Why Your Child Wants More Food at 6 PM

How to Make Snacking Work for You

The Evening Snack Dilemma

It’s 7 PM. Tea plates are cleared, but your child is back asking for more food – usually sweets, crisps, or other snacks you’re wary of. You want to help, but you’re worried about their health and weight.

Sound familiar?

It’s a tricky place for any parent. You want your child to be nourished and satisfied – but you also don’t want to create bad habits or health issues down the road.

Snacking Isn’t the Enemy

First things first:

Snacking is not a problem – it’s a solution.

Kids have small stomachs and big energy needs. Healthy snacks can keep their blood sugar steady, their moods balanced, and their brains focused.

Sweets every now and then won’t cause harm – but too much can affect their teeth.

The key is teaching kids to snack well – to choose foods that nourish their bodies and support their growing brains.

Are You Helping Your Child Eat Healthy?

The most important question to ask isn’t “Why do they want more food?” but:

Are you guiding your child toward healthy, satisfying snacks?

Or are they left reaching for whatever’s easiest – often sweets and crisps – because they’re hungry and their bodies need fuel?

Understanding Evening Hunger

Evening snack cravings often mean one thing:

Your child’s body is running low on the right kinds of fuel.

If dinner was rushed, unbalanced, or too small, their brain and body will look for quick energy – usually from sugar or salt.

That sugar or salt gives a fast rush, but it’s followed by a crash that can lead to mood swings, poor focus, or more cravings.

Tough Love: Setting Boundaries Around Sweets and Crisps

It’s okay – and important – to say “no” to sweets and crisps at 7 PM.

Why?

1. These foods don’t provide lasting energy or nutrition.
2. They spike blood sugar and set up a cycle of highs and lows.
3. They don’t satisfy hunger like balanced snacks do.
4. They can contribute to unhealthy weight gain and other health issues over time.

Saying no isn’t about punishment. It’s about teaching your child to listen to their real hunger – not just cravings.

What Does a Healthy Evening Snack Look Like?

Try to offer snacks that are:

1. Balanced: protein + healthy fat + fibre (think nuts, cheese, veggie sticks with hummus)
2. Nourishing: whole foods that support brain and body health (like fruit, yogurt, whole-grain crackers)
3. Hydrating: sometimes thirst gets mistaken for hunger – water or herbal tea can help

Building Lifelong Habits

This won’t always be easy. Your child will test boundaries. They may get frustrated.

But by holding firm and offering better choices, you’re helping them build healthy habits that last a lifetime.

What’s your go-to healthy snack for the evening? Share your favourites (or struggles) in the comments – we’re all in this together.