly difficult to undo. And it won't address the underlying reason for the sadness or another emotion, either.

If your child complains of hunger, take a minute to gently ask questions to see what's really going on: "What have you been doing?" or "Would you like me to come play with you for a while?" If your child quickly forgets about a snack, you'll know he or she was in search of your attention or just looking for something to do. If the hunger complaints continue, you probably have a hungry kid on your hands.

Talk About It

It's wise for parents to talk to kids about what it means to be hungry and what it means to be full. Most of us are born with the ability to gauge our body's need for food, but over time we can learn to ignore these signals, which may contribute to weight gain.

Kids who truly understand when they're hungry — or full — can better regulate how much food to eat. Not surprisingly, kids who don't recognize when they're full are more likely to be overweight.

Here are some ways to encourage kids' awareness of when they're full:

Don't use the "clean your plate" rule. Let your preschooler know that it's OK to stop eating if he or she feels full. This encourages kids to respond to their own hunger and fullness cues.
If your child regularly leaves a lot of uneaten food, try serving smaller portions.
Draw attention to how you eat more slowly as you become full. Pass on seconds if you're no longer hungry. Say, "This is delicious, but I'm going to stop because I'm full."

Remember that kids watch what others say and do. If parents and siblings all model healthy eating habits, a preschooler will have good examples to follow.

Preschoolers Who "Eat All Day"

The average preschooler eats three meals a day plus two or three snacks. But given the opportunity, many would choose to snack all day long. Kids who "graze" like this might never feel hungry for a regular meal.

Additional reasons to discourage grazing:

Kids who are hungry at mealtime might be more inclined to try new foods and eat the healthy foods presented.
Kids who graze are often snacking on higher calorie food and drinks, putting them at risk for excessive weight gain.
Kids who snack frequently, especially on sweets, are more likely to get cavities.

A regular routine of meals and snacks helps discourage grazing, and kids like it because they know what to expect. For example, if kids start to feel hungry during story time, it helps when they also know that it's always snack time afterward. And a child who doesn't feel hungry when it's time for an afternoon snack knows it's OK to skip it because dinner is just around the corner.

On very active days, though, it's perfectly normal for kids to be extra-hungry and need more than usual to eat. On those days, be flexible if your child wants an extra snack or eats more at mealtime.

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: June 2011

Related Resources

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) The AAP is committed to the health and well-being of infants, adolescents, and young adults. The website offers news articles and tips on health for families.

American Diabetes Association (ADA) The ADA website includes news, information, tips, and recipes for people with diabetes.

ChooseMyPlate.gov ChooseMyPlate.gov provides practical information on how to follow the U.S. government's Dietary Guidelines for Americans. It includes resources and tools to help families lead healthier lives.

American Academy of Family Physicians This site, operated by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), provides information on family physicians and health care, a directory of family physicians, and resources on health conditions.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) The USDA works to enhance the quality of life for people by supporting the production of agriculture.

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