My child with Alagille syndrome is going through a ‘picky eater’ phase
Diet and nutrition play a significant role in his liver disease treatment
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When I was little, I was a picky eater. A big fan of peanut butter and jelly, I wasn’t super adventurous and didn’t really eat outside of my comfort zone until I entered high school. Now, as an adult, I’ll eat just about anything. Trying new foods and discovering cool restaurants while traveling are among my favorite things to do. The fact that I grew out of the picky stage gives me hope for my son Finley, who was born with Alagille syndrome and has become more finicky in the last few months.
Between Finley, who is nearly 5, and his older brother, Jackson, who will turn 8 this year, Finley has always been the more adventurous eater. I’ve always appreciated this because diet and nutrition play a significant role in his Alagille syndrome treatment. He requires high-fat and high-calorie foods, so my wife and I will sneak cream cheese and olive oil into spaghetti or add extra butter to his waffles. Until recently, he had been our good eater.
However, just like any other little kid, he has days when he eats like a bottomless pit, and days when he barely eats anything. The latter were hard to adjust to early in his life, given how important calories are to his growth. Over time, it’s become easier to take things day by day. Yes, nutrition is a major focus of his treatment, but one day of not eating well doesn’t mean he will waste away.
Finley isn’t always picky. He loves Chinese food! (Photo by Jay Sandstrom)
But recently, if Finley had his way, he would live off of French toast sticks, white rice, and Go-Gurt. I completely understand that it is normal for kids to push boundaries with what they choose to eat (or not), but it’s frustrating as a parent. It makes it hard to eat out and plan meals. It leads to tired parents making multiple meals.
My wife and I are taking steps to ensure this is just a bump in the road in Finley’s journey with food, as it’s not sustainable in the long term. I don’t believe he’ll remain picky forever, but it sure is hard when he says, “Ew, I don’t like that” about a food he has always eaten.
If I’ve learned anything in my nearly eight years as a parent, it’s that pushing your kids to do something when they’re not ready is never the best method. It can be difficult to hold back when you know that doing something will benefit them, such as trying new foods. I know I need to step back, relax a bit, try to let go of some of my medical trauma, and give Finley some control over what he eats — within reason.
Note: Liver Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Liver Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to liver disease.
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