I can say from an older patient's perspecitve that like Dana said, there are a lot of times when I'm just not hungry. I'll try to eat some but its not usually as much as normal. Or if I've been sick and not eating a lot and losing weight when I do feel better it takes me a while to get my full appetite back because I get full faster until I get use to eating more again.
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Mealtime Struggles
- Thread starter Ratatosk
- Start date
We have a lot of similar struggles with DS. He did see the feeding team for a while. We started with a sticker chart for trying new foods. When he fills it up he gets to choose something to do, normally he picks Chuck-e-cheese. But it could even be a trip to the playground, library, etc.
We started with one bite of a new food earns you a sticker. The next chart was 3 bites, then 5, then 8. Eventually he was much more willing to try new foods, and even incorporated some into his regualr diet (even asked for them!)
We now do a "clear your plate award", a sticker for clearing your plate. We make our regular meal, making sure it has atleast one thing he likes. The feeding team stressed putting a little of everything on his plate, even if you know he doesn't like it.
A little while ago, Lisa Greene posted and excellent article about CF and picky eaters. I read it to DH and told himI wanted to try it for a month and see how he does. It has made a big difference, not only in how well he eats, but the stress level at meal times. It basically said IGNORE all bad behavior. And no nagging! Then praise every single good thing you see. Don't remind him of getting a sticker for his chart or anything, its all up to him. I"ll find the article and link it for you, might be worth trying it for a few weeks and seeing if it helps.
If he's really dawdling at a meal or seeming uninterested, I've been known to give him the option of having a scandi-shake instead. He'll probably get more calories from it anyways <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Edited to add link:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.happyheartfamilies.com/articles/article/7733564/147086.htm">http://www.happyheartfamilies....cle/7733564/147086.htm</a>
We started with one bite of a new food earns you a sticker. The next chart was 3 bites, then 5, then 8. Eventually he was much more willing to try new foods, and even incorporated some into his regualr diet (even asked for them!)
We now do a "clear your plate award", a sticker for clearing your plate. We make our regular meal, making sure it has atleast one thing he likes. The feeding team stressed putting a little of everything on his plate, even if you know he doesn't like it.
A little while ago, Lisa Greene posted and excellent article about CF and picky eaters. I read it to DH and told himI wanted to try it for a month and see how he does. It has made a big difference, not only in how well he eats, but the stress level at meal times. It basically said IGNORE all bad behavior. And no nagging! Then praise every single good thing you see. Don't remind him of getting a sticker for his chart or anything, its all up to him. I"ll find the article and link it for you, might be worth trying it for a few weeks and seeing if it helps.
If he's really dawdling at a meal or seeming uninterested, I've been known to give him the option of having a scandi-shake instead. He'll probably get more calories from it anyways <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Edited to add link:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.happyheartfamilies.com/articles/article/7733564/147086.htm">http://www.happyheartfamilies....cle/7733564/147086.htm</a>
We have a lot of similar struggles with DS. He did see the feeding team for a while. We started with a sticker chart for trying new foods. When he fills it up he gets to choose something to do, normally he picks Chuck-e-cheese. But it could even be a trip to the playground, library, etc.
We started with one bite of a new food earns you a sticker. The next chart was 3 bites, then 5, then 8. Eventually he was much more willing to try new foods, and even incorporated some into his regualr diet (even asked for them!)
We now do a "clear your plate award", a sticker for clearing your plate. We make our regular meal, making sure it has atleast one thing he likes. The feeding team stressed putting a little of everything on his plate, even if you know he doesn't like it.
A little while ago, Lisa Greene posted and excellent article about CF and picky eaters. I read it to DH and told himI wanted to try it for a month and see how he does. It has made a big difference, not only in how well he eats, but the stress level at meal times. It basically said IGNORE all bad behavior. And no nagging! Then praise every single good thing you see. Don't remind him of getting a sticker for his chart or anything, its all up to him. I"ll find the article and link it for you, might be worth trying it for a few weeks and seeing if it helps.
If he's really dawdling at a meal or seeming uninterested, I've been known to give him the option of having a scandi-shake instead. He'll probably get more calories from it anyways <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Edited to add link:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.happyheartfamilies.com/articles/article/7733564/147086.htm">http://www.happyheartfamilies....cle/7733564/147086.htm</a>
We started with one bite of a new food earns you a sticker. The next chart was 3 bites, then 5, then 8. Eventually he was much more willing to try new foods, and even incorporated some into his regualr diet (even asked for them!)
We now do a "clear your plate award", a sticker for clearing your plate. We make our regular meal, making sure it has atleast one thing he likes. The feeding team stressed putting a little of everything on his plate, even if you know he doesn't like it.
A little while ago, Lisa Greene posted and excellent article about CF and picky eaters. I read it to DH and told himI wanted to try it for a month and see how he does. It has made a big difference, not only in how well he eats, but the stress level at meal times. It basically said IGNORE all bad behavior. And no nagging! Then praise every single good thing you see. Don't remind him of getting a sticker for his chart or anything, its all up to him. I"ll find the article and link it for you, might be worth trying it for a few weeks and seeing if it helps.
If he's really dawdling at a meal or seeming uninterested, I've been known to give him the option of having a scandi-shake instead. He'll probably get more calories from it anyways <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Edited to add link:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.happyheartfamilies.com/articles/article/7733564/147086.htm">http://www.happyheartfamilies....cle/7733564/147086.htm</a>
We have a lot of similar struggles with DS. He did see the feeding team for a while. We started with a sticker chart for trying new foods. When he fills it up he gets to choose something to do, normally he picks Chuck-e-cheese. But it could even be a trip to the playground, library, etc.
<br />
<br />We started with one bite of a new food earns you a sticker. The next chart was 3 bites, then 5, then 8. Eventually he was much more willing to try new foods, and even incorporated some into his regualr diet (even asked for them!)
<br />
<br />We now do a "clear your plate award", a sticker for clearing your plate. We make our regular meal, making sure it has atleast one thing he likes. The feeding team stressed putting a little of everything on his plate, even if you know he doesn't like it.
<br />
<br />A little while ago, Lisa Greene posted and excellent article about CF and picky eaters. I read it to DH and told himI wanted to try it for a month and see how he does. It has made a big difference, not only in how well he eats, but the stress level at meal times. It basically said IGNORE all bad behavior. And no nagging! Then praise every single good thing you see. Don't remind him of getting a sticker for his chart or anything, its all up to him. I"ll find the article and link it for you, might be worth trying it for a few weeks and seeing if it helps.
<br />
<br />If he's really dawdling at a meal or seeming uninterested, I've been known to give him the option of having a scandi-shake instead. He'll probably get more calories from it anyways <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br />
<br />Edited to add link:
<br /><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.happyheartfamilies.com/articles/article/7733564/147086.htm">http://www.happyheartfamilies....cle/7733564/147086.htm</a>
<br />
<br />We started with one bite of a new food earns you a sticker. The next chart was 3 bites, then 5, then 8. Eventually he was much more willing to try new foods, and even incorporated some into his regualr diet (even asked for them!)
<br />
<br />We now do a "clear your plate award", a sticker for clearing your plate. We make our regular meal, making sure it has atleast one thing he likes. The feeding team stressed putting a little of everything on his plate, even if you know he doesn't like it.
<br />
<br />A little while ago, Lisa Greene posted and excellent article about CF and picky eaters. I read it to DH and told himI wanted to try it for a month and see how he does. It has made a big difference, not only in how well he eats, but the stress level at meal times. It basically said IGNORE all bad behavior. And no nagging! Then praise every single good thing you see. Don't remind him of getting a sticker for his chart or anything, its all up to him. I"ll find the article and link it for you, might be worth trying it for a few weeks and seeing if it helps.
<br />
<br />If he's really dawdling at a meal or seeming uninterested, I've been known to give him the option of having a scandi-shake instead. He'll probably get more calories from it anyways <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br />
<br />Edited to add link:
<br /><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.happyheartfamilies.com/articles/article/7733564/147086.htm">http://www.happyheartfamilies....cle/7733564/147086.htm</a>
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>I can say from an older patient's perspecitve that like Dana said, there are a lot of times when I'm just not hungry.</end quote></div>
I agree that is perfectly normal for anyone sometimes. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Everyone isn't always going to be hungry at the same time. That's why if any of the kids don't eat their meal, I don't get upset about it, but I also don't fix a new meal or give them a dessert later either. Once they *are* hungry, there's a perfectly good meal waiting for them. And if they never end up finishing it... well, for the boys, no big deal. With Emily- not that simple, but she's a good eater and she rarely, given a few chances, outright refuses to eat.
I agree that is perfectly normal for anyone sometimes. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Everyone isn't always going to be hungry at the same time. That's why if any of the kids don't eat their meal, I don't get upset about it, but I also don't fix a new meal or give them a dessert later either. Once they *are* hungry, there's a perfectly good meal waiting for them. And if they never end up finishing it... well, for the boys, no big deal. With Emily- not that simple, but she's a good eater and she rarely, given a few chances, outright refuses to eat.
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>I can say from an older patient's perspecitve that like Dana said, there are a lot of times when I'm just not hungry.</end quote>
I agree that is perfectly normal for anyone sometimes. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Everyone isn't always going to be hungry at the same time. That's why if any of the kids don't eat their meal, I don't get upset about it, but I also don't fix a new meal or give them a dessert later either. Once they *are* hungry, there's a perfectly good meal waiting for them. And if they never end up finishing it... well, for the boys, no big deal. With Emily- not that simple, but she's a good eater and she rarely, given a few chances, outright refuses to eat.
I agree that is perfectly normal for anyone sometimes. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Everyone isn't always going to be hungry at the same time. That's why if any of the kids don't eat their meal, I don't get upset about it, but I also don't fix a new meal or give them a dessert later either. Once they *are* hungry, there's a perfectly good meal waiting for them. And if they never end up finishing it... well, for the boys, no big deal. With Emily- not that simple, but she's a good eater and she rarely, given a few chances, outright refuses to eat.
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>I can say from an older patient's perspecitve that like Dana said, there are a lot of times when I'm just not hungry.</end quote>
<br />I agree that is perfectly normal for anyone sometimes. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Everyone isn't always going to be hungry at the same time. That's why if any of the kids don't eat their meal, I don't get upset about it, but I also don't fix a new meal or give them a dessert later either. Once they *are* hungry, there's a perfectly good meal waiting for them. And if they never end up finishing it... well, for the boys, no big deal. With Emily- not that simple, but she's a good eater and she rarely, given a few chances, outright refuses to eat.
<br />I agree that is perfectly normal for anyone sometimes. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Everyone isn't always going to be hungry at the same time. That's why if any of the kids don't eat their meal, I don't get upset about it, but I also don't fix a new meal or give them a dessert later either. Once they *are* hungry, there's a perfectly good meal waiting for them. And if they never end up finishing it... well, for the boys, no big deal. With Emily- not that simple, but she's a good eater and she rarely, given a few chances, outright refuses to eat.
Hi Liza--
You are eating dinner as a family, that is so important! It surprises me to hear that family dinner time is a lost cause in America, and books such as Laurie David's "Family Dinner" (published this month) get so much attention. Reading this forum I can see how much effort is put into the ritual of family dinner.
Good luck and regards,
April
Mom to a 4 year old boy with CF
You are eating dinner as a family, that is so important! It surprises me to hear that family dinner time is a lost cause in America, and books such as Laurie David's "Family Dinner" (published this month) get so much attention. Reading this forum I can see how much effort is put into the ritual of family dinner.
Good luck and regards,
April
Mom to a 4 year old boy with CF
Hi Liza--
You are eating dinner as a family, that is so important! It surprises me to hear that family dinner time is a lost cause in America, and books such as Laurie David's "Family Dinner" (published this month) get so much attention. Reading this forum I can see how much effort is put into the ritual of family dinner.
Good luck and regards,
April
Mom to a 4 year old boy with CF
You are eating dinner as a family, that is so important! It surprises me to hear that family dinner time is a lost cause in America, and books such as Laurie David's "Family Dinner" (published this month) get so much attention. Reading this forum I can see how much effort is put into the ritual of family dinner.
Good luck and regards,
April
Mom to a 4 year old boy with CF
Hi Liza--
<br />
<br />You are eating dinner as a family, that is so important! It surprises me to hear that family dinner time is a lost cause in America, and books such as Laurie David's "Family Dinner" (published this month) get so much attention. Reading this forum I can see how much effort is put into the ritual of family dinner.
<br />
<br />Good luck and regards,
<br />April
<br />Mom to a 4 year old boy with CF
<br />
<br />You are eating dinner as a family, that is so important! It surprises me to hear that family dinner time is a lost cause in America, and books such as Laurie David's "Family Dinner" (published this month) get so much attention. Reading this forum I can see how much effort is put into the ritual of family dinner.
<br />
<br />Good luck and regards,
<br />April
<br />Mom to a 4 year old boy with CF
One suggestion an older CF had given me along time ago was to alternate liquids with solids to gain weight. For example, high protein high fat nutrition drink, then healthy snack, then whole milk, then lunch...Not always filling up the tummy with liquids at lunch cause they won't be hungry for solids..Alternate them. I feel fortunate cause Maggie is a great eater. My problem is more keeping enough food in the house and meal planning. Maggie loves real home cooking and variety, she does not want to eat the same thing everyday like most kids. The other night we went out to dinner as a family and she ordererd the haddock dinner it was the adult portion and $18!!. Huge portion of fish with french fries and broccoli and she ate ALL the fish. She still can lose weight easily if she gets sick but man sometimes I think that girl has a hollow leg.
One suggestion an older CF had given me along time ago was to alternate liquids with solids to gain weight. For example, high protein high fat nutrition drink, then healthy snack, then whole milk, then lunch...Not always filling up the tummy with liquids at lunch cause they won't be hungry for solids..Alternate them. I feel fortunate cause Maggie is a great eater. My problem is more keeping enough food in the house and meal planning. Maggie loves real home cooking and variety, she does not want to eat the same thing everyday like most kids. The other night we went out to dinner as a family and she ordererd the haddock dinner it was the adult portion and $18!!. Huge portion of fish with french fries and broccoli and she ate ALL the fish. She still can lose weight easily if she gets sick but man sometimes I think that girl has a hollow leg.
One suggestion an older CF had given me along time ago was to alternate liquids with solids to gain weight. For example, high protein high fat nutrition drink, then healthy snack, then whole milk, then lunch...Not always filling up the tummy with liquids at lunch cause they won't be hungry for solids..Alternate them. I feel fortunate cause Maggie is a great eater. My problem is more keeping enough food in the house and meal planning. Maggie loves real home cooking and variety, she does not want to eat the same thing everyday like most kids. The other night we went out to dinner as a family and she ordererd the haddock dinner it was the adult portion and $18!!. Huge portion of fish with french fries and broccoli and she ate ALL the fish. She still can lose weight easily if she gets sick but man sometimes I think that girl has a hollow leg.