A Child That Does Not like to Eat.

pull plain off to the side for her

When my oldest daughter was that age, she did the same thing, wouldn't want to eat a darn thing, we nearly had to force feed her. We used to call her "Ethiopian" (not to be mean to Ethiopians, but they surely don't eat well, as per those documentaries on TV and all...) she was so darn thin like a toothpick, she looked like we never fed her, her face all caved in, she looked like a bona fide malnourished third world child. But I think with her it was just a stage/phase, and though she grew out of it, she's still a wickedly thin young lady, you could put your two hands together and touch your fingers around her waist just about! Try to just make her things she'll like to eat, and esp things with some protein at least.... eggs cooked any way, cottage cheese, even if you have to put some fruit in it to make it sweet and tempting, a sprinkle of sugar if you have to, cause that's protein. Mush up some strawberry jelly and squirt it on top of cottage cheese to make a "smiley face" on top, that might be appealing? pasta is good for calories to keep her from looking like a stick pin, if you cut some fun shapes out of cheese with a cookie cutter, that's calories plus calcuim...plus fat, which they need....foods you can roll up are "fun" too...and pita bread is nice cause it makes a pocket when you cut it in half, that might make eating foods more "fun"... good luck!

Hi L.....9yrs old and struggling... There is a great cook book for kids by Rachel Ray. Also try a seperated plate, you know the ones that grandma use to have on the tv trays.... That way her food will not touch at all and you know she is getting the portion she needs to keep healthy. Have you taken her to the store and asked her what she would like to make for dinner? I cook all the time with my three yr old picky eater. We look at pictures in the cook book that look good to her and write a list. then off to the store we go. It is a great way to also teach her money management and responsibility. I know your probly thinking who has the time but I made it work even with my peter pan husband who would love to just play! I will look through my list to see if there is a recipe that may get you started. Does she like more sweet or savery foods? meats or veggies?
let me know...J.

Hi ... my cousin is 10 and an animal lover and wont eat meat except sometimes chicken .... My aunt didnt know what to do because she felt like she was living on salad. Well she asked her doctor what to do and they talked to her and now she makes quesadillas and veggie burgers and a ton of other stuff so if you ask her what kind of things she likes and talk to her doctor im sure u can come up with something :) I have a two year old who lives on pb sandwitches (she even had one at her bday party while everyone else had pasta but at least shes eating ... )
Ps Is this a recent thing?

I would suggest sitting down and talking with her about it. Have her make a list of foods that she'll eat as well as a list of foods that she really doesn't like, and go from there.

L.,

Have you had her checked by a doctor? She might have reflux or IBS or something that makes her uncomfortable when she eats certain foods. Before you do anything to try and force a change in her diet, make sure you get an okay from a medical professional.

Has picky eating habits always been a problem? You say she's nine. Has this always been an issue for her? Some kids use food battles as a way of getting control over their world, when they can't control much else that goes on around them. If this is a recent development, has there been any changes to your household recently that she might be responding to? A lot of us have certain comfort food items that we crave when we're stressed or feeling vulnerable.

If this isn't a reaction to any kind of change or stress, and shes medically okay, then you need to know why she won't eat anything by peanut butter and jelly. Is she generally averse to new experiences? Then she may be afraid to try something new, and you need to make it fun and non-threatening for her. A lot of kids that age will be more willing to try something new if they have control over the item. Take her to the store, and have her pick one new food to try each week. Let her pick what she's going to try, but it has to be something. Let her help you prepapre the meal, so she's familiar with the ingredients as they go in, and sees that there's nothing mysterious about the meal. A lot of kids love to eat something when they got to make it.

The mixed food thing is just an issue for some people. With very few exceptions, I've had the same aversion my whole life. I don't like casseroles, or chines food, or anything that looks like a jumble of stuff on my plate. I also eat my food in a specific order. I eat all of my vegetables, then all of my starch, then all of my meat. I don't bounce back and forth, I don't eat them out of order. It's just an idiosyncrasy. I separate M&M's, and eat them by color. Never a handful of different colors at the same time. It's just part of who I am, but it doesn't prevent a healthy overall eating habit, or asign me to peanut butter and jelly forever. (Though I eat mine cut in half diagonally, always with the jelly, which must be grape, on top.)

It's a unique challenge to deal with someone who has food idiosyncrasies. I know. And when you work full time, and have two other kids and a husband to deal with, it seems like an unnecessary irritation. Please just try and understand that if she's like me, there's not a whole lot she can do to make herself change. It's like telling yourself to just walk backward from now on. Try to focus your meals around foods that go separately on the plate. Baked chicken, mashed potatoes, and broccoli all go separately on the plate. That's the kind of thing you're looking for. When you have the occasional chinese takeout or casserole kind of dish, let her make herself a sandwich or get herself a bowl of cereal. If she won't eat what's available, it has to be her responsibility to take care of the alternative herself. If these tendencies stay with her as an adult, she'll have to learn to meet her own needs on that, because the outside world isn't going to do it for her.

this can be very frustrating. try taking her to the grocery store and ahve her pick out foods she likes or would like to try. pretend you are trying some of the foods for your first time. my son ate poptarts it seemed forever but then his taste buds changed and he started eating different foods. best of luck. i would talk to her and her school about what they are serving at school and what her friends eat.

Hi L., My son when he was young, about the same age, went through the same thing, it drove me nutso! His pedi said as long as he gets his vitamins, drinks milk, the pp&j sandwiches are good for him. He was healthy otherwise. So check with her pedi. Oh we even tried a hunger stimulating medication, it didn't work. Good luck! L.

I have a picking eater who is 4 years old. When she goes shopping with me i let her help pick things out that she would like. I also find that if I let her help prepare dinner she will eat what SHE has made. I know she is only 4, but give it a try with your 9 year old.

Hello,
My daughter is almost 9 and she takes a fit it her meat is touching her potatoes or anything,i usually make her mac and cheese she dosent eat any thing shes pickey but iam thinking maybe its the age cuz of what your saying and they are the same age.Iam hoping she grows out of it.Also have you tried odooles of noodles,i usually give her that and the a seperate bowl with peas,if you get good resposes i would be interested i am not sure if i helped i hope i did