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Monday, August 18, 2014

This is A Nut Free School- part 2

Many kids I work with prefer-and love, crunchy foods. These roasted, crunchy, cinnamon-sugary chick peas (AKA garbanzo beans) are from Whole Foods. These are an idea for a crunchy snack that is nut free and even has protein! I have not found them in mainstream grocery stores. I have tried making them myself-but was unable to get the same crunchy quality. But it is an easy thing to try and you could play with flavoring. Check web for  recipes.

Saturday, August 16, 2014

What is Picky Eater and When is it a Problem?

I have had the fortunate experience of taking Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) trainings on picky eating. This program was designed by Kay A. Toomey, PhD who is at the Star Center in Denver, CO. Below is information about picky eaters which I have provided in presentations. Some of the information included was presented by Kay Toomey, PhD.
When people find out I work with children and feeding they often tell me about their child's eating habits. Parents are interested in seeing if what their child is displaying is considered a problem or not. It is my hope this information will be helpful to curious families. 

The ability to try and eat a variety of foods is like a continuum. At one end is a typical eater, then the picky eater and finally the resistant/problem eater. 

 Typical Eater: 
  1. Eats a variety of foods (from all food groups and texture types)
  2. Is interested in foods and likes eating
  3. Tolerates the presence of new foods
  4. Will try new foods
  5. *Toddlers often experience a stage of “neophobia”-fear of new foods. Even with that occurring the above is usually maintained.

Picky eater: 
  1. May have aversions to some foods but eventually eats a variety and maintains balanced diet over span of a day or 2
  2. Usually eats at least one food from each texture group
  3. Can tolerate the presence of new foods on their plate
  4. Will usually touch or taste a new food

Resistant/Problem eater:
  1. Limited food range of less than 15 to 20 foods
  2. Refusal of one or more food groups (ex., often preferring carbohydrates)
  3. Refusal of one or more texture type (ex., often preferring crunchy or soft foods, not both)
  4. Tantrums or meal time battles over eating 
  5. Preference for one flavor (often sweet or salty)
  6. May or may not have difficulty gaining or maintaining body weight
  7. May gag when trying new foods
  8. May experience anxiety over the presence of new foods
  9. May also be diagnosed with a developmental delay (Autism, Aspergers, PPD-NOS) 
  10. May also have diagnosed or undiagnosed sensory processing disorder (SPD)
  11. May also have (or have had in the past) difficulty with gastrointestinal issues, such as reflux
  12. May also have (or have had) difficulty with chewing and/or swallowing

Using the above definitions a typical eater is just that-typical. No clinical intervention or significant changes at home are indicated. A picky eater  as described here can most likely benefit from modifications at home which may or may not need the assistance of a professional. A resistant/problem eater and their families would most likely benefit from clinical intervention with therapy and intervention in the home environment. 

Thursday, August 14, 2014

PEANUT FREE school lunch idea

Some schools are peanut free, but not nut free. For all parents of picky eaters the goal is to expand the diet. I found a great gluten free, peanut free nut butter. Nuttzo. It contains organic ingredients: cashews, almonds, hazel nuts, Brazil nuts, flax seed, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and salt.   Note: label reads "made in a facility that processes soy, sesame, tree nuts, peanuts and seeds."
This super nutritious food can be introduced via mixing with a child's preferred peanut butter. See prior post.
I found  Nuttzo at Costco in my area and at Whole Foods in the nut butter section.  There I saw, but have not tasted, a chocolate version as well. That could be a yummy option.  Truthfully, I am a bit afraid of being alone in my clinic with a jar of chocolate nut butter. 




Tuesday, August 12, 2014

"You're The Food Lady!"

One evening when I was out in the community, a woman pointed my direction and called out, "You're The Food Lady!"  Startled, I looked up and debated if she meant I was: One-in need of food; Two-in need of less food; Three-a food critic. She clarified for me by stating the she had come to a presentation I'd given about picky eaters. Children who have difficulty with feeding and eating are an area of specialization in my clinical practice. Children may have problems with eating due to: difficulties with chewing and swallowing, sensory based feeding disorders, history of gastrointestinal issues or a combination of the three. My goal for this blog is to share ideas and insights I have found with the families of children who have difficulty with feeding, and to allow them to share their wisdom with me.
A big thanks to that Mom for the idea for the name of the blog!

"This is a nut-free school" part 1

     Finding out your "picky eater" child will be attending a school that calls itself "nut free" can be quite stressful for a parent.  Many picky eaters have very few, if any, consistent sources of protein. Peanut butter is often one of those sources. Having this removed as an option is problematic.
     I have had good success with the introduction of sunflower butter as a replacement. Remember sunflower butter is made of sunflower SEEDS, and seeds are not nuts. The consistency is nearly identical to creamy peanut butter. Picky eaters are notorious for exceptionally sensitive senses of taste and smell. I have had a few picky eating clients who ate the sunflower butter and believed it was peanut butter. Others immediately declared "that's not peanut butter."

    Suggestion: Try offering the sunflower butter in place of peanut butter without telling your child. (You will need to not let them see you purchasing or preparing it.) They might not notice the difference-if you are so lucky, you are done! Most likely they will notice. Because, after all, they are a picky eater. In that case begin to slowly mix the two together over time. For the first 3 offerings mix a ratio of 1 part sunflower butter to 5 parts their preferred peanut butter. For the next three offerings mix 2 parts sunflower butter to 4 parts their preferred peanut butter. Continue with this pattern. If your child complains you need to make the change smaller, or for more offerings.

     Sunflower butter is available at: Trader Joe's, Whole Foods and Sprouts markets. I have not yet found it consistently in more main-stream markets.