Help for slow eater? | ADHD Information

My 11 year old is an extremely slow eater! Some if it is because he is
easily distracted, but it seems to be more an issue of slow chewing. He is
also drinking slowly these days. It doesn't seem to be a power struggle,
he just can't eat very fast. This is a problem because we don't have much
time in the morning and he doesn't eat much lunch because of meds.

We're talking over a half hour for breakfast! I am really getting worried
because he's going to overnight camp this summer and between the other
kids, some foods he probably won't like, and this new slow thing, he's
going to waste away. And yes, he is all of 3%ile now.

Has anyone dealt with this problem? Are there ways to teach your child to
chew faster? ANy help is greatly appreciated.Try Carnation Instant Breakfast, and you can blend in ice cream or a
banana. I also don't give my son meds until after he's eaten something
for breakfast. I give my son 2 dinners to make up for basically skipping
lunch.

As far as slow eating goes, I'd remind him about eating. I literally tell my
son "take another bite" if he hasn't in a while.

The camp - is there a way he could go without meds? If not, I would talk
to the director about his eating issues and explain that he needs access to
plenty of snacks especially at night. Ask them if they need a doctor's
note to confirm it.

How long is he going to be gone for? If it's a couple of weeks, even if he
only eats a quarter what he's eating now, he'll be okay. You can get him
back on an eating schedule when he gets back.No TV, no drink until food is done, and use a timer with a consequence. He can eat faster; you'll be surprised.

Carnation instant breakfast with a scoop of high fat ice cream mixed in is a good one.Oh drat, my reply just disappeared.

My son is scared of some foods (he doesn't eat 'wet' food - no sauces or mixed foods). He became really scared of eating raw carrot (yet he won't eat it cooked...) because he had overheard me saying that young children (ie, toddlers who are learning to eat solid food) choke most often on carrot and apple.

He now pouches carrot in his cheeks and can be chewing it to a pulp long after I think dinner has finished. So, I wonder, is it possible that your son has become worried about his food? My son suffers from a degree of anxiety (a family trait on my husband's side) and he tells me "I don't know how to eat carrot".

Maybe you could ask your son about whether he likes the food, does it concern him at all...?

Re: camp. Can you speak to the teachers etc beforehand and arrange a special diet? If not can you supplement with some portions of crackers, the Carnation breakky milk suggested above, or other dried foods that could help him keep eating?

Just thoughts - good luck.
My 10 yr old son is the same way.  Has no interest in food, needs to be reminded all the time to finish his meal.  Have to make sure to give him is a.m. pill after eating.  I am hoping that this will change once he is a teenager.  It is tricky to have a child that does not eat sandwiches, pizza, or most other kid staples.  He is a stringbean but healthy otherwise.Any sensory with him chewing? Just a thought.

My son eats a large variety of food and textures, so I don't think that's a problem for him.  I think he's got too much to say, and I think sometimes he just forgets to put the food in his mouth and get started.  His mind is going in so many directions.  I just keep giving him reminders, and try to be patient and encouraging.  But I know if I'm not around, (at school or playdates) he's not eating.  He's very thin, but the doctor's not concerned. 

My son, who will be 8 in a couple of weeks, eats soooo slow too.  And he never wants to finish his meal.  Part of the problem is he can't stop talking long enough to get anything in his mouth, and when he does, he chews a long time. 

My husband has little patience for this, and meal time got to be something my son did not look forward to.  My husband has tried bribing, yelling and no-snack-consequences, but it didn't make any difference.  So now I just take my time and eat just as slow as he does so we can enjoy dinner, and he can have someone to listen to him during meal time.  I know it drives my husband crazy, but I refuse to let dinner time be something my child dreads.