Expert: Catherine Ridenour - 1/31/2010

Question
Hi Catherine,  I have a 3.5 year old high functioning boy.  We have been having difficulties regarding his very narrow food selection.  He refuses to eat anything except, bread, bananas, spaghetti pasta, and drinks only orange juice.  He refuses to eat any meat or other protein products.  We believe that his propensity to frequent colds are related to his diet.  

How can we get him to not fight us when attempting to broaden his food choices?

Thank you

Answer
Hi Frances,

This can be a very difficult problem to overcome but it is crucial to try and the sooner, the better. Not only is his diet deficient in protein, it is deficient in fat. The O.J. gives him plenty of vitamin C, but he is not getting A or D in any significant quantity.

I hope you have access to an occupational therapist. One of the things they can help with is identifying what the key issue is for your son. It could be color, texture, temperature, taste, smell or a combination of any of these. They are skilled in helping him experiment with new things in non-threatening ways.

One sneaky thing you can do is stir an unflavored protein powder into his orange juice. Start with a very small amount so that the texture does not change, rapidly. Be sure to do this when he is sleeping or out of the house and put it back in the original container or the pitcher he is used to. Say nothing, just serve it as usual.

Try cutting his bread into shapes (same bread) or slicing the banana vertically, diagonally, or cut it into stars. The idea is to get him to accept novelty without introducing a new flavor or texture at the same time. The most important piece is gradual change. Trying to make sudden changes will only increase resistance. Slow changes in the look or the content of the food can be accomplished by using pasta of different shapes, whole grain pasta mixed with white, a bit of olive oil in the cooking water.

I hope you cook. This offers opportunities to make bread with small quantities of vegetable matter blended in before baking. Some children are more inclined to eat something they helped to make. Involve him in baking cookies, stirring pudding, mixing batter. Getting his hands in the mix may lead to experimental tasting. Go ahead, lick your fingers, too. ;-)

The rule at our table was we always had to taste something new. We did not have to eat it if we truly did not like it. No "clean your plate or else."

Avoid tension at mealtime. No heavy family discussions, please. Light conversation, no television.

I'm assuming he is underweight. If he is not, you can pick one meal a day that is "here's what we're having." If he eats, great, if he does not, he waits for the next meal. Put away all food in the house so sneaky snacking is not an option. Be firm but kind. Tell him it is not fair that you have to cook something different for him than what the rest of the family eats.

Lastly, check out "social stories." This idea is to read simple books to him that talk about why he should try new things or taste new foods. His occupational therapist can point you to good ones, you can buy the online, or in a pinch write one yourself with simple stick figures.

You can find social stories with a web search. There are many sources.

Don't give up, his growth, health and happiness are involved.

Best wishes,
Catherine