My two year old only eats crunchy food

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My two year old only eats crunchy food

by Diana
( New york)

My son only eats dry cereal, toast, chicken nuggets and pizza. He refuses to even look at something that has a soft texture. He is underweight yet very active. He is receiving ot and speech therapy but nothing seems to help. Often times I find myself crying because he just doesn't eat. Please Help me help him

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My two year old only eats crunchy food

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Jan 27, 2012
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My son is in this group
by: DT

One suggestion to everybody is that we give him fresh juice regularly. He will drink whatever I put through the juicer. I have put tomato, celery, pomegranate, spinach, kale, grapes, apple, orange, blueberry, strawberry, beets, you name it. He will drink anything I give him so at least he is getting healthy stuff that way. But otherwise he eats all the same foods that you guys are listing.
My mom, my brother and I were all picky eaters growing up but my son takes it to another level.

Mar 30, 2011
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AUTISM
by: Yash

Autism shouldn't be diagnosed by your neurologist, rather by your child psychiatrist.

Jan 23, 2011
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My girl too
by: Susan

My 2 year old will only eat a few things. She likes bacon, muffins, chicken nuggets, pizza and most kinds of french fries. No veggies or fruit. Sometimes I name her food after her favorite t.v. show to get her to try it like "Do you want some Wiggle sandwiches?" or "Ariel Fish poppers." Also we play tea party and I put new foods on her tea party plate and pretend to feed them to her baby. Success really depends mostly on her mood and I agree that offering new things when they are very hungry can improve the chances they will try something. One more thought, I wonder if the desire for crunchy texture could have something to do with cutting teeth?

Jan 11, 2011
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My 2.5 year girl is so frustrating with her eating!
by: Kim

My daughter is 2.5 and eats about 10 things and very little quantity of each. She eats sausage (one small link, max), bacon (1/2 a piece will be her entire breakfast), Cheerios, smoothies (Yo on the Go only that I mix babyfood in), hashbrown patties from McDonalds, Egg Patty from Bruegger's Bagels, Cashews, Almonds and chicken nuggets. It sounds like a lot when I'm typing it here, but this is her entire repertoire of food since she was 1.5.

They diagnosed her with Autism at 2 (mild) but now another neurologist said she's definitely NOT Autistic. Somedays I think she's autistic though because she freaks out with food and hair washing etc. (and in general is high maintenance compared to my friends' toddlers). Other days she does great and I hope that she is just quirky.

We have been going to an eating OT since 1 year because she would not take anything but milk. She never really took babyfood. She has been an eating nightmare since day 1. I have a second daughter now and she eats EVERYTHING (she's 1.5). Ella also had a speech delay but is catching up in her speech (though still behind most of her peers).

Somedays it's very frustrating....other days I give up and give her what she wants (smoothies) but then I feel like I'm setting her back. It's really hard though having two kids so close together and one who you can't take out to dinner or lunch because she won't eat anything on the menu or table.

Jan 01, 2011
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crunchy eatn non sleepn son!
by: Loren from SC

Oh my gosh i couldnt stop chuckling at these comments! My sons a little of all of these! Only HE REFUSES WATER AT ALL COSTS WONT EAT VEGGIES AT ALL. All he wants to do is drink juice gatorade n chocolate milk, ill sit a glass of water on the table all day and he'd rather thirst!! He wont sleep at night. His diet : ritz crackers will only eat wendys and burger king n mcds chicken nuggets. peaches apples and grapes and oranges pizza and ramen noodles he wont eat anything bready or saucey!!! ive tried different methods....it doesn't work n i get emotional! Hes 2and a half.

Nov 22, 2010
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heather
by: Anonymous

Heather thank u for your advice. My son now 3, still eats the frozen chicken nuggets and nuts like your kid. He also eats fried dumplings(crunchy) stir fried meat and string cheese. Something I have learned is that when kids are super hungry, that is the best time to try something new. They are most likely to try new foods when they're hungry. Also, speak to your child's doctor regarding you concerns of Autism. Hope this helps

Nov 22, 2010
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Im not alone! Heres some of my tricks
by: heather

I have been googling "my 2 year will only eat crunchy foods" for a year and finally i find people with the same problem! I thought I was alone in this. My son Joey's diet consists of chicken nuggets (that he has to dip in jelly YUCK), freeze dried apple, peanut butter, popcorn, dried cranberries, french fries and any type of cracker. He just started to eat chicken nuggets so I have to make sure I buy organic from costcos or 100% tyson chicken nuggets because this is the only meat he will eat! He does drink milk and apple juice but refuses water. I have come up with some things to try to trick at least fruits in his diet with the freeze dried stuff ill attach a link http://www.brothersallnatural.com/ you can buy them off the website or sometimes they have them at walmart in the section with craisins and stuff. He eats craisins and dried blueberries which gets expensive but he likes them because they are super sweet and I like them because they are good for him. Walmart also sells these easy microwave french fries which he loves! If you are tired of cooking them or mcdonalds. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ore-Ida-Easy-Fries-Extra-Crispy-Golden-Crinkles-French-Fried-Potatoes-4.75-oz/11964598 I have learned this is something I have to deal with so I take it day by day. I do worry about autism though but have not done my research yet. He is very alert and intelligent but if he gets something on his hands he cries. Right now he got jelly on his hands and i told him to go get his wipes and he wiped off his own hands. I know he is smart but I just wish we could get over this eating thing. Well I hope this helps other parents going through the same thing.

Oct 28, 2010
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2 year old, food aversions....advice?
by: Anonymous

My son is the same way, he has 5 foods he eats regularly none are fruits or vegetables, i have tried deceptively delicious by Jessica Seinfeld but he is too quick for that, he will only eat McDonald chicken nuggets i have tried making some and putting them in the McDonald's container with McDonald's nuggets to no avail, he didn't even take a bite to see if you might like them, he eats Ritz crackers, graham crackers, pringles, and waffles, and that sums it up for his diet! He will only drink water, no milk, juice, just water....We have been in OT therapy for about 4 months and i have noticed a little bit of difference in a few things not really food as much as he is broadening his horizons on things such as playing with playdoh because for a while he wouldn't even touch playdoh...its so hard because he is 2 you can't reason with a 2 year old but even if i could i don't know how much it would help. I wish i just knew why he wouldn't even try these things to know if he likes them. Its not that he is just a picky eater, he isn't wanting ice cream and cake and not his veggies he wont eat candy, he wont eat anything but those few foods i listed. Any ideas or guidance would be greatly appreciated!!

Sep 24, 2010
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Hi
by: Anonymous

Hi there, thank you for comment. From my knowledge, children who are autistic have special sensory needs. They may avoid or seek out different textures. speak to the professionals on the team. something I have recently learned fry healthy foods like sweet potatoes and greens to give them the crunch and a healthier choice.

Sep 23, 2010
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4 year old only eats crunchy
by: Ticil

Hello All... my son fits right in here. His diet consists of Cheerios and anything cracker-like...goldfish, graham crackers, club and townhouse crackers are some of his personal favorites. He used to be a very good eater as a baby, but as he gets older and his disabilities begin to manifest more,,SPD, Autism and Speech Delay Dx..it seems that his diet gets more and more limited. He sees a SLP, DT, and OT but they apparently don't see it as a problem because he's a healthy weight. He avoids most things that are wet, cold, squishy or and or too sweet. Any tips..please share!

Sep 13, 2010
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to steven
by: diana

Steven I'm glad to hear your child receives services, it can be great to have help. My son is very similar, if he encounters a different form of food he is used to, he will avoid it for some time. Thats when we venture out and look for new foods. Recently, I learned to feed him new foods when he is most hungry, because he usually tries some foods at that point. Also, I have decreased the amount of pediasure he drinks in the hopes of him having a bigger appetite. This is still in the works. Thank you for your insights,stay in touch.

Sep 13, 2010
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OT
by: Steven

My son has OT twice a week and speech twice a week as well. Since I first wrote to you, his choice of food has dwindled. It seems that when he encounters something different in his food ( for instance 2 cheerios melded together) he will not eat that piece or any cheerios for weeks. He does this with all food. It is similar to having a bad eating experience and not wanting to eat that food again because of that experience. So anyway we (us and the Occupational Therapist) are going to focus more on his eating in the next few months.

Sep 13, 2010
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Thank you
by: Anonymous

Thank you all. Your contributions and insight has helped us. Just a question for everyone- was your child ever evaluated for occupational or feeding therapy? I know it's a struggle everyday for our families but I think with time, as our kids grow up, they will understand and eat more.thank you for your comments and please keep them coming.

Sep 09, 2010
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Helpful tips for smooth textures, hope it helps
by: Crystal

My son is turning 4 and he only eats crunchy food also. He has been in the 3rd percentile almost his whole life, and he is very active. I got him to try yogurt by adding in some other ingredients. First started off with the Yo Crunch plain yogurt with the mini m&m's you can find at the store. The candy makes it crunchy so it filled his crunch needs.(Made sure to point out the candy and had him watch me pour it in, colors all melt and make it "rainbow yogurt"). Then moved to the granola ones, eventually doing away with it all together. Now he will only eat the trix brand yogurt, and he will drink drinkable yogurts, but still will not drink any kind of milk. I also got him to eat more yogurt by showing him how to dip his graham crackers in it and he will eat it that way also - he usually eats more of the graham crackers than the yogurt but its a start. I also give him cheese on top of crackers to give him more diary along with the crunch factor. I feel your pain.

My son eats limited items - chicken nuggets, bacon, raw carrots (heaven forbid they be cooked!), almost any kind of cracker, but mostly cheese crackers/goldfish, etc. My sons favorite condiment is ketchup. So usually if I put ketchup on something he will at least try it. He doesn't like potatoes (except french fries), but he tried some the other night with the ketchup! He likes to eat mostly snacks, so i just try to find the healthiest snacks to give him that also gives him his daily food requirements. It's a struggle for sure. Other times when he's adamant about eating a certain food (i.e. popcorn) then I tell him he can have it only if he eats something else with it (hot dog, nuggets, pb&j, etc). This way he's getting what he wants and you are getting him to eat what he needs. The fruit cups with the jello/gel work good for him also. The fruit is still kinda crunchy, and it gets him used to the jello type feel also. Hopefully a few of these will help you! Good luck!!

Mar 31, 2010
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my daughter too
by: cindy

that is my world, totally w/mt 2yr old. Some days she is ok, but others , she is like the weather. It is so hard to get her to est, and I am being monitored every week. I try so very hard. one way i can get her to eat is in a swing, but this is not ok w/ the doctors, they keep acting like she is a regular child....she is starting ot, she goes to speech therapy. At speech they had her eat in front of a mirror to watch herself, it worked for a few days, but those few days counted. She eats only crunchy foods, but not a big variety, and i am running out of ideas.
fiance

Mar 24, 2010
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I forgot to mention.......
by: Steven

What is he drinking? My son was taking 18oz of diluted juice and 18 oz of 1% or whole milk per day. After speaking with a nutritionist (unofficially), she felt that he was getting too much of each. She suggested we replace 6 oz milk and 6 oz juice with plain water. AS soon as we did this his appetite increased and he was willing to try other foods. Her thinking was that he was like any other 3yo child. If you give them sweet stuff they will not want anything else. She pointed out that milk is sweet as well as the juice, and that the child would not eat because he was waiting for us to give him his sippy cup. Last thanksgiving my father gave my son some candy (unbeknown to me until after the deed). It was the first time he had ever had candy and he would not eat for five days after that. He kept looking around for the candy. I hope this helps.

Mar 24, 2010
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food problems
by: Anonymous

This is the daily reality for my child, has the same preferences. I made several attempts to improve nutrition. but without result. hope that future research pay more attention to this aspect of the SPD.

Mar 22, 2010
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Don't fret too much
by: steven

My son is like yours. He is three and eats Cheerios, Frosted Mini Wheats, french fries, oatmeal and cream of wheat. We just heard from a developmental pediatrician that cheerios will give him most of what he needs. And then supplement with daily vitamins. Try the cream of wheat or oatmeal with cinnamon, dash nutmeg and brown sugar. Make it SWEEEEEt at first and then gradually reduce sugar. It worked to get our fella eating more.

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My two year old only eats crunchy food

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My two year old only eats crunchy food