When a 12 year old refuses to eat most food, how does one get him to relent to increasing what he'll eat? There is about 15 things that he will eat; the only meat being chicken nuggets. He has been like this for years.
-
re: refusing most food
Heather Reese
Monday, October 29, 2007 at 09:50 PM
I know that this can be very frustrating as a parent because you want to nourish your son. Kids are often leary of unfamiliar foods and it can take several introductions before they'll actually try a new food item.
Since your son is 12 years old, he may be asserting his independence by refusing foods. I recommend continuing to introduce new foods to him. Don't use the foods that he likes as a reward for trying new foods because that assigns a false value to the foods he likes. When foods are used as a reward - they often become more desireable to the child.
You may also want to involve your son in the cooking process. If he is more invested in the foods you are serving he may be more likely to eat them. Helping to prepare the meal may also be a source of pride for him - we all like to watch people enjoy something that we have had a hand in preparing.
Another option is to work to make the foods that he will eat healthier. For example, you can make your own chicken nuggets at home using skinless chicken breast and whole grain bread or cereal as a breading and baking them instead of frying them.
Good luck!
Heather Reese, MS, RD
reply
re: re: refusing most food
jant
Thursday, November 01, 2007 at 01:17 PM
If we ask him to eat certain food(s) before he can eat what he wants (a sweet) he simply won't eat. He is thin because if he doesn't want what's available, he won't eat. I think it is and has been a power struggle, but I don't know what to do about it. We do eat healthily.
Thanks for your feedback.
reply
-
Refusing most food
Dirk
Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at 01:11 PM
My question is what kind of foods do you eat? Kids learn most food habits from their parents so if you like to eat at McDonalds so will they.
reply
RSS
I know that this can be very frustrating as a parent because you want to nourish your son. Kids are often leary of unfamiliar foods and it can take several introductions before they'll actually try a new food item.
Since your son is 12 years old, he may be asserting his independence by refusing foods. I recommend continuing to introduce new foods to him. Don't use the foods that he likes as a reward for trying new foods because that assigns a false value to the foods he likes. When foods are used as a reward - they often become more desireable to the child.
You may also want to involve your son in the cooking process. If he is more invested in the foods you are serving he may be more likely to eat them. Helping to prepare the meal may also be a source of pride for him - we all like to watch people enjoy something that we have had a hand in preparing.
Another option is to work to make the foods that he will eat healthier. For example, you can make your own chicken nuggets at home using skinless chicken breast and whole grain bread or cereal as a breading and baking them instead of frying them.
Good luck!
Heather Reese, MS, RD
reply