Children and Special Eating Needs

Children and Special Eating Needs ARC © 2/27/2014

What’s a parent to do?

Attitude will be everything with regards to helping or hindering.

The child will pick up `cues’ from their parent.

Is it a `disability’ or a `challenge’ to be overcome?

If the child experiences a `plom’
poor little ol’ me) attitude, there will be future of `victimization’ feelings
and low success in achieving goals.

Instead if the child experiences `need’ as a challenge,
the future will be bright with positive thinking and accomplishment.

So let us examine the problem.
A child has high cholesterol.

The recommendation is:
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/heart/cholesterol.html

1) Increase fruits/vegetables (kids love steamed w/little cheese).
2) Exercise more (get child a jump rope/walk-run together).
3) Lose Weight (substitute wheat for white: rice, bread, etc.).
4) Decrease sugary snacks (¼ cookie plus half banana).
5) Moderate allowance `fatty’ foods (¼ hamburger + lettuce wrap).

Hearing a NO only makes it more desirable.
Hearing a `tiny’ bit coupled with substitution is a winner.

For example: one `candy kiss’ with a piece of apple wins.

A bowl of no salt popcorn instead of potato chips wins.

Unless your child is going to a private school,
it is very unlikely that a school will be able to accommodate to a special eating plan for your child.

So, then what are the choices?
1) Pack the child’s breakfast and/or lunch?
2) Allow the child to eat whatever in school;
overcompensate at home focusing on nutrition (healthy eating for the whole family should be goal).

I think the best solution is number two.
You have a better chance of monitoring at home; increasing positive attitude/change.

Rewards are very positive motivators.
Teach the child that it their goal is like a child athlete training for the bronze, silver, or gold medal.
What is the goal for the cholesterol reading?
What is the goal for exercise?
What is the goal for weight loss?

Create a chart…
monthly examine the progress; give `paste on stars’ that represent the bronze, silver or gold for the month.
EVERYONE WINS/HAPPY!!!