Ask:
I know this is such a small thing compared to some of the more important issues here but I really need some advice.
Part of ds (age 8) sensory issues is that he can't / won't eat vegetables or any liquid that isn't water. We tried 'forcing' the issue, saying you have to eat the veggies first and then the rest of the meal, but every time he even tries to eat fruit, veggies, juice or milk, he gags and throws it up at the dinner table. I've even tried shredding veggies into things like lasagna, but if is there, he can taste it and if he can taste it, he'd rather go hungry or if he tries, he gags and then throws up.
Does anyone else have this issue with their SN kids and how do you manage to get something healthy into them?
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Will he take a vitamin? My sil sometimes still sits for a 6 yr old that had a similar issue I hate to say this but she will eat babyfood veggies and fruits. Not sure if that would work for you or not but at if it did he would at least get the nutrients.
I hope you find the answers.
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I have seen Recipes before that have mashed up veggies in muffins etc!! would he eat anyhting like that?? just a thought!!
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Originally Posted by Kellyandgirls
I have seen Recipes before that have mashed up veggies in muffins etc!! would he eat anyhting like that?? just a thought!!
That is true like shredding carrotts finely and adding them to spagetti sauce. Sneaky yet effective mom!
Answer:
Yep, Same here. I don't have answers. It's due to his sensory issues. We do have him on special doctor-recommended vitamins from Kirkman Labs. One neighbor who faces the same issues mixes mashed cauliflower into the mashed potatoes - prepares them while his son is in school. I know my Grandmother snuck wheat germ into many things - it actually improved her oatmeal. . But I found you can't force them - they do throw up - it is not voluntary. I do bribe my son, and it does sometime work. Got him to eat two peas the other night! He used to love peas as a baby. He does eat raw carrot sticks. Parenting magazine had some hints, but I was moving too fast to save them. Hmmmm..you're giving me an idea for a sticky here I think we all could use - just have to figure out how to do it.
By the way, I do feel this is an important. Nutrition is important to everyone, but proper nutrition is what helps keep our SN kids on an even keel!
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I know what you are going thru. My son also has sensory issues and hasn't eaten a veggie in years, unless you count fries! lol ( I don't) He won't eat mashed pot or sweet pot fries, we tried everything. The only thing I've gotten him to eat is pumpkin and shredded carrots(very fine shredded). I have a pumpkin bread/muffins I make that has pumpkin and carrots, sometimes I will put in zuchinni.
We used to try to force him and we got no-where. Our ped said we should choose our battles and that one just wasn't worth it, we wouldn't "win". Noah will eat colored applesauce and the rare canned pear....other than that he doesn't eat any fruits or veggies ( among the HUGE list of other food he won't eat). Sorry I can't be of more help.
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Thank-you.
You have all been more helpful then you could ever imagine. I have been feeling really guilty and like a bad mother for not continuing to force the issue. I feel so relieved to hear that others have the same issue and that it's not a behavior issue. I try and tell people that he really can't help gagging and that when we have company which is often, it's way better not to serve him veggies (no one wants to see the results of that). :hurl: My friends and family truly do not understand. It really really helps that you ladies do understand. I feel so relieved.
Even finding a brand of toothpaste he would use took us ages. We finally went with lemon (yuck). I finally found a brand of vitamins that he would take so he takes that every day. I make banana, carrot and apple muffins but I can't get over the idea that I'm basically giving him cake for breakfast with a tsp of veggie or fruit.
It's really the guilt I struggle with. He is suppose to be having 5 servings a day of fruit or veggie and he gets maybe that in a week if we're lucky and almost no milk except in his mac and cheese (which I double the milk in).
Thanks for your encouragement. I really needed it today.
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Sometimes you gotta just do what you can!!! As long as he isnt living off candy Im sure he is just fine!! and ya know the cerals you can eat these days isnt much diff than Sugary things and Its not gonna hurt them!!
Good luck!!
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You are doing great to hind things in muffins! I wish I had thought of that. Hunter will eat red foods, yes, red. Meat red, kosher hot dogs, watermelon, strawberries, a few non red, waffles with red jam, cinnamon toast and then there are the green coloured items from Captain Crunch. That is our entire diet. He loves Hot chocolate milk so I make it with instant breakfast.
Please, they will survive on the foods they take in and even though it is not the best diet, it is his diet. You are doing well and just keep trying something new now and then.