6 YO DD keeps on sneaking food from kitchen. advice please!!

Platinum Member Joined: Aug 12 2007 Posts: 20496

OP the first thing I'd like to say is *hugs*. You are stressed. I've been overweight for most of my adult life. Though I was thin/"just right" as a child, I sneaked food. My mother, ad 120, was just too controlling with food because she had her own weight issues to deal with. Sneaking food was not a way to satiate hunger. It was a way to get back at her, I think.
When you say "treat" and then say "she gets it every day" - it's no longer a treat. A treat is something saved for Shabbat, Yom Tov, Rosh Chodesh, Birthday etc. And that's a good place to start. Yes, for ONE CHILD it would not be a bad idea to get rid of all the treats during the week, and buy just enough so each kid has A treat on Shabbat. Kids don't need junk food. It provides them with no nutrition or good health. You would be doing the whole family a favor.
Second, discuss this openly with your daughter. Ask her if she's hungry or just in the mood for a nosh. It could be she's having blood sugar swings, which can be settled with healthy food. Offer her granola and milk as a nosh - it's good and filling and if you prepare it yourself/buy the healthy type (no sugar added), it can be good for her. Offer to cut up an apple and share it with her. Sometimes the junk food is just *there* so it's easier to chap rather than doing something complicated with an apple. If you live in an area where there are cherries, blueberries, grapes - offer them. Make a fruit shake. Offer cut up veggies with a dip she likes. Even pretzels and tuna are a better snack than "treats" are.
Just be open about it and never get angry with her about food, because then she can hold it over you and always cause you distress. It's not worth it.
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Diamond Member Joined: Dec 18 2005 Posts: 2943

Diamond Member Joined: Jan 14 2011 Posts: 2733

I agree with the posters saying to minimize the amount of junk food in the house, and have healthy alternatives readily available for her to "sneak." if she likes berries, you can leave washed and ready to eat berries in the fridge, or cut up veggies that she likes. I often leave whole wheat crackers or a container of healthyish homemade cookies on the kitchen table, and a water bottle and plastic cups, so anyone looking for a quick refresher doesn't open the cabinet and start rummaging for the chips and store bought cookies. frozen yogurt pops are a great idea if she likes ice cream. the goal is for her to not feel deprived when it comes to food, and to make healthy choices easy and ready for her. also, leave water and cups out so she can drink more.

we went through a stage where my 3 year old just learned how to open the fridge, take out the juice, pour it himself and put it back. he went through a bottle of OJ a day and asked me to buy more. I told him I only buy it once a week so if he drinks it too fast he won't have any left. it took about two weeks, but he figured it out and only takes juice once in a while, and drinks water other times. so like other posters said, only buy the junk food you expect your family to finish that week, and if she finishes it sooner, she will learn the natural consequence of her actions. (I would never advise not buying any junk food, even though I am sure it is the smarter choice, because what is the point of life if there is no nosh in the cabinet?)

Diamond Member Joined: Dec 18 2005 Posts: 2943

Executive Member Joined: Jun 30 2009 Posts: 496

What if you took her to a nutritionist who could explain how healthy and unhealthy food affects us with no judgement but is available to answer any questions she may have on food and healthy eating guidelines?

Platinum Member Joined: Aug 17 2011 Posts: 5979

Why call the unhealthy food a treat? It makes it sound desirable. Call it junk or garbage or unhealthy food - just something with a negative connotation.

OP if you have to get rid of the unhealthy food so others in your family have no access to it, is that such a bad thing?

I also agree with the poster who said giving a treat daily makes it no longer a treat. Why the need for a daily treat. I don't get it. Also, what about a non-caloric treat?

I rarely buy unhealthy food. My kids bring tons home from school, etc. Most of it sits in the cabinet because they are not in the habit of eating it.

Gold Member Joined: Feb 12 2008 Posts: 2386

She may be hungry because she her body is getting ready for a growth spurt. Do you limit her food or show disapproval if you think she is taking too much? Does you have healthy, filling snacks available any time she is hungry? Fruit is wonderful and most kids love fruit but if she really is growing she may need some real calories from protein and fat. A diet low in fat can also make kids extra hungry. Keeping cheese, yogurt, nuts, veggies with fattening dips accessible might also help.

Worrying about a 6 year olds potential to be fat because she eats a lot is a troublesome unhealthy attitude. Worrying that your kid is overdoing the sugar and underdoing the nutrients is another thing.

Platinum Member Joined: Aug 12 2007 Posts: 20496