My 10yo dsd has gone from being a really good eater and very unfussy to taking over an hour (sometimes longer) to eat her food , she appears to be chewing for ages then saying she cant swallow it as its too dry! funnily enough this only happens with meals and never snacks! (which she still asks for)
She has also been caught once trying to make herself sick after a meal, and trying to exercise consistently . Im terrified she is en route to a eating disorder, however she is not underweight (in fact I would say she is slightly overweight)
We have tried everything from giving her less dry food like meats etc, to telling her it doesn't matter how long she takes to eat her meal . We try to encourage positive body image and never discuss weight, diets etc around her.
She is receiving counselling for issues surrounding the reasons herself and her sister were sent to live with DH and myself , and I know she is missing mum dreadfully (mum is an addict who has not turned up for contact for some time now). But we are both at a loss as to how to deal with the recent food issues. the GP is not concerned as she is not underweight.