My 6 year old son is probably the pickiest eater in the world. Add to that his stubborness and we have a wonderful combination. As a baby and even until he was 2 1/2 years old - he ate everything. All of a sudden, for no apparent reason, he became very picky - even moreso now as he gets older. He eats grapes, certain types of yogurt, pizza (only from a "real" pizzeria - not Domino's or Papa Johns). He will only eat it fresh - not reheated. He likes Belgian Waffles, soft pretzels and certain types of waffles. He will not even take 1 bite of anything new. He could and would eat nothing but soft pretzels for all 3 daily meals if we would let him (he'd still have his yogurt and grapes too). We are trying to get him to try new things and are at our wits end.
Now, for breakfast, we give him only breakfast options - no pretzels. Lunch that is packed in his lunchbox is something he "should" eat - but we are holding off on pretzels for now. For dinner, we ask what he wants 2 try, if he doesn't answer (which he hasn't yet) his dinner is what we make him and his brother. If he doesn't eat it - that's it for the night. He has gone 2 bed w/o dinner for the past 2 nights and this past weekend he ate 2 meals in total for the weekend. He felt awful Monday morning. Teacher called and said he was pale and had a stomachache and a headache. She had him try to eat something from his lunchbox and he threw up.
We tell him if he tries something new (only asking for 1 bite) he can have something he likes - but he has yet to try anything.
We can't go on like this. Any suggestions?
http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/Recipes/extremely-picky-e...
This is an article about 'Food Neophobia" in kids.
I hope this helps.
You might also look into "Apraxia" of eating, which is something which can affect swallowing.
http://www.apraxia-kids.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx...
I agree with SH.. all of these foods have a certain same texture..
Is he interested in helping you cook? My kids often ate the things they made themselves with much more enthusiasm, even trying zuchinni and other things they otherwise refused. There are some great kids cookbooks out there. That might make him feel more in control and more willing to eat healthfully (or at all).
Otherwise talk to your ped. about what a really healty diet means and how long you could let it go. Grapes and yogurt doesn't sound too bad for a while.
edit: S.H.'s answer with the link to food neophobia was fascinating.
You are describing my son to a "T." It seems like he never gets hunger or hunger pains either, so he can go a long time without eating. He's 12 now and is just starting to experience what hunger feels like. (TG) His problem is definately a texture thing. Nothing can be "messy" or saucey. Pizza...yep, no franchise pizzas...only Mom/Pop pizzaria pizzas. He even goes as far as which pizzaria it has to come from. (I don't blame him on that, because franchise pizzas are loaded with oil/fat/calories.) He eats cresent rolls for breakfast, BUT the cresent rolls must have garlic and oregano on them. (I brush melted butter on them and sprinkle the garlic and oregano on, before putting them into the oven.) ALL meat must be lean and no fat. The meat has to be marinated in soy sauce/teriaki sauce, then broiled until it's dry so that "all of the bacteria/worms are dead." Salmon is to be the Atlanitc salmon and broiled with a little oil and salt on it....until it's dry and crispy. The only cheese is Polly-O string cheese. I can go on and on. The good thing is that he will try new things as long as they are hot and spicy or dry. It does drive you nuts....The thing is his dad and my mother-in-law are also very picky eaters. They won't eat anything without sauce.
I agree that it could be a textural issue and he may have some physical disorder that makes it hard to eat many foods, so visit the doctor and have him evaluated, just so you know what you are dealing with - a picky kid who you don't want to give into or a kid who needs accommodations in his diet. In the meantime, maybe see if you can supplement him with Pediasure beverages to get some protein and nutrients into him
Good luck!
Talk to the doctor about a referral. If the issue is with food textures then you might get evaluations for occupational therapy and/or with a feeding and swallowing specialist. The Out of Synch Child has information about all types of sensory processing disorders and The Out of Synch Child Has Fun has suggested activities for getting a child to try new textures as well as other sensory activities.
