ADHD, food and weight loss

[Greenkit]

Not AiBU but im getting no where on 'Teenagers'

My lad is 14 (a month off 15) he was diagnosed with ADHD in Jan 2012 and takes medication (54mgs) per day.

He is hungry in the morning 8am and will eat eggs on toast, or cerial, or just toast, then takes his tablets.

He will not eat for the rest of the day, until he gets home from school when he may or may not eat, sometimes he wont eat until 8pm or 9pm.

When he does eat its not a lot, mostly banana milkshakes made with milk and real bananas, or toast. I can get him to have a roast dinner sometimes, but he is very picky.

The consiquence of this is he has lots quite a bit of weight, 1 and a half stone within the first 8 months. He was a little podgy before he started to take the tablets as he ate as much sugar that he could get his hands on. But he is now looking very thin, boney although he has suddenly shot up and is about 5, 6 and weighs 8stone 10lbs.

Im not really sure what to do, if he stops taking his tablets even for one day he is a nightmare and uncontrollable, if he takes tham he is amazing.

I need to know what foods I can give him which are high in goodness, and what experiences other people have gone through.

[dottyspotty2]

We where advised just to give highly calorific foods as our son was very underweight at 14 he was 7 stone and about 5' 3". Don't worry about healthy foods really as long as he doesn't get into bad habits. ADHD meds are well known for surpressing appetite.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

This is a BMI calculator for teens. As far as I can tell, he is bang in the middle of normal.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

I posted too soon. So weight is normal but he is losing. Could you talk to a dietician? There are lots of things you can do. Very simple to add powder supplements to shakes.

[Greenkit]

Power supplements like protein power?

I have some which I can pop in for him

[Bonkerz]

What medication is it? My ds is on atemoxetine 70mg and had real trouble with it affecting his appetite................ We had to give him cooked breakfast (private school so they did this) and he had sandwiches for snack and cooked lunch and tea and was actively encouraged to fill up on crisps etc. he now takes risperidone too which actually increases his appetite and he has been a lot better. We were on the verge of using build up shakes though.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

You have to be a bit careful with powder supplements so beat to ask a dietician first.

[JsOtherHalf]

Have a read of this link about ways to get more calories. It is for cancer patients, but the advice holds true for anyone with a poor appetite.
www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/coping-with-cancer/coping-physically/diet/managing/weight/high-calorie-drinks

[Greenkit]

Thanks for the replys

I dont know what the tablets are, im at work so cant look

Thank you for the link I will have a good read

[dottyspotty2]

Could be concerta xl he's on, DS was on 54 of that for a long time now 72mg but on other meds as well as them now.

[maddy68]

the meds for adhd suppress appetite. my son lost a lot but we made his diet more calorific to compensate

[raisah]

my ds is a lot younger than yours but is v underweight due to health issues. His dietician advised adding fats & dairy to his meals. Fortify his food with butter, cheese etc.

Although he might not feel hunger encourage hin to eat smaller nutricious meals through the day. It might feel like a chore & he might not want to eat if f he feels he has to eat a big dinner.

Often if he starts to eat at regular times his body will expect food at that time so his appetite might come back.

[Greenkit]

Yes Dottyspotty2 that's them.

Raisah he wont eat cheese, and now wont have butter on bread. I buy him a crusty loaf every other day and he eats it, but dry.