Children taking stimulant medication often have less appetite when the medicine is in
effect. A child on a long acting medication may wear off at a time that does not fit in with
family meal time. That may mean that your child will get home from school very hungry
and possibly irritable as a result without knowing why. Serving dinner at the time your
child is hungry is the best way to be sure he or she eats healthy food and not just
snacks. The meal could be saved from the night before or be the food for that evening
just served early. This is especially important if your child is also taking an afternoon
dose of medicine to help with homework or evening activities. Children during puberty
have very high caloric needs making the dinner especially important.
