What do I feed my first-grader?
May 11, 2016 2:49 PM Subscribe
Short version: I have a 7 year old picky eater. I just found out that he is allergic to the bulk of his diet-peanuts, almonds, dairy, and wheat. Difficulty is that he is a vegetarian by choice and he gags when he has meat. Good news is that he does eat an acceptable amount of fruit and veggies.
I don't know how to get enough protein in the boy. Plus, snacks are challenging.
Okay, the snowflakes:
1. As a baby, he had a protein allergy and had to be on a special formula. Even after he outgrew that (yes, was tested), he would gag and spit out meat, even when it was hidden in sauces. I am not a vegetarian, but I have been fine with this preference of his. We have been using nuts, peanut butter, and dairy as his main protein sources.
2. He won't eat beans or eggs, but it's more of a "yuck" than a gag. I suspect he's going to have to figure out how to eat these.
3. He is VERY picky. Although the foods on his acceptable list tend toward the healthier variety, they are pretty rigid. He hates new brands and really can tell the difference. And he will eat some fruits and veggies, but recently, he has been reluctant.
4. We have put a serving of something (vegetarian) from our dinner on his plate every night, and still it is a fight to get him to take a bite.
So, he has allergies and migraines and we are going to do an elimination diet to see if the migraines and his tummy, sinus, and skin issues improve. We are eliminating wheat, dairy, most nuts. I don't want to rely on soy because he also has abnormal thyroid labs. (Plus he hasn't liked it in the past, except for edamame)
Clearly he will have to embrace some foods he currently hates. Can you help with suggestions for proteins? For snacks? For ways to makes this easier on him and us?
Okay, the snowflakes:
1. As a baby, he had a protein allergy and had to be on a special formula. Even after he outgrew that (yes, was tested), he would gag and spit out meat, even when it was hidden in sauces. I am not a vegetarian, but I have been fine with this preference of his. We have been using nuts, peanut butter, and dairy as his main protein sources.
2. He won't eat beans or eggs, but it's more of a "yuck" than a gag. I suspect he's going to have to figure out how to eat these.
3. He is VERY picky. Although the foods on his acceptable list tend toward the healthier variety, they are pretty rigid. He hates new brands and really can tell the difference. And he will eat some fruits and veggies, but recently, he has been reluctant.
4. We have put a serving of something (vegetarian) from our dinner on his plate every night, and still it is a fight to get him to take a bite.
So, he has allergies and migraines and we are going to do an elimination diet to see if the migraines and his tummy, sinus, and skin issues improve. We are eliminating wheat, dairy, most nuts. I don't want to rely on soy because he also has abnormal thyroid labs. (Plus he hasn't liked it in the past, except for edamame)
Clearly he will have to embrace some foods he currently hates. Can you help with suggestions for proteins? For snacks? For ways to makes this easier on him and us?
Best answer: Have you tried chick peas? Good straight from the can with some salt and pepper, or in their yummy falafel form.
posted by Mchelly at 2:57 PM on May 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Mchelly at 2:57 PM on May 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Chia seeds are high in protein - my kid has been enjoying chia/fruit in a squeezy tube from Mamma Chia and I started making something similar at home (I blend frozen fruit with some fruit juice, add chia seeds and let sit for a couple of hours). The prepackaged stuff is fun to eat as well (squeeze it into your mouth from the package) .
posted by mogget at 2:58 PM on May 11, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by mogget at 2:58 PM on May 11, 2016 [4 favorites]
Best answer: Pureeing beans into a dip/ soup/ spread might help?
Nutritional yeast? Quinoa?
If you think it's safe to give him up to one serving of soy per day, tofu is pretty versatile. Raw, plain or with soy sauce, was actually the most palatable option for my picky kids, believe it or not. But you can blend it into smoothies, etc.
posted by metasarah at 3:01 PM on May 11, 2016
Nutritional yeast? Quinoa?
If you think it's safe to give him up to one serving of soy per day, tofu is pretty versatile. Raw, plain or with soy sauce, was actually the most palatable option for my picky kids, believe it or not. But you can blend it into smoothies, etc.
posted by metasarah at 3:01 PM on May 11, 2016
Best answer: Refried beans?
Fried lentils (tastes like potato chips... not exactly the healthiest thing but it seems like he could use the calories)
A powdered protein supplement?
Pickled beans? (Three bean salad)
posted by FallowKing at 3:02 PM on May 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Fried lentils (tastes like potato chips... not exactly the healthiest thing but it seems like he could use the calories)
A powdered protein supplement?
Pickled beans? (Three bean salad)
posted by FallowKing at 3:02 PM on May 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Best answer: most nuts
I have multiple (as in literally all of them) allergies to nuts. If you're doing an elimination diet, they all need to go unless they have been definitively cleared as okay.
Seconding chickpeas. They--indeed any bean--can be pureed into a hummus-like consistency, and given their generally blank slate nature, can be flavoured in pretty much any way that pleases him.
A lot of the time, food aversion and refusal to eat can stem from feeling a lack of control. Can you get him more involved in the shopping and cooking processes so that he can exert more control (if illusory) over his eating?
Wowbutter is a soy-based alternative to peanut butter, and is delicious. It might help him--he's lost something he liked before, here's a substitute. Check with your doctor as to whether soy processed in that way will still affect thyroid.
With the dairy, is the problem casein or lactose? If it's lactose, sheep/goat/buffalo milk cheeses (and yogurts) are lactose-free.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 3:10 PM on May 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
I have multiple (as in literally all of them) allergies to nuts. If you're doing an elimination diet, they all need to go unless they have been definitively cleared as okay.
Seconding chickpeas. They--indeed any bean--can be pureed into a hummus-like consistency, and given their generally blank slate nature, can be flavoured in pretty much any way that pleases him.
A lot of the time, food aversion and refusal to eat can stem from feeling a lack of control. Can you get him more involved in the shopping and cooking processes so that he can exert more control (if illusory) over his eating?
Wowbutter is a soy-based alternative to peanut butter, and is delicious. It might help him--he's lost something he liked before, here's a substitute. Check with your doctor as to whether soy processed in that way will still affect thyroid.
With the dairy, is the problem casein or lactose? If it's lactose, sheep/goat/buffalo milk cheeses (and yogurts) are lactose-free.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 3:10 PM on May 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Oh, lentils also.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 3:13 PM on May 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 3:13 PM on May 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
All I can say is I feel your pain. I have a problem eater since birth that has caused many tears (for me).
When I was weightlifting for a few years I had this protein drink that was like clear pink liquid. Tasted like Gatorade or something like that. You could look into that at a bodybuilding/supplement place.
posted by beccaj at 3:19 PM on May 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
When I was weightlifting for a few years I had this protein drink that was like clear pink liquid. Tasted like Gatorade or something like that. You could look into that at a bodybuilding/supplement place.
posted by beccaj at 3:19 PM on May 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
I was a picky kid, and I have three siblings who were also picky kids. Since my mother is not a personal chef, here's how my house worked:
1. Kids don't starve out of pickiness. (Depending on your child's medical conditions, you may want to confirm this approach with your pediatrician.)
2. This is what we're having for dinner tonight. You can choose to eat it or not, but there will not be something different for dinner.
3. It is completely OK to eat only a certain component of tonight's dinner, pick out the stuff you don't like, or otherwise figure something out for yourself based on the various components of tonight's dinner. (For example butter noodles rather than spaghetti with meat sauce was A-OK in my family.)
4. If you want to make yourself a sandwich or a bowl of cereal or something else that does not involve Mom cooking you a separate meal, that's also acceptable.
In terms of allergies, just make sure Rules 2 and 3 include only foods he can eat, and in compliance with Rule 4 make sure that you guys have stuff he can have on hand. Almond butter, soy milk, whatever he'll eat that he's not allergic to and can fix himself.
As a picky kid who had to grow up and be a real human adult, "pick it out" was probably the best tool my parents ever gave me. You will not perish upon the very sight of broccoli. You don't want to so much as try a bite, fine. But if you don't want it, you have to pick it out yourself.
Also, are you sure he's definitely not getting enough protein? Most people get plenty just by eating whatever. Protein is in the vast majority of all food, and we don't actually need very much. (It's also a fallacy that we need to eat "a complete protein" at every meal; your body can absolutely synthesize protein from different foods eaten at different times.) Switching out a few items (provided he will eat them) could help if this is something that is coming from his pediatrician. For example quinoa for rice, etc. But honestly unless the doctor is worried about his protein or general caloric intake, I just wouldn't add more dietary worries to what's already going on.
posted by Sara C. at 3:19 PM on May 11, 2016 [13 favorites]
1. Kids don't starve out of pickiness. (Depending on your child's medical conditions, you may want to confirm this approach with your pediatrician.)
2. This is what we're having for dinner tonight. You can choose to eat it or not, but there will not be something different for dinner.
3. It is completely OK to eat only a certain component of tonight's dinner, pick out the stuff you don't like, or otherwise figure something out for yourself based on the various components of tonight's dinner. (For example butter noodles rather than spaghetti with meat sauce was A-OK in my family.)
4. If you want to make yourself a sandwich or a bowl of cereal or something else that does not involve Mom cooking you a separate meal, that's also acceptable.
In terms of allergies, just make sure Rules 2 and 3 include only foods he can eat, and in compliance with Rule 4 make sure that you guys have stuff he can have on hand. Almond butter, soy milk, whatever he'll eat that he's not allergic to and can fix himself.
As a picky kid who had to grow up and be a real human adult, "pick it out" was probably the best tool my parents ever gave me. You will not perish upon the very sight of broccoli. You don't want to so much as try a bite, fine. But if you don't want it, you have to pick it out yourself.
Also, are you sure he's definitely not getting enough protein? Most people get plenty just by eating whatever. Protein is in the vast majority of all food, and we don't actually need very much. (It's also a fallacy that we need to eat "a complete protein" at every meal; your body can absolutely synthesize protein from different foods eaten at different times.) Switching out a few items (provided he will eat them) could help if this is something that is coming from his pediatrician. For example quinoa for rice, etc. But honestly unless the doctor is worried about his protein or general caloric intake, I just wouldn't add more dietary worries to what's already going on.
posted by Sara C. at 3:19 PM on May 11, 2016 [13 favorites]
Best answer: Lentils and rice dishes are yummy. What about sunflower seeds? Sunbutter is a delicious alternative to peanut butter.
posted by jillithd at 3:21 PM on May 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by jillithd at 3:21 PM on May 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Two things:
I'm a toxicologist. An interesting thing about food allergies is that, for allergies that aren't acutely severe, we (as in "scientists in this space") have a lot of conflicting thoughts about what it even means to be diagnosed with an allergy. I, for instance, recently had a food allergy panel and found out that I'm allergic to many things I eat regularly (carrots, spinach, malt, apple, etc. etc. etc.). Since I've been exposing myself to these things forever through my diet, I'm tolerant of them. Plus, these allergy diagnoses were via skin tests, so there are questions about how that might give a different picture than direct gut exposure. So, if you find something valuable through an elimination approach, that's great. But I didn't, and you should be prepared for that possibility.
I'm also a vegan who started as a vegetarian around age 10 or so. The "where will you get your protein" trope was the first one I remember hearing, and I still get it on a nearly constant basis. I'm not sure approaching an ethical aversion to eating animal products is something that rightly merits occupational therapy since it can be done with no health repercussions, and possibly with health benefits. Instead of considering occupational therapy, maybe see if you can do an online/Skype consult with a vegetarian registered dietitian? I identified greatly with the first vegetarian doctor I met, and absolutely loathed any doctor who told me things like "you'll get sick if you don't eat meat"--which, even back in my youth, was easily debunked by a trip to the library.
Also, I loved "discovering" hummus when I was a kid, and by extension the awareness that one can make a spread out of almost anything. White beans? Boom. Roasted red bell peppers? Boom. Corn? Boom. Add some seasonings and water and random ingredients to a blender and see what comes out--it was my earliest vegetarian experimentation (and it avoided my weird aversion to certain whole bean textures, which I got over). Homemade hummous on toast (sometimes with a few chopped greens and a squeeze of lemon on top) was my go to breakfast throughout junior high and high school.
Best of luck!
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 3:28 PM on May 11, 2016 [16 favorites]
I'm a toxicologist. An interesting thing about food allergies is that, for allergies that aren't acutely severe, we (as in "scientists in this space") have a lot of conflicting thoughts about what it even means to be diagnosed with an allergy. I, for instance, recently had a food allergy panel and found out that I'm allergic to many things I eat regularly (carrots, spinach, malt, apple, etc. etc. etc.). Since I've been exposing myself to these things forever through my diet, I'm tolerant of them. Plus, these allergy diagnoses were via skin tests, so there are questions about how that might give a different picture than direct gut exposure. So, if you find something valuable through an elimination approach, that's great. But I didn't, and you should be prepared for that possibility.
I'm also a vegan who started as a vegetarian around age 10 or so. The "where will you get your protein" trope was the first one I remember hearing, and I still get it on a nearly constant basis. I'm not sure approaching an ethical aversion to eating animal products is something that rightly merits occupational therapy since it can be done with no health repercussions, and possibly with health benefits. Instead of considering occupational therapy, maybe see if you can do an online/Skype consult with a vegetarian registered dietitian? I identified greatly with the first vegetarian doctor I met, and absolutely loathed any doctor who told me things like "you'll get sick if you don't eat meat"--which, even back in my youth, was easily debunked by a trip to the library.
Also, I loved "discovering" hummus when I was a kid, and by extension the awareness that one can make a spread out of almost anything. White beans? Boom. Roasted red bell peppers? Boom. Corn? Boom. Add some seasonings and water and random ingredients to a blender and see what comes out--it was my earliest vegetarian experimentation (and it avoided my weird aversion to certain whole bean textures, which I got over). Homemade hummous on toast (sometimes with a few chopped greens and a squeeze of lemon on top) was my go to breakfast throughout junior high and high school.
Best of luck!
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 3:28 PM on May 11, 2016 [16 favorites]
Best answer: You can roast chickpeas with either sweet or savory seasonings & they come out crunchy like nuts. They make a nice snack with a good amount of protein.
posted by belladonna at 3:42 PM on May 11, 2016 [9 favorites]
posted by belladonna at 3:42 PM on May 11, 2016 [9 favorites]
I have two picky eaters, although thankfully most of the allergies have gone away now. A large part of picky eating is about having control, and if you put yourself in their shoes its pretty understandable really. At 7, I think he is old enough for you to bring him into this conversation, and discuss at a high level what the problem is. Discuss the elimination diet, and what it is supposed to achieve that is beneficial to him. Discuss the foods that he will no longer be able to eat, and discuss the idea that you two - together- will need to find some replacements for him.
He is not an adult, and you can't actually rely on him to follow through with new dietary habits you discuss, but its helpful to have the discussion as context to fall back on when he gets cold feet about trying new food. My example is my 6yo, who gets constipated if he eats too much dairy, which is worsened by the fact that he really only wants to eat processed grain carbs (pasta, bread, etc). So we have discussed the effect that these foods have on him, and I encourage him to eat veggies and fruit. Its helpful to have a specific reason to eat them, rather than the annoyingly generic "its good for you". It doesn't magically solve the problem, but some days he gets excited about eating healthily and chooses veggies for himself, and other days he stubbornly refuses to eat anything except a bowl of spaghetti with bread on the side.
If you can discuss the issue with him, and then brainstorm some new foods to try, go shopping together, cook together, it can help. Not magic-wand-level help, but every little counts, and I tell myself this is a good conversation to be having for the long term anyway.
posted by Joh at 4:08 PM on May 11, 2016 [4 favorites]
He is not an adult, and you can't actually rely on him to follow through with new dietary habits you discuss, but its helpful to have the discussion as context to fall back on when he gets cold feet about trying new food. My example is my 6yo, who gets constipated if he eats too much dairy, which is worsened by the fact that he really only wants to eat processed grain carbs (pasta, bread, etc). So we have discussed the effect that these foods have on him, and I encourage him to eat veggies and fruit. Its helpful to have a specific reason to eat them, rather than the annoyingly generic "its good for you". It doesn't magically solve the problem, but some days he gets excited about eating healthily and chooses veggies for himself, and other days he stubbornly refuses to eat anything except a bowl of spaghetti with bread on the side.
If you can discuss the issue with him, and then brainstorm some new foods to try, go shopping together, cook together, it can help. Not magic-wand-level help, but every little counts, and I tell myself this is a good conversation to be having for the long term anyway.
posted by Joh at 4:08 PM on May 11, 2016 [4 favorites]
Best answer: Our daughter never ate much in the way of meat or fish, and as an adult is vegetarian. I would add to the above advice to not ignore the protein content of grains. Try to find breads, English muffins, etc with high protein counts. And the high protein pastas, of course. Toaster waffles are made with eggs.
My daughter ate tons of potato, including white potatoes which is no longer in high regard. That included freezer fries, tater tots, etc.
The combination of beans and rice is said to make a balanced serving of protein.
posted by SemiSalt at 4:09 PM on May 11, 2016
My daughter ate tons of potato, including white potatoes which is no longer in high regard. That included freezer fries, tater tots, etc.
The combination of beans and rice is said to make a balanced serving of protein.
posted by SemiSalt at 4:09 PM on May 11, 2016
Best answer: How does he feel about the texture of shakes and smoothies? You can make them with forzen fruit and juice or coconut water, and you can sneak in some whey protein or raw egg.
Also, I hate that there are trendy superfoods (see: coconut water) but quinoa is an amazing complete protein.
posted by DarlingBri at 4:14 PM on May 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
Also, I hate that there are trendy superfoods (see: coconut water) but quinoa is an amazing complete protein.
posted by DarlingBri at 4:14 PM on May 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
Please remember to consider sesame seeds when you are doing an elimination diet or as a specific test for allergies. A friend's daughter is allergic to all the nuts, plus sesame, so the traditional "he can eat hummus" may be out the window. No, let me correct myself: rather than make hummus with tahini, you make it with olive oil. Really good, and dead simple with a good food processor.
posted by vignettist at 4:16 PM on May 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by vignettist at 4:16 PM on May 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
Best answer: If you're moving away from wheat anyway, try baked goods with higher-protein grains. I packed muffins and oat bars with extra calories when I had a child losing weight; he didn't have the same restrictions so I could put in milk powder, wheat, etc., plus grated veggies, but there are recipes out there for quinoa cookies and black bean vegan gluten-free brownies out there. We also made oat cakes for snacks.
Protein-laden wheat-free pancakes with sun butter might be good. I don't love wow butter but ymmv. Latkes don't have protein but have been a nice calorie source for my child and I wonder if you could spread them with a bean paste.
My go-to bean burger is a can of white kidney beans, mashed, with a small grated onion, one egg, and breadcrumbs (substitute corn flakes or wheat free breadcrumbs), flavored with either cumin or just oregano, topped with BBQ sauce on a bun.
One dish that came to mind is fried rice with egg, it might be a way to start introducing eggs. Also I wonder if he would try fish milk-free chowder or fish tacos. Lentil and rice "meatballs" are favourites of my kids, and they like both traditional risotto (butternut squash is one) and barley or steel-cut oat risotto...I think they hit pasta notes for them but are whole grains. You can do tomato-flavored risotto too.
posted by warriorqueen at 4:53 PM on May 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
Protein-laden wheat-free pancakes with sun butter might be good. I don't love wow butter but ymmv. Latkes don't have protein but have been a nice calorie source for my child and I wonder if you could spread them with a bean paste.
My go-to bean burger is a can of white kidney beans, mashed, with a small grated onion, one egg, and breadcrumbs (substitute corn flakes or wheat free breadcrumbs), flavored with either cumin or just oregano, topped with BBQ sauce on a bun.
One dish that came to mind is fried rice with egg, it might be a way to start introducing eggs. Also I wonder if he would try fish milk-free chowder or fish tacos. Lentil and rice "meatballs" are favourites of my kids, and they like both traditional risotto (butternut squash is one) and barley or steel-cut oat risotto...I think they hit pasta notes for them but are whole grains. You can do tomato-flavored risotto too.
posted by warriorqueen at 4:53 PM on May 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
Best answer: When we went through this, I would blend veggies and beans into a slurry and then add that to things. So white bean puree in the mac and cheese. Veggie slurry in the spaghetti sauce. I'd do the same with hemp or nuts.
posted by Chaussette and the Pussy Cats at 5:36 PM on May 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Chaussette and the Pussy Cats at 5:36 PM on May 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Best answer: You could also pick up some chickpea flour and see if he'd enjoy socca or pudla.
Protein Ninja is a new vegan cookbook that has a lot of recipes for baked goods with protein powders mixed in, as well as other high-protein vegan dishes (veggie burgers, chili and such). It's not wheat free, but I bet a lot of the recipes would work fine with a gluten free baking mix in place of flour.
posted by snaw at 5:54 PM on May 11, 2016
Protein Ninja is a new vegan cookbook that has a lot of recipes for baked goods with protein powders mixed in, as well as other high-protein vegan dishes (veggie burgers, chili and such). It's not wheat free, but I bet a lot of the recipes would work fine with a gluten free baking mix in place of flour.
posted by snaw at 5:54 PM on May 11, 2016
My son isn't allergic to meat but can't eat most of it because he can't chew it. He also has issues with food volumn. Too much and he vomits. He did have a lot of food allergy issues when he was younger but has thankfully outgrown those.
He's been seeing a dietician/nutritionist for the past year because he wasn't gaining weight. I kept a food diary for a month with the result that he was not getting enough protein and calcium. She recommended Boost Plus which has 350 calories and 14 g of protein in 8 oz. It's also gluten free. It's working for us. Just throwing that out there since there are many types of supplemental drinks.
posted by It'sANewDawn at 5:58 PM on May 11, 2016
He's been seeing a dietician/nutritionist for the past year because he wasn't gaining weight. I kept a food diary for a month with the result that he was not getting enough protein and calcium. She recommended Boost Plus which has 350 calories and 14 g of protein in 8 oz. It's also gluten free. It's working for us. Just throwing that out there since there are many types of supplemental drinks.
posted by It'sANewDawn at 5:58 PM on May 11, 2016
I really really urge you to consider OT, for him and for you, so that you have a proven strategy to handle this at home with the least amount of stress and bad feelings (yours and his).
posted by Lyn Never at 6:09 PM on May 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Lyn Never at 6:09 PM on May 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
Best answer: You can make "chickpea French fries" by making a polenta-type substance from chickpea flour + water on the stove, then cutting the polenta cake into sticks and pan frying those. You could probably form the polenta into squares, or rectangles, or use a cookie cutter.
Lentils, rice, quinoa -- what about egg whites?
Yes, vegetarians get enough protein and that's kinda a fake fear.
posted by jbenben at 6:19 PM on May 11, 2016
Lentils, rice, quinoa -- what about egg whites?
Yes, vegetarians get enough protein and that's kinda a fake fear.
posted by jbenben at 6:19 PM on May 11, 2016
Best answer: Snacks: popcorn! Some granola bars have no dairy or wheat. Other nuts like walnuts/cashews.
Meals are going to be tricky. Have you tried non meat meats like a hot dog with lots of catchup or turkey sausage or bacon lately? It may help to make them bite size for him first. Nthing well cooked beans like roasted chickpeas (great with roasted cauliflower in cumin garlic and paprika olive oil mix) are typically a vegan staple, which apparently your kid is going to be. You could see if he likes the organic Annie's lentil soup (I like the veggie lentil better). Sticky rice is always a kid pleaser at my house and it goes with a bunch of random stuff. Oatmeal is surprisingly high in protein.
posted by Kalmya at 7:22 PM on May 11, 2016
Meals are going to be tricky. Have you tried non meat meats like a hot dog with lots of catchup or turkey sausage or bacon lately? It may help to make them bite size for him first. Nthing well cooked beans like roasted chickpeas (great with roasted cauliflower in cumin garlic and paprika olive oil mix) are typically a vegan staple, which apparently your kid is going to be. You could see if he likes the organic Annie's lentil soup (I like the veggie lentil better). Sticky rice is always a kid pleaser at my house and it goes with a bunch of random stuff. Oatmeal is surprisingly high in protein.
posted by Kalmya at 7:22 PM on May 11, 2016
Best answer: How about nutritional yeast on popcorn as a snack? My daughter loves the vegan Mac and cheese our local hippie grocery store makes. I believe the "cheese" is nutritional yeast. She likes it more than Kraft. If you think it might work, I can try to get the recipe for you.
Oh, and I've had some lucky with picky eaters and fritters or veggie cakes. Smitten kitchen has some recipes. Basically, it's grated veggies held together with egg. I bet you could throw puréed beans in there too. Good luck to you and your little guy!
posted by areaperson at 7:27 PM on May 11, 2016
Oh, and I've had some lucky with picky eaters and fritters or veggie cakes. Smitten kitchen has some recipes. Basically, it's grated veggies held together with egg. I bet you could throw puréed beans in there too. Good luck to you and your little guy!
posted by areaperson at 7:27 PM on May 11, 2016
You're in luck because now there are many healthy varieties of vegan/vegetarian friendly and allergy friendly foods more widely available. See a nutritionist if you want a comprehensive meal plan and accept the fact that your kid knows what he prefers to eat. I myself was a picky eater and am vegan. It was difficult for my family to accept and my mom thought it was because I didn't think she was a good cook. Which clearly was not the reason. I just didn't want to eat meat or dairy. It was hard to fathom and made for a weird journey navigating food choices in life.
The best thing my mom did was let me pick out the food I wanted at the grocery store. I had my own "food" that I could eat and my siblings were not allowed to eat it unless we shared because I was so picky. I'm glad that she cared enough to understand my preferences rather than force me to eat something else or make me feel like there was something wrong with me because I didn't eat what everyone else did.
Now that I'm older and concerned with her health, the tables have turned. I'm the one that is hounding her about eating healthier now. She tries, which is great and it's lighthearted fun when I make healthier vegetarian dinners when I visit. There are cookbooks out there for options on what to make for your kid if you want to peruse Amazon (use the mefi link!). Most of all, let him know that you love him and it's ok. It may be frustrating for you at first, but eventually it will get easier.
posted by lunastellasol at 8:13 PM on May 11, 2016
The best thing my mom did was let me pick out the food I wanted at the grocery store. I had my own "food" that I could eat and my siblings were not allowed to eat it unless we shared because I was so picky. I'm glad that she cared enough to understand my preferences rather than force me to eat something else or make me feel like there was something wrong with me because I didn't eat what everyone else did.
Now that I'm older and concerned with her health, the tables have turned. I'm the one that is hounding her about eating healthier now. She tries, which is great and it's lighthearted fun when I make healthier vegetarian dinners when I visit. There are cookbooks out there for options on what to make for your kid if you want to peruse Amazon (use the mefi link!). Most of all, let him know that you love him and it's ok. It may be frustrating for you at first, but eventually it will get easier.
posted by lunastellasol at 8:13 PM on May 11, 2016
Can you make those paleo pancakes that are basically a mashed banana bound with egg? Douse it in some warm blueberry puree and who could say no?
posted by pseudostrabismus at 8:28 PM on May 11, 2016
posted by pseudostrabismus at 8:28 PM on May 11, 2016
Best answer: Buckwheat pancakes are a thing. A very, very tasty thing (with hidden egg for protein). Make them with rice milk or almond milk so you can avoid the dairy.
posted by Too-Ticky at 12:28 AM on May 12, 2016
posted by Too-Ticky at 12:28 AM on May 12, 2016
Best answer: Teff and amaranth both have loads of protein and make nice porridges.
posted by gingerest at 2:05 AM on May 12, 2016
posted by gingerest at 2:05 AM on May 12, 2016
Best answer: I really like Belgian waffles I make from brown rice flour and they have three large eggs in them so - good protein source. You can add a scoop of pumpkin if he likes pumpkin flavor. Lots of variations to waffles. I like mine with peanut butter and applesauce on top but you could add some of the alternative spreads mentioned above.
He might have fun making waffles? You can make ahead for the week and freeze them and then just pop them in the toaster.
posted by cda at 3:07 AM on May 12, 2016
He might have fun making waffles? You can make ahead for the week and freeze them and then just pop them in the toaster.
posted by cda at 3:07 AM on May 12, 2016
Will he eat fake meat? If so, some of the Quorn products would be worth trying. You'd need to avoid the breaded ones (wheat), but the rest look like they'd probably work with his allergies. The foods are based on mycoprotein from a fungus, rather than more typical ingredients like soy.
posted by belladonna at 5:29 AM on May 12, 2016
posted by belladonna at 5:29 AM on May 12, 2016
It might help to reframe this as not pickiness but rather self-protection in a certain way. You've said your child has allergies and migraines, so consider that very often eating means discomfort and pain for him. I would urge you to stay away from any uninformed advice that suggests some authoritarian stance and/or that he won't starve himself; childhood eating disorders and related psychological trauma are a very real and sad phenomena. If I could I would point you to a mefite with some expertise in the field who commented in a similar post (I can't find it).
It's great that so many in this thread have come up with different types of foods to try, but at the same time I hope you really consider the suggestions to pursue expert help in the form of occupational therapy and/or whatever other path a pediatrician recommends.
posted by JenMarie at 10:56 AM on May 12, 2016
It's great that so many in this thread have come up with different types of foods to try, but at the same time I hope you really consider the suggestions to pursue expert help in the form of occupational therapy and/or whatever other path a pediatrician recommends.
posted by JenMarie at 10:56 AM on May 12, 2016
Just popping in to correct false info up thread: goat/sheep/other animal yogurt and cheese is NOT lactose-free. Lower in lactose, yes, but still more lactose than cow's milk products like butter (which is mostly fat, little sugar thus little lactose, but I still wouldn't risk it for an elimination diet).
posted by serelliya at 12:16 PM on May 12, 2016
posted by serelliya at 12:16 PM on May 12, 2016
Response by poster: THANK YOU! There are so many great suggestions here of things to try. I will pick best answers, but I am crazy busy, and thought I'd pop in and than you. Unfortunately, he has all of the sudden had other symptoms of another issue (Thursday), AND today a virus of some kind. We've lived at the doctor this week, and we're definitely considering it's all part of the same issue. OR, it could be many issues all joining forces.
But, we are closely working with our doctors, he has been to a food therapist (where he happily tried everything and proclaimed them to be delicious, was excited to buy the foods at the store with me, then wouldn't eat them at home), but she did say that he had no eating/chewing issues. He is also going to see a physical therapist for low-tone (AKA floppy-baby syndrome) and having an EEG for possible seizures. We are trying to give him some power here, and trying to work within our doctor's advice. But mostly, I don't even know what to suggest that he might like now that Annie's shells & cheese is off the table. You've given me lots to work through! Thanks!
posted by banjonaut at 12:24 PM on May 13, 2016
But, we are closely working with our doctors, he has been to a food therapist (where he happily tried everything and proclaimed them to be delicious, was excited to buy the foods at the store with me, then wouldn't eat them at home), but she did say that he had no eating/chewing issues. He is also going to see a physical therapist for low-tone (AKA floppy-baby syndrome) and having an EEG for possible seizures. We are trying to give him some power here, and trying to work within our doctor's advice. But mostly, I don't even know what to suggest that he might like now that Annie's shells & cheese is off the table. You've given me lots to work through! Thanks!
posted by banjonaut at 12:24 PM on May 13, 2016
Best answer: What if he takes the food from the food therapist and brings it home himself, so he can see it's the same?
This may sound utterly outlandish, but have you looked at your plates and utensils? Different materials can change flavour perception, and different plates/bowls can change how long something stays hot (or cold). Also, is it possible that your dish detergent is leaving an aroma behind?
I know when I was a super picky eater as a kid it was because my mother (divorced parents) just couldn't cook, and apart from one or two things my father wasn't much better. That carried over to me obstinately refusing to eat anything my stepmother--who was a fantastic cook--made, for years. It wasn't until we went to the UK when I was 10 that I would suddenly eat fish and shrimp and all manner of delicious things. My father and stepmother were flabbergasted that literally overnight I was like EAT ALL THE THINGS. I'm not saying you can't cook, I'm saying perhaps he's had unpleasant experiences at home, the food therapist was a safe eating place, but back home the same situation (e.g. soap residue, utensils) is either happening again, or the memory of it is.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 4:16 PM on May 13, 2016
This may sound utterly outlandish, but have you looked at your plates and utensils? Different materials can change flavour perception, and different plates/bowls can change how long something stays hot (or cold). Also, is it possible that your dish detergent is leaving an aroma behind?
I know when I was a super picky eater as a kid it was because my mother (divorced parents) just couldn't cook, and apart from one or two things my father wasn't much better. That carried over to me obstinately refusing to eat anything my stepmother--who was a fantastic cook--made, for years. It wasn't until we went to the UK when I was 10 that I would suddenly eat fish and shrimp and all manner of delicious things. My father and stepmother were flabbergasted that literally overnight I was like EAT ALL THE THINGS. I'm not saying you can't cook, I'm saying perhaps he's had unpleasant experiences at home, the food therapist was a safe eating place, but back home the same situation (e.g. soap residue, utensils) is either happening again, or the memory of it is.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 4:16 PM on May 13, 2016
Oh oops I lost in my noodling: if he's a supertaster he might detect residues that you or I wouldn't.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 4:22 PM on May 13, 2016
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 4:22 PM on May 13, 2016
Lentils and rice
posted by Jacqueline at 11:54 PM on May 13, 2016
posted by Jacqueline at 11:54 PM on May 13, 2016
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