DS(6) and tiredness - linked to fussy eating?

[mintiesforus]

DS(6) seems to be getting quite tired on and off during the day for the last couple of months. When we go out places, and even on the way home from school, he sits down where he can including the pavement for a rest. My elderly FIL doesn’t need the rest stops that he does and he has mobility issues.

DS complains that he’s tired a lot. He has always been an excellent sleeper. I have tried so many multi-vitamins as that is what the dietician said to ensure he takes, however he’ll take them for a week or two and then refuses, claiming he doesn’t like the flavour anymore.

DS(6) has been a fussy eater since 18 months old, has not eaten a vegetable since then and rarely eats fruit now either. He was under a dietician for 18 months at age 4 and she said he’s healthy so nothing she can do. I did a phone appointment with an Occupational Therapist and she also concluded he’s choosing to be fussy, rather than it being a sensory issue.

He’s otherwise in good health, doesn’t get colds/coughs and when he does they are always mild (he’s had none at all since pre-Covid), does swimming, kickboxing, Beavers and lots of running around at the park etc.
He has however developed massive sugar cravings which worries me, he even has hysterics at being told no he can’t have more crap.

I think it’s his poor diet that is to blame for the tiredness, and his refusal to take vitamins, however should I ask the GP to check him over and do a blood test?

The GP, dietician and OT have all said we have done absolutely everything possible about his fussy eating and that ultimately it’s down to him to change.

Test for coeliac

@Embracelife that’s an interesting thought thanks. He has mostly had loose bowels a lot of the time since a toddler but was diagnosed with Toddler Diarrhoea at the time. He does complain of stomach pains a lot but then has a bowel movement not long later most of the time.

I think it would be worth checking with the GP as a 6 year old should be full of energy.

Does he drink lots? I’d definitely speak with a GP to rule out diabetes.

@IggyAce no, he doesn’t drink enough at all. I know this is correct as he is under the bed wetting clinic and we have to monitor his fluid intake. He should drink at least 1.3 litres per day and he’ll only drink half of that most of the time.

It sounds like something isn’t quite right with him and it’s worth checking with the GP. I wonder if it’s years of fussy eating and no vitamins means it’s finally catching up with his body and energy levels?

Agree with embracelife, test for coeliac.

Test for coeliac and also for milk allergy as that can lead to low iron absorption.

If he drinks milk, cocoa, OJ, anything like that, just add Abidec drops to it. Or buy the gummy bear vitamin sweets - Boots and Bassets both do them. DC used to love them.

He's old enough now to explain to him that he doesn't have to like them, he just has to eat them because we eat not just for nice taste but also to make us strong and healthy.

FWIW, DS2 was such a fussy eater he was skeletal from babyhood until he was about 7. It turned out he is autistic which goes with really strong resistance to new foods. I was desperate and kept introducing new foods, not making him eat them, just putting them on the table or discussing what they do for you (strong bones, eyes, muscles etc) and cooking them in different ways.

He is now really adventurous with food and it was worth the very very long process of introducing him, without forcing him, to veg and fruit and healthy options.