Is there such a thing as too much good food?

[mommy212]

So, my little one (18 months) just discovered that if he goes int he kitchen and shows me what he wants, he can get it and eat it, and generelaly how to communicate that he wants more of this, this drink not that, etc... So while we are all excited about him communicating even though he doesn't talk yet, I wonder what others do have a free-eating/free-snacking/whatever policy. We keep healthy snacks around, and he loves to find them and request them now, but sometimes I wonder when enough is enugh or possibly too much. Yesterday he ate over a cup of applesauce in one sitting. Right now he is eating about another cup. He also has been drinking really huge amounts of blueberry kefir (just kefir and blueberry puree) and a lot if dried figs, maybe 6 or 7 a day. He still eats fine at his meals. Long story short, do you ever cut your toddler off if you feel they have had enough or just let it balance out later on?

[Alyantavid]

I let my kids snack on anything they want when they're hungry.  All of our food is mostly healthy so I don't really regulate it.  If they stopped eating meals or only ever ate one thing, I'd intervene, but mostly I let them listen to their own bodies.

[beebalmmama]

At that age I would trust that they are listening to what their bodies need. With my older ds (5.5yrs) I have to regulate how many carbs he has or he will eat only that and not eat dinner. But with a toddler I don't restrict much unless it's processed. We only really have crackers that are processed and so I do try to keep those at a minimum. But he can eat all the fruit, rice, beans and yogurt he wants (his current favorites).

[crunchy_mommy]

If it's whole foods like fruit, veggies, rice, beans, seeds, nuts, etc. we don't limit it. He loves things like mushrooms, avocado, and blueberries and eats LARGE amounts of them sometimes! I trust he knows what his body needs and he will eat just about anything so it's pretty well-rounded overall if I offer a variety of meals throughout the week.

More processed things or 'treats' (homemade cookies or birthday cake, etc.) we do limit a bit -- not a ton, but those items are also less readily available so I don't mind as much if he wants a bunch one day since he won't likely have any again for days or weeks, though we still moderate it some. He would eat dark chocolate all day if we let him but I worry about the caffeine so he only gets very small pieces and isn't allowed any after dark.

[cristeen]

I dont limit his fruit, veg, cheese, meat, egg intake. I do limit his crackers, muffins, bread.

Around here between meal snacks are limited to fruits and cheese. Just because theyre the least messy. I only put him in his chair for meals, but even then he has enough words and signs to ask for more of something (lately strawberries). We dont do a lot of applesauce - we've only just started w spoons. But i dont have a problem giving him his fill of unsweetened applesauce or plain yogurt. He seems to self limit those to about half a cup at a time though.

[BetsyS]

Sort of. 

After we pick blueberries in the summer, I limit blueberries (my almost 3 year old's favorite), just because, oh, man, the diapers!  The diapers!!  If he's had 3 bananas in one day, I'll encourage something else, because of the opposite problem. 

I find my kids need some help with moderation sometimes, in having a variety of food and not getting stuck on one.  But, I try not to limit it unless it's shown to have problems.  (and frankly, I sometimes have the same problem!  One summer I ate tomatoes every single day for 11 weeks straight, trying to enjoy the most of the season. LOL.  My mom once visited the doctor because of sores in her mouth from eating too many fresh figs.  Moderation is not what my family is known for.  LOL).

[les_oiseau]

What he is eating sounds fine to me. I do the same as the other ladies who posted, as long as they are eating their meals and the snacks are healthy it's all good.

[Nicoleandco]

I never limit healthy food, but do try to make sure it's balanced.  So if all she's had is fruit and veggies, I suggest some almonds or seeds.  

i limit anything processed, but since we don't keep much in the house it's not a problem.  She has food allergies/restrictions, so when we are out or at someone's house she can't usually eat the food anyway.