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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To send my teenage neice home with some vitamins?

25 replies

EachandEveryone · 12/08/2016 01:10

My sister says she wont take them shes tried. Niece has become vegetarian shes 14 and pale and lethargic but it could be a teenage thing? Shes been staying with me and i dont know if its just that she's been on a holiday diet of picnic food but ive noticed its all carbs. Shes already been to the gp because of her low hb but has no interest in real proper veggie food shes so fussy. Would it be over stepping the mark if i get her sone vits with added iron?

OP posts:
OpenMe · 12/08/2016 01:16

Why would she be more likely to take your vitamins than the one's her mother's tried?

Yes, you'd be overstepping IMO.

MarkRuffaloCrumble · 12/08/2016 01:17

If your sister says she's tried and you DN isn't interested then yes, it would be over stepping the mark. By all means express your concern to you DSis but don't try to muscle in. Maybe a nice veggie cook book for DN and get your sis to invite you round for a meal cooked by DN? Make food interesting and sociable.

ToadsJustFellFromTheSky · 12/08/2016 01:21

ive noticed its all carbs

I think that's just a teenage thing tbh.

ArmySal · 12/08/2016 01:21

I don't think you're overstepping, no. You can only try.

Mustn't ask why OP has only used one apostrophe

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 12/08/2016 01:24

I dont live anywhere near them thats why theyve bedn on holiday with me for a week. Shes really lethargic but i dont know if thats just her age. She had two blood transfusions last year and theres been no follow up they say shes fine. Im a nurse so probably over thinking it but shes so damn fussy with her food. My sistervand BIL are fantastic cooks and i know she doesnt go hungry but her sweet tooth and love of carbs is kind of jumping out at me.

OP posts:
seven201 · 12/08/2016 01:53

You didn't answer the bit about why you think she'd accept vitamins from you if she won't take ones from her mum? Have you talked to your niece about eating a balanced diet for energy etc or just observed? She will have learnt about the eat well plate at school.

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 12/08/2016 08:52

Yes she just rolls her eyes.

OP posts:
Dontyouopenthattrapdoor · 12/08/2016 09:10

Spatone iron sachets.
Get your sis to buy a box and chuck one in her juice each morning.
My 8 yo son has them, they're tasteless.

specialsubject · 12/08/2016 10:26

Fussy and vegetarian are not compatible. Is this ' I don't want to eat cute furry things but I don't like veg?'

If so, good talking to needed on not being so bloody stupid as to deliberately wreck health.

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 12/08/2016 10:42

You've hit the nail on the head

OP posts:
Birdsgottafly · 12/08/2016 10:47

Most Teen girls would benefit from an Iron Suppliment, so it might be best to not turn it into a 'being Vegetarian' issue, because it's a bad diet issue.

Some 14 year olds can't be told to do anything (I've had three, known many).

How's her skin? The Hair/Nails/Skin vitamins are good and contain all the minerals that Teen girls need.

Perhaps try to sell them in a different way?

5moreminutes · 12/08/2016 10:55

Can you get the liquid iron where you live? My DD takes that sometimes (when she remembers) - its an off the shelf one in a fruit juice, tastes quite nice.

Do you have a similar age DD who could also take it (can't do harm) and recommend it, or tell her you take it/ took it yourself as a teen? Can you tell her to check inside her lower eye lids and say that if it is pale rather than red in there she is short of iron (is that even true - I've always thought it was?).

Teens (and pre teens) sometimes will listen more to other adults than their own parents, but she obviously is eye rolly at the healthy eating lectures - drinking a small shot of a fruit juice with liquid iron might be more acceptable to her than taking pills or having to make the big effort to always eat healthily...

lljkk · 12/08/2016 10:57

pay her money, 50p for each daily dose.

CremeBrulee · 12/08/2016 10:58

My teen DD has just got into making smoothies. I bought a nutrininja blender and she's had great fun trying out fruit and veg combos. Could this be something your DN would try? You could put the spatone iron supplement into a smoothie too.

MrsJayy · 12/08/2016 11:04

My Dd was almost transparent at 14 she was so pale and feeble looking her diet was shocking she was a fussy eater i gave her teen vitamins i dressed is as topping her iron level up she did take them for a while, talk to your sister ask her if your Dn would listen to you dont mention vegitarian dress it up as teen girl health or something

Kennington · 12/08/2016 11:51

Having had severe anaemia a few times due to genetically having microcytic anaemia it is really important she is treated.
The symptoms are like a depression and the fatigue is horrific. I have never felt so bad nor depressed. She could wind feeling dreadful over something so simple to treat. As you are a nurse I think you are better qualified than most to help her.

FurkinA · 12/08/2016 11:59

How is it overstepping? If my child wasn't eating correctly and someone Improved that is be very pleased. Also she's 14 not 7

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 12/08/2016 12:00

She never told anyone how she was feeling I actually don't know how she struggled on so long people say being anaemia is horrific her Hb was in her boots. I will have a look in whole foods with them with it being a hipster joint I might beable to sell them to her

OP posts:
VioletBam · 12/08/2016 12:01

It's unlikely any harm will come to her. It's her Mother's job to get her to the GP for an iron supplement if it's low.

I was the same as were many of my mates. We're all plump 40 somethings now who eat vegetables.

MrsJayy · 12/08/2016 12:16

Hopefully you can pursuade her It isnt overstepping to try and help your sister is maybe tearing her hair out with it. Tbh dds would probably pay more attention to their Aunty than me

EnquiringMingeWantsToKnow · 12/08/2016 12:23

I think if mum has tried and failed to get her to take vitamins/iron supplements then Aunty Each who is a nurse is absolutely justified in having a go. Feel free to drop mum a text asking for her consent to keep the "it's not your business" brigade happy. Going to Wholefoods for some hippy supplements sounds like a great idea, and make sure she washed it down with a glass of orange juice to aid absorption.

KC225 · 12/08/2016 13:47

Maybe cooking some protein rich recipes together. Ask her to choose some recipes she'd like to try or like the sound of and say you'll buy the ingredients. There are a few nice glossy monthly vegetarian cookery mags which are more 'teen' friendly that cookbooks. More of a long term aim I know but perhaps worth a shot

OnceThereWasThisGirlWho · 12/08/2016 13:54

I don't know if this suggestion is any good, take with a pinch of salt (ha!) etc. But possibly, if she is a "militant" vegetarian (no offence meant) could you possibly sell an improvement in diet etc. by pointing out that it's really important for veggies to have a nutrient rich diet to prove to meat-eaters that meat is unnecessary? Something like that.

AtleastitsnotMonday · 12/08/2016 17:27

I may have missed this but why was she so anaemic? Was it purely dietary? I'm assuming other causes were ruled out?

Sugarlightly · 12/08/2016 18:58

There could be loads of reasons why people don't want to take vitamins. I can't take iron tablets as even one makes me bloated and unable to eat anything for the rest of the day

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