Looking for Ideas for My Picky Eater as I Attempt a Yeast Reducing Diet.

Have you tried a gluten-free/casein-free diet? My son also has sensory integration disorder and eliminating these from his diet has helped a lot. There's a fantastic place you can order gf/cf/organic meals and they deliver to your door! mcgovernsorganics.com.
Also, if your son likes pasta, we have found the Tinkyada brand (at Central Market or Whole Foods) to be really good. It's brown rice pasta, so there's no gluten, but you'd have to check for the yeast issue. Is he on probiotics?
Good luck! I know when we went gf/cf about a year and a half ago, it was hell. But it seems so doable now. You can do it!

I recommend you try Dr. Kendal Stewart with the NeuroSensory Center. ###-###-#### www.neurosensorycenters.com
He tries to treat the source of the problem (within the sensory system) instead of just the symptoms (and the younger you start the better!). He says sometimes the source could be viruses that are still stuck in the system. He also recommends eliminating yeast (you can get a "Yeast Defense" pill--capsule that can be mixed into food--at People's Pharmacy) He does not offer a "quick fix"--it takes up to 3 months to get an appointment, and it takes a while for the medicine to take effect--but it will be worth it in the end. My son is seeing him (he also had lots of ear infections) and we have been very pleased. We did not start as early though...and he has had problems in school. I wish we had known about Dr. Stewart when he was younger...

K.

i understand what you are going through my son has sensory intergration issues also and if that is the case go see an occupational therapist..my son has it so bad that some foods make him throw up if we try to make him eat it..it is a real trial and error to figure out what they can eat and what they cannot.his ot told us that what happens is the texture,smell together is too overwhelming for his brain and that is why they gag/throw up from some foods...hope this helps

I don't have many suggestions for putting new foods in, as I have a picky eater, too, but I would suggests removing the unwanted foods one at a time. You get addicted to carbs. It takes a few weeks to get over the cravings. What I have done with my autistic son (4 1/2) is cut the food out completely, cold turkey. For instance, his favorite food was cheesey noodles (like mac and cheese). One day, I just started saying NO every time he asked for it. It took several days for him to quit requesting it. In the meantime, I fed him other things that he liked. Later, I removed yogurt, cold turkey. I just said no every time he asked for it. Again it took several days for him to quit asking for it. I have removed quite a few things from his diet in this manner.
As for putting things in, I haven't had a great deal of luck, either. I would definately explore texture issues. Take note of the textures that he eats. (i.e. soft like pudding or crunchy like a granola bar) If it is a texture issue, speech therapists offer food therapy to help with texture issues. Appearance of food really matters, too. There are also cook books for hiding vegetables in other foods (like Deceptively Delicious, etc).

S. M

I can't say that I have had this problem but I started with my son from the very beginning eating vegetables and such. One thing that has helped me with my son trying new things is I have a rule that you have to try at least one bite and if you don't like it then you don't have to eat it. Once he got old enough to really experiment with food I started very mild with things I knew he will definitely like. He's now 6 and there have been things that he did not like but he did try them. You could also turn it into a game or let him help you cook even if it's very little so that he sees it as something he cooked and will more likely try it. My nephew is a very picky eater and usually doesn't like to his vegetables and I tried my rule with him. He didn't eat a whole lot but he still ate some of it and I made sure to praise him for it. Another idea is if your son normally wants what you are eating then try putting it only on your plate and see if he asks for it. Even when I put everything on my son's plate he still will check out what I have and sometimes even ask for some of mine to see if it tastes different. This goes for anything especially vegetables bc they are usually colorful. Try it with a sweet carrots or brocolli with cheese then work your way into leaving those extra flavors off. A good book you can get, and I could be wrong on the name, is called "Recipes Kids Like." I have it at home and will double check the name but some of the recipes is basically putting the food into different shapes. It also has easy recipes your child can help you make. Good Luck!

Hi,

I have a picky eater, too, but fortunately I'm not having to deal with the yeast problem (yet!). She loves sugar, too, and I have to constantly reign her in. So, I feel your pain. I have found People's Pharmacy to be a great resource here in Austin for good advice and ideas about all sorts of health and nutrition issues. Go visit with them if you have a chance. I'll bet they can help. They approach everything from a very natural perspective (despite the fact that they are a pharmacy :). Best of luck.

M.