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My Daughter Won't Eat

My 12 year old daughter is an extremely picky eater--she won't eat anything that she thinks she might not like or remind her of anything she thinks she doesn't like. She convinces herself it's gross and will not try anything. If we try and punish her for refusing to eat, she gets sick and throws up. Once we let her eat junk food or any other unhealthy thing, she stops being "sick" and is just fine again. My question is whether or not this behavior is normal of a 12 yo or should we seek help from a nutritionist or therapist or other type of doctor?
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10836187 tn?1420279659
check this site, might help.

http://www.parents.com/recipes/nutrition/kids/what-to-feed-kids-every-day/
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Avatar universal
I have an extremely picky 11-year-old son. It is SO hard! I went into parenting with grand plans about all the healthy foods I'd prepare and offer, but he was picky literally from the first day we started solids. I know some people feel picky eating is a behavioral issue or an issue of poor parenting, but after having dealt with this for many years - and after having two other children who approach food completely differently - I'm convinced it's something inborn in him. There is some indication that genetics can affect picky eating and taste perception, and I wonder if my son deals with that.

We try to keep mealtimes as calm as possible, and we keep offering healthy foods. We've also talked about what makes/keeps a body healthy, and that sometimes staying healthy is an issue of mind-over-matter. My dad is diabetic and has had some complications due to his diabetes, and we've talked about how Grandpa doesn't always feel like eating the way his diabetes requires, but to prevent consequences he has to do it. Looking at food with a more detached perspective like that has helped some.

I would definitely consider getting some assistance if you haven't found a way to break through, even a little. At this age, there's also the added wrinkle of full-blown eating disorders developing, and that makes me a bit nervous.

Hang in there! I know it's terribly frustrating!
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Avatar universal
Just saying, a nutritionist isn't likely to be very helpful if the problem is your child won't eat anything but what she wants to -- a nutritionist can tell you what's best to eat but not what your child will tolerate going in her mouth.  But if you do decide to see a nutritionist, there are two types -- holistic, which is what I would see, and the standard ones who devise hospital menus and institutional menus -- if you've ever eaten hospital food or institutional food you've seen what nutritionists will do.  Holistic nutritionists will focus more on the individual and on organic food and the like, but they can also be very ideological about a certain approach, so as with any medical professional, be wary.
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Avatar universal
I probably would start with the nutritionist and if it doesn't help then a therapist. If you check my journal you will see a list of healthy smoothies you might give it a try.
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Avatar universal
It seems to go beyond normal, the part of feigning to be sick to get you to do what she wants.  My brother is in his sixties now and still hardly eats anything, and my parents let him get away with it because he had a tremendous temper and it was just easier that way.  Kids figure out what they can get away with.  But as her way of getting what she wants is getting out of your control, it might be time to pursue some counseling whether professionally or in-family.  And you might try to find some positive reinforcement rather than punishment.  But I'm sure you can easily find people more expert in training children than me.
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