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Fussy eater - 9 years old - help!

3 replies

Purplerain1234 · 23/08/2025 18:29

My 9 year old has always been a tricky eater, since birth to be honest. He is suspected ADHD but it’s not severe.

He used to have a bigger range of safe foods including spag Bol where I could hide vegetables but will now only eat plain pasta, roast chicken, pizza on occasion (but very fussy as to amount of cheese vs sauce and often refuses to eat). He will eat chicken nuggets. No form of potato apart from McDonalds chips (not even oven chips). He rarely eats fruit and never any vegetables.

He would exist on (low sugar) cereal, crisps and toast if I allowed.

I have tried all the usual things to encourage new foods - but it’s only gotten worse over the years not better. At home we eat a range of healthy foods, all home cooked. I am exasperated by him.

leaving him hungry doesn’t work as he will point blank refuse and then he will be extremely hungry and have a meltdown before bed. He is also underweight (drs not concerned as he’s very tall so is growing).

please can someone give me some hope that he’ll snap out of this or advise how you helped a similar age child. A lot of the advice I see is geared towards fussy toddlers or 4/5 year olds. He is very determined and does not back down from his position.

thank you

OP posts:
FuzzyWolf · 23/08/2025 18:31

Have you looked up ARFID? It often goes together with neurodivergence.

Even if he’s above the threshold, some of the tips might be helpful. I would recommend taking a step back and letting him feel he has control at mealtimes.

Purplerain1234 · 23/08/2025 18:33

FuzzyWolf · 23/08/2025 18:31

Have you looked up ARFID? It often goes together with neurodivergence.

Even if he’s above the threshold, some of the tips might be helpful. I would recommend taking a step back and letting him feel he has control at mealtimes.

Yes I have and I definitely see some similarities but it’s not quite as extreme as that. Having said that, it is getting worse so maybe he’s on an AFRID spectrum. Thank you for the suggestion

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