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[quote=Anonymous]OP, my 6 yr old is very similar. And we aren't vegetarian or pescatarian, we eat meat and a wide range of foods. So I wouldn't blame yourself for this. Some kids are just like this.

We have suspected ARFID but DD currently does not meet the threshold for it according to our pediatrician. We will discuss it again this summer. DD continues to grow and gain weight, and generally has a pretty high energy level. She's not huge athletic and is genetically predisposed to be on the small side. But pediatrician has looked closely at her growth numbers and there's no indication of a failure to thrive issue.

I suspect it is a sensory issue, and there are other signs of a sensory processing disorder (high physical and auditory sensitivity as well). We are also exploring this and the potential therapies.

But here is what has worked for us on the food front, in case it is of some use to you:

- Regarding the protein-rich and fatty foods you may worry she's missing, try as many different preparations as you can to see if there is even one she will like. For instance, my DD will not eat most beans/lentils except refried beans (it is a texture and flavor issue). She also will only eat softer, spreadable cheeses, like goat/brie, as opposed to slicing cheeses like cheddar. Also she won't eat eggs on their own but has no problem with eggs added to pancakes and breads, which can boost the protein/fat content of these items. So we do that often.

- Involve her in cooking. As often as we can, we have DD come and cook with us. She can actually cook a lot of her preferred foods on her own at this point, with some supervision. Make it fun -- get her her own apron, safety gloves for chopping, and the silicon cutting knives for kids. To the degree it is safe, really encourage her to do as much of the prep as she can. Seeing how the food comes together and what ingredients go into things has helped make my DD more enthusiastic about food. If you are worried about this approach, start with baking which kids often find more accessible, and then grow it from there.

- While not ideal, supplements are necessary for picky kids. We do a daily vitamin with plenty of iron, since that can be hard to get in her diet. We also allow fortified cereals for breakfast (this is not normally what I prefer to serve in the AM) and we use some protein fortified mixes for some things (like pancakes) to increase overall protein. We do try to focus on less processed items and getting nutrients directly from foods normally, but with a very picky eater you have to accept that some amount of supplementing is necessary. It can help with energy levels especially.[/quote]

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