Name: Beth
Saugus, CA
Number of kids: 3
Ages of kids: 4, 2, 1
Problem: My 4 yr old son eats only frozen waffles, grilled cheese, cheese quesadilla, popcorn, milk, grape juice and just recently he added chicken tenders because I bribed him with a dollar and he discovered that he likes them! I know he is frustrated with his limited diet but he's afraid he won't like something and therefore is afraid to try it. As a result of his diet I must have him take mineral oil every day (due to constipation).
Solution submitted by Sheila from Humble, TX: My son was never a picky eater and for that I'm grateful, but as a nurse I feel I should share some advice. Mineral oil is not the method of choice to treat constipation in children as it prevents vitamin/mineral absorption from the G.I. tract. If your child drinks plenty of fluid this will help prevent constipation, but of course, raw or cooked fruits and veggies is the best way to prevent constipation. Exercise also helps. I would suggest offering your child a can of fruit cocktail, mixed with small pieces of fresh fruit as well. Adding fiber to his diet should help. My son had constipation problems too. But apple juice always did the trick for him. Good luck.
Another solution submitted by "BB" from Turkey:My 2.5 year old is a very picky eater. At first it was so frustrating, but after a while I gave up. I figured, "if she's hungry she'll eat." As long as I know she's gaining weight and not complaining of being hungry I leave her alone. I put on her plate whatever we all are eating for dinner and if she wont try she gets no dessert, or we just say "fine no more food for the rest of the night."
Another solution submitted by "KA": We used to agonize over our kids being picky eaters. We finally realized that it wasn't worth the headaches -- offer them a variety of foods, try to get them to eat a little bit (sometimes very little!) of each thing. don't push the new foods, because it just gets to be too much of a battle. One of my kids also had constipation problems, but she loves raw vegetables & "soft" fruit -- things that would really help her -- but she also loves bananas, cheese, & things that wouldn't help so much.
Another solution submitted by ^MAMA^: My children have never been picky eaters, (I think because no one in our home is), but most of the children that I provide care for are. This may not be what the child experts would say, (and I am definitely not one, just a mother trying to help), but what I do is place food in front of the children, usually something that they like along with something new in equal portions. If the child is hungry then they will eat what they like first. If they ask for more they have to eat the "new" item first.
I get strange looks in the grocery store because my children actually plead for me to buy broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, bean sprouts, mushrooms and olives frequently. If I cannot comply there is an immediate *pout*! The funny thing is that candy is a rare treat and they would gladly take a dinner with broccoli than have a chocolate bar! Sometimes I wonder if "my" children are "normal":) GOOD LUCK!!!!!
Please submit any more solutions.