Fish Oil/ supplements, can they be really effectively disguised for ultra-fussy DS?

[phoebus]

(Sorry if this topic has already been done to death in the past, it's still new to me) I've wasted SO much money on different costly recommended supplements which DS then spits out first time and then refuses forever after. It would be so brilliant to find a quick answer from the distilled wisdom of anyone, esp. perhaps those with children with ASD, who have somehow successfully managed to sneak Omega 3 & 6 supplements, plus vitamin, zinc & magnesium supplements, into their DC? Plus any tips or hints as to how to really effectively disguise them in other foods?

I have tried hiding these in fruit juices, water, yoghurt, tomato ketchup etc but no, he sniffs out the tiniest drop from miles away. Might putting some into some foods while cooking (eg. baking muffins) work - or will the heat then destroy their benefit?

I have a feeling that someone has been through this before and may have found the magic answer.....

At one stage I used to hide omega fish oil in tuna...... :)

I take it he won't swallow it in capsule form....

Tuna would be good, IndigoBell, except that he wouldn't touch it!

and no, capsule swallowing would be another no-no for him (I quite possibly have got the fussiest child on the planet).

Magnesium - either get epsom bath salts or magnesium spray.

Wow, never heard of those options, so will certainly look in to them - thanks!

Hi zzzz. So presumably the magnesium in Epsom salts can be safely absorbed through DCs skin when added to the bath - is that the idea? I wonder if the packet (when I get some) will tell me 'safe' amounts to use; - or maybe it doesn't matter?

What will he eat...good question. Small amounts of well cooked lean mince (beef ); homemade banana bread, muffins etc. Very sweet tooth so lots of biscuits, puddings, etc. (too many unfortunately). He's surprisingly good at fruit and veg, comapred to other kids I see, but flatly refuses all eggs, and also cheese (except when cooked on pizza). He does love fish fingers and chips; will eat small amounts of roast chicken, lamb, chicken nuggets etc. Likes sausages; dislikes most bread. Being AS, he dislikes foods that are all mixed up together like cottage pie, spag. bol, etc . Eats small amounts of plain pasta, but objects vociferously to any food smothered in gravy or sauces. He does like curry though - onion bhajis, poppadums, some rice. It's hard to get proper proteins into him every day and he is a bit slight and undersized IMO. I think the problem is the fishy taste which he can detect through much disguise, and which might clash if mixed in with other meats etc? he's equally bad with vitamin syrup-type supplements which (to me) taste OK.

It does help to know it's really worth it. I do believe this wholeheartedly so will keep trying, as it is so worth the struggle. Tx for the encouragement. Your syringe idea is a good one: I'll give that a try.

Yes, the magnesium in the bath gets absorbed through the skin.

You need to google to find out how much to use. I think I read 2 cups every second day....

I was using 1 cup every second day. But you may want to build up to that amount......

Could you put the omega fish stuff on his fish fingers?

Thanks Indigo. Do you know I was just wondering about the fish fingers (maybe even injecting it in! fish oil that is.. not epsom salts..!) then I remembered that it comes in orange flavoured liquid or capsules (the ones I've got anyway). Do they sell a purely 'fish' flavoured Omega 3 or 6? (seems a bit unlikely....?)

sorry to hijack are those magnesium original flakes any good on that link? I am having to buy tiny pots of the stuff down here at an extortionate price!

also try flaxseed oil. it is a little less fishy that actual fish oil but still has Omega 3. I put tiny amounts on lots of things. Don't heat it as it destroys some of the oils I think.

Will he eat prawns?

I don't think flaxseed oil contains any EPA, so I don't think it will help.

There are however 2 vegetarian omega supplemts that contain EPA. They're worth looking into.

we have tried a lot of fish oils and we find the Eskimo3 fish oils the least fishy. we hide it in orange juice. would not work with any other fish oil for DD.

We manage to hide magnesium in juice as well.

this is one of the good vegetarian options.

Can't remember the other one. MooseMama uses it and has had great results with it......

I think this is the one MM uses.

Thanks a lot, zzzz, bassingtonf, chocjunkie and Indigo again - - really kind of you all to offer all this useful advice, especially the links, so much appreciated. Also for the cunning tips as to actually how to get it into them in the first place!! -(and please do keep these sneaky methods coming, the more the merrier.....)

Now I feel far better equipped to pursue the nutritional aspect of trying to address all of DS's difficulties. At least, so long as they are getting into their little bodies and brains everything that they need and may be lacking in, then at least it makes for a more level playing field for them, doesn't it....?

And no, DS is not a prawn eater. His diet is boringly restricted (by himself) especially on the protein dairy and carbohydrate front. I also really struggle to get him to drink enough water daily (paediatrician said that a boy of 8 should be drinking between 1 litre - 1.4 litres of fluid per day, and we worked out that DS was having about 500ml - on a good day.... - Some improvement since then, along with constant nagging/ monitoring...but this can slip back, eg: at the end of a really bad day he had at school last week, I found out that between 8.30am and 3.15pm, he hadn't had so much as a sip of water to drink all day

Hi we use Eye Q lemon flavoured liquid omega oils. I put it in baby food deserts such as fruit puree.

www.amazon.co.uk/Equazen-Naturally-Sourced-Omega-3-Omega-6-Flavoured/dp/B0013G8HQY/ref=sr_1_1?s=drugstore&ie=UTF8&qid=1337431514&sr=1-1

Sotiria, thanks for this idea - I've actually just bought some of this but haven't opened it yet. Will try it in something lemony that he might eat (especially if it's a dessert). (Hoping it's not got even a whiff of fish though...)

zzzzz - a great idea here, lollies to up the liquid intake, as he is much more interested in ice lollies than drinks. I do offer them now and again, but now that you've reminded me about their benefits, I'll try to give him one a day at least, as that will definitely be a positive step towards (disguised) hydration. You're right too about the fresh juice ones: when I see those Del Monte ones on special offer I've tended to buy them, but should do so more regularly anyway as they do have more vitamins....

we found some gummy bear ones at costco which the kids eventually got used to. subtle hint of fish in my opinion

The gummy bears contain no EPA and only 32mg of DHA.

You should be aiming for about 500 mg of Omega.....

Indigo, you seem to know a lot about this! Can you tell me about EyeQ chews? DS will actually eat these so I'm keen to continue with them. there is 400mg of Omega 3 of which 93mg EPA. Does that sound OK to you?

I think I've seen a difference with DS since I've started supplementing.

Sorry to hijack.

don't worry about hijack this is all fascinating and all on the same topic anyway..