Anonymous
Post 05/22/2023 23:03     Subject: Extreme picky eating- what has worked for you
We started addressing this late, around 9 years old. It helped that my kid was motivated to learn how to eat more things so they could go out with their friends and share a meal. We did a feeding clinic/therapy for 2 years. Now, at almost 14, it's better. Still limited palate, but will eat a vegetable or two, many fruits, dairy, some meat/chicken/pork, and can even tolerate new versions of foods occasionally. It's a work in progress!
Anonymous
Post 05/22/2023 16:18     Subject: Extreme picky eating- what has worked for you
Anonymous wrote:Also would appreciate a recommendation for an SLP or OT in NoVa, preferably Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria city for 14 YO. I believe time will help with the picky eating, and already pick my battles and work with what we have, but the sensory aspects of the presence of certain foods is becoming harder to navigate as DC gets older and will be in more social situations in HS and life generally. Seems like a OT/maybe SLP could drill into this with some exposure therapy and digging into the anxiety/OCD-like issues with this aspect of the food issues. Thanks.

Skills on the Hill
Anonymous
Post 05/22/2023 16:17     Subject: Extreme picky eating- what has worked for you
Anonymous wrote:Any suggestions for a great OT or SLP in NoVA area?


Skills on the Hill
Anonymous
Post 05/22/2023 14:32     Subject: Extreme picky eating- what has worked for you
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.


DP, but one of the very few foods that my kid eats is pork chops.
Anonymous
Post 05/22/2023 14:16     Subject: Extreme picky eating- what has worked for you
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.
Anonymous
Post 05/22/2023 13:27     Subject: Re:Extreme picky eating- what has worked for you
Anonymous wrote:I used some of the techniques in the book, Just Take a Bite. It's geared for kids/families that have far more significant SN than my DS had but I found a number of the techniques in the back really helpful. It, at least, got my kid to allow non-preferred foods on the table and his plate. Eventually, I could even get him to take a bite of some things once he really understood I'd let him spit it out.

DS is now 20, has a far more varied diet and is far less reactive. He became more willing to try new things as he got older, particularly things that smell mouthwatering delicious like rotisserie chicken. Another thing that made a huge difference was his first girlfriend who liked to cook - although I recognize most kids here are waaaay too young and it's not anything you can control!


https://www.amazon.com/s?k=just+take+a+bite&hvadid=174261425667&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9059726&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=1844739433003483125&hvtargid=kwd-454235885&hydadcr=22535_9636730&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_e44a1peo5_e


This is OP- I just bought this book, thanks!
Anonymous
Post 05/22/2023 12:53     Subject: Extreme picky eating- what has worked for you
Anonymous wrote:What happens if she gets 3 or 4 hours of exercise in a day? Does she eat then? Maybe try going on long hikes or bike rides every weekend to see if that stimulates her appetite.


You are so naive. This child has ADHD and actually so does my child with ARFID. This child will swim and run and climb all day long. Literally all day. It doesn’t change the fact that they have a deep seated fear, essentially a phobia, for many foods that is rooted in primal feelings of disgust. You simply can’t motivate that out of a child. I remember one book I read equating it to being offered $1000 to eat a bowl of vomit. You just can’t do it. It takes SO much time and tiny tiny baby steps over and over to make progress. Eventually many kids will make progress but it’s the hardest thing I’ve dealt with in my parenting journey so far.
Anonymous
Post 05/22/2023 12:43     Subject: Extreme picky eating- what has worked for you
What happens if she gets 3 or 4 hours of exercise in a day? Does she eat then? Maybe try going on long hikes or bike rides every weekend to see if that stimulates her appetite.
Anonymous
Post 05/22/2023 12:37     Subject: Extreme picky eating- what has worked for you
I was that kid, my DD was that kid.

Is your child growing? Vitamin deficient? Focus on health, not quantity of food. Accomodate the pickiness. Talk to the Dr about your concerns and follow her advice. I had a good experience with Advanced Peds in Vienna, VA.
Anonymous
Post 05/22/2023 11:43     Subject: Extreme picky eating- what has worked for you
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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.


I think PP's point is that, if your child has a disability, advice like "cook a nice meal" stopped being helpful years ago. If you have a typical picky eater and hadn't thought yet to serve them a grown up meat dish, that's fine. But it's not a discussion that belongs in the special needs forum.


+1000

My favorite piece of unhelpful advice was for my husband and I to eat healthy foods "with gusto"...


Such BS. I’m a PP with an ARFID kid. I have medical food restrictions so I eat large portions of fruits and vegetables at every meal, protein and whole grains. That’s all my stomach condition can tolerate. My kid has watched me eat 3 meals like this since she was born. I don’t know if I eat it “with gusto” (lol) but it has not “rubbed off” on my kid whatsoever.


Word. So beyond a common-sense approach.

I gave up on pressure and even joint meals long ago because I was making everyone crazy. But now with DS13 starting puberty, I'm worried that we're missing the window to help change or add foods like ANY vegetable. He eats one fruit. He doesn't even eat pasta or rice. I think there has to be a desire to change, but I'm experimenting with the idea that I can pay him to incentivize trying new foods while I still have some time to influence his eating.

Would also love a recommendation for an SLP that understands dyspraxia as I think that's part of his issue.
Anonymous
Post 05/22/2023 11:22     Subject: Extreme picky eating- what has worked for you
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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.


I think PP's point is that, if your child has a disability, advice like "cook a nice meal" stopped being helpful years ago. If you have a typical picky eater and hadn't thought yet to serve them a grown up meat dish, that's fine. But it's not a discussion that belongs in the special needs forum.


+1000

My favorite piece of unhelpful advice was for my husband and I to eat healthy foods "with gusto"...


Such BS. I’m a PP with an ARFID kid. I have medical food restrictions so I eat large portions of fruits and vegetables at every meal, protein and whole grains. That’s all my stomach condition can tolerate. My kid has watched me eat 3 meals like this since she was born. I don’t know if I eat it “with gusto” (lol) but it has not “rubbed off” on my kid whatsoever.
Anonymous
Post 05/22/2023 11:10     Subject: Extreme picky eating- what has worked for you
Anonymous wrote:
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.


I think PP's point is that, if your child has a disability, advice like "cook a nice meal" stopped being helpful years ago. If you have a typical picky eater and hadn't thought yet to serve them a grown up meat dish, that's fine. But it's not a discussion that belongs in the special needs forum.


+1000

My favorite piece of unhelpful advice was for my husband and I to eat healthy foods "with gusto"...
Anonymous
Post 05/22/2023 10:58     Subject: Extreme picky eating- what has worked for you
Also would appreciate a recommendation for an SLP or OT in NoVa, preferably Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria city for 14 YO. I believe time will help with the picky eating, and already pick my battles and work with what we have, but the sensory aspects of the presence of certain foods is becoming harder to navigate as DC gets older and will be in more social situations in HS and life generally. Seems like a OT/maybe SLP could drill into this with some exposure therapy and digging into the anxiety/OCD-like issues with this aspect of the food issues. Thanks.
Anonymous
Post 05/22/2023 09:59     Subject: Extreme picky eating- what has worked for you
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.


I think PP's point is that, if your child has a disability, advice like "cook a nice meal" stopped being helpful years ago. If you have a typical picky eater and hadn't thought yet to serve them a grown up meat dish, that's fine. But it's not a discussion that belongs in the special needs forum.
Anonymous
Post 05/22/2023 09:58     Subject: Re:Extreme picky eating- what has worked for you
Anonymous wrote:I used some of the techniques in the book, Just Take a Bite. It's geared for kids/families that have far more significant SN than my DS had but I found a number of the techniques in the back really helpful. It, at least, got my kid to allow non-preferred foods on the table and his plate. Eventually, I could even get him to take a bite of some things once he really understood I'd let him spit it out.

DS is now 20, has a far more varied diet and is far less reactive. He became more willing to try new things as he got older, particularly things that smell mouthwatering delicious like rotisserie chicken. Another thing that made a huge difference was his first girlfriend who liked to cook - although I recognize most kids here are waaaay too young and it's not anything you can control!


https://www.amazon.com/s?k=just+take+a+bite&hvadid=174261425667&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9059726&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=1844739433003483125&hvtargid=kwd-454235885&hydadcr=22535_9636730&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_e44a1peo5_e


^^PP here. Forgot to mention that we still allow DS to spit stuff out when he tries something new but doesn't like it. As he got older, we encouraged him to try to swallow it rather than spit it out but the goal was to create conditions that encouraged/didn't punish him for trying something new. We were clear about when spitting it out was appropriate and when it wasn't (like at a restaurant/party/etc.). We never had issues with him doing it when it was not appropriate to do so.