need advice for new diet for 7 yr old

[wheelybird]

Hello everybody,
my son had a severe tummy bug as a toddler which resulted in a hospital admission. since that time food has become a real issue for us both. his diet became very limited and i was so distressed by the weightloss he had suffered i was just happy for him to eat something, whatever it was. He now eats absolutely no fruit or veg, some cereals, bread, chips etc. fish fingers chicken nuggets sweets crisps and chocolate yogurts. he will have vegemite on toast. its not just fussy, he seems repulsed by other foods cant stand to even touch them. now aged 7 he complains of tummy ache and constipation and i know i need things to change, but honestly i havent done it because:

• i love him and i know its going to be tough
• its easier to give in and offer what he likes. i feel like i've wimped out for far too long making excuses so im going to make a start, but need some advice.... i've tried putting veg on his plate, putting fruit in lunchbox but its never eaten. would you just clear out all the rubbish and serve only what you want him to eat or do it gradually serving one thing he likes with one thing he doesnt?? should i discuss it first and risk him worrying about it? hope this makes sense, apologies for rambling! thanks for helping x

I haven't had any experience directly except via my DS who used to eat all fruit and veg and now is quite restricted about what he will touch.

However, it apparently takes 15 tastings of something for a child to accept a food. I was wondering, if he is 7 whether you could reason with him. Present him with a chart and give him a star every time he tries something and then let him chose a prize he could have at the end. Start off with something like a quarter of a grape and if he eats it give him a star. Keep trying with slightly larger and larger pieces for the 15 days. Agree if he still hates it after 15 days he never has to touch it again but hopefully, especially with something sweet like a grape, he will get to like it. After that try with other things. It worked with strawberries for my DS and pineapple although I didn't go as far as a star chart.

Alternatively, have you tried milkshakes with added fruit or fruit juices? (I'm sure you have but I thought I would ask) What about yoghurt with pureed fruit in?

Hi I don't have much to offer u but couldn't read and run my niece has a similar diet to your son and my sister gets fruit & veg into her by giving her innocent fruit smoothies and ellas kitchen squeezy pouches - I know this isn't resolving the issue and getting food on his plate but it might be a start to new tastes and it might destress you a little too.

Even making up your own versions if he makes it he might drink it?

bananas icecream and a stick whisk?

will he eat pasta? if so use passata as the sauce and hide things in it.

I am going to bump you...

bump

I have a fussy 5 year old so know some of what you are going through (have no idea why he suddenly turned like that as his older sister was/is fine)

I think at 7 he is old enough to be reasoned with and I think gradually taking away the unhealthy stuff and replacing it with other food is probably the best approach.

How is his health generally? (apart from the constipation)

Btw, please don't feel bad, most of us have given in to something because it's easier

thanks x
i would describe him as a bit thin and pale, but he's always full of energy!!!

he is definately freaked out by food though doesnt like 'bits' or foods touching each other.

going to try the gentle approach i think. serve same meal we all have, with bread and butter available on the table if he wants. plenty of praise for stuff tried but no alternatives offered if still hungry. what do you think???

i'll let you know how it goes! x

Hiya wheely,

I think your approach sounds good, we have a rule at home that if the kids don't eat all their dinner we leave it in the kitchen. If they then say they are hungry and want chocolate or somthing we say no and they have a healthy option ie fruit or they can have their dinner back.

Will your ds eat readybrek by the way? I only ask because dd2 won't eat apricots so I put soft dried apricots in when i mix it with cold milk and then when you zap it in the microwave they go really soft - puree it all in and there are no bits at all. very sweet and yummy and a good laxative too!!

wheelybird - IMO this sounds like a fairly entrenched food issue.

I would be gentle and fairly non-confrontational.

Try some desensitising - asking him to help you get food from the supermarket shelves (so he has to touch the packaging) make the meal (so he gets to touch the foods he feels anxious about) etc etc.

Start with him just acepting the food on his plate with an understanding that he does not have to eat it. Just tolerate it on his plate. Then move on to licking it? then taking a tiny bite.

There is something on selective eating issues on this website www.ich.ucl.ac.uk/factsheets/families/F050241/#selective

and here is some info that may be of interest

www.rcpsych.ac.uk/files/samplechapter/86_2.pdf