Everyone keeps saying that!!

[Vixen80]

I looked up information on possible eating disorders pertaining to my 6 year old and I found a question on your site from a lady who had the same issues with her son as I did. Part of your answer to her was,"Try not to think about this in terms of winning/losing. It's not a contest. Simply prepare sensible meals, offer them to him, and let nature take its course. He'll be OK." Your answer of he'll be ok is something I keep hearing over and over even from the 3 different Physicians he's had. What I want to know is WHEN! When will he be ok. He has already started school, I have to pack a lunch of either plain cut up hotdogs or plain peanutbutter sandwiches cut into 4 squares with no crust. He will eat pizza and fries but they have to be plain and a certain texture. The other day I figured I would have him try bread around his uncutt hotdog. he tried it but could not chew it or swallow because when he tried he started dry heaving and almost threw up at the table. He cried and ran down the hall to the bathroom yelling, "I'm so sorry!" It broke my heart especilly because I knew he really did try. Whenever he smells what I am cooking or I have takeout in the truck with him there he complains that the smell makes his stomach hurt and sometimes he will start dry heaving. He also has a younger brother who eats just fine including chicken, corn and peas. I don't know what to do. Can he live off of his few select choices and vitamins for the rest of his life?
Very concerned--Veronica

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

The short answer is yes, he will be fine. There is no point torturing yourself (and him) over this. Let it be. In fact, if you relax your worry there is a bit more of a chance that he'll expand his menu a bit. One thing you might do is arrange two evaluations: one by a Speech/Language clinician to evaluate his oral motor muscles and swallowing, the second evaluation by an Occupational Therapist to evaluate for a possible sensory integration problem. If these evaluations don't show any problem, please stop worrying about this situation.

[mom@homenow]

I know you posted this for the doctor, but I thought I'd jump in since this sounds so familiar.

Until my brother was 11 or so he basically only ate peanut butter, bacon, apples, cheese pizza, french fries, raw carrots and white bread. Getting him to try new foods was a nightmare. Eating was a chore for him, he did not enjoy it and basically only ate what he had to survive. When we went to a restaurant, he carried in a jar of peanut butter and ordered a glass of milk. You probably don't want to hear that it can last that long... but he's a healthy 48 year old now. (still a picky eater though!)