Food issues

Hi guys I am new here! I am a mum of four and my third child is undergoing Austism diagonises. 

I am having issues with him eating food. Some days he will eat certain foods and the next time I put them in front of him he wont touch them??

He mainly wants to eat junk food but I try to give all my children the same foods, and a balanced diet which does occasionally include junk foods. We eat together as a family. He can sometimes go for days without eating a lot then gorges himself. 

He will only eat carrots (when inclined to do so) and bananas. I can't get him to eat any other fruit or veg no matter what tricks I try. He sometimes eats chicken or beef but other times wont. I always put the same foods on all my children's plates to try and encourage him to eat other things. 

Is anyone else having food problems?

The other problem I have is standards at the table. I never force my kids to finish their plates but eat enough to fill them up. However the others have to eat a certain amount before I will allow pudding, fruit, ice cream, yogurt etc.. But on the days my son wont eat do I say he can't have pudding until he's eaten some food? The others are starting to think its unfair they have to eat something when my son doesn't. I hope that makes sense.

I guess my real question is how do I not set double standards but still allow for my sons indivdual needs?

Parents
  • Hi

    I agree with tadie123.  We have had a referral to a dietician as I was concerned that my sons diet was excacerbating his low mood/depression through a lack of iron or other nutrients.

    The dietician was fantastic!  You know that feeling when you meet someone and they just get it without you even having to explain, personally I always find this such a relief and so reassuring.

    He gave us lots of ideas on type of foods, preparation, presentation, attitude towards food, helping with the shopping and choosing foods and our approach as parents.  Basically he advised no pressure, but plenty of exposure to all foods i.e buffet style meals and seeing us eating a wide range of foods (role modelling).  He did not advise the "only get pudding if you eat your greens" approach that we had also been using as it implies there is something negative they have to overcome in eating the greens to get the reward instead of seeing the food as a positive thing.

    His advice was based on our sons personality too so may be different depending on the child but have to say, the buffet style always goes down well and we have to bite our tongues not to prod him to try the foods - it has to be all his own choice.

    I have also come to realise, when my sons anxiety levels are high it will absolutely affect his diet and eating habits and there is no mileage in us pushing this.  When he starts to relax we see a significant improvement. They are all different though.

    If you are concerned about your sons nutrition levels perhaps your paedatrician could refer you to your local dietician.  I have to say, I found it worth it's weight in gold.

    Good luck

     

Reply
  • Hi

    I agree with tadie123.  We have had a referral to a dietician as I was concerned that my sons diet was excacerbating his low mood/depression through a lack of iron or other nutrients.

    The dietician was fantastic!  You know that feeling when you meet someone and they just get it without you even having to explain, personally I always find this such a relief and so reassuring.

    He gave us lots of ideas on type of foods, preparation, presentation, attitude towards food, helping with the shopping and choosing foods and our approach as parents.  Basically he advised no pressure, but plenty of exposure to all foods i.e buffet style meals and seeing us eating a wide range of foods (role modelling).  He did not advise the "only get pudding if you eat your greens" approach that we had also been using as it implies there is something negative they have to overcome in eating the greens to get the reward instead of seeing the food as a positive thing.

    His advice was based on our sons personality too so may be different depending on the child but have to say, the buffet style always goes down well and we have to bite our tongues not to prod him to try the foods - it has to be all his own choice.

    I have also come to realise, when my sons anxiety levels are high it will absolutely affect his diet and eating habits and there is no mileage in us pushing this.  When he starts to relax we see a significant improvement. They are all different though.

    If you are concerned about your sons nutrition levels perhaps your paedatrician could refer you to your local dietician.  I have to say, I found it worth it's weight in gold.

    Good luck

     

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