Extreme picky eating- what has worked for you

[Anonymous]

It is nice to go back and find a post and realize that there are others out there struggling with kids and food. I have a 13 year old and he's eating less than 20 foods and most of them are processed (consistent from day to day). Pediatrician has no recommendations. I feel like it is getting worse, not better.

I live in Bethesda -- any OT or clinic recommendations? I'm just exhausted from years of dealing with this. It limits us in so many ways as a family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has she been evaluated for ARFID? My oldest has that, and my youngest has many features but never officially diagnosed. Honestly what worked for us was removing the pressure of trying new things (while still having opportunities) and making sure their safe foods were always available to them (though we did try to rotate so they didn't get sick of things). We got lots of lectures from in-laws about "catering" to them and blah, blah, but both of my kids have gradually become less picky and both have maintained healthy weights. My oldest is a 6 foot athlete who doesn't eat fruit or vegetables. He does eat a variety of dairy and chicken.

What kind of strategies are you using now?

Sorry, but a diet without fruits and veggies is a recipe for disaster. I hope he improves and starts eating them, for his own sake.

I'm the PP from 5 months ago. Just now seeing your post and wanted to be sure to leave this for you:

Do you go around telling cancer patients you hope that their chemo works because, if not, cancer is a recipe for disaster? That is how dumb you sound.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is nice to go back and find a post and realize that there are others out there struggling with kids and food. I have a 13 year old and he's eating less than 20 foods and most of them are processed (consistent from day to day). Pediatrician has no recommendations. I feel like it is getting worse, not better.

I live in Bethesda -- any OT or clinic recommendations? I'm just exhausted from years of dealing with this. It limits us in so many ways as a family.

I don't live near you, but SOS is a reasonable approach.
https://sosapproachtofeeding.com/locate-a-therapist?_sft_country=bethesda&_sf_s=

Duke Eating Disorders Clinic also used to do a 5 day intensive program for the child and at least one parent. I don't know what they offer now. We live nearby and our son saw Dr. Nancy Zucker on an outpatient basis.

I also really like this Facebook Group for ideas. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1188680687816813

[Anonymous]

my husband is still a very picky eater at 50 so we haven't done anything with our kids. One has gotten better as she has gotten older and will try things but the other one is very picky still. I never forced anything because my husband is still traumatized about being made to eat everything that was cooked. It sounded terribly cruel.

[Anonymous]

Felix Economakis- therapist who specializes has video's you can buy. My son did a session with him virtually and it was really helpful and increased his foods.

[Anonymous]

Have 15 y.o. dc who has struggled with this since age 2. We did feeding therapy for 2 years, starting at age 9, which helped a bit; got them to start eating meat, which was great (previously, only ate grilled cheese, pizza, and pancakes/waffles for main courses).

But...it's a long, slow road. DC now eats burgers, carnitas, meatballs, eggs, bacon, cheese sticks, and chicken nuggets for protein; several fruits; and one vegetable. Plus plenty of carbs, sweets, salty junk food when available.

Is it ideal? Absolutely not. I'm hoping they expand their diet once they go to college, but at this point it's out of my hands.

You take what you can get with this, and hope for the best. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

This is obviously not something you can do on a day to day basis, but when we took our picky DD on a cruise, she started trying tons of stuff she would never eat before! I think being able to try things without pressure, and always being able to order something familiar if she didn't like what she was trying helped. I also think serving family style meals like make your own tacos is great because they can pick whatever fillings they want to eat. I also try the "sneaky chef" approach of sneaking pureed veggies into things that my DD likes to eat- like zucchini in pasta sauce, or a veggie protein powder in smoothies, etc. Finally, I've started to just let my DD make a sandwich or meal for herself if she refuses to eat what the rest of us eat. It can be SO frustrating dealing with a picky eater, but hopefully they'll grow out of it.

[Anonymous]

Skills on the Hill in Arlington

Anonymous wrote:Any suggestions for a great OT or SLP in NoVA area?

[Anonymous]

Nothing. My 14 year old really cannot eat in restaurants. At home, he eats chicken, rice, a few vegetables, vanilla or strawberry yoplait yogurt, one brand of cheddar cheese, one variety of bread, and a few fruits. He drinks milk. We pack cheese, bread, and one of the fruits he eats for school - basically the same lunch every day. I do feel concerned, but he is intaking enough calories, and the food he eats are reasonable-ish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing. My 14 year old really cannot eat in restaurants. At home, he eats chicken, rice, a few vegetables, vanilla or strawberry yoplait yogurt, one brand of cheddar cheese, one variety of bread, and a few fruits. He drinks milk. We pack cheese, bread, and one of the fruits he eats for school - basically the same lunch every day. I do feel concerned, but he is intaking enough calories, and the food he eats are reasonable-ish.

Similar profile here. No chicken though - eggs instead. Cheese, yogurt, fruit, bread, eggs. Not bad foods! But only certain types and sometimes even refuses them. Dr says it's good variety, but it doesn't seem like enough to me.

She loves to help me cook and even fairly often taste new things. But one bite and then won't eat any more. I'm hoping those little bites here and there mean that one day she'll learn to like them.

Interesting that so many posters here mention ADHD. Anyone know what the connection is?

[Anonymous]

Clearly there is a link between picky eating and adhd and other issues. In terms of families with afrid and other issues that require therapies — how do you manage them all? Do you just do the major ones? Or the most vital?

[Anonymous]

feeding therapy and Ellyn Satter's books

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nothing. My 14 year old really cannot eat in restaurants. At home, he eats chicken, rice, a few vegetables, vanilla or strawberry yoplait yogurt, one brand of cheddar cheese, one variety of bread, and a few fruits. He drinks milk. We pack cheese, bread, and one of the fruits he eats for school - basically the same lunch every day. I do feel concerned, but he is intaking enough calories, and the food he eats are reasonable-ish.

Similar profile here. No chicken though - eggs instead. Cheese, yogurt, fruit, bread, eggs. Not bad foods! But only certain types and sometimes even refuses them. Dr says it's good variety, but it doesn't seem like enough to me.

She loves to help me cook and even fairly often taste new things. But one bite and then won't eat any more. I'm hoping those little bites here and there mean that one day she'll learn to like them.

Interesting that so many posters here mention ADHD. Anyone know what the connection is?

Dealing with very similar profile, also. My kid also has ADHD and some sensory issues but is great student, good kid and generally thriving. Except for very limited diet which is veering more toward sugar as kid gets older.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So this might sound like it’s coming out of left field but if you haven’t tried it, keep an open mind and give it a try.

Ruminate meat is some of the most bioavailable sources of nutrition for humans. Have you fed your child a nice fatty rib eye? How about lamb chops? Give it a try for a day or two. Pick up a pack of rib eyes at Costco and cook up a steak with salt and butter.

The fat in the meat is essential for brain development and hormonal balance. The amino acids found in the steak are essential and not found in pasta, plants etc.

If your child refuses, you and your partner will get a nice meal. I bet your kid will love it though.

Respectfully, you don’t belong on this thread. We don’t have kids like this because we haven’t tried lamb chops.

I disagree. I thought it was a good idea and I for one am thankful for the suggestion. Just because it doesn't fall into what your family needs doesn't mean it can't help someone else.

+1 steak was the saving grace for my relative who was severely underweight on meds. They cried when she ate the first steak.