Son not eating enough. What to do?

Question

I have 2 sons, 10 and 6. I have no issues with the second son and his eating habits are ok. But the first one is very choosy and a very poor eater. He is active, but short compared to his age boys. In his class he is the shortest. We consulted doctors and they all say its normal and the weight is too less because he eats less. We tried all types of food that he likes, but every thing fails. How to improve his eating habits? I am more worried.

Answer 1

man.. don't worry.. if you pressure him to eat food and he actually gets hooked on it, he'll be a f****s all his life.

happened to me lol. i didnt eat anything when i was young and was really skinny, then my parents made me eat.. and yeah fat just exploded. lol jokes didn't explode, but im trying to work the fat off now.

Why worry about this, its nothing to worry about.

Answer 2

well i would try to give him more foods that is enriched with vitsmins ,minerals, ect. or u can make his meals actually look funner like try giving him plenty of colorful foods or even finger foods, but i wouldn't worry too much its probably juss a stage he's going through.

Answer 3

I think parents give their kids too many choices.  Kids will not starve themselves I promise (unless he has a phsycological disorder) which the doctor already eliminated.  Okay my son literally eats one Cheerio at a time and he is beanpole, but perfectly healthy.  My suggestions are . . . make him take a vitamin every morning, stop giving him a bunch of choice, and follow through that he must eat at each meal time.  The vitamin will ensure that he is receiving proper nutrition.  Let him know that "tonight we're ALL having Spaghetti and Broccoli and that's your only choice".  There will be no snack later or special meal made just for him.  He'll freak out at first, but like I said he will not starve to death.  Make him sit at the table with you breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Insist that he try a bite of everything.  Lastly if you think he can understand talk to him about what food does for your body.  My son likes to learn how protein builds muscle or carrot help vision.  Then when he eats he thinks about the food and how it will help his body.  Good luck!

Answer 4

I would get him involved in grocery shopping and preparing his own food.  He is old enough to help and it is fun to eat something you have created.  One idea is buying whole wheat pita bread, spaghetti sauce, cheese and pizza toppings and let him make is own pizza.  You have all the major food groups covered and have an easy fun dinner!

Answer 5

I have that problem with my son but he is very tall. He is on the 95 centile for height but only 50 for weight. Not much can be done the doc says, try milk (my son is dairy intolerant and HATES milk so no good for us) with icecream in it. I give my son Incremin to try and up his appetitie. It is worth a try at this point. His twin is the opposite. She loves her food and eats everything.

Answer 6

You said that you give him all the foods he likes, but how about giving him bigger portions? Try to get him to eat more meat and complex carbs, which are very caloric and nutrient-dense.

Also, his short stature might not be because of poor diet--does he get enough sleep?

Answer 7

How about giving him some vitamin suppliments and other medication which will stimulate his appetite.

Answer 8

Its normal, my brother was like that, but now -- he's getting better (only 9) but im sure by 10 max. he'll be okay! :)

-H

P.S.: don't ask him "want this or that or those" just put the food in-front of him, he'll eat it eventually!

Answer 9

maybe his metabolism is just really fast. that is the same with my little brother. dont worry about it- maybe try feeding him more noodles and bread- carbs.

Answer 10

Don't worry about it. If he is hungry feed him and explain to him that he will eat what everyone else eats or he won't eat. Eventually he will eat.