I’m Not Hungry! What It Means When Your Child Won’t Eat
Every parent has at one time or another dealt with the phenomenon known as “picky eaters”. We stress over how much the child eats, whether they will get enough nutrients, or whether their overall growth and development will be stunted. Perhaps you grew up in a family where you had to “clean your plate” before getting dessert or being allowed to play outside. Being asked to finish your plate probably led to overwhelming feelings of guilt for the “starving kids in poor countries who didn’t have enough to eat”. You could never take for granted the privilege of a full belly. Whatever the narrative that now shapes your relationship with food and eating, I am here to tell you there are many reasons why your child won’t eat or can’t routinely finish a meal. Those reasons are as varied as your families themselves. We’ll discuss a few here, but know that every child is different, and if their disinterest in food or eating is causing a problem, I encourage you to speak with your child’s pediatrician for guidance.
Before we understand why a kid won’t eat, parents need to understand a simple truth about physiology. Your child’s stomach (and yours) is about the size of their fist. It is doubtful it could ever hold the mountain of food we tend to pack on a kid’s plate. They will get full rather quickly without even consuming a beverage. A good rule of thumb to help you build their plate is to imagine the size of two palmfuls of food. That is about as much (per meal) that a little tummy can hold. Now, consider what you have tried to get your child to eat in the past. You might have offered more food than they could eat, leading us to our list. Your child might not be hungry because…
She is full. As I said, your child’s stomach cannot hold large amounts of food, and too many snacks throughout the day can ruin her appetite. Offer only one healthy snack between breakfast and lunch, and one healthy snack between lunch and dinner. Don’t fill your child up on milk, juice, or water either. Once her stomach is full of fluid, she will not be hungry.
He is tired or distracted. If he is not getting enough sleep, this can affect how much he will eat. Don’t schedule meals too close to his bedtime or nap time, and don’t serve meals in front of the TV or computer. Too many distractions can take his focus away from the meal and eating.
She is not feeling well. There are many reasons your child may feel bad. We will look at three possible causes – food allergies, acid reflux, and constipation. Food allergies and sensitivities can hurt your child’s stomach, and you may not know it. A food diary can help you keep track of what your child is eating. Watch her body’s reaction after she eats different foods. Acid reflux can irritate the esophagus lining, leading to a sore throat, making swallowing difficult for your child. It can also cause heartburn, indigestion, and vomiting. Constipation can significantly affect your child’s appetite by causing stomach pain, bloating, and nausea. Eating a diet rich in fiber, drinking adequate amounts of water, and staying physically active can help alleviate constipation for most people, including children.
He is bored. Just like adults, children need and want variety. Therefore, you must switch things up! If you are serving the same foods repeatedly, your child will likely get bored and not want to eat. Let him help you in the kitchen to give him some control over what he eats. Let him pick what goes on his plate or in his lunchbox. Just make sure you provide healthy options.
There are many more reasons why children may not want to eat, and your child could have any of the reasons listed here or all! Some children may not like certain tastes or flavors, while others prefer different textures. As a parent, you must consider all possibilities. Again, speak with your child’s healthcare provider to determine whether it’s just a passing phase or something more serious. With the right approach, picky eaters can become adventurous eaters. It just takes time.
