Picky Eating

Hi J. - I really don't know that this will help at all, but I just got a cook book called Deceptively Delicious. It's all about making foods with vegetables in them. Have you looked into some online support groups for problems like this? That's what I would do next.

Just wanted to say I'm sorry you have to deal with this. It must be very difficult!

Hi! I have a daughter who will be 8 next Friday and I have the same problem!! My daughter will only eat pancakes, cereal, mac and cheese, noodles with parmesean cheese only, chicken nuggets from McD only and grilled cheese from Sonic only. absolutely NO MEAT!! Her doctor is worried about her iron and says she needs to take vitamins with iron. She only likes the gummie vitamins and they don't have iron in them. I try to make her eat but when she puts the food in her mouth she will gag on it. Sorry, I really have no advice, just wanted to let you know you are not alone. Everyone keeps telling me she will grow out of it. But WHEN?! If you find anything that works, Please, let me know!!! B. H

I have heard of people putting the veggies or fruits in the blender and liquifying them, then just adding to your meat when you cook it. There will be no evidence of anything other than meat in the pan. What about smoothies? If he will drink smoothies, put 1/2 bar of soft tofu (protein) with some milk, a banana, and I like to put in a little vanilla yogurt, a few ice cubes, then blend. If he likes plain peanut butter, then give him a tablespoon with peanut butter on it. Milk (Whole Milk) will have fat in it. I would talk to your doctor to see what else you can do or even a nutritionist. Hope this helps. Good luck!

We have the same problem with our 6 year old granddaughter, who now weighs less than her 3 year old sister. One thing we found was helpful was to buy a children's cookbook. We let her look thru it, pick out something she thinks looks good and help cook it. She always tries one bite. If she likes it she eats more and if she doesn't we don't push it. Plus, if his doctor says he's healthy try not to worry to much.

I have an 8 yr old that hasn't let a veggie pass his lips since baby food! I lose sleep over his eating habbits.

I am giving him supplements "Kids Greenz" and they hold alot of the nutrients that he is missing. They are chewable and don't let him see the bottle. My son says they are good. But, he doesn't know what they are either. May be this would help. If you get any good advise PLEASE help me. I know that his problems he is having at school (learning) are directly related to the absense of healthy eating. I knwo how this makes a mother feel. Keep in touch. I have three sons also..
Good Luck!

Hi J.,
I also have 3 boys. My middle son is almost 5 and very picky. I mix pureed carrots into his macaroni and cheese and his peanut butter. I have also mixed pureed cauliflower into the peanut butter. The key is to not mix in too much. They may only be getting a tablespoon or so, but it is more than nothing. Good luck.
D.

I had the same problem with my 6 yo. He was the absolutely pickiest. He lived on hot dogs, cheese sticks and pbj. I talked to my mom, who was a foster parent when she was younger and dealt with all kinds of things. This will only work if you son likes desserts/sweets and it takes a little extra effort and a lot of patience on your part.

I would have my son help me make dessert for dinner or show him what I had picked up for dessert(he likes to help cook) and we would talk about what he had to do in order to get it, which was clean his plate. Then, if he didn't eat, my older son and I would sit at the table and eat our dessert, and my younger son was made to sit until we were done. I did this no matter where we at, if we were at the grandparents house, out to eat, wherever we were, he would have to watch other people eat dessert, while he got none. It took 2 months before he would eat without the promise of dessert, but ever since then, he eats really well, even if there is no dessert. He has also been VERY open to trying new things. Our rule is, everybody tries one bite of the new thing, if they don't like it, I will sub it out with something else. This may sound a little cruel, and it about broke my heart, and I made many a call to my mom on those nights that he would cry his eyes out for not getting dessert, but in the end it was all worth it. I really think it was harder on me than on him. Hope this help and I wish you well, this is one of the hardest habits of littler kids to break.

I am 75 years old, but I have gerd reflux too! I can not eat uncooked fruits and vegetables, especially meat, when it is tight---when I am nervous or stressed--as it gets "caught" and comes back up, usually after much painful wrenching, until the troublesome piece, or pieces, comes back up, then instant relief, but if I strain much to vomit and get the substance out, yucky mucous builds and comes up---several times, usually-- I am incredibly tired and do NOT want to eat for while as my body just isn't ready to "try again". If your son has had many of these episodes, I can understand his reluctance to eat--anything--his not knowing what may trigger some of these painful episodes. I realize I am older, but my Dr. told me to stick to puddings, or liquid things that will slide through more easily. I, too, am on meds, and they usually take care of it--before hand, DON'T try to take anything if it is actually into a "reverse" situation as that makes it MUCH WORSE!!!

I am now on Prilosec, over the counter, was on Ranitidine, but it got so it wasn't strong enough.--

I would just let him pick and choose soft foods, that he feels like he can handle as it is impossible for someone else to determine that, but try to cook foods, not give fresh, uncooked fruits and vegs, and especially meat, until he gets over the memories of these painful incidents, and I feel that he will gradually begin to sample other foods, especially if he sets at the table with the rest of the family and watches them eat, it is hard to resist doing what others are doing---give him time as I know, from experience, how traumatic these spells can be---and it takes time for the unpleasantness, associated with eating, to fade.
Best of luck!! PR

I have my kids on Juice Plus+ and they love it. They ask for veggies now. My 3 year old asked for pears and brocolli at Shop and Save the other day. I sell b/c I have been the fitness and nutrition business for 15 years and this was the only supplement that I felt comfortable to offer to my clients. You can check it out at www.juiceplus.com/+bp61293

Let me know what you think and if I can help. Good Luck!

B. P.
CEO, Fitness Empowerment, LLC
Certified Personal Trainer
Certified Nutrition Consultant
877-256-6320

try pediasure or nutripals snacks. if he won't drink the pediasure, put in the blender with ice and make a smoothy or blend it with some ice cream and make a shake. at least that way he is getting some nutrition. i would also talk to his doctor about giving him some vitamins/supplements so he doesn't become anemic. anemia can lead to other problems and it becomes a domino effect. good luck.

I have a son that is 9 and and is only 59 some times he will get to 61 pounds but not always and is very active in sports. I have a business account out there for Shaklee and I have provided my son with there meal shakes and he loves them also he takes the citiboost vitamin I mix that in his drink it helps keeps his proteins and vitamins up with his lack of weight. He was a premie and I have had him on these shakes since he was little the doctor said he is fine and levels are great. I hope I have helped you could also look at meal replacements that are offered at the store but this really tastes like chocalet or vanilla I also at times mix bannanas and fruit in the blender with the. Good luck. Kathy www.shaklee.net/onyourside

You're locked into a battle over control. He's saying, in effect, it's my body and you can't tell me what to put into it.

You only want the best for him, and you're conscientious about wanting him to eat things that are good for him. He's old enough not to be fooled, but he's not old enough to hear you say that and accept it.

I think his physical problems are serious enough that you need to get some family counseling. Your description is oddly similar to the situation with teenage girls and anorexia. Eating has become a battleground. Don't beat yourself up over it, but don't treat it lightly either. It's not about eating. It's about your relationship and he's using the only tools he has. A couple of sessions with a counselor may be all that you need.
A little about me:
I raised two daughters. I am a new grandmother of a 14-mos old boy (son of my oldest daughter), a three-year-old girl and her 4-mos old brother (children of my stepson).

could having him help you fix something make him want to eat it. look over receipes and have him pick one and help fix it.
a health drink like ensure or similar might help in the mean time.

One thing that works for me (I also have a little boy who doesn't like his veggies)... Try and boil the same color veggies as the food he is eating. From the foods you listed, he may like mac and cheese as well. Maybe boil some squash, puree it, and put a little bit in with the mac and cheese. Because of the color and consistency, it blends in really well.

J.,
I would encourage you to just continue to feed your son what he will eat, while at the same time continue to OFFER him other items. My son, now 15 went through a period of only eating certain food items as well. I instituted a "policy" in which all of my children ( i have 3) had to try the new food items. By tryuing, they only had to eat a few bites (2-3). They all fough it at first, wrinkled up noses and all! :-) But eventually, they all saw that I was serious and would not back down on. Today, my 15 year old son cooks meals for the family, sometimes even experimenting and creating new menu items!

hi J.! i may have an answer to your prayers! i got this AWESOME cookbook for christmas, its called 'Deceptively Delicious' it is written by Jessica Seinfeld(yes, this is HIS wife!) your kiddo will never know there are fruits or veggies in anything you cook! the recipes I have tried fooled everyone in the house including my mother and my 4 year old! good luck and I hope this helps.
A.

You should check out the cookbook Jerry Seinfeld's wife is selling right now. I think there is also a similar book on the market. It is especially designed for picky eaters. She purees vegetables and puts them into various dishes, and the kids can't taste the vegetables. She was on Oprah and Oprah loved the recipes. For examaple, she puts spinach in her brownies, but once they cool off, you can't even taste the spinach. A friend of mine bought the book and has tried a couple of recipes. She highly recommends the book. As long as he doesn't see you make the food, he'll never know!

Does he like juice. Try V8 Splash or the new Juicy Juicy with veggies in them. If he like shakes or malts try slowly adding in the fruits and veggies. He may never notice if it is done slow. My daughter is a picky eater but she only eats fruits and veggies. She will barly eat any kind of meat (chicken nuggets and chicken strips only).

I have a picky eater too. But every time we go to the doctor, he is as healthy as can be. Blood work all comes back good and the only vegee he eats are carrots. Doesn't like fruit unless it is in a juice. So..give him vitamins, juice drinks and let him eat as much protein and carbs as you can possibly stuff down him. If he is happy and able to make it through the day with a decent amount of energy, then he is probably healthy; and that's the most important thing. BTW, my picky eater is 13, a string bean, but strong and very athletic. His eating habits have not stopped him from leading a very productive life. In fact, he probably is more energetic than my other two kids who are more well-rounded in their eating.

I also have a 8yr boy who only eats 5 or 6 things. He wont try new things if u make him he will gag or throw up. So I understand what u are going through. He is also very skinny. He does love Milk which is good because our Doctor has told us to have him drink Carnation instant breakfast powder mix, or ovaltine. He loves both of those because they are Chocolate. He would drink this ten times a day if I let him. So I suggest to try these with the carnation instant breakfast they have different flavors to if chocolate isn't a favorite. I hope this helps. May I ask who is his doctor? I just swited because his former doctor didnt care about his eating habits. I now go see Dr. Miner at S.I.U. who is wonderful and cares very much about his eating habits.
D.

J.,

He may have sensory issues. You may consider having him tested by an occupational therapist. It is fairly common. My son has sensory issues & there are certain textures he absolutely can not handle. Good Luck.

T.

I have not had to go through any of this yet, (expecting my 1st in 2 weks) however it is already a concern of mine. For Christmas my mom got me the Jessica Seinfeld cookbook about cooking with all different sorts of puree's in all your meals. Have you ever looked into something along those lines? Just an idea.