Time Limit on Extreme Picky Eating? Does It Ever Go Away?

[pryncess527]

I'm not that picky, but I never did "grow out of it" as my mom hoped . . .

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

 

[amberpi]

Personally, I'd buy the kid a pair of rain boots that actually fit; kid's rain boots are pretty cheap.

About the foot odor, tip from the mom of a figure skater: Tea Tree Oil/rice bags. Get yourself some little cloth pouches (or thin socks) and fill them with raw rice (if drawstring, sew/glue across the top so the rice won't leak out.) Buy a bottle of pure Tea Tree Oil (Amazon sells a large size!) and then dribble the oil onto the bag until the rice is uniformly slightly damp. It will smell pretty strong. Put the bags in the boots each night when they are stored, and add more oil when the smell of it begins to fade away. (You can also use silica gel beads instead of rice; it's a bit more effective, but a bit more expensive.)

Tea Tree oil is an antifungal disinfectant; used regularly, it will kill the bacteria that cause the smell. (Tea Tree wipes are good to carry in your bag if it's so bad that you can't let them take their shoes off without knocking people out. You can wipe down their feet and then put the wipes in the shoes to neutralize the odor.)

We don't live in an area that needs rainboots...never again. They are the perfect fit; unfortunately. When they get too tight, they're gone

Definitely will try any and all advice on the foot odor. My god, his dad tries all the products, and his kids' feet also stink to high heaven!

 

[goofyernmost]

It is no fun being a picky eater. I am envious of people that can go anywhere to eat and like all kinds of food. I just can't get the food passed my nose. I just look at the food and say I don't think so. Same with beer or mixed drinks. Never tasted it. Just not interested. Now Coke is a different story.

Nose test... another of my grandsons things. Goes up to his nose and it is almost instant rejection. Oh, well, it is your thing and you are probably a fine person so it really doesn't matter what your eating habits are and you are probably thin. That is something that I can't claim since I am pretty much open to eating anything as long as it isn't slimy. And it show

 

[lifesavacation]

I agree with this 100%. I think there’s definitely something more than just pickiness here.

I was one of those parents that felt “you will eat what you are served” and even patted myself on the back for it because look at what a great job I did with older DD. Ha.

Enter my boy, born a preemie and a kid who was classified as underweight. I would get speeches from the pediatrician and lived in fear she would call CPS because I could not get this kid to eat. Jarred baby food? No go. Puréed fruit? Uh uh. Veggies? Nope. He lived off of formula and rice cereal and didn’t eat table food for a good six months after his twin sister. At 6-18 mos old that’s an aversion not pickiness. Moving on to 2-4 years if you put something new in front of him he would push it away, put his head down and cry. They were going to come and take this kid away from me, I just knew it.

What I figured out through trial and error (and desperation) is that a lot of it had to do with texture and some of it had to do with anxiety. Once I learned to accept that he wasn’t just being stubborn and he learned to accept the “one bite rule” (I let go of “eat what you’re served” pretty early on) I managed to find ways to get healthy fats and protein in his diet and he learned not to be afraid of new things.

Of my three kids he is now my most adventurous eater and will try anything once. If he says he doesn’t like something, I can take that to the bank. He’s not being picky, something about it isn’t sitting right with him. He LOVES vegetables that other kids won’t touch like cabbage, onions, asparagus, brussel sprouts, avocado, broccoli etc. but won’t touch fruit (except for apples) even if his life depended on it. He’ll eat salad for breakfast but won’t eat a banana. I can work with that. He has a hard time chewing sliced meat. Rice and mashed potatoes make him gag, I’m not going to insist he eats them. (we just serve two veggies on a night I’m serving rice) For whatever reason, there are things he just can’t bring himself to eat but it’s no longer a reason for me to be concerned about his health once I figured his little butt out. Only eating a handful of things ever does sound like a cause for concern but at 19 it’s something your niece will have to seek out on her own.

I had preemie twins who went on to have food/texture issues. The boys stayed the night with my MIL once, and she wouldn’t let them leave the table without finishing their dinner. The poor kids tried and threw up so she sent them to their room because she believed they did it on purpose. We came and got them that evening. They weren’t being “picky” or difficult. There were certain food textures they couldn’t eat/swallow.

 

[wenrob]

I had preemie twins who went on to have food/texture issues. The boys stayed the night with my MIL once, and she wouldn’t let them leave the table without finishing their dinner. The poor kids tried and threw up so she sent them to their room because she believed they did it on purpose. We came and got them that evening. They weren’t being “picky” or difficult. There were certain food textures they couldn’t eat/swallow.

Awe.

It’s so hard to get people with old school thinking to understand.

 

[mom2rtk]

I had preemie twins who went on to have food/texture issues. The boys stayed the night with my MIL once, and she wouldn’t let them leave the table without finishing their dinner. The poor kids tried and threw up so she sent them to their room because she believed they did it on purpose. We came and got them that evening. They weren’t being “picky” or difficult. There were certain food textures they couldn’t eat/swallow.

My kids wouldn't be staying with the MIL again if that's what she was going to do. That's ridiculous and not her place at all, regardless of the reason.

 

[quandrea]

My son is one of those adventurous eaters and the only thing that comes to mind that he won't eat is brussels sprouts. I never forced him to eat anything, but the rule was he had to try something new once and he loves just about everything, even snails!

Growing up I was miserable due to having texture issues, allergies and parent's who couldn't cook well. They didn't believe in having those issues and I was forced to eat things that either made me sick (eggs and milk) or things I really hated (stringy meat, certain vegetables). My dad's favorite thing was peas and since he was the cook, we had them every night along with rice, his other favorite (no joke, his friends used to buy him big bags of rice as holiday gifts!). I wasn't allowed to leave the table until I 'cleaned my plate', so many nights were spent sleeping at the table because I refused to eat the peas. Haven't touched them in over 30 years. I won't eat pot roast, brisket or any other stringy meats, turkey or pork due to the texture. It wasn't until I was out on my own and got allergy-tested that not only was I allergic to milk and eggs, but also cherries and all kinds of berries.

My husband had this happen. He didn’t have to clean his plate, but you ate what was served. That meant tomato sauce and pasta every day. Found out at 45 that he is allergic to tomatoes. No wonder they repulsed him! Stringy and fatty meats make him nearly ill—memories of the stewed meats in the sauce.

 

[lifesavacation]

My kids wouldn't be staying with the MIL again if that's what she was going to do. That's ridiculous and not her place at all, regardless of the reason.

Yep, the minute we heard we picked them up.

 

[quandrea]

I agree with this 100%. I think there’s definitely something more than just pickiness here.

I was one of those parents that felt “you will eat what you are served” and even patted myself on the back for it because look at what a great job I did with older DD. Ha.

Enter my boy, born a preemie and a kid who was classified as underweight. I would get speeches from the pediatrician and lived in fear she would call CPS because I could not get this kid to eat. Jarred baby food? No go. Puréed fruit? Uh uh. Veggies? Nope. He lived off of formula and rice cereal and didn’t eat table food for a good six months after his twin sister. At 6-18 mos old that’s an aversion not pickiness. Moving on to 2-4 years if you put something new in front of him he would push it away, put his head down and cry. They were going to come and take this kid away from me, I just knew it.

What I figured out through trial and error (and desperation) is that a lot of it had to do with texture and some of it had to do with anxiety. Once I learned to accept that he wasn’t just being stubborn and he learned to accept the “one bite rule” (I let go of “eat what you’re served” pretty early on) I managed to find ways to get healthy fats and protein in his diet and he learned not to be afraid of new things.

Of my three kids he is now my most adventurous eater and will try anything once. If he says he doesn’t like something, I can take that to the bank. He’s not being picky, something about it isn’t sitting right with him. He LOVES vegetables that other kids won’t touch like cabbage, onions, asparagus, brussel sprouts, avocado, broccoli etc. but won’t touch fruit (except for apples) even if his life depended on it. He’ll eat salad for breakfast but won’t eat a banana. I can work with that. He has a hard time chewing sliced meat. Rice and mashed potatoes make him gag, I’m not going to insist he eats them. (we just serve two veggies on a night I’m serving rice) For whatever reason, there are things he just can’t bring himself to eat but it’s no longer a reason for me to be concerned about his health once I figured his little butt out. Only eating a handful of things ever does sound like a cause for concern but at 19 it’s something your niece will have to seek out on her own.

Your son and mine have similar palates. He is repulsed by fruit, but will eat things like sauerkraut, kimchi, tomatillo sauces, salsas, any pickle, cabbage. Loves sushi, anything hot. Lemons. So fruit is the only real issue. I’m just really mindful about getting as many veggies on the table. I still try with fruit. We talk about it, but no luck so far.

 

[wenrob]

Your son and mine have similar palates. He is repulsed by fruit, but will eat things like sauerkraut, kimchi, tomatillo sauces, salsas, any pickle, cabbage. Loves sushi, anything hot. Lemons. So fruit is the only real issue. I’m just really mindful about getting as many veggies on the table. I still try with fruit. We talk about it, but no luck so far.

He used to eat more but as time has gone on he just stopped eating them, it’s just not his thing. The easiest thing I’ve found is to keep the kid in avocados and to keep carrots, celery, salads etc. around.

 

[quandrea]

He used to eat more but as time has gone on he just stopped eating them, it’s just not his thing. The easiest thing I’ve found is to keep the kid in avocados and to keep carrots, celery, salads etc. around.

I agree. Focus on the positive—what they like rather than what they don’t like.

 

[Jennasis]

Heck, I'm 41 and I haven't willingly eaten (or even touched) a piece of fruit since I was old enough to speak. Won't do it. Can't do it.

 

[quandrea]

Heck, I'm 41 and I haven't willingly eaten (or even touched) a piece of fruit since I was old enough to speak. Won't do it. Can't do it.

Can you tell me why? I’d love to have some insight into my son’s distaste. He even hated fruit as a baby. No allergies to any fruits though.

He hates touching and smelling fruit as well.

 

[Antaniasmom]

This is an interesting topic..I tend to think my kid is picky, at almost 13 I still can't get her to eat salad and most fruits she won't touch either, she doesn't like things "too sweet" but loves ice cream, cookies..prefers sugar free applesauce and juice. She eats tacos, hamburgers, steak, ribs, pulled pork, salmon sashimi (but no other fish or seafood) loves pizza, lasagna and spaghettI w/ sauce. Chicken, grilled or breaded..rice. But she will only eat apples, grapes, bananas, carrots and celery, potatoes for fruit/veg. Idk is this picky or normal for 13?? When she was a baby, she ate everything I offered and I did all fruits and veggies

 

[Jennasis]

Can you tell me why? I’d love to have some insight into my son’s distaste. He even hated fruit as a baby. No allergies to any fruits though.

He hates touching and smelling fruit as well.

I honestly have no idea. I assume it's a texture thing? I drink a big glass of (pulp free) orange juice every morning but I would sooner die of starvation than eat even the smallest piece of an actual orange. My mom tells me she has pics of me as a toddler eating fruit...I say she's a liar liar pants on fire. I even hate walking through the produce section of the grocery store. The smell makes me want to gag. I won't even hold a piece of fruit without being totally squicked out. This goes for ALL fruit. ALL of it. It's all horrifying to me.

 

[wenrob]

Heck, I'm 41 and I haven't willingly eaten (or even touched) a piece of fruit since I was old enough to speak. Won't do it. Can't do it.

I adore fruit but I rarely eat it. It jacks with my blood sugar levels (I “crash & burn” after eating fruit) and digestive system too much.

Can you tell me why? I’d love to have some insight into my son’s distaste. He even hated fruit as a baby. No allergies to any fruits though.

He hates touching and smelling fruit as well.

I’d be interested to know as well.

This is an interesting topic..I tend to think my kid is picky, at almost 13 I still can't get her to eat salad and most fruits she won't touch either, she doesn't like things "too sweet" but loves ice cream, cookies..prefers sugar free applesauce and juice. She eats tacos, hamburgers, steak, ribs, pulled pork, salmon sashimi (but no other fish or seafood) loves pizza, lasagna and spaghettI w/ sauce. Chicken, grilled or breaded..rice. But she will only eat apples, grapes, bananas, carrots and celery, potatoes for fruit/veg. Idk is this picky or normal for 13?? When she was a baby, she ate everything I offered and I did all fruits and veggies

It sounds like she’s just started developing preferences to me. My youngest DD (12 and DS twin) has randomly stopped liking things over the last couple of years that she’s eaten her entire life. She was my one kid who would eat anything but not so much anymore. She still eats a wide range of things but has definitely narrowed her preferences.

 

[wenrob]

I honestly have no idea. I assume it's a texture thing? I drink a big glass of (pulp free) orange juice every morning but I would sooner die of starvation than eat even the smallest piece of an actual orange. My mom tells me she has pics of me as a toddler eating fruit...I say she's a liar liar pants on fire. I even hate walking through the produce section of the grocery store. The smell makes me want to gag. I won't even hold a piece of fruit without being totally squicked out. This goes for ALL fruit. ALL of it. It's all horrifying to me.

Huh. I’ve always wondered if it was a “super taste” kind of issue with DS but he loves really strong flavored veggies that most people don’t like.

 

[Antaniasmom]

It sounds like she’s just started developing preferences to me. My youngest DD (12 and DS twin) has randomly stopped liking things over the last couple of years that she’s eaten her entire life. She was my one kid who would eat anything but not so much anymore. She still eats a wide range of things but has definitely narrowed her preferences.[/QUOTE]

That's comforting, I can say she had not subtracted and added a few things. I guess I just don't understand her not trying certain things...there's very few things I won't eat (lamb, veal, octopus, eel) but I guess I should be happy she eats what she does. I wonder why your daughter stopped certain things??

 

[wenrob]

It sounds like she’s just started developing preferences to me. My youngest DD (12 and DS twin) has randomly stopped liking things over the last couple of years that she’s eaten her entire life. She was my one kid who would eat anything but not so much anymore. She still eats a wide range of things but has definitely narrowed her preferences.

That's comforting, I can say she had not subtracted and added a few things. I guess I just don't understand her not trying certain things...there's very few things I won't eat (lamb, veal, octopus, eel) but I guess I should be happy she eats what she does. I wonder why your daughter stopped certain things??

I have made myself crazy trying to figure it out but I really can’t pinpoint anything.