Daughter takes too long to chew food

[LTKoch]

My daughter is 6 1/2 years old.  She has always been healthy and within normal limits as far as height and weight.  She is a very picky eater.  I joke that she is a "carb-ovore".  If it were up to her, she would live on pop-tarts, chicken nuggets, cheese pizza, peanut butter and honey sandwiches and grilled cheese sandwiches.  We are constantly trying to introduce/force a wider variety of healthier foods to her - fruits and veggies and meat that isn't breaded.  This is where the problem arrives.  She either works herself up so much that she gags, or she takes so long to eat a bite of meat (not a large one and not tough in texture), like more than 15 minutes for a bite, that the meal ends with threats, tears, and frustration on everyone's part.  I don't understand why she can eat a chicken nugget in less than one minute, but a piece of pork the same size or smaller takes 15 minutes or more!  Is this a texture thing?  Is she just being stubborn?  Any and all advice or help would be so greatly appreciated!
Thanks!!

[Prags123]

Wow...its looks you talking about my daughter... It takes hours to finish 1 meal.. I am interested to know what you did to make your kids eat fast ...as its been almost 2 years when u posted this comment.... We end up feeding her...if i leave it to her she will take whole day to finish...please help or suggest some tips.. As my daughter does not eat fast even her favorite food... ....

[specialmom]

I was a very slow eater as a child.  Partly because I wasn't very interested in food (wow, did that change as I got older. :>)  You should see how I enjoy food now!).  So, definately some kids eat slowly and starting meal time early helps.  I also think for those kids----  you give them a set period that they have to eat and then when it is time to go, well.  That's it.  They won't starve.  I've done this with breakfast before.  When it is time to leave for school and they've had plenty of time to eat what is in front of them but haven't eaten much----  well.  They made a choice in that.

with that being said, my older son does have issues with eating beyond just being slow.  He has motor planning issues and chewing can be difficult for him.  This is something to look into if you think this is the case.  My son did gag a good deal though which is a sign that a child can't chew.  He is also avoidant of various textures, flavors, smells, etc. annd will sit and stare at these food items rather than eat them for eons.  This was something we did indeed work on in occupational therapy.  

lots of luck to you

[margypops]

some children are slow eaters...and I know kids dont like being rushed around especially in the mornings when they just got up...well i am sure you will get answers..good luck

[Wen789]

If she's anything like my 6.5 year old boy then it is a problem when it takes an hour to eat a small amount of food. 1. There are other things to do, like play time that he's missing out, and maybe some more homework or reading to do, 2. He really needs to be able to go to bed earlier and this is hindering that.  We end up tapping our fingers on the table for every chew he needs to make to keep him chewing and it takes him about 70-125 chews to finish a bite!!!  It's very frustrating.  We often have to end up feeding him just to move him along. It's ridiculous.  I'm looking into Occupational Therapy, also going to check with his dentist, and going to check with his doctor to see if there is a problem between his wind pipe and esophagus.  I often feel like I need to buy baby food jars of meat to feed him since it takes him sooooo long to eat meat, and this is with it being chopped up, or with vegetables, even mashed sweet potatoes.

[Wen789]

If she's anything like my 6.5 year old boy then it is a problem when it takes an hour to eat a small amount of food. 1. There are other things to do, like play time that he's missing out, and maybe some more homework or reading to do, 2. He really needs to be able to go to bed earlier and this is hindering that.  We end up tapping our fingers on the table for every chew he needs to make to keep him chewing and it takes him about 70-125 chews to finish a bite!!!  It's very frustrating.  We often have to end up feeding him just to move him along. It's ridiculous.  I'm looking into Occupational Therapy, also going to check with his dentist, and going to check with his doctor to see if there is a problem between his wind pipe and esophagus.  I often feel like I need to buy baby food jars of meat to feed him since it takes him sooooo long to eat meat, and this is with it being chopped up, or with vegetables, even mashed sweet potatoes.

[adgal]

I just want to back up SpecialMom's comments on how many kids have to have extra intervention.  I have a very good friend who has a son with tourettes syndrome along with another challenge (I can't remember which one).  Anyway, she has had interventions and continues to do so.  She is a fabulous mother and also works with him.  Her son is 12 now and honestly, if you didn't know, you would never know!  He is the sweetest, most well adjusted child ever.  I just love him to bits.  It's just amazing what the proper therapies and interventions can accomplish.  He's certainly not carrying around a label. He's a wonderful normal kid!

[specialmom]

Hi,  well, if you think about it, having trouble articulating sounds and chewing issues would have a lot in common.  My son's issues with motor planning were the culprit in our case.  Even being a little off in that area can cause an issue.  Motor planning is part of the sensory system.  It is basically how the brain communicates to that muscle group to carry out what it wants them to do.  

I have two kids and know many many picky eaters.  What makes a child with sensory a little different is that they often aren't just picky but have trouble eating the food.  And once they gag on something, the gag memory makes it difficult to get past.  

It is the chewing issues and articulation issues that make me think of motor planning issues.  We chose the occupational therapy route for my son but he had a 'few' things going on.  I would absolutely use whatever resources you can to help with any issues.  Someone doesn't need a diagnosis to ask for help.  Many kids have speech issues and actually infants begin working with a speech pathologist on feeding issues.  They so often go hand in hand.  Therapies as a child are generally laid out in a fun way and can work on any issues or skills that a child might need.  

With good/eating issues, our occupational therapist has helped us a lot.  Above are things she helped me with.  I've also learned to keep a glass of water by my son's plate and when he is chewing and looking like something is having trouble going down, I tell him to take a drink.  It help.  The book "food chaining" is interesting because it starts with taking one item a child will eat and building on it.  If a child eats a chicken nugget for example, the frozen variety, start there.  Make the normal way.  next, try removing the breading.  Then try making a home made nugget.  then remove the breading on that.  etc.  It builds on what a child is doing in a systematic way.  It also talks about getting the child involved in the process of selecting new foods to try.

If you are relocating and will be in an area in which services are more readily available. I highly recommend working on these things.  What could it hurt??  It can only help.  And the thing is, your daughter is 6.  If there is a core issue even very mild, it will show itself in different ways as time goes on.  I just can't say enough about how well my son is doing since addressing the main issue.  He doesn't have a label. In fact, hardly anyone knows anything is going on unless I tell them these days.  Don't be afraid to help your child because of that.  AND, you'll be amazed how many kids have had an issue they've worked on with a professional.  

I have some ideas for speech too if you would like some.  all the best and much luck to you and your daughter.

[MayaMom1234]

This is very inlighting comment. My son is 10 and he only weighs 60lb. He eats well when it comes to carbs but have issues with chewing meat in general. He also have issues in articulating and always wondered if he has speech issue. He always had a high pitch voice but is very soft spoken and very quite at school which I fear is because he can’t quickly articulate well with his age groups. The motor planning term is news to me. I would love to hear what you have done for speech?

[adgal]

I want to say that I didn't think anything negative at all.  To me you sound like a pretty normal mom...we all have frustrating times and it's good to have a place to go where people understand.  Any parent that say's they never get frustrated...well, I don't believe them! lol.  

I'm glad you found the different ideas helpful.  And because my son is on a high protein, high calorie diet, I have some pretty great child friendly recipes from a Pediatric Dieatician.  Most of them "hide" the meat.  Happy to send you some if you like, just send me a pm.

I also want to say that I think it's great you are exploring the possibility of a further challenge.  Lot's of kids have different needs, and utilizing resources to get the best for them to help them overcome it is always the right thing to do.  I think you sound like a great mom, and I wish you all the best!

[LTKoch]

My daughter's handwriting is fine, but I find it interesting that you asked about her speech.  I have been trying to get therapy for years for articulation but she has always just barely fallen within normal limits.  I've been told "it's developmental" more times than I care to recall!
Would you recommend exploring speech therapy or maybe occupational therapy?  We currently live in an area where resources like these are pretty scarce, but will be relocating to nothern Virginia in the summer and maybe its worth looking into?  
Again, your advice is greatly appreciated!  Thanks!

[LTKoch]

Thanks to all of you for your responses and advice.  Please know that I am not forcing my child to eat anything nor am I trying to diagnose her.  In all honesty, it's my  husband who makes meal times a bit of a disaster.  When he is not around, I make all children take a "no thank you bite."  If they want more they are welcome to it; if not, no big deal.  My husband, on the other hand, seems determined to have well adjusted children who eat anything happily.  This is a little funny because he is a pretty picky eater himself.  The last thing I want is for my kids, particularly my daughters, to grow up with food issues.  At the same time, if there is a reason for her reaction to many foods and why she has trouble eating them I want to help her.  I'm not losing a lot of sleep over this, I was furstrated last night and thought I could find some advice from a "neutral" party.  I did and I am thankful for that.
I appreciate each of you taking time out of your busy day to offer advice and encouragement.  You've suggested some great ideas and I will be testing them out.
Thanks again, have a great weekend!

[margypops]

no doubt kids love pasta and its in shapes now which makes it fun..I have found this problem is so common I bet we have several threads on here the same ., most kids go through it, my dd was so skinny she was hospitalised as they thought she had celiac turns out it was bad tonsils which they removed then she was well and put on weight .

[adgal]

I had another thought on this issue.  I know with my child, the biggest challenge we have is meat and other proteins.  Get creative.  I have become the queen of the casserole..lol.  I mix things he typically won't try on their own with foods he loves, add some egg noodles or other pasta, and away he goes.  

[margypops]

When mine were like that I tried to just leave them to get on with it as the more I chunnered the worse it got I also gave them a lot of time in the mornings as we learn't it was better to get up a half hour earlier than try to race them .in other words we gave them slack ..and it worked .and pork can take ages to chew more than chicken nuggets that are softer and easier and tasty to eat, I also found that buying in the healthy good foods worked as then my lot had to eat what was put in front of them,they got treats and desert later .,

[Sandman2]

    Got a feeling that  gagging on your food or taking 15 minutes to chew one bite of meat is more than just eating slowly.  If the only problem mentioned was what LT mentioned at the start of the post - I would agree with you completely.  I just had the feeling that the end of the post and her question about texture took it out of the normal range of just eating slowly.
    

[skepticalpeach]

It's better that she's eating slowly than too quickly. This gives her time to breathe and digest. I honestly don't see what the problem is with eating slowly... Sometimes I eat slowly! Eating and using the bathroom should be no pressure things for a child. Sometimes it's hard for a child to describe exactly what they are feeling so it's a good idea to be very patient and let them go at their own pace.

Having a picky eater is incredibly common. I hate to say it, but at least she's eating something. When we had some trouble with my DD eating her pediatrician just said to reintroduce a certain food she should/needs to eat every 2 weeks. That way it's stress free and there's no pressure. Eventually it worked! I gave up the battle over veggies though and I just give her V8 and pasta sauce. I also give her the chocolate Boost Kid Essentials (or Pediasure). She doesn't like the vanilla and it's not a battle I see worth fighting. I really think as long as you find clever ways to trick your kiddo into eating healthy, periodically reintroduce the food, and make it stress-free they'll grow out of the picky eating phase!

[margypops]

I had two of my children eat slowly and also were 'picky' I stopped being concerned about it, said nothing, let them eat the way they chose to , they did okay I sometimes think we get too concerned about their eating habits ..I myself am a slow eater I am always the last to finish ....lol

[specialmom]

Whether your child's eating issues are due to sensory or not matters not one bit, the tips I've learned and shared really help any child.  But, still---  how is her handwriting?  :>)  Oh, and her speech.  good luck!!!

[specialmom]

there is a book called "food chaining" which is really helpful for kids that have the reaction that your daughter does.  

[margypops]

These are just my opinions , I do not consider the normal habits of a child any disorder.  Re reading your post it tells me that your child could use some healthier eating habits which you can start by only buying foods yet allowing her the nuggets and food she enjoys aswell.  .Many children I have known eat slowly and it can be frustrating at breakfast time if parents get up earlier and allow the child to have more time it seems to work, they are happier. Good luck  

[specialmom]

Oh, and how do labels 'follow' a child?  Just curious.  I am pretty sure there is nothing stamped on my son's head and don't see anything creeping around behind him with a blow horn "HE"S GOT A LABEL."

[specialmom]

My son has an issues just like this and has that dirty word . . .  a disorder!  But we don't see it as a bad thing, rather an indication of areas he needed some help in.  Things that are a little irritating aren't a disorder and people write of picky eaters all the time,  but for my son, his eating issues were related to his sensory issues.  And by tackling it, we've made significant change.  Whether the poster's child's issues are due to anything like my son or not is irrelevant, there are great tips above that would help any kid.  And it feels good to share the things I've seen help mine!

[margypops]

I also think that supplements may help , ViT C and B Complex I don't think a child who eats slowly has a disorder and many children want the foods you describe here .too many times a normal behavior gets labeled and it follows the child  .

[specialmom]

Hi there.  Well in all honesty, your daughter and my son are very similar with food.  My son has senssory integration disorder and eating can be a challenge.  We work on all the same things you do,.  

Here is how sensory effects my son with food,  First, motor planning comes into play.  Chewing is difficult and he will chew and chew and chew.  Takes a long time.  But if he tries to swallow too early, he will gag.  Meat is the never ending battle for sure. He also has issues with texture.  Some things just hit his mouth and he'll spit then out.  Smell,  if he doesn't like it, he'll throw a fit abot trying it.  He'll carry on like you are asking him to eat poison.  My son will gag very easily.  Sound familiar?

We've worked with an occuapational therapist on this stuff and here are a few tips---  first, we all have a 'gag memory'.  If your daughter has gagged on something, it is going to be harder to get that food to go smoothly without gagging again.  (kind of like when you've thrown up, how that food becomes something you wish not to have for a LONG time).  So, we have to retrain our son with things he's gagged on as it has often been things we'd like him to eat.  But understanding that he is having a nervous system response, helps us be patient for sure.

The blender.  A picky child's friend.  My son doesn't like lumpy things.  Well, I put the whole spaghetti sauce in the blender and make it smooth-----  then he has 'pizza' pasta.  Play around with this and sneak in whatever you can.

Dipping.  Kids love to dip.  Oh, my son likes the taste of barbeque sauce and he also loves ranch dressing.  I cut up tiny slivers of carrots and give him ranch dressing, he goes to town.  I serve barbeque sauce with so many things-----  he dips various meats in there as well as broccoli or whatever else is on his plate that he doesn't want.

The trying bowl.  We have a bowl that hits the table in which they have to try things (my son and his brother) that are new.  They only have to take one bite. If they like it, they finish the bowl, if not----  they just got that one bite in and a boat load of praise.  Lay it on thick each and every time she eats anything that isn't the usual fair.  Talk about being an adventurer!  And part of that is trying things.  

Make the food look appealing.  sounds funny but kids fall for this.

Keep a food diary WITH her.  Have her write in the binder what she will TRY and draw a picture of it.  Like a piece of chicken on the grlll with barbeque sauce.  She's not in trouble if she can't get it down-----  but she is princess of the day if she does!

And provide a place if she needs to spit something out.  We have a napkin at table for my son.  

See, I was a picky eater as a kid and grew up to be someone that will try anything now and likes so many different kinds of food.  BUT, I was different than my son.  His issue is hard to deny that it is more intense than the average child and physical.  Gagging is not a response that all picky kids have.  I never gagged.  

My son turned 8 recently.  He WANTS to eat more-------  because I never made him feel awful for his issues but rather praised him for being daring and trying things --------  so HE keeps coming up with things he'll try.  We had good old tacos this week.  His idea-------  and he loved them.  Yes, he ate lean ground beef!  Sounds like no big deal to most but it was celebration time for me.  My kid ate meat!!!!!!!!  And liked it!!

Hey, how is  your daughters hand writing by the way??

[teddybears4ever2]

You should probably try giving her V8 Fusion, and/boost kid essentials. They have lots of vitamins and Hungary in them kids just won't eat.