Problem Eater (way different than a picky eater!)

[pdwimmer]

Very difficult position to be in. I work in the pharmaceutical industry and have worked on many trials with children regarding allergies, inability to digest certain foods, yada yada. If you have a child that has a "problem" not just being fussy, it is usually because their body is not able to break down the foods, digest, and excrete them properly. The child learns this well before the parents even notice.

I wouldn't recommend putting new foods in their diet in the middle of the ocean if they have a true issue with the food they are offered. (I had a picky eater and it was not hard to fish out. I also have a nephew that was a problem eater and it was an entirely different ball game. Not difficult to distinguish between the two).


You may just find yourself asking for the same meal each night that your little one's tummy can tolerate. Bring some snacks that you know they will eat and of course their vitamins.

It'll be OK. You may even find that they ask for new foods if they see other little ones eating them. But be sure to have your GI meds, Benadryl and what not in case they really can not tolerate the new food.

Good luck. I hope it works out well.

 

[samily]

I am so happy to hear your DS enjoyed the Mac n Cheese. I am hoping mine does as well. If I may ask, was the M&C shaped like Mickey or "normal" pasta? Most kids would enjoy the Mickey pasta but not DS.

Thanks for your message!

Here is a pic of the mac n cheese on the Wonder this past February:

And from the Dream a couple of weeks ago:

 

[davale4]

....He recently began food therapy and introducing new foods to him involves MUCH patience over many months, progressing from pictures of new food, to smelling it, then allowing it to be on the table with him, prodding with fingers, hopefully placing it on his tongue, and eventually chewing and swallowing it.

So, introducing new foods to him is not a one time attempt and can be quite stressful to all of us...

We are going through this with my 4 yr old DS. There are very limited foods that he will eat and they have to be pureed because he does not chew (sensory issues - he is getting therapy). He can tell the difference between "organic" applesauce and "regular" applesauce even if it's from the same brand!!!! Has to drink dairy free/soy free milk because his body does not digest the protein in regular milk. Going on vacation is VERY STRESSFUL as he gets older due to the non-chewing.

We were very nervous going on our WC cruise on 08/18/12. With that being said....we had no problem at all. We explained the problem to our servers on the first night and they were very good. Every night after our meal, we went over his lunch and dinner for the next day. His food would already be prepared and even dessert was provided as soon as we walked into the restaurant. They even gave me a 32 oz carton of dairy free/soy free milk to keep in the room.

I am sure that your servers will work with you. Just explain to them when you meet them on the first day and you can plan his meals ahead of time. This really made a difference on our vacation. I could not have asked for more. I was so afraid of my DS being hungry for 7 days.

 

[Acklander]

What is the difference between a picky eater and a problem eater?

Seriously, all, my heart goes out to you who are dealing with this, I know it can't be easy, and I've had no experience with this whatsoever, my dd will eat anything, and always has.

Not trying to flame anyone at all though, (or be flamed) just trying to understand, because I have friends and their kids have issues. At least with my friends, it seems like kids have absolutely NO problem eating all the fun stuff, the mac n cheese, hot dogs, and of course snacks and goodies. Just when it comes to what I call "real food"...they don't want to eat it. One friend's son would only eat frozen waffles and Kraft. And that was all he ate. We went to a beach house with them one summer and had to run out several times to get those big boxes of frozen waffles because he would eat them morning, noon and night. Hey, I'd like to do that too. C'mon, is this really healthy for the kid, or just avoiding a battle?

How/when does the line get drawn between having some medical issue, or just wanting to eat only what you want to eat? It was especially hard for my dd, who was younger at the time, but was expected to eat dinner with us, eat what we gave her and then be "treated" with a dessert later, when this little boy got to eat his waffle with butter and syrup and then still got his ice cream. Another time, his sister didn't/wouldn't eat dinner, but we all had to cut an activity short, go home for her to eat - and you know what she ate? Hot chocolate and potato chips with dip! Just not buying into any kind of "sensory" issues with these kids - I think mom just gave up. JMO.

With DS, he's very sensitive to smells, so I think that has something to do with it. He's also weird about textures. He's not a big fan of sweets or desserts, so he isn't just selecting the yummy stuff and leaving the real food. We just make sure he gets a multi vitamin and protein every day and let him make his own choices on the rest.
If we go to McDonald's he will order the chicken nugget meal, will eat all the chicken, maybe a couple of fries and drink water(his favorite beverage). At home he will eat egg whites, rice, ramen noodles, cereal with milk, peanut butter, saltines, plain pasta, and pretzels for a snack. He's not a big eater and has a problem with vomiting when eating new things so we don't use vacation time as a time to try out stuff. He very rarely eats candy (and when he does, picks the sour patch kind) rarely eats ice cream except for a bite or 2 off vanilla to be polite, then pushes the rest away.
He just doesn't like food, and never has. If it wasn't needed to live he would be happy to never eat and instead prefers to eat the stuff with the least amount of flavor.
We've all learned to live with it.

 

[davale4]

He'll eat what's available if he's hungry enough. That sounds a bit ridiculous to me; this might be a good time to break him of always needing a short order cook.

Hmmmm....would like to see you walk just ONE DAY in my shoes...You'd be singing a different tune

Funny how people can be judgemental...or should I say ignorant

 

[Started With a Mouse]

He'll eat what's available if he's hungry enough. That sounds a bit ridiculous to me; this might be a good time to break him of always needing a short order cook.

Obviously you don't have a child, or have never heard of a child or adult, with a sensory disorder, autism, Aspergers, etc. If it were THAT simple, the OP wouldn't be asking the question. If you haven't walked in someone else's shoes, don't judge. No one is perfect.

 

[Emteach]

Hmmmm....would like to see you walk just ONE DAY in my shoes...You'd be singing a different tune

Funny how people can be judgemental...or should I say ignorant

Exactly, I cant count the # of times my mum has been told (regarding my sister) Oh, if she came to our house for a week she would eat (oh really?). She is 12 and is also a problem eater. She was very sick as a toddler and the doctor feels that this psychologically impacted her eating. She couldnt eat properly for months physically and now she still struggles with food. Her diet consists of mainly dry foods (chicken nuggets, crackers, breads) and she craves salt.

We just got back from Disney (not cruise but World) and they were very accomodating - she only struggled one day (even after a pep talk from Snow White). I am sure (with some notice) they would be able to make some accomodations for your little guy. We can sympathize and it is good to see there are so many more that understand and do not pass judgement when they do not understand.

Hope you have a wonderful trip. Note: was also wondering if he will eat Easy Mac? I would suggest also bringing extras along. On our trip we brought small boxes of cereal, granola bars, crackers that we knew my sister would eat.

 

[Started With a Mouse]

I'll give you a brief overview on our family...but would never try to say this is the situation for all families dealing with sensory issues.

Unfortunately our son's story began in an Eastern European orphanage where everything and anything involving NURTURing and NOURISHing was severely lacking. His "bottles" contained tea, not formula or milk or anything we would consider nutritionally beneficial or even tasty to an infant or child. He was not introduced to solid foods until our family was formed....way beyond the typical age a child is given finger foods.

Thankfully the lack of nutrition only impacted his physical size (he's quite a bit smaller than other kids his age) and and not his learning, personality or other physical abilities. But getting him to eat food other than what I originally listed is a HUGE huge deal. He recently began food therapy and introducing new foods to him involves MUCH patience over many months, progressing from pictures of new food, to smelling it, then allowing it to be on the table with him, prodding with fingers, hopefully placing it on his tongue, and eventually chewing and swallowing it.

So, introducing new foods to him is not a one time attempt and can be quite stressful to all of us if we let it. Thankfully he LOVES veggies and fruits, and never puts up a fight about that!

Blessings to you and your family. After a very rough start, he found Angels here on earth - your family.

 

[davale4]

Exactly, I cant count the # of times my mum has been told (regarding my sister) Oh, if she came to our house for a week she would eat (oh really?).

When my DS was in Early Intervetion, he was even assigned a nutritionist as well. The Early Intervention team was very concerned because even if hungry, he would NOT eat certain foods. Very sensitive to textures and smells. Sadly many people do not understand this. I too have been told many times "just leave him with me for three days...." Sorry don't think so.

 

[WoodlandsMom]

Obviously you don't have a child, or have never heard of a child or adult, with a sensory disorder, autism, Aspergers, etc. If it were THAT simple, the OP wouldn't be asking the question. If you haven't walked in someone else's shoes, don't judge. No one is perfect.

My thoughts EXACTLY. Ignorant IS the word ...

 

[TiffJ]

It is definately not that simple. This judgement angers me. My son has this issue and he is 11. It is called Selective Eating Disorder. We are currently on the waiting list at Duke University's Easting Disorder for their week long family camp that deals specifically with this. Being one of the leading medical institutes in the country I don't think they would have specialists who treat this if it was as simple as "just make them eat, you are just spoiling them" He knows he has a problem and is terribly upset because he is getting older and realizes this will begin to impact him socially when the guys want to go out for pizza or something.

Back to the OP's issue-I brought a few things on board-applesauce, the cereal bars he will eat & individual packets of peanuts & cashews. There are individual things of cereal you can get at the breakfast buffet and take a few back to your cabin. There is always plenty of fruit around so my son would have cereal or nuts along with the fruit from the kids menu at dinner. Takes a little planning but we got through the week. A family cruise is not the time to try to make them eat something they don't want to. Adds stress for you & them. Just try to get somewhat healthy things in him & enjoy the week! Good Luck, I feel your paid

 

[linz02ag]

You people need to calm down, there was no mention of sensory issues or medical conditions in the OP and my response was before that was even brought up as a possibility.

 

[Kennywife]

It is definately not that simple. This judgement angers me. My son has this issue and he is 11. It is called Selective Eating Disorder. We are currently on the waiting list at Duke University's Easting Disorder for their week long family camp that deals specifically with this. Being one of the leading medical institutes in the country I don't think they would have specialists who treat this if it was as simple as "just make them eat, you are just spoiling them" He knows he has a problem and is terribly upset because he is getting older and realizes this will begin to impact him socially when the guys want to go out for pizza or something.

Back to the OP's issue-I brought a few things on board-applesauce, the cereal bars he will eat & individual packets of peanuts & cashews. There are individual things of cereal you can get at the breakfast buffet and take a few back to your cabin. There is always plenty of fruit around so my son would have cereal or nuts along with the fruit from the kids menu at dinner. Takes a little planning but we got through the week. A family cruise is not the time to try to make them eat something they don't want to. Adds stress for you & them. Just try to get somewhat healthy things in him & enjoy the week! Good Luck, I feel your paid

Hugs to all dealing with this. I have heard all the judgy opinions my whole life; I have texture issues as well and severe food allergies (onions).

I do not eat foods mixed except for a few exceptions. With time, I have begun to dip my broccoli into cheese sauce or honey mustard dipping sauce, which was a big step for me! I also like to put pancake syrup on my sausage and eggs! That just started last year. Lettuce used to make me gag. Now I enjoy a romaine salad with honey mustard dressing. I guess what I'm saying is allow them to try things on their own time. We texture people may take longer, but we get there.

 

[Kennywife]

Yes, pancake syrup is good on scrambled eggs! lol. Try it! Hubs likes tobasco sauce and ketchup on his, I prefer pancake syrup on mine.

 

[kkmcan]

Although my dd15 has never been diagnosed with anything she has struggled her whole life with eating issues and trying new foods.

We have tried everything short of a nutritionist/program and I just figured she would outgrow it. I was a bit picky when I was young and got more adventurous as I got older. I just thought it was something lots of kids go through.

Things are starting to get better as she's gotten older. I have noticed it takes literally a hundred times of trying something before she finds that she likes it and wants to eat more- plain white rice, quesadillas, pizza, ranch dipping sauce, baked potatoes all took years before she really liked them and asked for them for dinner.

I thought I was going to be the only mom who's kid doesn't eat pizza. I think peer pressure took over. Everytime she went to a party she would politely turn down a slice and sit quietly. When she got to be a teen, she started taking 1 bite or two. After 3 years of eating a bite, then a half a slice, then a whole slice, just a month ago she ate her slice, and asked for more!! You could have knocked me over with a feather! I never thought this day would come. I've also noticed that when we get pizza now she perfectly fine with it, not complaining.

Now if I could get her to eat a hot dog or hamburger and pasta we'd be set!

Point is, I can totally sympathize with parents who's kids have any kind of food issues. It is the hardest thing! It makes dinner times so difficult. My dd went to bed hungry many many nights since she refused to eat. It would completely frustrate my dh and that made for tension at the dinner table. Dinner time has not been a happy relaxing time for us.

We grew up with eat it or go hungry and those rules don't work anymore. We were only parenting the way we were raised and it just doesn't always work the way it used to.

When we cruised we let our kids eat pretty much whatever they wanted with a few exceptions. No desserts for meals, ice cream once a day etc. DS ate mac n cheese every night for dinner, dd ate chicken fingers everday for lunch. As long as they ate something that I would consider a meal we were happy. Hey, we were on vacation and we wanted happy meal times.

 

[petlvr1064]

I have ausperges and while i am no

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t a problem eater i can compltey understand them. Becuse for me if i even smell fish i will start gagging to the point it sounds like i am going to throw up. Same thing i smell a lot of fried food like the cossesion area at a fair or carnival. So for me it is more smells then foods themselves but it is diffrent for every one. I am.going to,be.27 on my first cruise in nivellement

 

[dclcruiser88]

Hmmmm....would like to see you walk just ONE DAY in my shoes...You'd be singing a different tune

Funny how people can be judgemental...or should I say ignorant

I say they WILL eat.
This disorder is about touch, feel, tongue texture.
Too much emphasis on "I have a child like that". If this condition were around 30-40 years ago or even 20 years ago, what happened to those children?
They survived, they were able to cope, they might have still had textural issues, but if they weren't fed they didn't starve.
Kid's will mostly eat what they like all the time, some can be bribed to eat other foods, some will refuse.
And then there are the parents that wont allow their child to just learn.
This is the food I give you, you eat it or you go hungry.
And when they cry or don't eat it cave in and do a quick "jimmy meal" for them.
I wonder how many kids in africa die every year because they have taste or tongue textual sensory issues over those that eat whatever they can when really hungry???
Overcautious, overprotective, dare I say the word helo moms make this into a big subject when it is not.

This is the food.
You eat it or you go hungry.
Cry all you want, no different food.
Cry Cry Cry,
Oh your eating it....

 

[dclcruiser88]

How do shrinks make a salary?
By saying your mad, your kid is mad, your a bad parent, you did this wrong, that wrong, then paranoid parents listen and condition the kids they have to be the same.

Thats the food, eat or go hungry.
And when you have been properly hungry, really really hungry after 2 days, you know you will eat whatever is placed in front of you or is available.
Cooked or raw.

Sensory issues are an excuse in regards to eating food.
No human being will refuse food if they are hungry enough. The only exception I can think of are Anorexics who will starve themselves to death due to the perception they have of their body, not due to the taste or texture of food.

 

[PoopDeckPappy]

Since you asked for other advice, I'll throw my .02 in. I wouldn't be hesitant to bring the Kraft etc. They may not cook it for you but at least you tried. I also would not blame you for not trying to change your routine on a vacation. Vacation is a time for fun, not learning new habits.

 

[SoCaOC-Mom]

How do shrinks make a salary?
By saying your mad, your kid is mad, your a bad parent, you did this wrong, that wrong, then paranoid parents listen and condition the kids they have to be the same.

Thats the food, eat or go hungry.
And when you have been properly hungry, really really hungry after 2 days, you know you will eat whatever is placed in front of you or is available.
Cooked or raw.

Sensory issues are an excuse in regards to eating food.
No human being will refuse food if they are hungry enough. The only exception I can think of are Anorexics who will starve themselves to death due to the perception they have of their body, not due to the taste or texture of food.

So if someone had a nut allergy you would put a peanut butter sandwich in front of them and say "You will eat that or you will go hungry"?

I don't recall the OP asking whether or not if you feel this is a legitimate disorder. She asked what specific foods were available and what foods can she bring aboard and ways they can be prepared.