I try to teach my families the importance of listening to their own “gut instincts.” You know your child and when you sense something is wrong, trust that sixth sense. Do not ignore those feelings, your child’s health, now and in the future, depends up on it. I hope many of you find this helpful.
First and most important, the child needs to actually be hungry. In all honesty, they need three solid meals per day. They do not need a constant barrage of crackers in Ziploc bags, dried fruit, yogurt tubes, and those squeezable packages while on the go. Snacking frequently causes cavities and prevents children from experiencing actual hunger, setting them up for weight difficulties in the future. I tell parents if there is a long period of time between lunch and dinner than a small snack is acceptable but it should follow the rules below.
