teenage son not eating enough

ms.manx

My 13 year old son has Fibromyalgia (as do I). When he gets tired, which is quite often, he just has no interest in food. I can nag him into eating a bit, but not much. What I need is suggestions for high nutritional and calorie laden food, where a little will go a long way if you know what I mean
His illness is not too bad at the moment, he misses very little school, but longs to join in the same activities as the other kids. He has been banned from PE by us as he will take part but then be completely wiped out for several days, barely able to attend school. He hates feeling different. We treat all the kids the same, he doesnt often get out of his chores etc, but we have had to develop a keen eye so that we can step in when he starts to have trouble coping.
Anyway, I am rambling now, sorry:o
Any ideas?

Gingernutmeg

Even if he's not into 'eating', might he be interested in something he could drink? I'm thinking along the lines of a high-calorie 'milkshake' kind of thing, ice-cream, yogurt, fruit, perhaps with some protein powder or complan mixed in ... It's surprising how many calories you can take in without really realising it when you're drinking something rather than eating. We've made similar drinks for my gran when she's been unwell and off food, and it always seems to help.

linzibean

Try talking to yoru GP about nutritional drinks - I had a friend whose jaw was broken and reset, who lived off these nutritional milkshakes and juices for a good couple of months!

PasturesNew

nuts, peanuts, peanut butter, cheese

ms.manx

Thank you for all the ideas. I shall go into town tomorrow and find some of these drinks, and maybe having a bag of nuts to give him to nibble on when he has no appetite would help - they are very moreish!
He was in bed by eight tonight, he has only eaten some toast today. I made a roast, he just looked like he wanted to cry at the thought of the energy required to eat it. Poor soul.
Thank you all again for your help.
x x x

mrcow

ms.manx wrote: »

Thank you for all the ideas. I shall go into town tomorrow and find some of these drinks

They are quite pricey.....if you get on with them and they help him, go and speak to your GP about getting them on prescription.

My Grandad used to do this which really helped with the cost (obviously!)

wellsie82

Sorry to hear your son is off his food!

On the same lines of Complan you could try Fortini Multi Fibre can be used to supplement the diet of children who are unable to meet their nutritional requirements from other foods, or it is suitable as a sole source of nutrition for children aged 1-6 years or 8-20kg body weight.

You will have to talk to your GP as i dont think this can be bought in the shops.

It comes in loads of flavours aswell

maninthestreet

How much does he actually weigh, and how tall is he?

verynewmoneysaver

Maybe your son can be referred to a dietitian by the GP,though there may be a long waiting list. The GP or dietitan could prescribe these supplements. My son has Crohn's diesase and he has been prescribed Ensure Plus, which are either milkshake type drinks or fruit type drinks. Before he was prescribed these by the dietitian I used to make him Complan drinks, but he prefers the ones prescribed.

juliettet

I too think he can be helped with Ensure or similar. I was perscribed these in my teen's for crohn's and they really helped me to start to put weight on. They really fill you up at first, but soon I was wanting to eat 'normal food' too and if you are that unwell even a piece of toast is an ordeal. It is a vicious circle to be too tired to eat, give him tiny portions of cheese and anything else you know he might try. A full plate puts you off. I hope he feels better soon poor lamb.

ms.manx

Thank you for all your help. I am really trying not to make an issue of the not eating, so what I have been doing is loading his food with butter/cream so that even if he only eats a little he will have taken in quite a few calories, am makng complan drinks for him morning and night with full cream milk (telling him they are vitamin drinks to avoid making an issue of food), also popping a plate of biscuits in his room when the boys are all in there in the hope that he will nibble at them. Also hot chocolate with cream. All unhealthy, but better than nothing at all.
I can really see a difference in him already, he is less sad and a bit brighter though he still hasnt any great desire to eat much. He has lost quite a bit of weight, but not so that he would be seriously underweight, but he gets very tired with his illness, stops eating, gets more tired etc etc.
You have all been such a great help, I would never have thought of these drinks if it hadnt been suggested here.
Thank you all
x x x