toddler appetite

I remember reading yonks ago somewhere that young children naturally regulate their appetites and will only eat what they need.

I know kids go through growth spurts, but honestly sometimes it amazes me what our little girl can eat!! Some days she eats hardly anything, but today, she ate more than I did!

She's nearly 2, does anyone know when/if I should be careful with portion control?

I do not want to restrict her, put her on a diet, or start naming foods as bad. Just want to be careful that I'm not inadvertantly overfeeding her, if that makes sense?

As long as you are offering a varied and healthy diet then dont worry! My 5.5yr old still has times when she hardly eats and times like the last few weeks when she seems to be eating almost double what she does at other times. All very normal!

its a trick one ay. My 19mth old will eat the same amount for breakfast as me, an hour later is hungry for a banana or something, will probably have another snack between then and lunch (maybe a few rice crackers) a yoghurt and maybe a sandwich for lunch (on 1 bit of bread folded over) then her appetite pretty much peters out by dinner time and shel sometimes barely touch her dinner. but i figure she eats healthy all day, still has a cup of milk after lunch and before bed, the only junk she might have would be a plain bikkie or a few vege chips for afternoon tea (which she has with raisins, cheese, maybe an apple) so if shes not hungry at tea time we dont make a big deal about it. id agree that its not how much, its what they are eating. add more protein with each meal to keep them fuller longer. otherwise i wouldnt worry about it :)