Help for the Mom of an Extremely Picky Eater

I friend of mine also has a very picky eater--he will only eat bologna, American cheese, macaroni and hot dogs. We were discussing her problem, and decided to try some casseroles that mixed his favorite foods along with a creamy "sauce." (My son loves them!)The sauce consisted of some kind of creamy soup (like Campbell's Cream of Mushroom) and as many veggies as she could disguise without changing the taste of the creamy sauce. We put the sauce in the food processor, added it to the casserole (noodles or rice or something), and baked it. He loved it, and wound up eating broccoli, carrots, onions, mushrooms, celery and chicken. We have since tried spinich, peas, peppers, green beans to name a few. It might be worth a try! Good luck--it is probably just a phase!

Hi, I would get a referral from your pediatrician to a feeding clinic that works with kids with limited food choices. Places such as Fraser Child and Family Center and St. Davids are good starts. Good luck!

There is hope. My brother was like that when he was little. We would go out and he would he ham on a bun with nothing on it and that was pretty much it. My mom would have to send a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch with when he went anywhere just in case he didnt like the food. He is a senior in High School and will eat almost anything and at least try it. It should get better just keep trying new things. I've heard it takes up to 15 times of trying something before children may eat it. B.

I have heard that if you ask the child to take a "Thank you bite" and then decide they don't like the food, they don't have to eat it, but more times than not, they end up liking it. Good luck!

Hi -
We just talked about this in ECFE. Here's what I gained from the conversation: it takes sometimes between 10-20 exposures before a kid will try a food. They need to get comfortable first seeing it, then touching it, and finally tasting it. "A kid learns to eat brocolli because you put it on his plate so many times that he eventually just figures he has always been eating it."
Also, I give my picky 18 month old Odwalla bars for snacks- carrot & raisin, and berry omega - because he avoids most veggies too.
Hang in there, just keep presenting healthy options even if he doesn't touch it. One parent said her husband would have their daughter give him bites of the food on her plate that she refused to eat, so she would be comfortable touching it and see someone else enjoy it. I have discovered some healthy muffin and cookie recipes you can sneak all kinds of fruit and veggies into, if you are interested I can pass them along. All the best!

Does your child have sensory issues regarding foods or in other areas? May want to ask your pediatrician for a referral to an Occupational therapist. They have experience with children and feeding issues. They may be able to give you some advice or ideas to implement at home.