Q: It seems I have the opposite problem to most parents as my 5 year old little girl is a fabulous eater but I worry that she is eating too much. Should I restrict the amount of food I offer her? My doctor says she is the right weight for her height but obesity runs in both mine and my husband's family...

The thing to focus on is not how much your daughter eats but the kinds of foods she is eating. As long as her meals, snacks and drinks are healthy, nutritious and not too high in fats or sugars there is no need to worry. Let her fill up with foods that contain lots of fibre and water such as fruits, vegetables, jacket potatoes, beans, whole grain cereals and wholemeal pasta and bread. If she is still hungry after mealtimes offer her healthy foods such as fresh fruits, dried fruits, vegetable crudités, fruit breads and yogurts. Resist giving in to too demands for too many crisps, cakes, biscuits and sweets as the desire for these is often more to satisfy the taste buds than hunger. Keep a check on what she is drinking too. Sugary drinks provide lots of calories but little in terms of good nutrition. Stick to very diluted cordials or fruit juices, water and milk. Finally, encourage her to be as active as possible and you will have the recipe for a very healthy little girl.

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