Has your child ever reported a tummy ache after eating too much food? This is an example of the body’s ability to send signals and speak to us. A child can learn how food affects their own body by learning what these signals mean.
When a child skips a meal, it may result in a ravenous state where the child overeats and chooses less than ideal foods due to low blood sugar and inadequate intake. The overeating may lead to feelings of fatigue and changes in mood.
If we can help our children understand these two extreme states, it provides them with the knowledge needed to better honor the body’s needs. A child can begin to recognize the signs of hunger and step away from playtime more willingly to refuel. The next time your child says they are hungry, help them put words to what they are feeling to begin translating the body’s signals in their mind.
