2 Year Old Always Hungry and Moody

Ask your doctor about hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). It's very common. Mood swings and increased appetite are symptoms of low blood sugar. It may not be that his appetite is that big, but that his body is instinctively trying to get his blood sugar back up by eating.

Treatment may be as easy as eating more protein than carbs at any given time.

Your mommy instincts are good! Many parents discipline the heck out of their kids for their behavior before considering a medical problem. Good work!

It sounds like a growth spurt to me. My son used to get emotionally whacky when he was hungry all the time and he could easily eat more than I did. After a couple of weeks, it all worked out. He no longer had constant hunger and growing pains and his sweet self re-emerged. Good luck! :)

True blood sugar issues like diabetes more commonly present by thirst and frequent urination rather than increased appetite. 2 year olds still go through dome pretty major growth spurts in which they may eat portions that seem disproportionately large...but it's what they need to grow.
All of that said, anytime that you are concerned about your child's development or health you should talk to your child's pediatrician. They can easily test for any physical issues and may give you reassurance if his habits and behavior are in the range if what is considered normal.

Do you let him eat when he's hungry? If not, I suggest you try that and see if his mood improves. My grandson is a grazer. He much prefers having something to eat all day long. It appears he eats a lot but when you list what he ate it wasn't so much.

Also remember that at 2 your son is growing faster than the 5 and 7 yo. Also he's learning at a much faster pace. He probably needs more food for the energy it takes to grow and learn.

If you were a first time mom I would say growth spurt but since you sense that this is different I would bring him in. Could be some sugar issues.

Take him to a naturopathic doctor and have him tested for food allergies and food intolerances. He has all the classic signs of someone who has issues with food(s) and how they affect his body.

I am allergic to milk; when I was a teenager, I drank gallons of milk everyday and didn't know it was because my body craved something it shouldn't have. I am also gluten intolerant, and until I found out, I would stuff artisan breads into my mouth faster than someone could spit, because I craved it SO BAD.

You can call the pediatrician or aother allopathic doctor, but I really, really think you'll get more results and have a doctor who will work more with you to resolve this issue if you take him to an alternative healthcare doctor, as they work with food issues everyday; allopathic doctors don't deal with nutrition and you might take years and years to find out what's wrong with your son.

Believe me, I've been there, both for myself and my daughter. My daughter has Sensory Processing Disorder, and when we discovered she also had food issues, taking away the offending foods and eating a better diet made drastic improvements in her.

If you are concerned - call the doc... never wrong to be cautious.

That being said sometime I think my 19 mo old eats more then I do & I do know that my 4, 6 & 8 year olds eat more then I do on somedays, eventhough I weigh close to 200#. It seems like the more active they are and the more they use their brains the more they eat... they are always so hungry when they come home from school or have been playing a lot.

As to the moods - yes the 19 mo old's mood change so rapidly sometimes... he can be laughing and having a good time & then get upset at something in a blink of an eye. Today her got upset because I didn't listen to him and stop singing to the baby when he told me to. I just think it is somewhat normal, but I am not in your shoes... if you are concerned it never hurt to go and see the doc just to be sure.