8 yr old daughter holding food in her mouth

[shanistone]

My daughter has always been a picky although healthy eater, but she has begun holding all foods in her mouth and cheeks until it is liquified, and/or chews her food into tiny pieces before swallowing. She barely ate one of her favorite foods (sesame chicken) saying it was too crunchy or hard. We have tried ignoring it, as well as talking to her about it, but it seems to be getting worse. She is losing weight now, and was pretty slim to begin with. We thought it was sort of a game to her at first but it seems to be more of an issue that she has no desire to change now. Any ideas as to what is causing this or how to stop it?

[margypops]

Continue to ignore the behavior if it is getting her attention it could be another reason to do it, so dont discuss it , as if you arent aware it is happening, and see what happens, she may find once it isnt imporatnt she stops it, so dont talk about it anymore, if she is till getting adequate nourishment how she eats isnt too big a problem.Does she do this at other peoples homes and school or is it just in her own home?