Q How should I adjust snack timing to help my child eat better at meals?
A It helps to avoid giving snacks close to mealtime and to leave a good gap between meals. The key is letting the child come to the table with a reasonable, natural level of hunger.
Detailed Answer
Snacking 1-2 hours before a meal often leaves a child not hungry when it is actually time to eat. Giving snacks at a set time between meals, in small amounts, helps stabilize digestive rhythm. Drinking a lot of water or juice right before a meal can also create fullness, so this should be watched as well.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
Korean medicine views a regular meal rhythm itself as important for balancing digestive energy. When eating and resting happen at consistent times, the stomach naturally builds a rhythm of preparing to digest, which helps stabilize appetite.
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