6 year old existing on gf crackers! Help...?

[deniseb90]

Hi, My fiance's daughter is coealiac and seems to exist on gf crackers with butter and gf crisps and chocolate! She is 6 years old, overweight and constantly unwell (i.e. colds, water infections etc). I have tried to make her eat veg, salad etc with no success. We made a gf shepherds pie together, she was really excited about it, then ate one forkful and then began to cry saying she didn't like it! We both try really hard to get her eating more stuff and making things from scratch but she just won't have anything but the crackers - sometimes a bit of chicken and she does eat the gf sausages. Thing is I'm worried about the effect her weight is also having on her health!

[FionaGFG Administrator]

Hmm. That's very sad that a 6 yr old has got to that age without exploring or liking other foods.

Do you know what age she was diagnosed at? Recently or very young? Could she just be scared of food as she's worried all of it could make her ill?

What kind of food does your Fiance eat? Do they set a good example, does the daughter see him eating fruit and veg and enjoying it? Generally kids learn from watching others.

That being said my neice was a fussy bugger when she was small and we had to coax her to see 'a few more peas' and 'another piece of carrot'. Now she's on a trip to Thailand munching on all the lovely local cuisine they have. Any parenting book or TV show will say you have to be very careful not to make kids obsess about food- which is hard when you want them to eat the good stuff.

I'd suggest:

- you discuss this with your fiance (altho tread carefully as most people react defensively when you try and discuss their kids even if you mean well)

- try and see if you can form a united front about how you'll tackle the problem - if you don't it won't work

- discuss if the child has any foods she really likes (apart from Choc & rice crackers!)?

- plan out how you could those in meals

- create a star chart and only give the child choc/rice crackers as a reward after eating other good foods

- have you got any good story books where you can read to the child about healthy eating / fruit shapes etc?

- speak to the child's school - what is she eating there? What support is there?

- Start small - make things with the chicken and gf sausages that she does like - gradually expand what you make with this - also make a point of you all trying this and enjoying it

- Do not let her see either of you eating trashy snack foods like choc / crisps - be a perfect example so she expands her tastes

- Make food fun - continue the cooking idea - see our pinterest page for things to do with kids

pinterest.com/gfguerrillas/...

pinterest.com/gfguerrillas/...

- Have a food experiment day - line up some foods and tastes and experiment on tastes the likes e.g .often young kids do like olives - sounds strange but try it You could make it into a science experiment - or art project and draw the foods you like. If you can try a few foods quickly and find what tastes the child likes quickly it'll help in devising new recipes

- Does the child spend time with the other parent - if so try and get them on board with the plans. If you can't work around that.

- Smoothies are a good way to get fruit and veg into kids (altho they can be higher in sugar than eating the fruit so don't do them every day) - have you tried that idea?

- Also check out Jamie Oliver recipes he has lots of tips on making fun salads and cutting up veg small and blending so kids don't know they're there

- Ultimately there's so much good food she can't hate it all - know that it's just a matter of time and patience to discover what is good and that she likes

-Rice crackers are high GI and will cause blood sugar spikes

- Not ideal - but maybe you can add some variety with Corn Thin crackers (available in most supermarkets like Sainsbury's in the Free From aisle).

- Ultimately a trip to the Dr would be good for both of you adults to discuss this. Most Coeliacs I know feel better - eventually on a GF diet- and very rarely catch colds. If she is having them lots and is overweight it might be time for the Dr to run some blood tests. Could it be she's having gluten by mistake when she's not with her parents? Could that be making her ill and adding to her weight gain? A Doctor can also advise on whether a referral to a dietitian could help her.

Keep us posted.

[deniseb90]

Hi

THanks so much for this. I should have explained that we only have her on a Saturday. She lives with her mother (who I believe is also coealiac) and diabetic. When we have tried to coax her into eating something different she tells her mum who then has a go at my fiance saying that she doesn't like him making her try to eat new foods! It's difficult because it's easy for us to to "ah well we only have her on a Saturday so let her eat crackers, crisps and chocolate all day long", but this is not what we want to do! She won't even try anything - it's very frustrating. I will try out the things you suggest - and let you know how we get on! Thanks again!

[poing]

We give a lot of emphasis to fruit and veg but when it comes down to essential nutrients, I think that proteins are the best all round sources.

Rice crackers have no protein (and not much of anything else either) and are very quickly digested... I wonder if this little girl is getting enough good quality protein?

When people have nutritional deficiencies, it can even affect how things taste. Zinc deficiency is known to affect taste perception, and is also involved in poor immunity. It might be worth speaking to a doctor about checking for deficiencies... a few simple supplements could make a difference and help break the cycle.

Just a few thoughts.

[deniseb90]

Thanks - I wonder if it would be worth getting some zinc supplements for her? She does have constant colds - and was really ill last week with a water infection. I doubt if she gets a lot of protein as her mother is also a veggie. It's difficult to try and bring the subject up with her mum as obviously I'm going to be the "step-mother" and I don't think I'm her favourite person. Thanks for the zinc deficiency angle, it may explain the reason why she dislikes so many foods? d

[poing in reply to deniseb90]

I give my children a zinc and vitamin C supplement when they have a cold (and myself too if I need it). I read that the body's need for these things increases when we are unwell, and taking extra can shorten the duration of a cold - it's about the only thing that does. Giving supplements to children on a temporary basis like that seems absolutely fine to me. It might be something that the mother would find easier to accept - it's not about the food and it does sound like her daughter's immunity is low and could do with a helping hand. I use one from Sambucol.

[MrsJourns]

How old was she when she was diagnosed and how often does she see a specialist? Both my children are coeliac and currently see a gastro consultant every 6 months. As well as getting their bloods checked they are also weighed and measured and we have access to a dietician.

Could her dad accompany her to these appointments? Then her diet/ weight could be discussed and support could be put in place if deemed necessary.

Good luck

[deniseb90]

She was diagnosed when she was about 4½. I'm not sure if she sees a specialist every six months or gets her bloods checked? I will find out though. It's hard when you want to do the best but don't want to sound like your criticising!

[MrsJourns]

My understanding is that children get there bloods tested every 6 months initially and then yearly. This is to check that no gluten is getting into their system inadvertently.

You have said she has been poorly. This could be a result of her poor diet but it could also be a result of gluten getting into her diet and weakening her immune system.

It sounds like your fiancé has to find a constructive way of raising these issues with his ex, remember you all want what is best for his daughter and it is important she sees a positive approach to her healthy eating from all the adults in her life.

[FionaGFG Administrator in reply to MrsJourns]

That's the same check up process for adults too.

[deniseb90]

Yes I think I'm going to have to try to make him talk about it with her. She does get very defensive (which I guess is understandable) but definitely need to know whether it's a diet thing or the gluten. We will continue with trying to get her to eat a more varied diet! Thanks again for all your advice.

[FionaGFG Administrator]

I'd also recommend he explains he wants to cook with his daughter and involves the mother in recipes / suggesting foods. She may just be scared that he's clueless about Coeliac and so sends her off to you with rice crackers and chocs. If he can show he understands i.e. no flour, bread, pasta, soy sauce, Worcestershire, or foods made on a line with wheat or derived from it or gluten then she may have more confidence about you feeding the child and may be more inclined to discuss it. Of course if she doesn't manage her Coeliac well then there's not much hope...

[deniseb90]

I think she knows that we understand about the condition. I've made gf bread with her and brownies and cakes (I know not very healthy!) and she's taken some home for her mum - and I always cook from scratch with her (the shepherds pie being a big disappointment as she so enjoyed cooking it - but didn't want to eat it!). I just want her to eat more fruit and veg or at least try some - I'm sure we'll get there in the end! x

[Intolerant]

Hi, i would try making fruit salads with her with petits filous mixed in, i don't know any child that could resist that but do make sure you offer small amounts as children can feel overwhelmed by large portions. If she doesn't go for this try serving the fruit salad with a small amount of ice cream. Also instead of offering cooked veg at first i would try carrot batons and cucumber batons with different kinds of dips, red pepper houmas is good. Perhaps another approach could be to turn it into a game, chop up very small amounts of good stuff like cherry tomatoes,carrots,cucumber etc then blindfold her and see if she can guess which food it is that she is tasting. Often children just don't like the look of a food so won't taste it, offer one of those naughty treats as a prize if she can guess more than two food items, even if she objects i would try once a week. Also smoothies of course are another one that children find hard to resist. Good luck, it's good to know that someone is looking out for her.

[DevonSue]

One of the best ways to persuade fussy children is the bowls method.

Make a meal for everyone as normal but give her a selection of perhaps 8 different foods in tiny bowls. Make some things like fruit ie strawberries, tiny pieces of cut up meat, anything that looks attractive even some crisps. Then give her a plate and tell her to choose her own food. Walk away and leave her to it without comment. At first she will probably only touch the crisps but if you repeat this for a few meals I have never known a child not eventually try some of the other food. They need to be small amounts and some brightly coloured but it will tempt her to eat a better diet.