Not eating

Oooh - I so was that kid!  My mother was frantic the whole of my school years about what I wasn't eating.  And no, I was NEVER hungry. 

If she's experiencing something similar to me, from her point of view, I think it's important she doesn't get stressed by the pressure to eat.  I used to dread EVERY meal time; it always meant a parent or a dinner lady breathing down my neck to eat up and eat up quicker, which only ever got me upset and made it more difficult for me to eat and the more repugnant the smells of the food became.

What did work somewhat for me was to be allowed to eat the few healthy foods I could eat over and over - it was a lot of fruit and raw veg for me - couldn't stand the smell of boiled veg and gravy!!!  Still can't! Ugg!

Also, being allowed a lot of time to eat and not being monitored while I ate - to keep nibbling as long as I wanted.

Personally, I'd try to see if she can identify why she does or doesn't like certain thinks.  It might be that she can't eat one sort of thing cooked but can raw (or vice versa), or can if cooked in certain ways; doesn't like it in one colour, but it's OK in another, is there some additive which can be taken out or put in so it's less pungent; are certain things OK separately but disgusting to her if put together - perhaps one vegetable or meat at a time, rather than all on the same plate - that sort of thing.

Also, if my plate was piled too high, I'd always feel it was impossible to get through any of it, but was more inclined to try if it didn't look too challenging.  She can always ask for more, if something does go down well.

I would also talk to your GP.  The pica may be indicative of something missing from the diet and he may be able to advice of supplemental vitamin/energy drinks etc.  He should monitor her weight and development though.  

The good news is we mostly sort ourselves out in the end, finding something well balanced but non-offensive to eat.  My diet improved when we got more world foods on the British market.  I love Italian food, but still can't abide British meat and two veg!  That said, if there is any sign that she starts weight watching or calorie counting, that would need some prompt assistance...

I know a few things that will stop her eating, for example I found out that she doesn't like people in the classroom when she eats or anyone around her especially teachers, and she doesn't like the food either. She doesn't like bread or potato and other things. She especially doesn't like crunchy things which can draw attention towards her if she's around people. She's not a fan of meat but loves the healthy fruit and veg. 

I forgot to mention that when she goes to her dad's (my ex), she eats everything on her plate, she's done this all the time but they had to if they wanted desert. She has massive meals there, an adult portion but here she doesn't because she snacks throughout the day (which she prefers) but not at her dad's. 

If I give her a big size plate, she will barely touch it. 

Sounds like there could be something about the environment which could be putting her off... something around her other than the food - a noise, lighting, a non-food smell?.  Can the school allow her to eat on her own?  How are the teachers approaching the issue?  If they are standing over her monitoring every mouthful, that won't be good.

Sounds like there could be something about the environment which could be putting her off... something around her other than the food - a noise, lighting, a non-food smell?.  Can the school allow her to eat on her own?  How are the teachers approaching the issue?  If they are standing over her monitoring every mouthful, that won't be good.

I think she sits on her favourite bench outside by herself and teachers will bring the food over to her but she has the drink sometimes but not the food even though she's by herself. 

Another problem about dinner is that, she doesn't have any breakfast, has her break, doesn't have the lunch so has it at 2:15 at home when she finishes and has dinner 2 hours later because my other daughter and son are hungry so we have it as a family dinner but she's not hungry so she's barely eating. 

Possibly something about the environment but she chooses to sit there herself and there's only 15 max children in the school. She is always sitting there on that bench. The teachers just leave her to it.