OT: Desperate for Breakfast Suggestions (unusual situation)

[tarheelmjfan]

My DS(14) has always had problems eating breakfast 1st thing in the morning. If he eats too early, he vomits it up. I have a niece that did the same thing. Thankfully, she finally grew out of it. My DS still gets sick almost every morning, when he eats 1st thing. He has absolutely no problem keeping food down later in the day. I've tried everything I can think of. Something as light as cereal makes him sick. Forget eggs, pancakes, etc. Most of his school years he's eaten lunch early enough to skip breakfast or just drink a small glass of juice. I've always made him eat breakfast on test days, but that's been a waste. He's rarely kept it down. He started high school this year & needs to eat something in the morning. We've tried a few different things, & are now down to a banana & orange juice. That's it! I don't want him to have to eat the same thing every morning the whole school year. Does anyone have suggestions for foods that are less likely to upset his stomach? I'm desperate!!! I don't want to send him to school, w/o breakfast. On the other hand, I feel bad about making him eat, knowing he'll most likely throw it up.

I will really appreciate any suggestions you offer. Sorry, this was so long.

 

[DestinationDisney]

What about toast or saltine crackers? How about a breakfast drink like Carnation instant breakfast? Also what about oatmeal...maybe the plain non-flavored kind? I hated it at first, but I have a sensitive stomach and I've gotten used to the taste.

Also, what if he kept some small snacks in his bookbag with him? That way, during the day, maybe a few hours after he's had his banana and juice in the AM, he could quick eat something while switching classes or something. Maybe a granola bar or something quick, yet healthy.

I'm not much of a breakfast eater, but you definitely need to stress to him that he needs to have something on his stomach to get his brain working in the morning for a long day of school.

Also, not to scare you or anything...but have you talked to his doctor about this? Maybe he is lactose intolerant, irritable bowel, or something or his stomach has a hard time digesting foods.

 

[DisneyArk]

Have you tried yogurt? How about a fruit smoothie?

I think that even having a glass of milk or orange juice is better than nothing. Have you tried Carnation Instant Breakfast or Ovaltine?

 

[snowy76]

This reminds me a little of a student I had. We (between myself, his parents, the school nurse, and the family doctor) finally discovered that his upset stomach in the morning was due to eating so much late at night. He liked to wait until his dad came home from work to eat with him, but he'd go right to bed after that and the food just sat there in his stomach, just churning. He'd wake up with indigestion and nausea. Since he was sick in the morning, he'd fill up later on, and was in a situation that was perpetuating itself. Once he stopped eating so late, he was much better in the daytime.

 

[llp479]

I have the same problem. I can't eat when I first get up in the AM. Now that I'm an adult it's easier, because I could get up, dressed, drive to work, then eat there.

When I was in high school I used to eat a breakfast bar in between my 2nd and 3rd classes. Maybe he could do this too? Talk with the school and see if they can help you.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I knew I could depend on you all for help. We haven't spoken to his doctor about this in a while. They did run tests several years ago & couldn't find anything really wrong with him. I get nauseated really easily also, but don't have the same problem eating in the morning. He's always been very healthy, except for this. As I mentioned, after he's been up a while, he can drink & eat anything with no problem. So, it doesn't appear to be a food allergy. It has gotten better. When he was younger (kindergarten & 1st grade) & had to eat lunch early, he would sometimes vomit at school. As he started getting older, he no longer gets sick any time other than 1st thing in the morning. Also, he's a gifted student & whether or not he eats doesn't seem to affect him that much. I do feel better knowing he's been fed breakfast, which is why I came looking for advice. We do eat dinner fairly late by most people's schedules (usually around 8pm). He's has 2nd session in school & doesn't get home until 5:30 pm. He doesn't leave home, until 9:45am, so he doesn't have to go to bed really early. I'll see what the school thinks about him bringing a small snack to eat, after he's been up & going a while. That's a good idea.

I think I'll get him some granola bars. Saltine crackers should work. I have to eat those often myself. I haven't tried those, because I don't know if he'd eat just crackers. I wonder how putting a little peanut butter in them would do. That gives me another idea. How do you think vanilla wafers with a circular, sliced banana would do? That would be more than just a plain banana. Carnation Instant Breakfast or Ovaltine hadn't even occurred to me. It's not something we've ever bought. I'll give one of those a try too. Someone asked about yogurt. We've tried that, & it wasn't pretty. We haven't tried fruit smoothies though. I bet he would like those, if he can keep them down.

Thanks again!!! You guys are great!!!

 

[PlutoPony]

If you're not too hung-up on nutrition how about PopTarts? And if you get the fruit filled flavors you can pretend that you're getting some vitamins that way ...
I was also going to suggest granola bars or something like that. There's a real variety of items like that out now, muffin bars, cookie bars, etc. Obviously some are barely more than sugar and flour but you CAN find some that are fairly good for you. Or what about the mini-muffins and he can only eat as many of them as he's comfortable with...
Good luck!

 

[LaraK]

When they worked him up, did he have an endoscopy? My son has a disorder called Eosinophilic Esophogitis...when it was totally out of control he vomitted 4-5 times a day. When we got it somewhat under control mornings seemed to be when he threw up. It is food related for most kids (it's an autoimmune disorder having toe do with food allergies, but not the typical kind that have instant reactions).

I don't want to alarm you or make you over react, but EE can have some nasty outcomes long term and is new enough that a lot of doctors miss it or call it reflux. Just wondering.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I know most kids hate to get up in the morning, but what if he got up earlier so he had more time in the morning? This way he would be awake long enough so he wouldn't vomit when he eats. I feel so bad for the poor kid. I think that having some snack bars with him is also a great idea that a pp mentioned. I hope you find a solution.

 

[marconat]

my daughter (6) is the same, she can't eat first thing in the morning, no cereals or cereal bars, or fruit bars... but I finally found the only food she will eat is a slice of ham with a slice of cheese and that's it... but I'm happy that the school has a snack period at 10 am, so I can pack something that will hold her till lunchtime. (like honey rolls, slice of bread with honey and then rolled up, also peanut butter Ritz crackers, banana etc).

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

I know his sounds crazy but my daughter wasnt eating in the morning and the doctor told me to give her slimfast. It is not a appetite suppresant. It is loaded with vitamins. She has always been small for her age. When she drinks these, she tends to be more alert in the mornings. She is an excellent student. She didnt like boost or pediasure. At least she gets the vitamins and minerals to start the day.

 

[Twingle]

Wow - you've already gotten some great suggestions! My son is like this to a point, he usually will not vomit, just complain of an upset stomach. It stopped happening as frequently when I asked him what he wanted to eat - I didn't care, as long as it wasn't junk. Usually for breakfast he has . . . . peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or lunch meat, cheese and crackers. My guy can't eat first thing in the morning. He usually has his breakfast on the ride to school.

Maybe just ask DS what he thinks he can eat? It might stay down easier if it's what he feels like he can actually eat.

 

[katymae]

Just throwing in my two cents: feel free to offer non-breakfast foods at breakfast. Cheese and crackers, pb and crackers, pb sandwich, bowl of rice (weird, I know, but it works for me when I can't eat anything else!), applesauce... Good luck, and how about some pixie dust, just because!

 

[barkley]

ok this may sound wierd but-a burrito. yup, a bean burrito.

i had terrible morning sickness with one child and couldnt keep anything down in the a.m.-doctor said to try beans because they are high in protean and quell nausea. it worked like a charm! in fact now whenever i feel a bit quesy (i still get car sick and am not a breakfast eater) i make a small burrito out of flour tortillas, refried beans and a little cheese-it works realy well.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Oops!!! I somehow deleted my prior post, rather than quoting this paragraph in another post. I hope I hadn't typed anything really important earlier. If I did, it's gone bye-bye now.

PS: He didn't have an endoscopy that I can remember. It's been so long that I really don't remember what they did. I do remember them saying he would outgrow it. That made sense to me. Like I mentioned, I have a niece who did. I'll ask my sister how old my niece was. If my DS has passed that age, I'll have him tested again. Thanks for the tip.

I spoke to my sister, & she said my niece was between the ages of 17 & 18, when she stopped vomiting up her food. Hopefully, my DS will do the same.