Wednesday, February 24, 2010

On Food

My newest thing is to put something healthy out on the counter to snack on during the day. I found that I was constantly opening up cupboards or the fridge just to look for something to "snack" on.  This week its cherry or grape tomatoes. When I am making the boys something to eat or getting them a snack I already have something healthy out  and I can just pop them right into my mouth. It seems to be working since the chips  are still in the cupboard, kind of like an out of sight out of mind thing.   Now the cookies and Reeses, are still on my mind, but since I'm not eating sweets, they are off limits.

And my one in a million kid, Bogie, has decided to do some crazy bulimic thing. He won't swallow most of his food. Check out Exhibit A.
That is chewed up and spit out bacon and pineapple. The strawberries and olives are gone. But Bogie decided he didn't want to swallow this part of his meal. He put them in his mouth and chewed, but didn't eat it.
He did this at church on Sunday, too. He ate a fig bar on the way to church (because Mr. Dunbar is one of those crazies who says we have to go to the early service, so we eat breakfast in the car on the way to church.) Anyhow, when I went to pick him up, his teacher and the Children's Director said he refused to swallow whatever was in his mouth, (can we say strong willed?) so finally they made him spit it out.  Just wouldn't eat it they said.

Have any of your kids ever done this?  He's doing it with foods he loves (like pineapple), so its not even foods he just doesn't like.   I'm out of ideas on what to do with him on this.

~mrs. dunbar

16 comments:

Martha said...

Oh the stubbornness...I think we for sure worry...with my oldest I just have to act like it doesn't bother me even though it does...not sure on any advice for you...

Nancy said...

It is so hard for me to walk away from the junk right now. The Kid just sold Girl Scout cookies for cryin out loud. Samoas in my cabinet... the temptation is way too strong. I need something fresh and red in a bowl like you. :)

Darlene said...

I'm on a total binge lately mostly due to stress eating because my oldest has been sick. Never heard of the chew and spit routine you're mentioning. Maybe you could bribe him with his favorite toy or activity if he starts swallowing his food again.

When things happen around here - I usually go the "God made it that way" route and the kids seem to respond well to that. Good luck!

Genn said...

I've been really trying to snack healthier too. I'm actually really enjoying the challenge.

No ideas on Bogie chewing his food. My kids haven't done that... yet!

Good luck. Hopefully he stops soon.

Cathy said...

"This too shall pass." He'll swallow when he's hungry. {hugs}

jen@odbt said...

I've been craving grape tomatoes...they would be much healthier and better for my body then the candy hearts I've been snacking on. Maybe Bogie is teething? Maybe the chewing feels good on his teeth. Have you tried frozen gogurts?

Tawny said...

Good idea on putting out a good snack.
I don't know what to say about the spitting?! Occasionally I will get the gagging and then throw up from Miss S...thats no fun either!

Tibbetts 5 said...

Will spit the last bite of every meal back out. I say if he's hungry, he will swallow it :)

Lemonade Makin' Mama said...

Oh girl... I had to give up sugar too! All I want is a Peanut butter cup. But I was having really nasty headaches and now they are gone!

Becca @ My Crazy Good Life said...

My kids have both done it. Just yesterday, my 5 year old put potato salad in his mouth, sucked everything off the potatoes, then spit them out.

My 9 year-old used to keep meat in his mouth for HOURS!!! It. was. gross.

I wouldn't let him leave the kitchen with food in their mouth, but other than that, ignore it. It'll stop. And they definitely won't do it in front of their friends, so hopefully it'll be soon. :)

Janna said...

My daughter does the spitting out thing too. Even with food she likes. I don't get it. She is also strong willed and loves the attention I think. It's starting to be less frequent now that she's becoming more mature. A year ago it was driving me NUTS!!

Katie said...

I've been munchin on grape tomaters too ;)

Anonymous said...

Wow, that looks just like Jacques' dinner! Haha. Funny enough, we have that same plate! :) It's been awhile since I've stopped by. Good to catch up on your life. Love all the Valentine's posts. You are so creative.

Would still love to get together and play with you guys. Let's set a date when we see each other at preschool!

Seizing My Day said...

Don't get me started with my picky eaters!!! =) I was everyone's nanny... motherhood was going to be a breeze for me... and then I met my picky eaters! my anxiety babies! my shy fearful ones... how did these beings come out of my body!?! LOL! Yep.. carrots was a repeat offender! and bananas. and most meat. and. and. and.
Just Jenn

Kristi said...

Hmmm, maybe he just feels like tasting it sometimes... ;)

My daughter is the pickiest eater in the world, and would go many meals without even eating. The best advice I ever got, was, they won't starve themselves, they'll eat when they are hungry.

Good luck with your dilemma. Don't you just love the little "habits" kids come up with? It sure does make life interesting!!!

TheVirginiaHouse said...

I'm so glad I found your blog. Your header pics make me smile, they're so cheerfull! I can relate to this post so much! My 3 year old was/is horrible about holding food in his mouth! Finally we gave up, if he's going to hold, he's going to spit it. (it was messing up his teeth) I think he's growing out of it(fingers crossed). My one year old is opposite, he just chews stuff up and spits it out. Ahh, the trials of life!