nutrition(diabetic ds)

Hi Tina,

My son would be like that if I let him. But I look at and explain to him that just in his religious and moral training it’s not about whether he wants to, just like in manners and respect, it doesn’t matter what he feels, he has to CHOOSE to ACT a certain way. You’re training his palette to consume G-d’s variety of food. Plus, we tell my son (also 8) that he won’t be allowed to be disresepctful and be ungrateful to me and G-d for His Provision and my efforts. I’m not a short-order cook and people don’t get different meals in our home; what I make is for everyone, that’s what everyone eats. Now, based on how well someone likes a certain food, some members may get a larger amount of that item. We have a limited income and follow a whole foods, seasonal approach to nutrition, for many reasons. It is seasonal so it runs on G-d’s schedule of food He provides, the food is less expensive because it is in abundance, so I can buy extra and preserve and it packs in more nutrition because the food isn’t pulled or picked prematurely and is more localized.When my son gives me “a look”, I ask him “How would Laura Ingalls react to her mother? Would she complain or make faces?” We’re big Little House fans and it reminds him how thankful she was and how she didn’t grumble because they ate what they had; that provides some perspective.

Practically, he knows if it’s something he doesn’t care too much about, he knows I won’t give him much, maybe 2 or three bites. So when it’s a new food and something he doesn’t like and it’s served, I give him (and my dd) only 2 or 3 bites and that’s it. He has to eat it first, before eating the other food he likes; and slowly I increase the amount over time. If he’s going to complain or refuse, then he goes without dinner/supper and has to eat it the next day for lunch.

He has gone from not wanting/liking gr. peppers, onions and tomoatoes to be just fine with them using this method.

Also, involving him in growing and/or preparing the food increases their interest in eating it. Having a garden, planting the seeds, nurturing the growth then picking and preparing causes a big attitude difference.

It’s not too late for you to have Fall garden, even in containers, for him to help you with. If not, ya’ll could make take a trip to the farmer’s market or U-Pick farm so he can get an expereince of how food grows (it doesn’t just appear!).

If he helps in preparation (esp. those foods he has an aversion to) will give him a greater respect for what you do and a personal investment for him.

HTH,

Rachel

I highly recommend Molly Katzen’s books “Salad People”, “Pretend Soup” and “Honest Pretzels”.  My midde dd is on the autism spectrum and has difficulty trying unfamiliar foods, but when we make one of Molly Katzen’s fun, healthy recipes she is 90% more likely to eat it (and she loves following Ms. Katzen’s picture recipes).  Also, for the adult palate I would recommend Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon, it has seriously changed our families eating habits forever, it’s a fantastic nutriition course/recipe book all in one!  My mom is diabetic and once I shared this book with her she has been able to manage her body’s needs entirely through nutriition, no medicine whatsoever.  Pretty cool! Rachel