Picky Eaters: Pathological or Just Particular?

Thank you for your comment it was very encouraging. My son is 6 years old and eats the exact same things as you described. We have added a multivitamin with iron to his diet (in the evening)because it is beyond me how anyone can survive on what he has limited himself to. I feel trapped between encouraging him to try something new and pushing him too hard and turning him further away from the food. We eat at the dinner table and eat family style so it's not like the food is not offered and readily available. His 10 year old sister eats just fine.

Unfortuantely, you created your daughter's problem by allowing her to get away with it. As you stated, she's learning that her friends aren't going to put up with her behavior and she's 19. Guess what? The older she gets, collegues aren't going to be toleratent either and god forbid she had to particpate in a business dinner.

Your daughter needs to grow up and YOU have to acknowlege that YOU are the root of it cause you allowed it to happen.

Just curious... did you ever outgrow this? I know I was fairly picky as a child but my daughter is far worse, and I grew out of it as a teen/adult. I'm at my wits end with her and suspect an aversion to various textures.

I completely agree. Unless there is some legitimate issue like an actual food allergy or digestive sensitivity, the rest of it is something the child is acting out and attempting to manipulate adults with.

Don't even believe in the "tasters vs. non-tasters" hogwash. Kids are ALL sensitive tasters. This is why you don't give them the strong stuff like Hunan Chinese or sauerkraut, and you might have to forego even well-prepared brussels sprouts, but otherwise, it's all malarkey. Put it on their plate. They eat or they go hungry. Don't indulge them for a minute.

Well said! I agree 100%!

Unbelievable. My child has sensory issues and is now 10 years old, and, yes, he is a picky eater. We've been dealing with this since he was an infant. Still think it's behavioral? Don't judge unless you've been there. Sometimes it's not about options.

I grew up thinking the same thing - they eat what they get or they don't eat....but when my daughter was born 7 weeks premature we had to watch everything we fed her and even though we had her try everything and anything under the sun she is an extremely picky eater - What's the weirdest is that she will like something and few months later she can't stand it....Doctors say it's her tastebuds - they may not be working properly due to her being premature and MAYBE as she gets older they will develope more - So it's not always about "letting them get away with it" it's about making sure there is something in that stomach to avoid other medical problems - so there are 2 sides to the debate.....it's very frustrating for us as parents - we offer many things in hopes that 1 day she'll like it and add another item she is willing to eat....She is now 6 years old - eats Ramen Noodles, White Bread, Milk, Butter, Chicken, Oscar Meyer Turkey Hot Dogs and french fries - she is at least getting her dairy and protein and we give her a multi vitamin as well as Pedisure - so far her health has not become compromised by this.

My son has SPD and is extremely particular about what he will eat. Before his diagnosis I tried the approach of you'll eat what I make or you don't eat. I served him pb&j, three meals a day, for three days - the boy did not eat! At 2 1/2 years old, this just wasn't healthy. It's been that way since he was born. I have to say that I am also an extremely picky eater. I have been since I was an infant as well and I've tried and tried to eat the food that I can't. I even tried hypnosis. I simply cannot get the stuff down, I gag, sweat, and just can't do it! I'm sure for some this is a learned behavior, I have two other kids without SPD and they will eventually eat what I make. Please don't judge if you haven't experienced this firsthand.

To the people whose children have allergies, obviously nobody would suggest you make them eat foods they're allergic to, but nobody is allergic to all foods except Kraft brand Mac & Cheese. Some of the most common childhood allergies are to wheat (and/or gluten) and milk products. I know people CAN be allergic to certain fruits and vegetables (generally raw), but those allergies are quite rare, and usually cooking the food takes care of the allergy problem.

I realize these are generalizations, but nobody is allergic to everything except ramen noodles and cheese sandwiches.

I've had severe (anaphalaxis generating) food allergies; it is indeed scary and frustrating, but (for your own sake) don't make yourself paranoid by blowing the situation totally out of propotion!

You certainly CAN go out without "fearing" a menu... just COMMIT to focusing on all the things you CAN eat! Think of it like a treasure hunt, (not a potential death march)!

Hints:
*Know your allergic triggers AND know all the Hypoallergenic Foods (listed provided below)
* When eating out, review the list of "side dishes" first, (I often end up chosing several "side dishes" to avoid hidden ingredients in "recipies").
*Dont be afraid to ask the server/manager/cook if they can "just grill my lamb, and steam my veggies" (or whatever), plain and simple!
*Consider calling ahead and asking the manager/cook/chef about convenient options for BOTH of you. (As a last resort, are they willing to reheat a "home cooked meal" that you bring along, so you can enjoy a no-risk lunch out with friends/coworkers?).
*Nowdays restaurants are very aware of food allergy issues, and most will happily accomodate requests for "plain food".
*If they are rude about it, just say... OK, would it help if I mention that I'm in chemotherapy, and just trying to make sure that I dont stat throwing up in your dining room? (This one works every time LOL)

HYPO-ALLERGENIC FOODS: (food that are unlikely to cause allergic reactions):
*GRAINS: millet, quinoa, amaranth.
SWEETNERS: maple syrup, brown rice syrup.
BEVERAGES: rice milk, pear nectar, chamomile tea, sparkling water (without any added sweeteners).
VEGETABLES:The majority of vegetables are considered hypoallergenic; especially lettuce, cucumbers, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, kale, celery, carrots and Brussels sprouts. (AVOID eggplant, corn, tomatoes, broccoli, olives, spinach, mushrooms and avocado)
BEANS & LEGUMES: lentils, black beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, peas, navy beans, black beans, lima beans and pinto beans. (AVOID peanuts)
FRUITS: apples and pears (AVOID all types of dried fruits, which may contain amines or salicylates)
MEAT: Lamb (AVOID chicken, beef since they eat wheat and dairy products. Avoid canned meat and smoked cheeses as well.)

I hope this helps!

I agree 100%! I have a stepson, who is the same age as my son, who was allowed by his mother to "pick and choose" what he wanted to eat. When he met me he had a HUGE, HUGE HUGE!!!, paradime shift. His mother tried to tell my husbad and myself that he had 'food alergies" but she had never had him tested. So my husband and I had him tested.... no alergies to anything other than hay fever. no celiacs, no lactose intolerance not a thing. So I would let one boy choose breakfast and one choose lunch I chose dinner. Even if he chose it he would still not eat it. I told him "You chose it, you wanted it, every one else is eating it, so will you to period. Funny thing after 4 days of not eating his "food alergies" were gone! He tried to tell his mother that "I was not feeding him" and I told her, in front of a judge "I will not tolerate a "picky eater" who has no "alergies to foods" but has been "created." The judge agreed. To this day when he is here he eats what is on his plate and says "thank you!" He tried to tell me that I am a "picky eater" also becasue I am an ovo lacto vegetarian... I told him "I eat everything else but meat. That is not a picky eater it is a lifestyle choice."