The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends that kids eat three meals and one to two snacks per day, depending on their age. They also advise giving snacks a few hours after one meal and one to two hours before the next meal. Structure is important for kids’ meals and snacks. Avoid letting kids graze and snack whenever they want. One of the main reasons kids will refuse food at meals is because they snacked too much during the day.