Should I give DD milk at dinner?

I've heard that after a certain age (once kids can eat solids) we should stop relying on bottles and rely on solids for most of the calories. (do solids have a lot more calories than liquids?)

My wife and I are pretty lean, just our body types. DD was tall in pre-k (80th percentile) then dropped in K to 68th and now (4th grade) to 30th percentile. She's actually one of the shortest in class and is pretty skinny.

She used to eat a lot, but now even her brother (2 years younger) is eating more. For example, if he eats 1.5 slices she will eat 1....he might eat 8 chicken nuggets and she'll eat 5. (he's skinny also)
She just keeps saying "I'm not hungry"

But she is willing to drink chocolate milk during dinner - should I keep giving her that? (to get her extra calories and protein)

But my wife is saying the milk will fill her up and she'll end up eating less.

Any other tips to "expand" her stomach? or increase her appetite?

Thank you

Should I give DD milk at dinner?

My DD just turned 8 and it’s a struggle every night to get her to eat and the little bit she does eat will take 2 hours. She’ll scarf down a cupcake or McNuggets in 5 seconds though. I do not give her milk of any kind. She will occasionally have chocolate milk as a treat. Personally, I would not give milk and certainly not chocolate milk (so much sugar) every night. I know it’s easier said than done and I often coax my own DD to eat but really they just need to eat until they’re full. 30th percentile is nothing to worry about.

Re: Should I give DD milk at dinner?

If she likes Chocolate Milk and you want to get some more calories/protein in her definitely try the Fairlife Protein Shakes. They sell them at Costco, Walmart etc.
They taste just like chocolate milk (not at all like a protein shake) but have 150 calories, 30 grams of protein and low sugar.
My 13 year old is also in the 30th percentile for weight STILL and she barely likes anything. She eats like a 3 year old. We give her these to supplement her food

Message edited 12/12/2023 1:43:28 PM.

Should I give DD milk at dinner?

My opinion is that you should continue to give her healthy foods and let her eat what she wants. As someone who has always been overweight, I think being underweight is better. If she's hungry, she'll ask for more. Just my opinion.

Should I give DD milk at dinner?

I personally do not think she is eating too little. If she is full than she is full. That is an important lesson for her to learn and to understand her body. As an overweight woman, my parents always forced me to clean my plate, have seconds and now I am horizontally challenged because I eat to much (which yes I know I can change but I love food lol). To answer the question, one of my daughters always drinks milk with dinner and it has not been a problem.