concern over dd heating habits

[OpenTealDeer]

My dd is 13 and since becoming a teenager seems to have changed her diet drastically and eating patterns seem very unusual I'm not sure if something is wrong or not

Did anything happen at the time her eating changed?

In what way has it changed?

She's just very fussy now and has only a small circle of food/drink she will consume and she won't eat breakfast, she will take a small lunch with her to school like a chicken and cucumber wrap or something but that's it. It's becoming a nightmare as I can't just do dinner 4 as there will be some "modification" I will have to make to hers for example she won't eat chips or potatoes so have to put her some rice on when we have chip or potatoes as a side dish

It's sort of just happened gradually over time.

Can you contact Beat, they're an organisation for eating disorders. The sooner disordered eating is nipped in the bud the better.

I would speak to her and find out if anything has happened for example has she been bullied or dumped.

No nothing like that. I'm not sure she has a eating disorder though

Have a chat with Beat and see what they say
www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

OK will do thanks

Sounds like she's trying to restrict calories. I agree with contacting BEAT.

My dd similar age, has become fussier with food, but mostly around meat, which I think is very common. She is also interested in what's healthy, but she's not cutting out meals or reducing calories.

She does eat a lot though when shoe does she will have equal size meal as me and dad and always finishes her plate. But yes I am going to talk to beat

Mine doesn't specifically mention health and is fine with meat but only touches healthy food

She sounds kind of normal. Teenagers will often experiment and start playing with what they can control as they get older. My boy won't eat much after school and then eats loads before bedtime these days 🙄. That said, I would consider her mental health. Is she getting enough sleep, is her work/life balance in order, screen time, is she worried about anything or is she being influenced by friends or online, is she happy in general these days (as much as you can tell with teenagers!), stress, ocd, trying to lose weight on purpose. All things to consider. Go back to basics, and a good routine and go from there!

Just prior to my anorexia diagnosis my mum's nickname for me was "human dustbin". When I did eat, I ate a normal or slightly larger portion partially to balance against the fact I wasn't eating much over the course of 24h and my body was in need of food. Try a low key monitor of what she is eating over 3 days.

It then got worse and I started compensatory behaviours when I had eaten a normal amount so something else to keep an eye on a lot of which was secret from my parents.