pickyeater

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The Picky Eater

Written by Dorfman, M.S.

Developmental delays and picky eating frequently occur together. Generally,

neither clever recipes nor attempts to hide healthy foods in " accepted " ones

will correct poor intake. Better to determine the cause and correct the problem

from the inside out.

Problem 1: Sensory Misreading in the Mouth or Poor Oral-Motor Skills. A child

with tactile defensiveness often exhibits hypersensitivity in the mouth and/or

craves oral stimulation, such as chewing on his clothes. Low muscle tone in both

mouth and face often coexists with deeper oral-motor issues. Poor sucking,

chewing and swallowing skills can cause gagging or terror by merely being near

food. Passing a medical swallow study does not guarantee that a child can chew

and swallow consistently and has the stamina to consume an entire meal.

Possible Solutions for Problems in the Mouth. A speech or occupational therapist

with oral-motor training can help. Teaching the child to use an electric

toothbrush to massage (desensitize) the mouth or to drink from a straw can

strengthen oral-motor skills and greatly reduce eating anxiety. Helpful books

are Progress with Puppets and Out of the Mouths of Babes.

Problem 2: Nutritional Deficiency. Poor eating creates nutritional imbalances,

which further reduce appetite or increase carbohydrates cravings. Deficiencies

in zinc and vitamin B-1 contribute to anorexia, but a specific nutrient

deficiency need not be present. General malnutrition can contribute to

disinterest in food, leading to further mal-nutrition, reducing appetite

increasingly over time.

Possible Solutions for Nutritional Deficiencies. Children cannot be forced to

eat the necessary diet to correct mal-nutrition. Once they become malnourished,

diet alone may not correct the deficiencies, particularly if children have poor

absorption or delivery of nutrients. Best to use nutrient supplements with

moderate levels of a broad range of vitamins (C, E, and B-6) and minerals

(magnesium, molybdenum, chromium and selenium) that are most deficient in an

overly processed diet. Liquid nutrients are available for children who refuse

chewables. Pills ground up in a mortar and pastel can be mixed with frozen grape

juice concentrate, applesauce, strained pears, or, in desperate cases, chocolate

syrup.

Problem 3: Weak Digestive Function. Children with a history of reflux, colic,

frequent antibiotic use, allergies, diarrhea, constipation, and low tone, often

have a digestive system that is immature, inflamed or inefficient. Most cases

are subtle, with a heavy or sinking feeling accompanying eating. These

youngsters are uncomfortable and tend to avoid eating, becoming high risk for

malnutrition. They do not know how a happy tummy feels, from lack of comparison.

Possible Solutions for Weak Digestive Functions. The Comprehensive Digestive

Stool Analysis by Great Smoky Labs is one of the several tests that evaluate

subtle digestive issues. A physician must order these tests.

Another solution may be digestive tonics. A traditional remedy for weak

digestion and internal inflammation is ginger tea, made by boiling peeled root

slices, then cooled and served a few teaspoons at a time (possibly with honey

for children older than one), several times per day.

Digestive enzymes in small amounts may increase appetite, but, if used in

excess, can loosen stools or cause intestinal cramping. Digestive capacity

diminishes as the day progresses, so, if trying enzymes, always start at the

most problematic meal for poor digesters.

Problem 4: Drug Side Effects. Stimulants such as Ritalin and Dexedrine decrease

appetite. Antibiotics can also reduce appetite by increasing yeast overgrowth

and damaging the intestine's lining. Yeast overgrowth can turn the intestines

into a fermentation machine. When yeast digest sugars, the intestines bloat,

sending either a " full " signal or a call for more carbohydrates.

Possible Solutions for Drug Side Effects. If stimulants severely affect the

appetite, re-evaluate the side-effect/benefit ratio. Stimulants are controlled

substances, and their use in a young child should yield huge benefits to justify

the long-term costs (both known and unknown). If stimulants are deemed

absolutely necessary, feed the child dinner foods for breakfast, because he will

eat little while the drug is in the system. After school, when the medicine is

breaking down, feed a second dinner, rather than snacks. Then at 7:00 p.m.,

bring out the low-sugar cereal, toast and snacks.

Although picky eating can be interpreted as a behavioral issue and treated with

behavioral modification, it frequently has nutritional causes. By playing

detective, parents can determine which solution is right for an individual.

*****

Reprinted with permission from New Developments: New angles on developmental

delays, a quarterly newsletter published by Developmental Delay Resources, 4401

E. West Highway, Suite 207, Bethesda, MD 20814; phone: 301-652-2263; web site:

www.devdelay.org.

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