Re: P.S. Re: no food rules

[Guest guest]

Hi, there. I'm brand new (still need to do my introduction) but I had to jump in. I love this idea for my two boys! I have a son on the autistic spectrum and he is characteristically, incredibly picky and only wants to eat junk food. The other is far more flexible. I breast fed them forever, make a point of making sit down, healthy meals every meal (probably over compensating for the fact that my mother never did) and have imposed food 'rules' such as junk food (Subway is the junkiest we get other than a very occasional Pizza) once a week max (and that's only been the last year and they are 10 and 12. Before that we had just about none) and they have to eat vegetables before dessert. I have never made them 'clean their plate' and have always said, just eat however much your body wants rarely use food as a reward but I have been afraid to impose no rules. I like the guidelines but my kids pretty much eat by them naturally except for eating whatever you want. I've never seen them eat when upset; in fact, they don't want to eat when upset which is, of course, healthy. I am afraid if I have no rules, they'll never eat a vegetable again. And will eat 'dessert' for every meal. Then again, they are also slender and healthy so maybe I can trust them more. They are not tall but that may be my fault as I'm only 5.4 though my husband is 6.1 and naturally thin. I would LOVE to stop having food wars with my oldest (the one on the autistic spectrum). Meals have been a battle ground since he could talk. Left to his own devises, he'd like eat only tangerines and Domino's pizza every meal. Does this apply to kids on the spectrum, too, do you think? He is high functioning but still...Would LOVE your thoughts! Thanks so much.

All my best,Alisha"If you want love, be love" -J-R"I get up. I walk. I fall down. Meanwhile I keep on dancing...-Anon"Out beyond right doing and wrong doing, there is a field. I'll meet you there" -RumiAlisha Website: www.SoulDanceLA.ComWebsite: www.Awake2Love.ComCell: Office:Twitter:twitter.com/souldancelaFacebook- Soul Dance http://groups.to/SoulDance/Facebook- Counseling: http://groups.to/Counsel/Facebook-Alisha: http://www.facebook.com/alisha.hayesSkype:AlishahayesIChat: AlishaK

[Guest guest]

I have a son on the autistic spectrum and he

is characteristically, incredibly picky and only wants to eat junk

food.

Same as you, I have one high-functioning autistic son who is very

picky with his food.

I give him vegetables -- only a small helping -- and insist he eats

them. I allow him to choose which vegetables. Sometimes he chooses

fruit instead of vegetables.

Other than that, he eats what he wants and I do not make a war of

it.

My reasoning is that I need to respect his wishes, but as a parent I

have a duty to ensure he has at least something healthy each day.

Paddy

[Guest guest]

I have read of a parent serving a first course of veg before the rest of food because that's what the daycare center did. Whether you insist that your child eat it or not (I don't think I would, but I'm not a parent yet), having only veg available when your child is most hungry may make it more appealing if they will have to wait a few minutes for the rest of the food. I would definitely encourage making it as appealing as possible -- ie always serve with a fat (butter, melted cheese, salad dressing or another condiment for dipping -- a favorite for kids! ) which aids in absorption of valuable nutrients to boot. 

When I was a kid, we always had salad first, and though I always said I hated salad... eating it was better than sitting and watching everyone else eat when I was starving. Food that boosts the blood sugar faster is more appealing, in my opinion, so people in general usually would rather have more filling stuff first... but this presents veg without an argument and makes it easy to eat.

Good luck... I know kids on the spectrum are TOUGH.best,abby