15 year old fussy eater

jaylee3

He sounds like a typical teen. Don't worry about him OP. Just let him eat what he likes.

summerspring

Has he had any tummy problems, or digestive/bladder issues? I was just wondering if any of these foods have caused him discomfort in the past, or if he associates them with feeling ill.

tibawo

Although I can't offer advice I thought I'd let you know he is not the only one. My two are like chalk and cheese when it comes to food. One loves veg and the older one used to sneak it on to her plate to look like she had eaten some. The veg loving one is still picky over what meat/poultry she likes but is getting better as she gets older. I did think at one point she might just naturally be a vegetarian, not that this would be an issue. The other likes fruit and has recently discovered, and makes her own smoothies.

I try not to pander to their 'wants' but do tend to favour veg etc that I know we all like. Not to say we don't try new things.

carmina_piranha

What 3 protein items was he arguing for at school?

If he doesn't like sandwich fillings could he just have breadsticks or crackers? My child took dry crackers for his school lunch.

As yours likes eggs, he could have a cold boiled egg for protein.

I'd stop buying pot noodles, they're so expensive. Let him have bread/toast instead, and tell him to cook himself an egg if he doesn't like your dinner.

Do you ever have pizza?

gayleygoo

I, my sister, and cousins were picky eaters, although we did at least like some healthy things too. Most of the people I know who used to be picky eaters are all fine now, even if we were pandered to a bit (my poor Mum often made 3 or 4 different meals in one evening!) I still don't like bread/sandwiches, fish and a few other things, but I eat quite healthily.

Your son is an age where he should be learning to cook. He may not thank you for the encouragement now, but he will be thankful later in life! Maybe you could get him to browse online for new recipes he likes the look of, tell him to pick at least 10, some for you to make for family meals, others for him to cook for himself/you all. I like Yummly.com as a source of inspiration.

Could he get together with his friends on a Saturday night to cook a decent meal for themselves? Sorry, your kitchen will probably be disastrous after, unless you can be firm that they clean up after themselves! Or they could do it "com dine with me" style, and take turns hosting a dinner party at each others' houses. It would give them all an incentive to cook. They could even learn a few starters, puddings/bakes, and non-alcoholic cocktails! Show them how to set the table nicely, or have him browse Pinterest for trendy ways to do it.

He may just be at an age where he wants more control over his life and what he eats - show him that he can have more control in other ways. I like the idea that another poster suggested - 3 or 4 nights a week he can have fish fingers or pot noodle, but the rest of the week he has to eat what you make?

WeAreGhosts

I agree with stopping buying pot noodles.

You can buy fresh or dried egg noodles from supermarkets - I like Morrisons own fresh noodles - and I stir fry them with some veg. I know you say he doesn't like veg but how about mushrooms, spring onions, peppers ... veg that's not boiled carrots, if you see what I mean. Get him to cook it all in one wok/frying pan with some sauce (bottled or 'fresh' from the chiller compartments) and he's got a relatively healthy meal there. It's gotta be tastier than a pot noodle.

if not, try the Naked Noodles brand. they taste a bit more like food!

Spendless

I also have a 15yo son, who we have issues with over food. Not because he is fussy, he will pretty much eat anything, but because what he wants to eat is junk and his portion control is way out!

Can't say I have found a magical solution as this is still ongoing, but here are some things I've found helpful.

Mine is less likely to argue about what he wants to eat, if the meal is served up, rather than me saying what I'm going to make for the next meal, which opens him up to saying he'd prefer something else.

He wants to eat 'instant' stuff, so I prepare meals in advance, using slow cooker if need be or have some snacks in for things like straight after school.

I watched 'Eat Well for less' this week, just because I got interested in the program and DS was in the room. From that he mentioned fancying wraps for the following night for tea, which was happy to do and also making the tuna burgers - haven't done so yet.

Involve him in the cooking of meals or even growing of veg/herbs. My DS does cookery at school, having changed an option last year and I make sure I compliment him on his soup making ability.;)

Look at the fast food options he does like and make a variation at home and look at variations to add or adapt to them.

DigForVictory

I've no idea what your or his social life is like, but if you can get him to Scouts, he'll be eating whatever's going in pretty short order. The teenage metabolism is a furnace & when your next meal is shared with twenty other ravening scouts? Leftovers never see a bin, just a different scout..

In case there are Issues, the practice nurse can weigh & measure him & dish up an opinion, recommend the GP (or not) & give you a lot of reassurance, but ease off buying pot noodle & see how eating en masse does?

It's rough on you, but throwing food away isn't a path forward.

System

Has it crossed your mind that he is trying to bulk up but is too ashamed to admit it to you?

Pot noodles and fried chicken are both protein rich! You said he eats half a loaf of bread as well, is it whole wheat or white? Both are used to increase muscle mass but whole wheat is better. He's 15 and probably image conscious and wont admit it but i bet that is what he's doing

I forgot to add eggs, they are also protein rich.

trolleyrun

My younger sister was brought up to be a spoilt little madam. She was fussy about food and my stepmother cooked two different meals for dinner. The rest of us had to eat what we were given, whether we liked it or not. By the time my sister reached 17 she was underweight and malnourished, as her fussiness about food had developed into an eating disorder of such as she'd convinced herself that she couldn't eat most food as it would make her ill.

I can understand someone not liking some foods, but to not like such a vast amount makes it sound like your son is trying it on and seeing how far he'll get. You mention he doesn't like being told what to do. Of course he doesn't, he's a teenager. That doesn't mean you can't tell him what to do though, as you're his parent. Also, he needs to be taught that there will be many times in his life where he'll be told what to do, such as given orders by his future boss etc.

I can only echo other posters saying about not buying pot noodles. Perhaps do a weekly meal planner as a family, where everyone gets to choose a dish each per week. Tell him you cannot afford food to go in the bin and if he won't eat what you're making he can have dry toast. He'll say it's unfair or whatever, but stand your ground. After all, it's for his own good and sometimes we have to be cruel to be kind.