My 4 Year Old Son Is Never Full!

Is he taking in enough fluids? I know my 3 yr old acts much more hungry when he hasn't had enough to drink.

J S,
Try to make sure food is never a power play--for you or your son. Don't use food as a reward or a punishment. Just feed him healthy food when he says he's hungry-he's growing! Always offer him a choice -- apple or banana? Raisins or goldfish? That way he has a sense of power. If he feels deprived, he'll start sneaking food and that is the beginning of a lifelong issue. If you feel like he's playing you and just skipping out early on his healthy meals so he can get a junk snack, let him know that after dinner for example, he can have only yogurt or an apple or some other healthy bit. But you absolutely must follow through. At 4 years old he's pushing every boundary to see where you'll bend. Moderation is the key--gummy bears are great every once in a while so let him have some when you feel it's appropriate. Otherwise they (and other forbidden fruits) will become the center of a battle you (and he) don't need or want.
You can do it!

As others have said make sure he is drinking enough and is not eating out of boredom. Then look at your and your husbands eating habits..is there something there that need to be addressed. Make subtle changes like using smaller sized plates and bowls (we eat with our eyes first). Have you son drink a glass of water first before eating. Then cut out sugar (or decrease as much as possible) and reduce carbs. If your son wants a pretzel get him the whole wheat one with cream cheese or peanut butter dip. Protein will help him stay full longer. If he is still following his growth chart curve just help him make healthier choices. If he is going off the charts get help. If you don't bring home junk from the grocery store he can't eat it. Remember kids do go through growth spurts and can eat a ton! It may last for a week or two. If it has been longer than that it is time to talk with his doctor. There are physical and psychological reasons for this behavior. My just turned 4yo boy also can eat. I now say when he has had enough. I give him a serving size (child's serving size) of whatever we are having. If he is still "hungry" he can have fruit or vegetables. You are the parent and this habit will not change overnight it will take commitment on your and your husbands part. It may be a bumpy road, but i'm positive you want whats best for your son and healthy habits are learned as a kid. Weight Watchers also has a book called "Family Power" which can also give you ideas. Good luck!

There is a pretty well documented disorder of people who have to have the cabinets locked. Try taking him to a nutritionalist and a pediatrician and get his thyroid checked....
It might be more than just a kid who wants his cake and eat it too.

I go through the same thing with my son. He is 7 he will eat say he's full and 20 min later he's hungry again. He's probably going through a growth spurt. I would let him eat, just not junk food. Give him things like yogurt, fruit or crackers with a glass of milk. Its probably just a growth phase.

Yes - 1st check with the Ped if there is something going on medically about the hunger. If not here's me up on my soapbox about nutrition again - but we have gathered so much info - I just have to share. My husband is constantly reading about nutrition and passing the info on to me as he is a personal trainer and before I stayed home - I was too! These first few years of eating habits, nutrition and choices are of vital importance to kids. It sets them up for their whole life. The makeup of the food that goes into everyone is important but evenmore so for our little ones. I can't stress enough about food composition. Things with simple carbs (white flour/white sugar - lacking fiber) race through the bloodstream and leave an adult feeling starved quickly - and kids are even more sensitive to that.(ie - pretzel) Combine a simple carb with anything that has high fructose corn sweetner (pretzel with icing) in it (unlike sugar it doesn't register in the brain that you are full) and you could eat all day and never feel full. It is a big reason for obesity issues in all ages today. I once had some pretty bad eating habits and even some holdouts when my son was born. I had to clean up my eating choices and behaviors so I wouldn't get him started down the overweight road I had been on. If I don't want him to eat it - I don't eat it. I am the grocery shopper and the one holding the purse - it's MY choice what we buy and eat (and when)at all times. And when he fusses I sing him the song from Sesame Street that HOOTS sings - "You have to eat some cherries, bananas and strawberries cos a cookie is a sometimes food" The best source of info about what food does to all of us is "YOU - The owners manual" Dr's Roison and Oz. Gummy Bears and Jelly Beans are all high fructose corn sweetner - so he just got a bunch of non-nutritious calories, corn sweetner to spike his insulin level which sends whatever was in his tummy for breakfast into fat stores. When the insulin levels drop (or crash) then you'll see him get lethargic and the body screams for a boost - so the quickest boost is more simple carb (candy - chips, etc) and the cycle starts all over again. I've experienced intestinal problems when eating candy (ie: the bloating and diahrea)- some are just more sensetive to it. Years ago Jack Lalane - fitness Guru said "If man makes it - don't eat it" Our food is so highly processed now that flavor is key to get people to buy more and nutrition is compromised. The closer we all eat to what comes out of the ground and LEAST processed - vegies, meats, whole grains and dairy the healthier we are all going to be. If we eat convenience foods most of the time - we are setting ourselves up for a number of health problems and it's happening more quickly to our children as they are getting more processed foods every year. Please read labels - please educate yourself with that book. Even rent that movie "Super -Size Me" THAT'S an eye opener. Sorry for the long post - there is just so much more info than that to read about this issue. I hope it helped and didn't sound "preachy" - not my intention! Be Well - S.
Oh - You're so busy I read your "About Me" Another great book is called "Frozen Assets" it's for cooking ahead and freezing for people who are super busy - so your "Fast Food" comes out of your own freezer.

You didn't state whether or not you thought your child was overweight. It's best to talk with your child's doctor and make sure that he's on target weight wise.

Have you tried changing the diet? I don't mean put him on a diet, just change some of the foods he eats. Foods with lots of fiber are really filling. Add some protein to that and he may feel fuller longer. Avoid the simple carbs, junk food and sugar.

I hope your doctor has some advise, too.

Good luck.

I have the same problem with my 4 yr old daughter. I am coming to the conclusion that it is from boredom. That is the only thing I can think of aside from the fact that they don't know when "enough is enough". And it sounds like you give in to him, just like I do for my daughter. So, then they know if they keep begging, they will finally get what they want. We haven't gone so far as to lock the cabinets, but it is getting to that point. I think we just have to be firm in our "no's" and to try to avert their attention to some activity that will hold their attention.

I have noticed that if we are engaged in an activity my daughter really enjoys, the last thing she thinks about is food. Especially when we are outside playing.

I hope I have helped a little. Good luck!!!

G.

Please take him to the Dr. Although it may just be a normal thing (those boys burn off so many calories in a day!) it never hurts to make sure. My girlfriend had a similar situation with one of her kids - he wanted to eat ALL THE TIME! She took him to the Dr. and they found a tape worm. While I know that this is not the norm I don't think that anything out of the ordinary should be ignored. If nothing else it will ease your mind once he is checked out.

Good luck!

I would say that you might want to feed him more substantial food than pretzels, candy and cereal and bread. He is probably hungry for micro nutrients that he would get from fruit and vegetables. He will protest at first but if he's really hungry and you onlky bring the good stuff home, he'll eat it. You'll be surprised! Let him eat 4 apples, a bunch of bananas, a side of chicken, a bag of carrots. My 3 sons eat all the time too, but I find they are less hungry when I stopped giving them "filler" foods and started just feeding them nutritious food. Also, make sure he is getting good fats - things like fish can help with that too and helps the kids feel satisfied.

My three sons who are 11, 9, and 5 had the same problem until they were diagnosed with food intolerances. When a child is intolerant of a food, their body will not absorb food properly leaving them malnurished so they are always hungry. You may want to get with an allergist just to be safe. It is definitely well worth it. Especially if your child craves a specific food. Generally if you child craves milk, they could be intolerant of just that - milk! Constipation, diahhrea, stomach upset, headaches, sleepiness, hyperactivity, fussiness, inability to concentrate (all extremes) - are all symptoms. At such a young age it is not that he is bored. There is more to it!

Hi.
Being hungry after Chinese food I can completely understand! It is normal for people to eat every 2 1/2 hours. The issue is how much they are eating every 2 1/2 hours. What types of things is he eating? Are they fruits, veggies, crackers? Or jelly beans, gummy bears, pastas, etc. The more sugar and carbs they take in, the more hungry they will feel. Does he drink alot? Maybe if he drank more water he wouldn't feel hungry as often? I have a nephew who at 4 would eat 4 plates of food at the buffet and out eat the rest of the table, but he's as skinny as a rail. Is he overweight? Maybe he just has a high metabolism, or an over-active thyroid?
Just some thoughts.
M.

It could be an eating disorder..there are those as well...and it could just be a normal thing with kids...check first with your child's pediatrician! See what it might be!
Also, tell him that he can have the healthy snacks..apples and other fruit.. or carrots and or celery...a piece of toast or crackers..and water...and or lots of milk..but, don't give in to the other easy snacks..that are not as good for him to have!

He might just be trying to get you to give him the "goodies" instead of the good and healthier foods!
Water can fill you up...and milk and so forth..also, get him to do some running and playing as well! This will help too!!

good luck!!

J.

I would second the opinion below that you should ask your doctor about the constant eating. Ask for a check on his blood sugar levels. And I know that when my daughter has been in growth spurts, she has had an accelerated appetite. But also consider -- what's your son's overall diet like? Maybe keep a journal of what he eats for a few days, eating on your normal diet. Does he eat lots of simple carbohydrates --as in, sugared cereal/doughnuts or sweet rolls/white bread toast at breakfast, sandwiches on white bread at lunch, pastas, white potatoes, white rice dishes, etc., with candy or crackers or bread for snacks? These carbs break down quickly into sugars in the body (yes, pasta, potatoes, white bread all do too) and more sugars leave you feeling hungrier faster. The body gets the sugar hit,then the crash, even if you haven't had a dessert or candy all day--the body thinks sugar's sugar, however you get it. Then you feel hungrier than ever, even if you took in plenty of calories with the previous meal or snack. I am definitely not, not, not anti-sugar or advocating anyone's expensive, trendy no-sugar, no-white-wheat diet! I still love, and eat, candy and creamy white flour pastas! But whole grain goods break down in the body more slowly than white-flour and white rice foods, and the slower breakdown into sugars means you feel fuller longer and your blood sugar doesn't spike up and crash down. I have found for us, that our family feels fuller longer if we have whole wheat breads, bagels, pastas (not "wholegrain" or "seven-grain," bread or pasta needs for the first ingredient to be "whole wheat" on the label), brown rice (much tastier than it was when we were kids), etc. Also consider whether he's getting plenty of lean proteins alongside his starches (eggs with the breakfast bagel, peanut butter or turkey on whole wheat for lunch, more veggies and chicken and lots less rice for dinner,etc.). It's not a big change, just a gradual but determined switch to maybe fewer pretzel and rice and cereal servings and making the ones he does eat, whole wheat ones. He may feel fuller longer, but be aware it may take a little while! Meantime, do get him checked by the doc, especially that blood sugar to rule out diabetes or other issues. Good luck.

My 4 y.o. son is the same way. He'll ask for lunch as soon as he's done with breakfast. I'll tell him a time say not to ask before that time. It helps him learn how to read a digital clock and gives me a break from his asking. When that time comes and he asks again, I'll give him an apple or banana or a few baby carrots for a snack. When he's done I'll give him another time to wait until for lunch. It has worked wonders for me. Hope this helps you too! Btw...make sure he's drinking enough water. Sometimes being thirsty will translate as hunger. Having him drink water when he's "hungry" can help to curb the appetite.

It's possible he is going through a growth spurt if it comes and goes. I would talk to his pediatrician though just to be safe and this way they can have it documented should anything arise later in life. Good luck to you.

WOW JS I thought I was the only one going through this with my four year old daughter. She eats and then asks for her snack while she's still at the table. She never gets enough to eat. She is to the point where we are finding food under her bed--all the time. She gets up earlier than I do and takes food out of my purse.

It's comforting to know that she's not the only little one with the eating surge. With you describing "my life" it may be a growing spurt, so more food is needed. I, like you have three children and I can't remember this with my first child.

One thing I try to do is keep healthy snacks around the house like applesauce, trail mix, or fruit so she can eat when she wants, as long as it's healthy. I also try to make sure she gets enough fluids. Hunger sometimes appears because the body is lacking fluids.

Best of luck to you, I'm comforted knowing I'm not alone.

Mel

Hi J. S.

I forgot another resource. Dr. Leslie is a Child Development Specialist, she may have more answers than I do.

Her e-mail address: ____@____.com

Hope this helps. D.

Take him to the pediatrician and have him checked for worms...tapeworms or any other type of parasite.

It could also be a growth spurt. My four year old goes through non hungry periods and complete starving type periods through out the day.

K.

My 4 year old is the same way. It drives me nuts. Except he's asking for a glass of milk every hour.

Hi - I wouldn't want to alarm you but I would definitely talk to his MD about this. I have heard of a medical condition that can cause this feeling of the bottomless stomach and can cause more serious problems for him later. I'm not sure if he has a set schedule for eating but try to stick to it and tell him that he can have a snack at "snack time" and he can drink water until then. I can imagine that this will be very hard for you, seeing your baby hungry and denying him food, but I can't imagine it being a bad thing at all. This may help his tummy adjust to a healthier eating habbit. Good Luck & God Bless!

My goodness!!! I hope it's not too late. It seems everyone he knows have a problem with the little two-letter word "no". You are all guilty of stretching the boy's gut. Who keeps him while you are working and/or at school? Is this person also feeding his eating disorder. He needs something in his life to take his mind off of food. Does he play video games or watch cartoons? Do he have playmates? At this point, I think you should definitely contact the pediatrician, and hope the damage can be repaired. He's also going to need some strong support, encouragement and discipline in overcoming this disorder. What starts out as cute in babies and small children can end in unfavorable results. I know you've seen television specials on obesity...please take heed.

R.

There could be several things going on. As he gets older, his appetite increases and may increase differently than your other children. He could have a higher metabolism or could be a medical condition known as hyperthyroidism. But first, try feeding him in the morning a protein breakfast, protein keeps you fuller for longer, limited the sugar and not so much of the bad carbs. at lunch he can have little carbs-which will be burned throughout the day, and at dinner limit the amount of bad carbs, because he'll wake up starving. It sounded as if he has a very high carb and sugar diet. Besides the Chinese food (which runs right through you, its a known fact after eating that you're still hungry), he needs to feast on fruit/vetegables and dairy products. So when he's hungry instead of a pretzel give him slices of apples or a half of turkey sandwich on wheat. Kids would say they're hungry, when they want something else and if we cater to them, and give them the junk foods, we're setting them up for bad eating habits later in life as well as overweight or obesity and diabetes. The jelly beans and gummy bears was nothing but sugar, I would be hungry, too. Food is substance, if you're not getting the proper food no matter how often you eat you won't be full. Sometimes, a person would think they're hungry but they may just need some water not soda not juice but good old WATER. The next time he says he's hungry, give him some water and if he doesn't like water mix it with the flavor packets which are now in every stores. Is there vitamins in his diet? If not he needs to take some. His body is missing nutrients. I'm not saying sweets are off limit but it should only be used for children as a reward or a special treat not everyday. think about it this way, if adults need to eat six small meals per day, kids will need to eat as often but not McDonalds, pizzas, pretzels, candy but food that provides substance and healthy benefits. For the first 5 years of my kids life they had no candy and little sweets. Now, when we go shopping they ask for salads, fruits, the healthy snacks (lean meats, cheese/crackers, peanut butter/apples, graham crackers/OJ). Remember to switch to multi-grain or 100% whole wheat breads. In our house sweets stay around so long it gets hard. The way we train our children about food while they're young have a lasting affect on how they will perceive foods later in life. This will help reduce their risk of heart disease, cancer, cholesterol, diabetes and other illnesses. Just remember, if it's not healthy for adults it's not healthy for children. At first he'll be resistent but don't give in, this is for his health. After playing, give him healthy snacks and water or even 100% fruit juice (not too much, because it still have more sugar than what the actual fruit would have..8oz is a serving). The things I've mention is not a diet, I don't believe in diets, this is a healthy way of eating without overeating. You should never eat until you're full, there's a difference. Because kids burn so much more calories, they need to eat the proper foods to last them preventing them from overeating or leads on a trail of unhealthy eating habits.

I know someone mentioned tape worms, although that is possible, there are signs that could let you know if that's your first step to take. If he find it difficult to sit, always squirming around, complains about his butt. Also, first thing in the morning take a piece of tape (this is not pretty)place it in-between his buttocks at the opening of his anal, the worms comes out whens there's no activity (While sleeping)so first thing in the morning they would be still out and get stuck to the tape. Of course, going to the doctor is a better alternative, if you can get an appointment. It's always better to be safe than sorry. However, from the things you mentioned that he ate and was still hungry, it seems as if it is he's missing primary nutrients/minerals in his food which he needs to get at the age of 4.

A child the age of 4 it is recommended that he have 2 cups of milk per day or some calcium rich foods. although milk is good for building strong bones too much milk can lead to iron deficiency, constipation, overweight or underweight. It can make a child feel fuller, and not want to eat other healthy foods causing the child to be underweight or it can lead to overweight if the child eats and gets too much milk, those extra calories could put him over his recommended daily allowance for calorie intake. Although milk is very good for us, as with anything, too much of a good thing can be bad. So I disagree with giving him lots of milk. Until the food guide chances, it would be wise to follow the guidelines.

I've taken many courses in fitness and nutrition and one day hopes to become a certified fitness consultant plus I've worked for many doctors including cardiologist. Try this for a month and let me know what happens.
You can email me at ____@____.com.