my son is 5 yrs old and has a fear of food. He wont try or touch foods he doesn`t recognise. His diet consists of yogurts, cereal and toast.He recently started school and need new lunch ideas.
2006-10-02 09:14:55 · 24 answers · asked by MALLY 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
try and get him to make the food with you and try as little as possible to tell him what to do allow him to have the ingredients and give him clear instructions on how to make it maybe he would eat more as he has helped out and hopefully enjoyed it good luck
2006-10-02 09:17:47 · answer #1 · answered by private 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If he's 5 years old and will only eat yoghurts, cereal and toast...which according to you are the only food's he recognises, then I'd say you haven't exactly been adventurous with him up until now! Surely he recognises sandwiches and fruit? That is what my son has in his lunch bag, and he loves it!
Incidentally, kids will not voluntarily starve themselves, but equally, they won't get all the nutrients they need for their body and brain, by eating an unvaried diet. If it were me, I'd restrict all of the above foods, and give him other things until he's so hungry, he has no choice to eat. He's 5 years old, he should not be dominating you with regards to what he *wants* to eat, he should have no choice.
2006-10-02 09:19:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well the first steps are always the hardest but the general way to go at it is to introduce something familiar with a little of something new.
Say he doesn't like jam...Put a small bit of jam (and I do mean a tiny portion) on his toast and tell him to see if he would like it on his toast. Don't force him though (he will just start a rebellion).
Do it often. If he doesn't experiment, keep putting tiny bit of jam on his toast. He will give in eventually, but don't let him see you frustrated otherwise you are just teaching him that it is a fun way to get you irritated.
It usually helps if he has a role model or pier he admires to eat with him eg a brother (which is unlikely in most families) or a dad. Eat out of the same plate as he is. It develops a family bond between the two anyway.
PS Start off with something sweet and everyone likes (eg. breaded turkey or swiss roll, just make sure he doesn't have too much), then go onto the complicated stuff (carrots, broccoli etc.).
2006-10-02 09:24:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is usual, generally humans are not designed to try new foods unless hungry to stop us from experimenting with poisonous things.
Have you tried bribery - it works wonders with children, if he eats, for example, a cheese and pickle sandwich give him some Doctor Who stickers or a Doctor Who toy or whatever Doctor Who item you feel appropriate (all kids love Doctor Who).
You could also try disguising things to look like other things or mixing things together, like putting banana slices on cereal etc.
2006-10-02 10:13:01 · answer #4 · answered by monkeymanelvis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you been to a counselor? Kids are going to get what they need, but his choices indicate some underlying fears or obsessions that he may need help with. The bonus is that, as he goes to school and sees other children eating "normal" foods, he may also to fit in or be part of the group.
Good luck
2006-10-02 09:18:54 · answer #5 · answered by Julep 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just don't buy any yogurt, cereal or toast at the store.
don't have any at home.
when he gets really hungry he will try something else.
just DO NOT HAVE IT.
he doesn't have his own money to buy the food.
and he has no fridge to keep it.
nor car to drive to the store.
you are in control of this. use his hunger to make this happen.
one more thing: this is not such a bad diet.
you could just let him eat it and not make a big deal of it.
i promise it is a stage and will not last forever.
you could just send yogurt, cereal and toast for lunch
and WAIT TIL HE ASKS FOR SOMETHING ELSE>
trust me, he will cuz friends will have cool things he wants.
2006-10-02 09:22:31 · answer #6 · answered by Sufi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Involve your son in getting meals ready show him how food is grown and made make it as much fun as you can don't get mad if there is a mess when making things mess will clean your sons health is more important than any mess.
I love to see children licking the bowl when i have been making cakes or covered in bit of fish and things when making fish cakes they always eat what they make.
2006-10-02 09:32:37 · answer #7 · answered by Kwong po chef 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they say kids will eat when they are hungry if you make dinner and he won't eat it don't give him anything else maybe a healthy snack before dinner. just give him a little of everthting and let him pick at what he wants. i'm going through the same problems with my 4 year old and that is what i was told to do. she will eat breakfast really good and her lunch but i can never get here to eat dinner so if he's really hungry he'll eat.
2006-10-02 09:20:12 · answer #8 · answered by mistyhitsman 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of young kids are picky. Don't make a big deal out of it. That will only make things worse. I bet a little peer pressure from the other kids will change things for the better very quickly.
2006-10-02 09:24:09 · answer #9 · answered by Jabberwock 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Has he got friends his age? Peer pressure can do wonders. My three-year old has tried quite a few things she refused to touch untill a friend's 6-year old tried it. Now i know that if it is something totally new i am better off introducing it when there are kids around that will try.
2006-10-02 09:29:04 · answer #10 · answered by Part Time Cynic 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋