Help! Which foods resemble cardboard!?

[whatifs1]

I promise there’s a reasonable reason to ask this question..

DD (3 next week) has suspected autism/delay whatever else. She is currently not speaking and has no understanding to go along with this.

she also has pica, one of her favourites is she likes to eat cardboard. We’ve obviously tried to remove all cardboard like things but sometimes you forget and she’s bloody quick!

the HV has said about trying to find a food that resembles the feel and look of cardboard. 🤢 she also likes paper, for that one I’m going to get some edible rice paper!

Ryvita.

A wafer, maybe?

Bran flakes
Shredded Wheat
Rice Cakes
Beef jerky

Branflakes

pink panther wafers?
definetly ryvita

Corn thins

Digestive biscuits, cereal bars

There’s a cracker called crisp bread. If you leave them out to soften, they are very cardboard like.
Cardboard is not crispy to eat - it’s soft and chewy.

Ryvita sprung to mind as soon as I read your title, I can see others have said this too!

Thank you, I’m going to pop out today and grab them all in the hope that DD leaves off actual cardboard. 🙈

Toast?
crispbreads
wafers

Rakusens Matzo (specifically Rakusens, not any other make) especially a few days after you’ve opened the package.

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/290772235

Bear in mind that this and many of the other suggestions can be constipating. Will your LO munch prunes?

I was also coming to suggest matzo!

Rice paper

It’s 100% these that you need. All the other suggestions like ryvita are crispy which is not what you need. These left out for a short time are EXACTLY like cardboard and are loved by a child I know with PICA!

Oh god we are already struggling with stool withholding leading to constipation! The GP didn’t want to prescribe any stimulant laxs which I get he has said to use movicol and lactulose as combo but tbf she has an extremely limited diet and I am having zero luck getting either of these things in to her. Even the unflavoured one pulls a face at in a little juice!

as awful as it sounds she needs to be able not to withhold it all.

I am trying to movicol in yoghurts today in the good that may work.

https://www.asda.com/groceries/product/7333287?cmpid=ppc--pmax_google----google---_-dskwid-_dm&s_kwcid=AL!11432!3!!!!x!!&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23276320503&gclid=Cj0KCQjwp7jOBhDGARIsABe7C4ep5B8aTPfM8rAwRTDJdUzdOHr9Rvb-iIGvrP7Cus2F83TA_ibkBwAaAjv8EALw_wcB

Yes these ones are a good call (I had pica as a child- paper rather then cardboard-and I loved these). Plain rice cakes also worth a try.

Cold, plain pancakes?

It seems like any flatbread could work - as above, also naans and tacos. Carboard and paper take some chewing before they get soft, so I guess it's a matter of finding materials that are fibrous and tough enough. Dried meats and fruits are a good call if she doesn't mind flavour.

I hope you'll find some normal foods she will munch but, if not, you might experiment with batters made from strong flours like chickpea/gram and edible gum, like guar or gum arabic.

Seitan is very nutritious, dead easy to make and goes chewy if you steam it too long.

Wholewheat Krackawheat are like the Crispbread but have more fibre.

Those thin seaweed snacks are quite papery.

Does she like any fruit or yoghurt? Kiwis are brilliant to add fibre and get the plumbing working. Schar is definitely like cardboard!

Beat me to it.😁

This. Ryvita is far too crispy and has a strong flavour.

Garibaldi biscuits

The worst biscuit in creation..I hated those as a kid.

Oh I agree. Taste like cardboard though. Squashed flies not a nice description.

Garibaldi biscuits—often referred to as "squashed fly biscuits"—do not have a direct, scientifically proven reputation as a laxative, but they may support healthy bowel movements due to their ingredients. 1, 2, 3]
Here is the breakdown of the information regarding Garibaldi biscuits and digestion:

• Ingredients and Fiber: Garibaldi biscuits typically contain currants (raisins) and whole wheat flour. Dried fruit like currants contain fiber, which helps maintain regular bowel movements and prevents constipation.
• Low Fat: They are considered a relatively low-fat option compared to other biscuits.
• "Digestive" Confusion: It is important to distinguish Garibaldi biscuits from Digestive biscuits. The notion that a biscuit acts as a laxative comes from Digestive biscuits, which were originally created in 1839 with sodium bicarbonate to aid digestion. While some TikTok users have humorously referred to Digestive biscuits as a "shit biscuit" due to this, dietitians note that the amount of sodium bicarbonate is unlikely to act as a significant laxative in modern biscuits.
• Moderation: While the fiber content in Garibaldi biscuits can assist with digestion, they are still a processed snack containing sugar and should be consumed in moderation. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

In summary: If you are looking for a snack that won't cause constipation, Garibaldis are a reasonable choice due to their fruit content, but they are not a medicinal remedy. 1]