Fussy eater teen & slow growth

[Ashleyupnorth]

My DS 14 has always been a fussy eater and even more so since entering teenage years. Some days I estimate he barely eats 700 calories. The food we/family put in front of him is either never to his liking or he will eat a quarter/half of it. I have tried many different foods, took him to the supermarket to try different options but I don't feel he eats enough. I admit I am worried and concerned. I do try to limit the snacks we have in the house so I don't think this is too much of an issue. He is naturally petite (we are a small height family). He certainly isn't overweight but for his growth and development I don't think he is getting a sufficient diet. I have tried nutritional supplements but after trying them he didn't like the taste so wouldn't go back to them.

I am sure I am going to get some comments here about being a bad parent etc so please be nice..if possible. Helpful suggestions welcome.

My DS is a small eater and needs a lot of calories as he swims 14 hours a week. We have found Arla protein yogurts good they are the only protein yogurts DS likes the taste of. He eats 1 a day. Also Grenade protein chocolate spread. Apart from that we hide calories by having full fat milk on cereal, using real butter and adding cheese to mash etc.

We also find giving him smaller portions of meals and then giving him free access to snacks (toast, cereals, fruits, nuts etc not chocolate and crisps) works better than trying to make him eat big meals.

My ds15 is a incredibly fussy eater... always has been. But the things he will eat, he eats lots of. Is this an appetite issue as well as a fussy eating issue? Will he eat large portions of the things he likes?

@Hellocatshome thanks, even things like mash he will not eat, cereals he will eat sometimes but not enough to get calories. He just seems happy to go without if there are foods he won't eat or doesn't appeal to him. Meal times are such a battle, I got into a phase of reeling off a menu to appeal to his palate but never wants any of the choices we provide. I offered for him to let me know what he fancied but he never does know. Anyway, I then just cook a meal which he inevitably won't eat..I.e. pasta bake, salmon, chicken, fish etc.

@Comedycook I don't think there is one meal he would eat enough of (unless it's pizza or chicken kebab, but they're limited choices!). Really struggling here!

Would he drink protein shakes? I think if he is really only consuming about 700 calories a day a trip to the GP for a dietician referral would be a good idea.

Will he take vitamins? DS has a chewy multi vitamin once a day which takes a bit of the stress out of trying to get him to eat the right things

Does he do any sports? Lots of info out there from various different sports nutritionists about eating right which might make more of an impact than being nagged by mum.

Why don’t you just let him have snacks? He might be a little and often type person.

@Hellocatshome yes, I have bought several types of gummy vitamins but hasn't been keen on the flavour. I found one flavour he liked several years ago but it is no longer for his age group! He will drink protein drinks sometimes so I may need to stock up on those. He is a little and often but in his mind it would be little and often of all the not so good foods! The 700 calories can't be far off, and he no longer participates in sports but I still think its not enough. I'm going to keep a log for a month and see how it goes.

Of course @magicravioli snacks are fine but they're never particularly healthy and giving him carrots and homous for example is something he wouldn't eat. Even chicken raiders he won't eat! Help!!!

He needs energy dense low volume foods. Peanut butter is a prime example if he'll eat it. If he won't eat it can you sneak it into any meals he might eat? Or alternatively ground nuts can be added to anything with can kind of sauce. Mash needs to be made with butter and cream with added cheese if possible. Will he drink milk shakes or smoothies? At 14 700 cals is nothing, don't worry about what's healthy or not, the boys just needs calories.

If the vitamins aren't for his age group just double them up. Let him snack. Chicken kebabs can be pretty healthy also - you can make them at home. Pizza is ok. Tbh it's better he's eating this than nothing

Feed him what he will eat op. It's no good worrying about nutrition if he's not even getting enough calories in, in the first place.

I agree. My ds is very fussy. I cook for him separately every day which isn't as time comsuming as it sounds. He only eats a few different meals...luckily they're reasonably balanced. But the things he likes, he eats lots of. If your ds like chicken kebabs, I'd be making him them from scratch at home and whenever he wants them...also I presume he eats chips...make your own...no salt. Right now I'd prioritise calories.

Thank you. @Comedycook I do cook separate meals and that is fine, I think I have been worried too much about the nutrition side (only a bit!), but you're right ill concentrate on getting the calories, that said he does get bored of the same meals and even the meals he does like he never eats a full plate. That said, it's better than nothing. I've made him a Milo sports drink with FF milk and 4 scotch Pancakes for supper 🤣.

Regarding the vitamins I will double up on them, good idea. 😊

DS is a little and often eater. We always have things like bagels (to have with cream cheese or peanut butter), itsu noodles, cheese and ham for sandwiches/toasties, falafels for snacks. Not very exciting or particularly nutritious, but they help keep his calories up.