[witch's mom]

My 9-year-old DD eats the following foods and nothing else:

sourdough bread
Tillamood cheddar cheese
deli turkey
some meats, including hamburgers
hot dogs
Annie's mac and cheese
white tortillas
oyster crackers
Cheez-Its or cheddar parmesan crackers
french fries
kids vitamins from Trader Joe's

She used to eat a few other things, but she has gradually phased them out. She gets pickier and pickier, often refusing something because it's too crispy or too slimy or too soft. She carefully examines a lot of things before she puts them in her mouth.

When we've asked her to try new things, she refuses. If we push her to do it, she sits and cries (and refuses).

She is on the brink of puberty, and I'm very worried about what we're doing to her by allowing her to only eat white flour and overprocessed protein. I have told her that we'll need to talk to the pediatrician about this, because I truly believe we need some help. But I'm not sure if that's the right kind of help.

I've probably ignored this problem for too long, just because I've not wanted to create any food issues for her. But my gut feeling is that something needs to change or she'll be doing herself real damage. So far, after an ear-infection-loaded preschoolhood, she's very healthy.

Any insight or advice? I'm cross-posting in nutrition/good eating.

 

[hawkfeather]

hard to distinguish an ED and picky sometimes. it dosen't sound like she is avoiding fat or anything.. as long as she is eating enough in quantity i do not think variation matters as much.. if she is getting proper nouishment!

maybe sit with her and dialouge about why she dosen't want to eat other things.

i have a friends who's son eats hardly anything. they have encouraged some fruit and veggie drnks for him because he doesn't like fruit..

 

[Roar]

One thing I notice is that every single thing on the list is a high sodium food and that would concern me.

 

[talk de jour]

I doubt she has an ED, but those certainly aren't optimal choices.

I agree with a PP, sit down with her and ask why those are the only things she'll eat.

 

[PikkuMyy]

It sounds to be like she has sensory issues related to texture and taste rather than an "eating disorder". The fact that she is crying when you urge her to do it leads me to be even surer of this. I would speak to a nutritionist and get a referral to an eating therapist.

I work with younger children on the autism spectrum and all of them have similar issues. It isn't "picky" per se, it's really hard for them to try new items, and also it's physically uncomfortable to eat/touch/smell certain tastes, textures, and odors. And it sounds like this is what is going on with her.

When I work with my students on this issue, I approach it from two different angles: 1) trying new foods I'm sure they will like even if unhealthy in order to get them comfortable with trying new foods, and to expand their diet even if it's initially more junk. 2) once we've accomplished number 1, we work on trying new foods that are different, healthier, etc., taking into consideration what their specific fears/intolerances are.

I would talk to her and see if she can articulate some specific examples of textures and smells that she doesn't like. Then find out which things she does like and find new foods that meet that criteria. Have her help out with shopping and cooking foods she isn't expected to eat so she can get used to touching, smelling, etc. those foods without fear of being forced to eat them. When you do work on actually trying foods, do it very slowly, with little expectations each time and slowly build up from there.

 

[tiffany21074]

maybe a control issue? maybe she knows you want her to eat other things, and this is one thing she has control over.

 

[MamaTaraX]

Keep offering her other foods. Don't push. If she really does have an ED, pushing her will only make it worse. As a general rule, young children, even at that age, will not starve themselves, unless they have eating disorders (I Have a nephew who had an eating disorder at the age of 7, it was sooo sad). The amount of salt she's ingesting may be indicitive if a sodium need, also. I think I would talk with her. Let her go shopping and pick out foods. Things of that nature but I would never, ever force her to eat anything. FOrcring children (any age) to eat is only setting them up for food issues later on. Best wishes to you and to her!

Namaste, Tara

 

[mommy68]

If she ate these foods before but doesn't eat them now then maybe she is eating like other kids that she knows at school or something relative to that area of her life. My son has a tendency to eat like his friends do (almost 11) and while he eats anything and everything it will still drive me crazy when he eats mustard for the first time in his life solely because another kid in summer camp ate it and yet he would never try it for me.

Kids! You can spend all the time in the world trying to figure them out.

I wouldn't worry about an eating disorder at this point unless you notice a drastic change in her weight or attitude concerning her weight or looks. I was anorexic as a teen and in my early 20's and got down to 69 pounds for several years before realizing I had a problem.

It's a sad situation to get in to at such a young age.

 

[Marsupialmom]

I wonder if there is an underlaying food allergy/sensitivity?? Some times you crave what you are allergic too.

 

[muckemom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiffany21074 maybe a control issue? maybe she knows you want her to eat other things, and this is one thing she has control over.

This sounds accurate too me. I was treated for many Eds when I was her age through 14... but really (and this is not meant to be a dig at you) I was just an irritable pre-teen trying to stick it to my mother.

:

 

[JkFelix]

I just posted a VERY similar thread! My nine year old DD will only eat whilte processed foods! I feel for you, I am in the exact same situation as you. Do we let them eat what they want or keep struggling with them??? It's tough isn't it? Good luck with yours!