New research targets childhood 'picky eating' as a selective eating disoder: Gluten-free recipe included

Sunday, May 05, 2013 by: Eric L. Zielinski
Tags: gluten-free, selective eating disorder, picky eaters

(NaturalNews) Duke University is currently conducting a survey titled, "Finding Foods Fearful: A Study of Children and Adolescents with a Fear of Trying New Foods." In an attempt to "develop new treatments, help parents feel less blamed, and learn more about the development of taste preference," researchers are encouraging parents to participate if they think their child has a fear of trying new foods or has such a limited diet that it "gets in his or her way."

In the survey, Duke University is asking parents some of the following questions:

• Does your child's eating selection get in the way of being able to attend parties or sleepovers?
• Has your child's eating habits made you feel insecure about your parenting abilities?
• Do you worry about your child's health because of his or her eating?

The underlying tone in this approach is the presupposition that "picky eaters" have some sort of eating disorder that needs be treated and/or managed by a health care professional. If this tread continues, we'll see more children targeted for psychological or pharmaceutical therapy.

Selective Eating Disorder

According to psychologists, children who are picky eaters are diagnosed with having a Selective Eating Disorder (SED) - also known as Perseverative Feeding Disorder or food neophobia, SED is defined as "eating an extremely limited range of foods that may include avoidance of unfamiliar foods or rejection of foods based on sensory characteristics, causing significant anxiety in eating-related situations." In theory, these children have obsessive-compulsive characteristics and it is suspected that they can even suffer from depression and other psychological concerns due to their disorder alienating them at school lunches or social gatherings. If untreated, picky eaters are thought to be at risk to develop significant eating disorders when they become adults.

The most common type of treatment for SED is some form of cognitive-behavioral therapy. It has been proposed that working with a trained therapist can help to change behaviors and eliminate symptoms more quickly than without treatment.

Recognizing that kids are kids, and not miniature adults, it is important to remember that children go through various phases and seasons in their lives. This is particularly true of eating habits. Give your kids some time to grow out of picky eating behaviors and, more importantly, be creative with the foods that you feed them.

Gluten-free chocolate super green pancakes

This recipe has the consistency of a gooey brownie. It can be made on the fly when time you need something quick for lunch or dinner. Top it off with some strawberries, blueberries, and bananas for a healthy treat!

Makes 8 pancakes

Wet Ingredients:

2 eggs
1 T vanilla extract
1 1/2- 2 cups coconut / almond milk

Dry Ingredients:

1/2 cup almond flour
1/2 cup coconut flour
1/4 cup rice flour
1/4 cup potato starch
1/4 cup super green powder (any brand will do - we mix our own)
1/4 cup ground flax seed
1 t stevia powder
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 t Himalayan sea salt
1 t pumpkin pie spice
1 T egg replacer

Beat eggs and mix wet and dry ingredients in separate containers. Combine ingredients and pan fry in coconut oil. Make sure there is enough coconut oil to cover the entire pan.

Sources for this article include:

Lask B. Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence: Prognosis and outcome. Taylor & Francis, 2000.

http://mealtimehostage.wordpress.com

http://www.dukehealth.org

Nicholls D, Bryant-Waugh R. Eating disorders of infancy and childhood: definition, symptomatology, epidemiology, and comorbidity. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2009 Jan;18(1):17-30. doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2008.07.008.

About the author:
Eric L. Zielinski, DC (c), MPH (c) has devoted his life to natural health and wellness for over a decade. Inspired by the timeless principles in the Bible, Eric's mission is to seek out ways to provide people with simple, evidenced-based tools that they need to achieve the Abundant Life. Formally trained as a chiropractor, Eric's primary approach is to serve his patients and clients through natural health care, nutrition counseling, spiritual mentorship, and empowering life strategies!

Eric is available for long distance consultations and wellness coaching to help YOU reach your health goals. For more information click here or visit his website www.DrEricZ.com.