Help with Picky Eater Who Is Constantly Hungry

Well, what I am going to suggest goes against the "good parenting" but I am dealing with same situation with now 6 year old son. Even as 3 year old boy he will go hungry for few days if I refused to give him any junk food.

Now at age 6, when I can talk to and explain things and exploit his weakness (he is into pokemon, gameboys etc). I tell him how important it is for him to eat fruits and vegetables and healthy meal then we jointly decide his dinner plate (where I give him few option each for one slice of fruit, few pieces of salad/vegetable, one main dish) and if he finishes everything on his plate. He gets points (equivalent to dollar values) for buying his games/cards. And also get to choose one junk food/chocolate/ice cream as dessert.

I know, if I did not have a picky eater at home and someone told me they were doing this. I would have been aghast listening to it. But you know very well all the side effects of not eating at all. And I am hoping he will get into habit of eating eventually.

Wow, this sounds exactly like my 5 year old daughter. My DD will not eat meat unless it is meatloaf, barely eats mac n cheese, no veggies whatsoever..etc. My 8 yr son on the other hand will eat and eat and eat at meals and does not snack between so where did I go wrong?

We were told my her pediatrician that as long as she is within range for her age group with height and weight not to worry, but I tell ya what I am tired of hearing "I'm hungry" every 5 minutes followed by a tantrum because I will not feed her every 5 minutes. She starts school this August and will be in for quite a shock if she does not get into the groove now.

I hope someone has some answers as I need them as well.

R.,

I am honestly not a big eater myself. I'm not a picky eater, I just don't always seem to find time to eat. Because of this, the dr told me to drink Boost. I have been doing this for about 12 years. I have one for breakfast nearly every morning.

GL!

I don't have any experience with this (yet!) but you might want to try something like Super Suppers. My husband and I went to the one in Richardson, and the owner was saying that kids eat healthier/differently when they make their meals with mom and/or dad because they're involved. Check out their website to see what they're about (www.supersuppers.com). Very yummy, reasonably priced, and fun. Maybe she can help do the food shopping with you - set ground rules re snacks - no junk food, but she can chose things for herself specially.

Does she like peanut butter? cashews, etc? Good protein sources and may help take the edge of her hunger. Sugar snap peas are yummy-almost sweet, and crunchy. If you can get her to try them, they're a great snack. Also edemame (soy beans) are tasty and good for you.

You might want to check to see if she has a little OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). I think everyone has a little bit of this, personally (getting stuck in a rut w/routines, etc), but better safe than sorry.

as long as the pediatrician is ok with her height and weight then i wouldn't worry to much, she is getting stuff from somewhere.
at the hospital where i am a nurse, we use supplements for our elderly population treated. we use a high protein syrup that has an unflavored choice. 30 cc which is one full medicine cup full has 15 grams of protein. which is alot!! for the quantity. you can try to get a prescription for it from the pedi. you could probably put the unflavored in her water. i have tasted the cherry and honestly can say it is not pleasant and palpable despite the "great cherry flavor". it can also mix with anything from liquid to pudding, usually liquids.
we also use bene-protein granules that mix with anything also, but more towards the food items to mix with. it is from the bene-fiber line of products and company.
you may want to consider if she is constipated. also she may be border-line nauseous because of not eating regularly and doesn't want anything else in her stomach. and you might treat her for heart-burn. if she is eating and having reflux, she may avoid food to prevent the after feeling of what she thinks is causing it.
good luck,
L.

I wish I had the answers also. Here goes. My 16 year old son, was born picky! I am beyond sure that he was born this way as it started before logic could have anything to do with it and no matter how harsh the punishment or how happy the reward nothing changes this... but if she will drink shakes you might be able to find a protein blend that she likes. Fortunately my boy loves peanut butter and pizza, which he gets plenty of protein from. Not everyone has the same issues with thier picky eater, so my recomendations are using protein mix, veggies, fruits in sweets, muffins and bread recipes. Jerry Seinfeld's wife has a recipe book out for picky eaters with lots of healthy recipes that she adds pureed foods to. Do online searches for protein powder recipes also. Also you may want to supplement or have Pedi check for b12 stores, to make sure that she's not deficient in this already.

Many Blessings!! PS my boy wont eat hotdogs, hamburgers or mac and cheese.

I have a friend of mine who gave me an awesome idea. The Snack Tray. She uses a 12 cup cupcake pan that she fills with 12 different things for the Snack Tray. Nuts, pretzels, fruit, veggies, cheese cubes, etc.

She fills it up in the morning (or after school) and sets it out on the table or counter. When her kids come telling her that they're hungry, she refers them to the Snack Tray. Nothing is refilled before the entire tray is empty. This has led to them trying new things and eating the healthy things she puts in there for them.

I have tried this with my kids with a six cup tray and it really works well...especially when friends come over, they're not raiding my cabinets.

You could also fill one of the cups with dip .. perhaps a fruit or veggie dip to encourage a new taste.

For good foods to go in there, you may check places like Farmers Markets or Spouts for some neat alternatives. Sprouts has some great snack bars, etc. which are packed with protein and fiber.

Good luck!

My daughter was and still is very picky, she's almost 5 now. We did alot of cheerios, plain pasta, crackers and cheese. It was not until she was about 2 1/2 that she would eat hotdogs and mac and cheese. I like that idea of the "snack tray" that way you're giving her choices of healthy things to eat. I would also try a high protein smoothie, or fruit smoothie she might like that. Just remember that this too is a phase and it shall pass. Hang in there, keep offering things. It has been said that you have to offer a child something 10 times before they'll try it. Oh, my daughter also LOVES edamame. Soy beans. try those too. Good luck!!

Hi R.,
I disagree with alot of theabove suggetions.
Yes, I first would make sure she is okay with height and weight. Also I would consider counseling, she may havea n eating disorder, or is beginning to have one. I disagree that this will pass at 11 it may get worse. I think if she talked to someone objective you might find that she is struggling with some other issues.

I would not put this off. If she does not get proper nutrition it affects her growth yes but also her brain development and all her other major organs.

I would also consult a nutritionist for help with this as he or she would able to tell you and her exactly what calories, food groups, vit and minerals she needs for optimal growth, and also give you good ideas how she can get this in her body !
I would ask your Ped/Dr office for the name of a counselor and nutritionist that they refer to.
Good Luck,
K.