What If They Won't Eat?

[kentsmom]

Greetings!

My son (3) has been gluten-free since May and he's been doing great. He's grown four inches, his gas pains and behavior problems are GONE, and his speech is improving daily. (though still significantly delayed.)

The problem is he has gradually eliminated almost everything from his diet. He now refuses to eat meat, eggs, and vegetables! For the past couple of months his dinner has consisted of "power balls": peanut butter, tofu, pureed apples and ground almonds. Weird maybe, but nutritious!

Now he refuses everything except dry cereal, veggie chips and gluten-free cookies and he won't drink rice or soy or almond milk! (even chocolate.)

I know most of this is a food-phobia- he was in pain for so long, and now he's afraid to eat. But because of the speech delay it's impossible to discuss this with him.

Has anyone else had this problem? What the heck can I do? (and by the way, his ped. was no help at all. The man knows squat about nutrition.)

Jennifer

[ashlee's mom]

I don't know if I can be of too much help, but I can try anyway! First of all, congratulations on your son's improved health! Have you tried any Pediasure? It would be a "band aid" but would help him get the nutrition for now while you work on expanding his diet. My dd loved it at first, but then went through a stage where she didn't want it. I just put it in a sippy cup and had her take a sip now and then. Now she likes it again. I still supplement her diet with it. I have noticed improved growth while she is on it, and she still has some catching up to do there!

That being said, the real issue is why won't he eat! Once my dd was getting better, she got her appetite back, and we haven't really had to deal with this issue. Have you tried finding a dietician who works with kids? I have heard of kids who simply refuse to swallow after awhile and end up having to be tube fed. I'm sure it is rare, but if he is healing, growing everything else, and at the same time, refusing more and more food, I would also be concerned. Sorry I can't be of more help here. Have you read Dana Korn's "Kids with Celiac Disease"? She talks about food "jags" where kids get stuck on one particular food and then move on. Is there any chance it could be that simple?

Hopefully others will have more suggestions!

Michelle

[Boojca]

Are you sure this is food-phobia and not just his being three? They get sooo controlling at this age (mine is 3 too) and like to see what they can and can't control. My son was diagnosed in June and has eaten like a hog ever since. He started not eating dinner...but when he realized that meant there would be no food until morning he changed his tune quickly. Talk to your doctor and see what they think.

Bridget

[kentsmom]

Thanks Michelle & Bridget-

Yes, we've tried Pediasure (and meal replacement bars, and protein powder....)

and he simply is not going for it. When I try to slip him something in his juice he just sniffs it, then hands it back to me.

He is really incredibly willful (late talkers usually are) but I can't tell if this is something he'll grow out of. And in the meantime, he still has to eat, right? I know I need to make an appt. w/ a nutritionist, but I'm fairly certain insurance won't cover that, and I quit working when we realized something was wrong with Kent....

AAARRRGH!

Jen

[ashlee's mom]

Hmmm, that does sound hard. Ashlee was older and so even when she didn't want to drink the pediasure, I could communicate more and make her understand she just had to take a sip. She has also always been a very compliant child. Rest assured, my son is making up for that!

Anyway, bribing children to eat is generally not the way to go, but in this case, I don't know, maybe it could help. Could you get him to take a bite/drink of something and then take him out to play or something that he enjoys? Small amounts seem to be easier. I would definately go see a doctor if he doesn't start eating. I see that you had a real problem with his pediatrition. I sent a letter to ours since I had really liked her up until any of the issues that were symptoms of Celiac. We were able to talk, and though we have moved and no longer see her, I figured she will not miss another case so easily in the future! If nothing else, writing the letter helped me! If you don't feel comfortable under any circumstance with this doctor, I would find another one. They would be able to monitor how much he's eating and help you find ways to make sure he gets nutrients. The insurance might even cover a dietician visit if he is refered. Good luck!

Michelle

[aidansmom]

First of all, those power balls sound delicious. Do you have a recipe? Please email or PM me if you do.

My son is 2 and was diagnosed one year ago. We are dealing with eating issues, too. I have no solutions but just wanted you to know we are also having problems. We recently decided to put food out that we thought he should be eating. He ran around the house for 2 hours asking for other stuff. Finally, he ate it all and asked for more. It was a rough 2 hours. His pediatrician said he will not starve himself even though I doubted her. I think we have catered to him so much just to get him to eat something and grow. That said, he has gradually added a few foods here and there over the last year. Just keep trying.

By the way, my mom said my brother only ate eggs, cheerios and OJ until he was 5. He's plenty big and healthy now at age 40.

Good luck!! It is very frustrating but it's good to know he's growing.

Julie

[Boojca]

It's true. As much as we don't believe it sometimes, they really will eat when they get hungry. They won't starve themselves. Now, that's not to say that there aren't legitimately foods they don't like. I mean, hey, I hate Lima Beans and Brussel Sprouts...oh, and liver...so it only stands to reason that our kids will also have things they just do not like. But everything? That's simply not possible. Just keep at it, you'll get there.

As for the nutritionist, let me offer you a word of caution. First, are you going bc of the Celiac or bc of the eating issue? I ask bc I made an appointment with our hospital nutritionist, supposedly the one who knew the most about Celiac, and when I got to the appointment I ended up teaching HER a thing or two about resources out there, etc.... It was incredibly disappointing. And it was even more disappointing when I found out that our insurance didn't cover counseling for the diagnosis they were coded. Argh.

So, proceed with caution....

Bridget

[Terri-Anne]

Are you sure the things you are offering your son are completely free of gluten? Or is it possible that he may have MORE sensitivities beyond gluten? I know that sometimes I offer/try to give Logan something that I believe to be completely safe for him to eat, but he sometimes refuses the food, and I sometimes find out later that it could possibly have trace amounts, or have been in contact with wheat (contaminated on the line or something like that). I am slowly learning to trust Logan's own instincts, when he refuses something, I need to accept that he knows best. A couple of times I've talked him into eating a certain food that has previously been safe, only to watch him have a significant reaction afterward, then learning that the ingredients or processing have changed! I felt like a horrendous creature afterwards, but I am only human and learning too.

Of course it is possible he is just being 3 and exercising some control or falling into a habit-rut, that he will eventually come out of, but I urge you to investigate further to see if he might have more sensitivities, or if the foods you are offering may have less obvious sources of gluten/irritants.

[darlindeb25]

not an expert here, but i did raise 5 kids and believe me, he will eat when he gets hungrey and why not just let him have the cereal, the veggie chips and cookies--he is eating them and sounds like he is improving--believe me--he will change again soon --he is just being a normal child--some kids will only eat hot dogs--if he isnt milk intolerant, then maybe he would like some puddings or jello--many are gluten-free--celiac kids are just kids too and go through all those stages that regular kids go through--do try to give him a daily vitamin--there are kids chewables that are gluten-free--i'm thinking he will be ok deb

[kathyhay]

I agree with the last post. I think that as long as he is doing better and growing, then that is what is important. My son has a pretty limited diet as well. He often refuses to eat. He eats mostly taquitos, cheese, apples, grapes, popcorn and meats. I feel that proteins are the most important for growth, and everything else is a bonus. Sometimes I can get him to eat eggs, canned peaches, green beans, chili beans, fries, yogurt, avacado, cereal, and some other things I am forgetting. The good thing about him is that he isn't afraid to try new foods if it looks and smells good. I take comfort in the fact that every child has eating issues, and I know that he will get through it, so as long as he gets SOMETHING worthwhile in his tummy I don't worry. I do give him a vitamin a few times a week also. It's a phase and nothing to worry about especially if he is improving.

[plantime]

Hhmm. When I was a child, it was quite simple. I ate what was prepared, or I got nothing until the next meal. Instead of spoiling him by giving in to his demands, try that. Leave the food available, like in the fridge, but don't fix him anything different. I guess what I am saying is Who is the parent, you or him? Who knows what is best for him, you or him? Just don't pander to him. He will eat what you have fixed when he is truly hungry. I know he will, since I ate a lot of liver and green beans and plain navy beans when I was a kid, because I was hungry!