Anonymous
04/02/2026 15:06
Subject: Re:Picky eater and vitamins
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Op - I am worried because she pretty much just eats carbs (I do use protein pasta), fruit, and goldfish/snacks.
Obviously she is growing fine and has maintained her curve and doctors aren’t worried about that.
But she doesn’t get any calcium, no vegetables and barely any protein. To be honest I don’t know how she is even growing, let alone taller than 75% of her peers. She is rarely sick so it’s not affecting her immune system.
She would rather be starving hungry than eat something she dislikes. The other day she was out with friends without me and she was so hungry she had a huge headache when she got home but refused to eat the food at the restaurant they went to because she didn’t like it.
Can you tell us what she might eat in a typical day? She's doing well for growth, so she's clearly getting enough calories, which is great.
I think there are kids who are so picky that nutrition is compromised, but I also think there are a lot of parents who overestimate the variety and quantity of things that kids need.
Can you give examples of what she eats in a day? That would help guide my advice.
OP - I am surprised the previous posted suggested ARFID. That definitely did not cross my mind.
Typcial eating:
Breakfast - hash browns and bacon and forced couple of gulps of yogurt smoothie
Lunch - Protein pasta, goldfish, crackers, piece of fruit
Dinner - Protein pasta or rice, maybe some air fried chicken nuggets, strawberries or banana
Snacks include goldfish, pretzels, popcorn, fruit
Anonymous
04/02/2026 14:46
Subject: Re:Picky eater and vitamins
Anonymous wrote:Op - I am worried because she pretty much just eats carbs (I do use protein pasta), fruit, and goldfish/snacks.
Obviously she is growing fine and has maintained her curve and doctors aren’t worried about that.
But she doesn’t get any calcium, no vegetables and barely any protein. To be honest I don’t know how she is even growing, let alone taller than 75% of her peers. She is rarely sick so it’s not affecting her immune system.
She would rather be starving hungry than eat something she dislikes. The other day she was out with friends without me and she was so hungry she had a huge headache when she got home but refused to eat the food at the restaurant they went to because she didn’t like it.
Can you tell us what she might eat in a typical day? She's doing well for growth, so she's clearly getting enough calories, which is great.
I think there are kids who are so picky that nutrition is compromised, but I also think there are a lot of parents who overestimate the variety and quantity of things that kids need.
Can you give examples of what she eats in a day? That would help guide my advice.
Anonymous
04/02/2026 14:39
Subject: Picky eater and vitamins
Sounds like ARFID.
Anonymous
04/01/2026 20:55
Subject: Picky eater and vitamins
This is a question for your pediatrician.
Anonymous
04/01/2026 19:56
Subject: Picky eater and vitamins
Anonymous wrote:Will she drink a smoothie or even a milkshake? Almond milk has more calcium that cows milk
So you could try that.
My DD ( not really picky) likes a strawberry smoothie with actual strawberries, almond milk, couple spoons of yogurt and a spoon of Nutella.
Op - no we have tried everything. She hates it all. She won’t drink anything but water.
I have other kids who eat everything. So it’s not like we are a family who doesn’t offer a wide range of food. Other kids eat salmon and sushi and steak, etc.
Anonymous
04/01/2026 19:16
Subject: Picky eater and vitamins
Will she drink a smoothie or even a milkshake? Almond milk has more calcium that cows milk
So you could try that.
My DD ( not really picky) likes a strawberry smoothie with actual strawberries, almond milk, couple spoons of yogurt and a spoon of Nutella.
So you could try that.
My DD ( not really picky) likes a strawberry smoothie with actual strawberries, almond milk, couple spoons of yogurt and a spoon of Nutella.
Anonymous
04/01/2026 18:56
Subject: Re:Picky eater and vitamins
You described a lot of kids that age and they do fine. They grow older and expand their taste buds, some just a little, some a lot.
There are so many snacks that are liked by picky kids that have more value than goldfish. That snack is good for toddlers because they practice fine motor skills and are non-choking. nine year olds don’t need that.
Go through the snack aisle and have her pick something out
There are so many snacks that are liked by picky kids that have more value than goldfish. That snack is good for toddlers because they practice fine motor skills and are non-choking. nine year olds don’t need that.
Go through the snack aisle and have her pick something out
Anonymous
04/01/2026 13:16
Subject: Re:Picky eater and vitamins
Anonymous wrote:Op - I am worried because she pretty much just eats carbs (I do use protein pasta), fruit, and goldfish/snacks.
Obviously she is growing fine and has maintained her curve and doctors aren’t worried about that.
But she doesn’t get any calcium, no vegetables and barely any protein. To be honest I don’t know how she is even growing, let alone taller than 75% of her peers. She is rarely sick so it’s not affecting her immune system.
She would rather be starving hungry than eat something she dislikes. The other day she was out with friends without me and she was so hungry she had a huge headache when she got home but refused to eat the food at the restaurant they went to because she didn’t like it.
Personally I think volume eaten, and eating real food over processed snacks and meals are more important to growth. Yes, give a vitamin to cover nutritional deficiencies, but I wouldn’t worry too much about growth if she’s on the curve.
Anonymous
04/01/2026 07:03
Subject: Re:Picky eater and vitamins
Op - I am worried because she pretty much just eats carbs (I do use protein pasta), fruit, and goldfish/snacks.
Obviously she is growing fine and has maintained her curve and doctors aren’t worried about that.
But she doesn’t get any calcium, no vegetables and barely any protein. To be honest I don’t know how she is even growing, let alone taller than 75% of her peers. She is rarely sick so it’s not affecting her immune system.
She would rather be starving hungry than eat something she dislikes. The other day she was out with friends without me and she was so hungry she had a huge headache when she got home but refused to eat the food at the restaurant they went to because she didn’t like it.
Obviously she is growing fine and has maintained her curve and doctors aren’t worried about that.
But she doesn’t get any calcium, no vegetables and barely any protein. To be honest I don’t know how she is even growing, let alone taller than 75% of her peers. She is rarely sick so it’s not affecting her immune system.
She would rather be starving hungry than eat something she dislikes. The other day she was out with friends without me and she was so hungry she had a huge headache when she got home but refused to eat the food at the restaurant they went to because she didn’t like it.
Anonymous
04/01/2026 06:53
Subject: Picky eater and vitamins
The doctor recommended regular gummy vitamins. I also worry that it’s not enough but she’s generally healthy and on her curve. I also realize that for my kid, while the variety is very limited her diet DOES include food from different food groups - yogurt and cheese and fruit are staples so there are some vitamins and protein and calcium there.
Anonymous
04/01/2026 05:29
Subject: Picky eater and vitamins
I get it OP- I also have a really picky either, and our pediatrician, who I generally like otherwise, hasn't been very helpful on this. I've asked about multivitamins, but they say the evidence on whether they are worthwhile is mixed, unless there's a specific deficiency, but they don't routinely test for defieicencies unless there is an obvious sign of one. I don't really want to get to the point where there is an "obvious" deficiency before addressing it, so I feel like I'm going in circles and wonder if I should just give a multivitamin. Right now we just do vitamin D during the colder months.
Anonymous
03/31/2026 09:10
Subject: Picky eater and vitamins
Tou should talk to your pediatrician, but a normal kids multivitamin should be enough, barring actual deficiencies.
Anonymous
03/31/2026 09:06
Subject: Picky eater and vitamins
Anonymous wrote:How is their growth? I give my picky eater normal gummy vitamins.
Op - growing fine but worried about lack of true nutrients and vitamins. Girl in the 75% for height and weight. 9 years old 4’8” and 75 pounds.
Anonymous
03/31/2026 09:04
Subject: Picky eater and vitamins
How is their growth? I give my picky eater normal gummy vitamins.
Anonymous
03/31/2026 09:03
Subject: Picky eater and vitamins
If you have a super picky eater do they take vitamins? Or any sort of growth nutrients? I am very worried about my one child who is the worst eater. I do give a multivitamin but think I want to try something like TruHeight or something like that. Does anyone use that? Or what would you recommend?