Oh, boy. I took Collin to the doctor today for his 4 year checkup and I really got a stern talking to from the doctor about Collin's eating habits. I explained about his sensory integration issues and how we are working on that. We discussed therapy options and what the next step is there.
But she said, regardless of these issues, it is no excuse to have chips and cookies in the house. She said not to buy them. She said I need to cut back on his milk drinking (he drinks NO water at all and really no other kind of drinks except the occasional soda.)
Um, then I told her we went to see the dentist last week. I had told the dentist that I still let him take a sippy cup of milk to bed at night, to which the dentist of course said that HAD to stop immediately. Only water after teeth are brushed. Collin and I discussed this and had planned to buy a special cup for this purpose. We just hadn't done it yet with my family in town for the holiday and all.
Well, when I told the doctor this, her eyes got wide, she looked at Collin's teeth and told me I was lucky he did not have any deterioration to his teeth yet (the dentist told me that too). She asked if I was doing the same thing with Carter. Um, I nodded yes. Another frown.
Yes, I feel like a terrible mother. I know better than to do these things! I really do. But as she said, sometimes we choose the path that's easier in the moment, but is not best in the long run.
When she came back after checking Collin's blood for iron levels (which to her shock were fine), we were summarizing and I said, "So cut back on the chips, cookies, and junk." She said firmly, "No, not cut back. Don't buy it. Don't have it in your house."
Collin had tears in his eyes and got upset. When the dr. left the room, I told him we would still be able to have those things, just not every day. They would be once-in-a-while treats.
BTW, she told me his weight is normal and that we are lucky he doesn't have a problem in this area.
The thing about Collin is he doesn't eat huge portions. He eats very little, in fact. He's not eating compulsively at all. He is eating what is comforting to him, which is crunchy easy to chew or smooth, creamy things. He stops when he's full. From what I've read about sensory integration issues with food, it is almost physically painful for them to eat things with difficult textures. THat's why he gags or chokes on other foods. And he clings to familiar, "safe" foods.
Add to all this the fact that he has celiac disease and can't eat regular grains anyway, and you can understand why he eats the way he does.

But she has a good point that I don't need junk food in the house simply because he has these issues. It's just so hard when you see your child barely eating anything. That when he actually eats something, you almost don't care what it is. You're child is finally eating, for heaven's sake!
Personally, I'd be completely happy to get the junk out of the house. As you know, this is a huge stumbling block for me. I certainly don't need chips and cookies around. And no one else "needs" it either. It's just easier (like the doc said).
So I talked with my husband about all this. He is the difficult one as he has encouraged us to cater to Collin's food preferences. I knew my husband would not be quick to make changes because that would incovenience him (he has to deal with temper tantrums and such.)
He half-heartedly agreed that we need to make these changes. (I mean, how can you not agree that we should all cut out the junk food.) But he said it's going to be a battle to make these changes and that we shouldn't try to do it all overnight. I wasn't planning on throwing out all the chips and stuff tomorrow. I think gradual is fine. But I need him to support me in this or I'm not going to get anywhere.

Oh, and isn't it funny after all this that today is the day I got a delivery from Celiac Specialties Bakery. I had ordered a dozen assorted donuts and Easter cookies. I wanted it in time for Easter, but I guess I didn't get the order in on time. These donuts tasted so good, I have never tasted any gluten free food that was so close to the wheat version. It was amazing.
But I explained to Collin, as I usually do when we special order treats on the internet, that this is a once in a while treat. We can enjoy these donuts and then we probably won't have them for a while until a special occasion. Plus they were expensive! I can't be doing that very often. I had just hoped to put Easter cookies in his Easter basket and have donuts on Easter morning.

So anyway, that is my embarrassing tale of the poor nutrition I provide for my child. But if you've read my blog in the past, you know I have struggled with what to do about this very issue. At least now I have some more direction and it's going to be healthier for everyone.