How to handle snacks with a 2 yo?

Question

This probably sounds so dumb but I’m a FTM with a 2 year old and this past week or see he’s been non stop fussy and hungry but he just wants snack all day long. I do healthy snacks like whole grain granola bars, fruit, proteins, etc. but damn he’s like a bottomless pit. Of course he’s a picky eater so meal times have always been horrible so I was curious how I should navigate this? I wonder if he’s going through a growth spurt? I of course don’t want to deny him food but because he’s such a picky eater I also don’t want to cause more problems with that. It’s like I give him a snack and he instantly wants more and freaks out with a temper tantrum. Appreciate any tips

Answer

Look into Solid Starts and Kids Eat in Color on Instagram as well as Feeding Littles. They have good tips on feeding and picky eating, etc. My 2 year old has breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, bedtime snack. Each eating opportunity is 2.5-3 hours apart. He has milk with meals and has water whenever. I let him eat as much or as little as he wants at each meal and snack. Bedtime snack is 3oz ish milk and 1/3 ish banana sliced up just so he doesn't go to bed hungry if he didn't eat much at dinner. I try to do all food at the table as I think that helps him focus on eating and then food doesn't get all over.

Answer

I had a lot of pressure from family to make me 2 year old sit and eat 3 full meals. I spoke to my very excellent pediatrician about it at an appt and she assured me that toddlers are notorious “grazers” from around 2-3. 
She encouraged me to allow my little guy to graze on a variety of foods throughout the day. 
It was SUCH a relief.
The science is that they behave in bursts of energy and are governed by curiosity at this age, they are learning SO much and moving in little sprints and therefore they want to eat accordingly. 
Pediatrician did still recommend offering them three meals a day whenever you eat to begin the routine or proper meal times but fill those gaps in with all kinds of snacks!
You can even make a snacking platter like a toddler charcuterie board and when they get hungry pull it out of the fridge so they’re always offered several food groups like a real meal 💕
Roam freely and have all the fun! This age is soooo fun! …as long as they’re not hungry or tired or teething or sick 🤣🤣🤣

Answer

I have a set meal and snack schedule. We can be a little flexible on time, but I don’t randomly offer snacks through the day.