Dd only wants takeaways

[Livedandlearned]

Just that really. Ds is 16, has anxiety which was mostly centred around school. This is no longer an issue as she's finished school now.

She doesn't eat many foods but always wants takeaway pizza. She has a Saturday job which pays for a couple of meals, her pocket money which is £20 a month and any money that she can get from her dad, who hasn't loved with her since she was three.

I don't like this diet but she doesn't listen to me and the takeaways arrive.

She will punish me by not eating anything at all if she doesn't get her own way.

How would you deal with this? Any advice would be great.

If she’s punishing you by not eating then she’s got the making of an eating disorder. Or, at the very least, disordered eating. I think you’ve got bigger issues than pizza

Would she consider making her favourite foods at home? We make home made chicken kebabs. Home made pizzas are great to make. You can add healthier toppings!

Does she order them or do you?

How many takeaways a week does she buy/eat?

How many do you buy?

What does she eat? And how often?

What does she cook?

How long does she not eat for?

My ds 17 got 2 k inheritance last March.. It went on take aways.
I was gutted but his money...

Can you buy some healthy versions from the supermarket or make your own? That way he’s having something slightly less fat and sugar. Maybe agree on one take away a week? Do you feel this is just anxiety about food and has no control and can’t eat anything else? or the food refusal is just to punish you for not getting own way?

Only you can guess which one it is and if they need more help with anxiety.

Are you her parent or her sister? I might enthusiastically support her choice until she gets annoyed that you are so supportive of her pizza eating ways.

Depends what the rest of her diet is like. If it's not too bad, I would probably leave her to it with the pizza. She's 16. Not much you can do really.

Sorry but she's 16 - stop her from ordering takeaway food to your house! Be the parent.

I know from experience that unhelpful food really doesn't help anxiety at all, so tough love is needed here.

It’s not great. But if she’s using her own money, there’s not much you can do. Talk to her about the importance of healthy eating and provide healthy ingredients or meals the rest of the time. Obviously if you think there’s any sort of eating disorder, then get her some help. Advise her to take a good multivitamin.

She does eat pasta and chicken at home, a few other things including pizza, but always bland foods.

I agree we have to deal with her anxiety. We have been asking for help for years from the gp. There's not a lot available in our area but she has been assessed and is
allowed to have primary mental health services. They agree that she needs to hear from someone other than me that takeaways are a bad choice when eaten too often.

I don't order them, she does. I've never ordered one for her.