Food Issues

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2005
Food Issues
16
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 7:13pm
Hi all,
Anyone got any ideas how to get vegetables into my kids? Jake hasn't eaten a vegetable in about 2 years and his diet consists of chicken nuggets,apple sauce,yogurt,cereal(dry),pizza,grilled cheese,hot dogs and milk.I can't deal with one more mealtime struggle getting both of them to try something new.They both like fruit so I load them up with fruit everyday. Anyone got any receipes or suggestions? Also, how can I get this issue addressed in his next IEP meeting or do I even have to wait untill then(April)?
Teresa
TIA,
Teresa

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2003
In reply to: baboig
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 9:15am

Compared to our darlin' little 6 year old, your son's diet seems fabulous! My apologies to those who have heard this before, but here goes...

Our youngest is extremely sensory sensitive to food. Typically the smell and the texture are so offensive to her, she won't even consider tasting new foods. Just looking at a banana can set off her gag reflex.

Claire's diet consists 10 items. They are:

French fries
Pop Tarts
Dry Cereal
Cool Ranch Doritos
Cheetos
Tortilla chips
Frozen waffles (dry)
Plain pasta noodles (spaghetti, macaroni, Ramen)
A very particular type of chicken nuggets (but only on rare ocassions)

*Please note that also missing from this list is cake, candy, cookies, ice cream, hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza...all of the "normal" kid foods.

*Please also note that we have literally tried everything. Even had one of those "specialist consults" - who's only advice was to make her yogurt smoothies with soy protein added. WELL DUH! LIKE I HADN'T ALREADY TRIED THAT????

Much live Evelyn, I've fought and fought...but have given up the "I'm a horrible mom because my child doesn't eat fruits/vegetables/bread/meat/protein of any type" mantra.

I know we all want our kids to eat healthy, well balanced meals...but sometimes with spectrum kids, it isn't worth the battle. As long as my daughter's pants keep getting shorter and arms keep getting longer, I let nature handle the rest.

Having said all of that, I sincerely hope that what the others have suggested works for your family.

This is just my 2 cents.

Amy

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2003
In reply to: baboig
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 9:23am

With regards to the IEP~

While I can understand why you'd want the issue addressed in the IEP, I would caution you. Perhaps your school district is different, but most aren't willing to provide services for issues that don't directly affect the child's "free and appropriate education". If your child refuses to eat in school because of noise in the lunchroom, or if your child wasn't able to use an appropriate grasp to utilize an eating utensil, that would be a different case. But in reality, being a "picky eater who doesn't eat vegetables" would qualify MOST kids for IEP's.

Again, just my 2 cents.

Amy

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
In reply to: baboig
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 9:50am

I so relate...


Back in the days when Peter would eat anything -as long as it was cheese pizza, and drink anything -as long as it was blue and clear (so no milk); He became clinically underweight, and I took him

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2005
In reply to: baboig
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 10:22am

Evelyn,
Don't feel bad because what works for one kid dosen't always work for another. I am going to try the pancake thing. Jake would spot anything hidden in his food so it would have to look the same color and texture as usual.Oh, and the chocolate milk thing is the same in our house......dark,thick and gross.

Tina,
How have you been? The move went well and the kids are doing really great. It has been a little hard trying to get all his their therapies etc. in place but I expected that. It is hard getting used to an older house again. You really do get spoiled living in a new construction house? How are the kids?

Teresa

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: baboig
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 10:31am

I definitely understand that there are the extreme cases where a person with autism will ONLY be able to eat a limited diet. However, if possible I think it is very important to try to get our ASD kids to eat a healthier diet considering the digestive issues many face. I know that changing my kids diet has made a HUGE difference in thier behavior and symptoms. Most ASD kids are picky eaters I would say, but I do hope the extreme is more the exception than the rule.

Not to say it doesn't happen. I would venture to guess it is likely about 10% or so that are the truly impossible cases and I still think as they get older and learn more skills it is still possible to make more changes. Maybe not right yet, but some day. And maybe not huge changes but some changes.

With Cait, I can't sneak anything in her food that doesn't belong. She would notice instantly. So zuchinni in spagheti sauce or carrots in something else, no go. This kid can pick out an extremely finely chopped onion cooked in a soup from a mile a way.

At that age (6) Cait was up to about 15 food choices, but fortunately they were healthish ones(ie, she would eat bananas, apples, peas, corn, green beans, chicken tenders, hamburgers (plain), fries, plain rice, pizza and pasta, and plain type junk food - like basic cakes, choc chip cookies, plain m&m's, etc). It has only been the last couple years that she will really try anything new without a major ordeal. She is still picky but she has a good variety.

Obviously, Cait wasn't as extreme a case, however, I have notice as she gets older and gains more skills this has become and easier issue to deal with. It is easier to communicate with her to try something new or to help her figure out how to order something in a restaurant.

I guess my basic point is don't give up hope. You have done what you can. I wouldn't fight and make yourself crazy over food changes but there may come a day in the future when it is possible and then it may be very helpful.

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
In reply to: baboig
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 11:53am

Renee,


I have to back you up on those points When Peter was 3 and 4

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com

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