Victoria Beckham has banned her husband from eating snacks.

The 40-year-old fashion designer has cleared out the treats she keeps for kids Brooklyn, 16, Romeo, 12, Cruz, 10, and three-year-old Harper, because retired soccer star David kept tucking in to them, and the sportsman has had to resort to ''sneaking food'' as his wife wants him to shed some excess pounds.

A source said: ''He says he would rather just eat what he wants and not be bothered, that's why he sneaks food when Victoria isn't looking.

''It's got to the point where she's stopped buying so many carb-loaded goods. She used to keep granola bars and treats for the kids, but she's chucked it all out because David was binging on them.''

And Victoria has told David to cut out some of his other favourite foods.

The source added to heat magazine: ''His favourite meal is pie and mashed potatoes, and he's also partial to a bit of cake.

''That's all off the menu now until he drops at least 15lbs.''

Earlier this year, David admitted his young daughter had branded him ''chubby''.

He said: ''I was bathing Harper and had got her out and was towelling her down, when she said, 'Daddy I love you but I don't like you, you're so chubby.' I didn't think I was!''