Helping a Child Eat More Healthy Food

RE: Helping a Child Eat More Healthy Food Post By Coreen (Guest Post) (11/02/2005) We have a 7-year-old autistic grandson who also eats that way. When they eat at our house, I try to fix grated carrots. Just grate them and cook with a little liquid. Then drain and mix in some butter and salt. He ate so much the last time, I sent the rest home with them for his snacks. He even liked them cold. RE: Helping a Child Eat More Healthy Food Post By Jean in GA (Guest Post) (11/02/2005) I have a 16 year old, when he was little he was an extremely picky eater. All he liked was cereal, and would eat it 3 or 4 times a day if I let him. I would mix a jar of baby food, like strained green beans with his eggs, not enought to change the color, but just enough. Also, in his meatloaf, or just anything I thought I could get away with. If I was making hamburgers, a half jar of baby food went in it. He still doesn't like "green veggies" or any kind of veggie, but at least I tried. RE: Helping a Child Eat More Healthy Food Post by ludostef (1) | (11/02/2005) Contact What about cutting healthy food into funny shapes with cookie cutters? It might look as fun as junk food. RE: Helping a Child Eat More Healthy Food Post By Michele (Guest Post) (11/01/2005) Hi, my nephew is autistic and when he was younger like this boy, he only ate green beans and bananas. He had a certain texture thing he went through, from food to toys. I would just try different foods and he will soon go on to other things. Good luck. RE: Helping a Child Eat More Healthy Food Post By Linda (Guest Post) (11/01/2005) This is really the parents' issue, isn't it. Check with the teacher to see if the parents might be amenable to discussing your concerns. If you can get the parents on board, suggest they pack a healthy food as well as a desired food. Offer a small bit of each on a plate, when the plate is empty, he can have a refill. Being autistic, he won't like this new rule, but I suggest (special ed teacher for 30 yr) you write a social story about the new eating plan. You might try a plate with a favorite character and try to "see Spongebob" by clearing the plate. Use non-food rewards as appropriate. Please remember you are his 1 on 1 aide. Having been a teacher and worked with countless aides, I don't feel it is up to aides to intervene with parents. I think this communication should come from the teacher or case manager. RE: Helping a Child Eat More Healthy Food Post By (Guest Post) (11/01/2005) Well you're in a hard position. Maybe if he likes eating sweets he would like eating healthier food that is sweet. you could try peanut butter and bannanas, nutella and celery, stewed apples, candied yams, peanut butter and jelly or honey sandwich's, smoothies and fruit dipped in sour cream and sprinkled with sugar. this is always a start because if someone likes sweet sugar fruit then they might start to find plain fruit more appealing. another solution that could work is to make the foods he likes but healthier. For instance you could make healthy cookies. the site "all homemade cookies" has a whole section of healthy cookie recipies. Also when making cookies and quick breads it is fine to substitute half the white flour with whole wheat flour and add 2 tablespoons of wheat germ to add extra protein. Be a little seaky with your cooking; add extra apples, veggies ect.. to muffins cut down on the sugar with baking. Also I have noticed with my kids if I cut everything into easy to manage pieces and serve them a tray (cheese, meats, veggies, fruit, pretzels and dips)they just eat it up. Good luck, I hope some of this gives you some ideas.