An Update on the Daycare Situation & Question for Bee

[Guest guest]

Hi Bee,

Well, I finally got the doctor's note so that the daycare will follow

your diet. I haven't actually talked to the pediatrician yet, but

she wrote the note following recommendations from the psychologist

and special ed co-ordinator who have been assessing my son's

behavioural issues. They were quite impressed that so much had

improved with him following your diet that they couldn't help but

agree that this diet is the best way for him to eat.

But what thrilled me most was to find out that the special ed co-

ordinator eats coconut oil!!! And she raved at how good it is. So,

I'm sure that helped my case. I didn't mention candida at all, just

focused on the good outcome.

I'm a bit frustrated now because the daycare just asked me if the

cook in the kitchen could speak to a dietician about what to feed

him. Well, I couldn't very well say no because I was afraid that

this would make me look suspicious, so I agreed to let her do that.

I don't see what the problem is, though, she's been feeding him

successfully for the past month with no seemingly no problems.

One thing it could be is that they are worried because he is always

asking for food. He has always done that at home (I just say no),

but now that he is more comfortable with them, he's doing the same

there and they are worried that he's hungry because he's not getting

any high carbs " to give him energy " . I told them to increase his

butter intake, but I think they want to increase the frequency of his

meals. As it is, he has breakfast at home (2-3 eggs), then a snack

mid-morning at the daycare(cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes), lunch

(they usually don't force him to eat the meat, which is rather

frustrating) and a mid-afternoon snack (usually another egg or two).

I can't imagine why they think he needs to eat more often than that.

I did tell his teacher that this is just a habit for him, always

asking for food like this. Told her that last night he had a an egg

and a big bowl of chili (more than what I ate!) for dinner. And as

soon as I took his bowl away, he said he was hungry and asked for a

snack. [Luckily he knows that his snacks are only ever cucumber,

peppers and tomatoes, or left-overs, nothing from the no-no list.]

But still.... I just don't think he's hungry. By now, he should be

over that initial " hungry all the time " stage that we all went

through when we started this diet [during the switch-over from carb

to fat energy]. I do limit his snacking at home. I even have a lock

on the fridge! I think he's maybe just one of those kids that likes

to graze all day (that was something I used to allow) and I want to

stop that behaviour at the daycare.

Bee, do you have any suggestions for me? What can I tell the

school? Even the district child health care nurse told me that it's

just a habit and to keep saying no to the snacking. I told his

teacher that, but I don't think she believed me. They just look at

me like I am crazy! I'm just worried that they are going to think

I'm an unfit mother or something and pretty soon I'll have child

protective services at my door. Well, no doubt they would probably

be shocked to see how well my son eats and even begs for his vitamins

in the morning.

It's just so frustrating...

Sorry this was so long. It kind of turned into a rant at the end.

Hope you are well.

[Guest guest]

My son who is 6 also eats an enormous amount of food. I never say no if he

is hungry. I just assume he is hungry. He is not overweight. In fact at his

last checkup he had perfect body mass ratio. The thing about him is that he

will go through phases where his consumption will go up suddenly.

Especially eggs. He will eat 6 at a time. I just assume that he is in a

growth spurt. It passes after a while and he is back to his normal huge

amounts of food. The younger the child, the more frequently he or she needs

to eat. Why would you assume that asking for food is only a habit and he is

not hungry? And how on earth would the district health care nurse know

whether your child is really hungry or not? Just my opinion, but your child

is growing, let him eat.

Irene

At 12:47 AM 9/18/2008, you wrote:

>Hi Bee,

>

>Well, I finally got the doctor's note so that the daycare will follow

>your diet. I haven't actually talked to the pediatrician yet, but

>she wrote the note following recommendations from the psychologist

>and special ed co-ordinator who have been assessing my son's

>behavioural issues. They were quite impressed that so much had

>improved with him following your diet that they couldn't help but

>agree that this diet is the best way for him to eat.

>

>But what thrilled me most was to find out that the special ed co-

>ordinator eats coconut oil!!! And she raved at how good it is. So,

>I'm sure that helped my case. I didn't mention candida at all, just

>focused on the good outcome.

>

>I'm a bit frustrated now because the daycare just asked me if the

>cook in the kitchen could speak to a dietician about what to feed

>him. Well, I couldn't very well say no because I was afraid that

>this would make me look suspicious, so I agreed to let her do that.

>I don't see what the problem is, though, she's been feeding him

>successfully for the past month with no seemingly no problems.

>

>One thing it could be is that they are worried because he is always

>asking for food. He has always done that at home (I just say no),

>but now that he is more comfortable with them, he's doing the same

>there and they are worried that he's hungry because he's not getting

>any high carbs " to give him energy " . I told them to increase his

>butter intake, but I think they want to increase the frequency of his

>meals. As it is, he has breakfast at home (2-3 eggs), then a snack

>mid-morning at the daycare(cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes), lunch

>(they usually don't force him to eat the meat, which is rather

>frustrating) and a mid-afternoon snack (usually another egg or two).

>I can't imagine why they think he needs to eat more often than that.

>

>I did tell his teacher that this is just a habit for him, always

>asking for food like this. Told her that last night he had a an egg

>and a big bowl of chili (more than what I ate!) for dinner. And as

>soon as I took his bowl away, he said he was hungry and asked for a

>snack. [Luckily he knows that his snacks are only ever cucumber,

>peppers and tomatoes, or left-overs, nothing from the no-no list.]

>But still.... I just don't think he's hungry. By now, he should be

>over that initial " hungry all the time " stage that we all went

>through when we started this diet [during the switch-over from carb

>to fat energy]. I do limit his snacking at home. I even have a lock

>on the fridge! I think he's maybe just one of those kids that likes

>to graze all day (that was something I used to allow) and I want to

>stop that behaviour at the daycare.

>

>Bee, do you have any suggestions for me? What can I tell the

>school? Even the district child health care nurse told me that it's

>just a habit and to keep saying no to the snacking. I told his

>teacher that, but I don't think she believed me. They just look at

>me like I am crazy! I'm just worried that they are going to think

>I'm an unfit mother or something and pretty soon I'll have child

>protective services at my door. Well, no doubt they would probably

>be shocked to see how well my son eats and even begs for his vitamins

>in the morning.

>

>It's just so frustrating...

>

>Sorry this was so long. It kind of turned into a rant at the end.

>Hope you are well.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

One more thought. If I had a snack of just cucumbers peppers and tomatoes,

I would be begging for more food 15 minutes later. I would at least need to

have some fat with that.

I had an interesting discussion with the woman I buy my eggs from. My son

has been in his growth spurt and we have been going through over a dozen

eggs a day. I was a little embarrassed when I went to her but buy ANOTHER 6

dozen. So I explained to her how my son eats tons of eggs when he is in a

growth spurt. She told be something very interesting. She said that eggs

were an old remedy for children's " growing pains " and people fed their kids

eggs to make the pains go away.

Irene

At 03:49 AM 9/18/2008, you wrote:

>My son who is 6 also eats an enormous amount of food. I never say no if he

>is hungry. I just assume he is hungry. He is not overweight. In fact at his

>last checkup he had perfect body mass ratio. The thing about him is that he

>will go through phases where his consumption will go up suddenly.

>Especially eggs. He will eat 6 at a time. I just assume that he is in a

>growth spurt. It passes after a while and he is back to his normal huge

>amounts of food. The younger the child, the more frequently he or she needs

>to eat. Why would you assume that asking for food is only a habit and he is

>not hungry? And how on earth would the district health care nurse know

>whether your child is really hungry or not? Just my opinion, but your child

>is growing, let him eat.

>

>Irene

>

>At 12:47 AM 9/18/2008, you wrote:

>

> >Hi Bee,

> >

> >Well, I finally got the doctor's note so that the daycare will follow

> >your diet. I haven't actually talked to the pediatrician yet, but

> >she wrote the note following recommendations from the psychologist

> >and special ed co-ordinator who have been assessing my son's

> >behavioural issues. They were quite impressed that so much had

> >improved with him following your diet that they couldn't help but

> >agree that this diet is the best way for him to eat.

> >

> >But what thrilled me most was to find out that the special ed co-

> >ordinator eats coconut oil!!! And she raved at how good it is. So,

> >I'm sure that helped my case. I didn't mention candida at all, just

> >focused on the good outcome.

> >

> >I'm a bit frustrated now because the daycare just asked me if the

> >cook in the kitchen could speak to a dietician about what to feed

> >him. Well, I couldn't very well say no because I was afraid that

> >this would make me look suspicious, so I agreed to let her do that.

> >I don't see what the problem is, though, she's been feeding him

> >successfully for the past month with no seemingly no problems.

> >

> >One thing it could be is that they are worried because he is always

> >asking for food. He has always done that at home (I just say no),

> >but now that he is more comfortable with them, he's doing the same

> >there and they are worried that he's hungry because he's not getting

> >any high carbs " to give him energy " . I told them to increase his

> >butter intake, but I think they want to increase the frequency of his

> >meals. As it is, he has breakfast at home (2-3 eggs), then a snack

> >mid-morning at the daycare(cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes), lunch

> >(they usually don't force him to eat the meat, which is rather

> >frustrating) and a mid-afternoon snack (usually another egg or two).

> >I can't imagine why they think he needs to eat more often than that.

> >

> >I did tell his teacher that this is just a habit for him, always

> >asking for food like this. Told her that last night he had a an egg

> >and a big bowl of chili (more than what I ate!) for dinner. And as

> >soon as I took his bowl away, he said he was hungry and asked for a

> >snack. [Luckily he knows that his snacks are only ever cucumber,

> >peppers and tomatoes, or left-overs, nothing from the no-no list.]

> >But still.... I just don't think he's hungry. By now, he should be

> >over that initial " hungry all the time " stage that we all went

> >through when we started this diet [during the switch-over from carb

> >to fat energy]. I do limit his snacking at home. I even have a lock

> >on the fridge! I think he's maybe just one of those kids that likes

> >to graze all day (that was something I used to allow) and I want to

> >stop that behaviour at the daycare.

> >

> >Bee, do you have any suggestions for me? What can I tell the

> >school? Even the district child health care nurse told me that it's

> >just a habit and to keep saying no to the snacking. I told his

> >teacher that, but I don't think she believed me. They just look at

> >me like I am crazy! I'm just worried that they are going to think

> >I'm an unfit mother or something and pretty soon I'll have child

> >protective services at my door. Well, no doubt they would probably

> >be shocked to see how well my son eats and even begs for his vitamins

> >in the morning.

> >

> >It's just so frustrating...

> >

> >Sorry this was so long. It kind of turned into a rant at the end.

> >Hope you are well.

> >

> >

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

You know my 6 yr old daughter loves eggs. She could eat eggs day &

nite. And I keep telling her to have a varied diet. Now I think i'll

let her.

BTW, if only organic eggs were cheaper here. I'm paying $12 for a

dozen. I cant imagine how much we'll be spending on eggs when the whole

family gets on the program!

Shirin

> She said that eggs

> were an old remedy for children's " growing pains " and people fed

their kids

> eggs to make the pains go away.

> Irene

[Guest guest]

I know what you are saying, Irene. I recognize that kids burn a lot

of energy playing and running around, but have small stomachs to

fill. I do try to let him eat if I think he is truly hungry. It's

just that if he asks for a snack while he's still chewing his last

bite of dinner, I have a hard time believing that he's hungry.

At first, I didn't want to believe the district health nurse either,

but then I started to notice patterns. For example, my son only says

he's hungry if he thinks he's going to get carbs like tomatoes,

cucumber or peppers - he has quite a sweet tooth. He's magically no

longer hungry if the offering is chicken soup or some other food he's

not particularly fond of. Also, if he's watching TV, he will

generally ask for a snack, even if he just ate a full meal. This is

where I think the habit is forming.

My son is only 3 and a half and is not overweight. He's actually

rather muscular-looking. I just know that Bee doesn't recommend

snacking on this diet in order to allow digestive processes to

function better and that was my concern. Seeing that he has two

snacks and a full hot meal at the daycare [he goes from 8:30-4:30], I

am a bit concerned about adding more snacks/meals throughout the

day. Does that make sense??

Thanks for your input!

>

> My son who is 6 also eats an enormous amount of food. I never say

no if he

> is hungry. I just assume he is hungry. He is not overweight. In

fact at his

> last checkup he had perfect body mass ratio. The thing about him is

that he

> will go through phases where his consumption will go up suddenly.

> Especially eggs. He will eat 6 at a time. I just assume that he is

in a

> growth spurt. It passes after a while and he is back to his normal

huge

> amounts of food. The younger the child, the more frequently he or

she needs

> to eat. Why would you assume that asking for food is only a habit

and he is

> not hungry? And how on earth would the district health care nurse

know

> whether your child is really hungry or not? Just my opinion, but

your child

> is growing, let him eat.

>

> Irene

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sorry, my bad: I forgot to mention that the cucumbers usually come

with butter sandwiched between them!

Eggs are a real priority in this house, too. We typically go through

about 4 dozen eggs a week and there are only 3 of us.

>

> One more thought. If I had a snack of just cucumbers peppers and

tomatoes,

> I would be begging for more food 15 minutes later. I would at least

need to

> have some fat with that.

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi Bee,

>

> Well, I finally got the doctor's note so that the daycare will

follow

> your diet. I haven't actually talked to the pediatrician yet, but

> she wrote the note following recommendations from the psychologist

> and special ed co-ordinator who have been assessing my son's

> behavioural issues. They were quite impressed that so much had

> improved with him following your diet that they couldn't help but

> agree that this diet is the best way for him to eat.

> But what thrilled me most was to find out that the special ed co-

> ordinator eats coconut oil!!! And she raved at how good it is.

So, I'm sure that helped my case. I didn't mention candida at all,

just focused on the good outcome.

+++Yippee, Hooray, for you and your son!!! I'm so very happy

for you! That's very well done . Man, this must be so

frustrating for you, and scarey!!

>

> I'm a bit frustrated now because the daycare just asked me if the

> cook in the kitchen could speak to a dietician about what to feed

> him. Well, I couldn't very well say no because I was afraid that

> this would make me look suspicious, so I agreed to let her do that.

> I don't see what the problem is, though, she's been feeding him

> successfully for the past month with no seemingly no problems.

+++You might need to investigate further to see if the dietician

thinks he is okay with " bad " oils, yogurt, sugar substitutes, etc.,

etc.

>

> One thing it could be is that they are worried because he is always

> asking for food. He has always done that at home (I just say no),

> but now that he is more comfortable with them, he's doing the same

> there and they are worried that he's hungry because he's not

getting any high carbs " to give him energy " . I told them to increase

his butter intake, but I think they want to increase the frequency of

his meals. As it is, he has breakfast at home (2-3 eggs), then a

snack mid-morning at the daycare(cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes),

lunch (they usually don't force him to eat the meat, which is rather

> frustrating) and a mid-afternoon snack (usually another egg or

two). I can't imagine why they think he needs to eat more often than

that.

> I did tell his teacher that this is just a habit for him, always

> asking for food like this. Told her that last night he had a an

egg

> and a big bowl of chili (more than what I ate!) for dinner. And as

> soon as I took his bowl away, he said he was hungry and asked for a

> snack. [Luckily he knows that his snacks are only ever cucumber,

> peppers and tomatoes, or left-overs, nothing from the no-no list.]

> But still.... I just don't think he's hungry. By now, he should be

> over that initial " hungry all the time " stage that we all went

> through when we started this diet [during the switch-over from carb

> to fat energy]. I do limit his snacking at home. I even have a

lock

> on the fridge! I think he's maybe just one of those kids that

likes

> to graze all day (that was something I used to allow) and I want to

> stop that behaviour at the daycare.

> Bee, do you have any suggestions for me? What can I tell the

> school? Even the district child health care nurse told me that

it's just a habit and to keep saying no to the snacking. I told his

> teacher that, but I don't think she believed me. They just look at

> me like I am crazy! I'm just worried that they are going to think

> I'm an unfit mother or something and pretty soon I'll have child

> protective services at my door. Well, no doubt they would probably

> be shocked to see how well my son eats and even begs for his

vitamins in the morning.

+++I suggest you write a letter to the Day Care Manager, with a cc

(copy) to teachers, dietician, and even the District Health Nurse. I

think they all need it in black and white at this point. You can

explain that you mistakenedly instilled the bad habits in your son,

but have realized it wasn't good for him, and have decided to correct

it, etc., and you need their cooperation in this also. Also quote

what the District Health Nurse said.

>

> It's just so frustrating...

+++Amen!! I feel for you . It is extremely tough and

draining to have to fight this on top of dealing with your sick son

and studying, etc., etc.

>

> Sorry this was so long. It kind of turned into a rant at the end.

+++Rant away my dear. You need to get it off your chest; do some

deep breathing, or even punch a pillow if you need to.

> Hope you are well.

I'm good. Thanks.

Crossing my fingers & praying, Bee

[Guest guest]

I don't know. You know your son best. My son will often ask for more food a

short while after eating. As long as it is a legal food, I go ahead and let

him have it. He doesn't eat in front of the TV so we don't have that

dynamic. I don't control his portions. He can have two bowls of chili for

lunch and ask for another one an hour later. His snacks are meals for other

kids. He also binges on tomatoes. I know that isn't good but in that area,

I take the advice in Bee's files on kids. She says not to be too rigid with

them. I figure eating tomatoes is way better than what most kids eat. Of

course that may slow down progress. I don't know. I do cut him off if I

think it is really going overboard.

Anyway, you have to do what you think is best.

Irene

At 04:13 AM 9/18/2008, you wrote:

>I know what you are saying, Irene. I recognize that kids burn a lot

>of energy playing and running around, but have small stomachs to

>fill. I do try to let him eat if I think he is truly hungry. It's

>just that if he asks for a snack while he's still chewing his last

>bite of dinner, I have a hard time believing that he's hungry.

>

>At first, I didn't want to believe the district health nurse either,

>but then I started to notice patterns. For example, my son only says

>he's hungry if he thinks he's going to get carbs like tomatoes,

>cucumber or peppers - he has quite a sweet tooth. He's magically no

>longer hungry if the offering is chicken soup or some other food he's

>not particularly fond of. Also, if he's watching TV, he will

>generally ask for a snack, even if he just ate a full meal. This is

>where I think the habit is forming.

>

>My son is only 3 and a half and is not overweight. He's actually

>rather muscular-looking. I just know that Bee doesn't recommend

>snacking on this diet in order to allow digestive processes to

>function better and that was my concern. Seeing that he has two

>snacks and a full hot meal at the daycare [he goes from 8:30-4:30], I

>am a bit concerned about adding more snacks/meals throughout the

>day. Does that make sense??

>

>Thanks for your input!

>

>

>

> >

> > My son who is 6 also eats an enormous amount of food. I never say

>no if he

> > is hungry. I just assume he is hungry. He is not overweight. In

>fact at his

> > last checkup he had perfect body mass ratio. The thing about him is

>that he

> > will go through phases where his consumption will go up suddenly.

> > Especially eggs. He will eat 6 at a time. I just assume that he is

>in a

> > growth spurt. It passes after a while and he is back to his normal

>huge

> > amounts of food. The younger the child, the more frequently he or

>she needs

> > to eat. Why would you assume that asking for food is only a habit

>and he is

> > not hungry? And how on earth would the district health care nurse

>know

> > whether your child is really hungry or not? Just my opinion, but

>your child

> > is growing, let him eat.

> >

> > Irene

> >

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much, Bee!

> +++You might need to investigate further to see if the dietician

> thinks he is okay with " bad " oils, yogurt, sugar substitutes, etc.,

> etc.

> >

Yes, I have been worried about this. I'm afraid to ask what they

cook his food with, but I did include all those oils on

the " forbidden foods " list that I gave them. I also highly doubt

that the salt they cook with at school is the right kind. I still

haven't found any here, but they do have Himalayan pink salt and the

package reads that it contains " many " minerals. Labelling in this

country is a bit of a joke.

> +++I suggest you write a letter to the Day Care Manager, with a cc

> (copy) to teachers, dietician, and even the District Health Nurse.

I think they all need it in black and white at this point. You can

> explain that you mistakenedly instilled the bad habits in your son,

> but have realized it wasn't good for him, and have decided to

correct it, etc., and you need their cooperation in this also. Also

quote what the District Health Nurse said.

> >

That is a good idea. I should get started on some sort of letter

right away. I have no idea who the dietician is or what her idea

of " good food " is, so I'm a little unnerved by her coming in. I can

feel a bit of a fight coming on...

I was also thinking I could bring the school cook some recipes. For

example, chili is probably something that all the kids could eat. My

son is also a bit picky since he was a vegetarian his whole life

until now. He loves all kinds of veggies and eggs, but isn't so keen

on the meat. I try to accomodate him - maybe a little too much - but

I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. I know he needs to eat

meat to help him heal, but he is very stubborn. So do I make him the

meats that I know he will eat or do I force him to eat the things he

doesn't like? I'm too tired for every meal to be a battle so I try

to make the things I know he likes. I do encourage him to try other

meats, but it's usually just a few bites and then he fills up on

carbs, which is not very good for his health right now. *sigh*

To top it all off, my son is having major die-off diarrhea at the

moment, so his teacher has been really concerned. I didn't tell her

anything about die-off/retracing and that I'm actually glad he is

having it (getting rid of the nasties). She already thinks I'm a nut

case! I just told her that we should increase his butter intake

since that is what one of the local doctors once recommended I do for

his diarrhea. (He had had chronic diarrhea since Dec 07 until about 2

months ago. Now the die-off diarrhea is happening).

I'm just praying that the dietician doesn't come in and ruin

everything for him. To tell you the truth I feel like they are

ganging up on me, forcing the dietician on us in a passive aggressive

sort of way. I think they are concerned about how I've gained all

this knowledge about nutrition all of a sudden. Little do they know

that I studied about 50 hours of nutrition in massage school - which

is more than the typical medical doctor - plus all the information on

your website, Bee.

Anyway, we have an appointment with the pediatrician in a couple of

weeks to discuss the diet in full. If necessary I will explain about

the candida, but if not, it might just be best to focus on his

hyperactivity and speech improvements from being on this diet, since

that's the reason he was referred to the pediatrician in the first

place.

Either way, deep breaths and prayers are very helpful!

Thanks yet again!

**************************************************************

<snip>

> +++Yippee, Hooray, for you and your son!!! I'm so very happy

> for you! That's very well done . Man, this must be so

> frustrating for you, and scarey!!

> >

<snip>

> +++I suggest you write a letter to the Day Care Manager, with a cc

> (copy) to teachers, dietician, and even the District Health Nurse.

I

> think they all need it in black and white at this point. You can

> explain that you mistakenedly instilled the bad habits in your son,

> but have realized it wasn't good for him, and have decided to

correct

> it, etc., and you need their cooperation in this also. Also quote

> what the District Health Nurse said.

> >

> > It's just so frustrating...

>

> +++Amen!! I feel for you . It is extremely tough and

> draining to have to fight this on top of dealing with your sick son

> and studying, etc., etc.

> >

> > Sorry this was so long. It kind of turned into a rant at the end.

>

> +++Rant away my dear. You need to get it off your chest; do some

> deep breathing, or even punch a pillow if you need to.

>

> > Hope you are well.

>

> I'm good. Thanks.

>

> Crossing my fingers & praying, Bee

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Irene,

I hope you don't think that I'm not grateful for your input because I

do agree with you. It's just that I feel a little bit pulled in two

directions. I totally hear you about feeding a kid who is genuinely

hungry. I have never controlled my son's portions either. I always

offer him extra (to keep him from wanting a snack) and he refuses.

If he would take leftovers as a snack, I would gladly give it to

him. My concern is maybe more with the type of snack that I've been

generally giving him that leads me to believe that it is part of his

sugar-seeing behaviour. This is the kid who would pick up dirty

candy off the ground and eat it, just for the sugar! The other day I

grabbed him away from a squashed up slice of red pepper outside...

He was totally going to eat!!!! The fact that I used to let him

graze all day long is a very difficult habit to break. It's just so

hard to know what his intentions are - is he truly hungry, is he

bored or is it just a ploy for more sugar (even tho they are low

carb)?

Why does being a mom have to be so hard????

Thanks!

> > >

> > > My son who is 6 also eats an enormous amount of food. I never

say

> >no if he

> > > is hungry. I just assume he is hungry. He is not overweight. In

> >fact at his

> > > last checkup he had perfect body mass ratio. The thing about

him is

> >that he

> > > will go through phases where his consumption will go up

suddenly.

> > > Especially eggs. He will eat 6 at a time. I just assume that he

is

> >in a

> > > growth spurt. It passes after a while and he is back to his

normal

> >huge

> > > amounts of food. The younger the child, the more frequently he

or

> >she needs

> > > to eat. Why would you assume that asking for food is only a

habit

> >and he is

> > > not hungry? And how on earth would the district health care

nurse

> >know

> > > whether your child is really hungry or not? Just my opinion, but

> >your child

> > > is growing, let him eat.

> > >

> > > Irene

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> One more thought. If I had a snack of just cucumbers peppers and

tomatoes,

> I would be begging for more food 15 minutes later. I would at least

need to

> have some fat with that.

> I had an interesting discussion with the woman I buy my eggs from.

My son

> has been in his growth spurt and we have been going through over a

dozen

> eggs a day. I was a little embarrassed when I went to her but buy

ANOTHER 6

> dozen. So I explained to her how my son eats tons of eggs when he

is in a

> growth spurt. She told be something very interesting. She said that

eggs

> were an old remedy for children's " growing pains " and people fed

their kids

> eggs to make the pains go away.

Hi Irene. That is very interesting about giving children eggs for

growing pains. That's makes a lot of sense.

I have a medical book written in 1904 and the doctor recommends eggs

for a lot of things. Mixing egg whites and water is considered good

nourishment for the sick or elderly, and it also settles the stomach.

Eggs are nature's most perfect food.

Luv, Bee

[Guest guest]

Oh gosh, not at all. I totally hear you. It is always a tough call when you

are the mom. I just thought I'd share what seems to work with my son. Every

kid is different and you have to do what is right for yours.

Also, if I remember correctly, you are still pretty new to the diet. If

that is true, you might find his sugar seeking behavior being reduced with

time. I found my son being open to more foods as time goes on. Still won't

eat cauliflower though :-)

Good luck,

Irene

At 07:46 AM 9/18/2008, you wrote:

>Hi Irene,

>

>I hope you don't think that I'm not grateful for your input because I

>do agree with you. It's just that I feel a little bit pulled in two

>directions. I totally hear you about feeding a kid who is genuinely

>hungry. I have never controlled my son's portions either. I always

>offer him extra (to keep him from wanting a snack) and he refuses.

>If he would take leftovers as a snack, I would gladly give it to

>him. My concern is maybe more with the type of snack that I've been

>generally giving him that leads me to believe that it is part of his

>sugar-seeing behaviour. This is the kid who would pick up dirty

>candy off the ground and eat it, just for the sugar! The other day I

>grabbed him away from a squashed up slice of red pepper outside...

>He was totally going to eat!!!! The fact that I used to let him

>graze all day long is a very difficult habit to break. It's just so

>hard to know what his intentions are - is he truly hungry, is he

>bored or is it just a ploy for more sugar (even tho they are low

>carb)?

>Why does being a mom have to be so hard????

>Thanks!

>

>

>

> > > >

> > > > My son who is 6 also eats an enormous amount of food. I never

>say

> > >no if he

> > > > is hungry. I just assume he is hungry. He is not overweight. In

> > >fact at his

> > > > last checkup he had perfect body mass ratio. The thing about

>him is

> > >that he

> > > > will go through phases where his consumption will go up

>suddenly.

> > > > Especially eggs. He will eat 6 at a time. I just assume that he

>is

> > >in a

> > > > growth spurt. It passes after a while and he is back to his

>normal

> > >huge

> > > > amounts of food. The younger the child, the more frequently he

>or

> > >she needs

> > > > to eat. Why would you assume that asking for food is only a

>habit

> > >and he is

> > > > not hungry? And how on earth would the district health care

>nurse

> > >know

> > > > whether your child is really hungry or not? Just my opinion, but

> > >your child

> > > > is growing, let him eat.

> > > >

> > > > Irene

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Yeah. Isn't it amazing. So many of our so called " bad " foods in our time,

like eggs, butter and whole milk, were the health foods of years past.

Sigh,

Irene

At 07:49 AM 9/18/2008, you wrote:

>

> >

> > One more thought. If I had a snack of just cucumbers peppers and

>tomatoes,

> > I would be begging for more food 15 minutes later. I would at least

>need to

> > have some fat with that.

> > I had an interesting discussion with the woman I buy my eggs from.

>My son

> > has been in his growth spurt and we have been going through over a

>dozen

> > eggs a day. I was a little embarrassed when I went to her but buy

>ANOTHER 6

> > dozen. So I explained to her how my son eats tons of eggs when he

>is in a

> > growth spurt. She told be something very interesting. She said that

>eggs

> > were an old remedy for children's " growing pains " and people fed

>their kids

> > eggs to make the pains go away.

>

>Hi Irene. That is very interesting about giving children eggs for

>growing pains. That's makes a lot of sense.

>

>I have a medical book written in 1904 and the doctor recommends eggs

>for a lot of things. Mixing egg whites and water is considered good

>nourishment for the sick or elderly, and it also settles the stomach.

>

>Eggs are nature's most perfect food.

>

>Luv, Bee

>

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, you're right. We are fairly new to the program - just started

in June. I can always use some help and tips. It's good hear how

other people deal with the process. By now, though, I would have

thought he wouldn't be still craving so much. Maybe it's because he

sees the other kids eating fruit and bread and cheese right in front

of him every day that it makes him want it more. I know I usually

feel like I want those things when I see others eating them. It's

not so much a craving, more than I miss the texture [often of bread

with butter], I think.

We talk about food a lot as a family - why we don't eat fruit

anymore, for example. He seems to understand. It's hard because his

language skills are delayed, so we try to keep it simple.

I agree with tastes changing over time. He's been eating kohlrabi,

green beans, and yes, cauliflower! He has always loved broccoli, so

that's a bonus!

Good luck to you, too!

>

> Oh gosh, not at all. I totally hear you. It is always a tough call

when you

> are the mom. I just thought I'd share what seems to work with my

son. Every

> kid is different and you have to do what is right for yours.

> Also, if I remember correctly, you are still pretty new to the

diet. If

> that is true, you might find his sugar seeking behavior being

reduced with

> time. I found my son being open to more foods as time goes on.

Still won't

> eat cauliflower though :-)

> Good luck,

> Irene

>

>

[Guest guest]

One other thing to consider. I get the hungries if I am not eating enough

fat. besides eating fatty foods, cooked in fat, we eat chunks of butter

like cheese. (Except I can't get my son to eat butter). Anyway, you might

see if you can increase the fat for your son and see if that helps.

Irene

At 10:02 AM 9/18/2008, you wrote:

>Yes, you're right. We are fairly new to the program - just started

>in June. I can always use some help and tips. It's good hear how

>other people deal with the process. By now, though, I would have

>thought he wouldn't be still craving so much. Maybe it's because he

>sees the other kids eating fruit and bread and cheese right in front

>of him every day that it makes him want it more. I know I usually

>feel like I want those things when I see others eating them. It's

>not so much a craving, more than I miss the texture [often of bread

>with butter], I think.

>

>We talk about food a lot as a family - why we don't eat fruit

>anymore, for example. He seems to understand. It's hard because his

>language skills are delayed, so we try to keep it simple.

>

>I agree with tastes changing over time. He's been eating kohlrabi,

>green beans, and yes, cauliflower! He has always loved broccoli, so

>that's a bonus!

>

>Good luck to you, too!

>

>

>

> >

> > Oh gosh, not at all. I totally hear you. It is always a tough call

>when you

> > are the mom. I just thought I'd share what seems to work with my

>son. Every

> > kid is different and you have to do what is right for yours.

> > Also, if I remember correctly, you are still pretty new to the

>diet. If

> > that is true, you might find his sugar seeking behavior being

>reduced with

> > time. I found my son being open to more foods as time goes on.

>Still won't

> > eat cauliflower though :-)

> > Good luck,

> > Irene

> >

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

Ah! Good idea! I was just thinking that! I told the daycare to add

1/2 Tbsp of butter to every meal/snack. I'm going to ask them to

make it a full tablespoon and see if that doesn't help.

Also, just so that no one thinks I'm a bad mom, the reason we let our

son eat in front of the TV is because we moved earlier this year and

our old rickety dining room table didn't make it, so we had to wait

until we could afford a new one, then had to wait for the ordered

table to be delivered. We ended up eating snacks and meals at the

coffee table in the living room. I wasn't thinking that leaving the

TV on as we ate would be such a bad habit to break - I just had so

many other things to think about at the time...

We're working on it, though!

> > >

> > > Oh gosh, not at all. I totally hear you. It is always a tough

call

> >when you

> > > are the mom. I just thought I'd share what seems to work with my

> >son. Every

> > > kid is different and you have to do what is right for yours.

> > > Also, if I remember correctly, you are still pretty new to the

> >diet. If

> > > that is true, you might find his sugar seeking behavior being

> >reduced with

> > > time. I found my son being open to more foods as time goes on.

> >Still won't

> > > eat cauliflower though :-)

> > > Good luck,

> > > Irene

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Thanks so much, Bee!

+++You are very welcome indeed !

>

> > +++You might need to investigate further to see if the dietician

> > thinks he is okay with " bad " oils, yogurt, sugar substitutes,

etc.,

> > etc.

> > >

>

> Yes, I have been worried about this. I'm afraid to ask what they

> cook his food with, but I did include all those oils on

> the " forbidden foods " list that I gave them. I also highly doubt

> that the salt they cook with at school is the right kind. I still

> haven't found any here, but they do have Himalayan pink salt and

the package reads that it contains " many " minerals. Labelling in

this country is a bit of a joke.

+++That can be a problem. You might consider donating good salt for

them to use for all of the children. Himalayan salt is good.

> Re: writing a letter to the Day Care: That is a good idea. I should

get started on some sort of letter right away. I have no idea who

the dietician is or what her idea of " good food " is, so I'm a little

unnerved by her coming in. I can feel a bit of a fight coming on...

+++Try to make the tone of your letter as understanding of them and

their situation in trying to accomodate your son, and that you are

writing it in order to help them. You can run your letter past me if

you want to be sure.

>

> I was also thinking I could bring the school cook some recipes.

For example, chili is probably something that all the kids could

eat. My son is also a bit picky since he was a vegetarian his whole

life until now. He loves all kinds of veggies and eggs, but isn't so

keen on the meat. I try to accomodate him - maybe a little too much -

but I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. I know he needs

to eat meat to help him heal, but he is very stubborn. So do I make

him the meats that I know he will eat or do I force him to eat the

things he doesn't like? I'm too tired for every meal to be a battle

so I try to make the things I know he likes. I do encourage him to

try other meats, but it's usually just a few bites and then he fills

up on carbs, which is not very good for his health right now. *sigh*

+++It isn't good to force him to eat, nor to get into any conflicts

about eating. It just sets up a " control issue " for him, and he'll

rebel more. He needs to become involved in his own food issues even

at his age. To get more willingness from him, allow him to choose

the meats he wants, and have him help you prepare them in whatever

way he can. We do have to cater somewhat to children who are ill, by

serving foods on the diet that they like, including meats. If you

want him to try other meats, you can puree them with his favorite

vegetables and make a mashed meal dressed up with a happy face.

LOL! Or he could make the happy face.

+++I always recommend having a Chart for kids, which has their

responsibilities on it; where they can earn stickers (of their

choice). At the end of a week you and him count the stickers and if

he earned enough he gets a reward (don't use food as a reward

however). Give rewards he wants, not ones you choose. This is a

good way to give kids an allowance (buying a Piggy Bank he chooses

would help). I used to give my girls allowance based on their age

(my girls were 6 years apart). They had Piggy Banks and when they

saved up $5.00 I would match it and we'd put it in the Bank. They

would plan for days on how they would spend their money. I only

allowed them to have junk foods they paid for themselves. Otherwise

I didn't have them in the house. Their snacks were fresh fruits and

vegetables. They fought over who ate the last green pepper. LOL!

If they wanted sweets, other than fruits and juices, they had to go

through the effort of making a Snacking Cake.

You would make the chart together, and let him pick out colors, and

pictures out of catalogs or magazines (or on the internet) to paste

on the chart for: " brushing his teeth, " " picking up his toys, " " being

polite, " " eating, " " helping you with small chores like putting things

in the garbage " and so on. Small children love to help, and it makes

them feel they too can contribute. Get his willingness by involving

him. And praise him a lot, meanwhile ignoring bad behavior. The

more you praise him for doing things right, the more right behavior

you'll get from him. The more you pay attention to bad behavior

(even if it is getting emotional about it) the more bad behavior

you'll get. Do not every take away stickers, and if he is very close

to the number he needs to earn in a week, still give him a reward

for " trying so hard. " Young children might do better earning a small

daily reward, like watching TV for 10 more minutes, or staying up 10

minutes later, or something similar.

>

> To top it all off, my son is having major die-off diarrhea at the

> moment, so his teacher has been really concerned. I didn't tell

her anything about die-off/retracing and that I'm actually glad he is

having it (getting rid of the nasties). She already thinks I'm a

nut case! I just told her that we should increase his butter intake

since that is what one of the local doctors once recommended I do

for his diarrhea. (He had had chronic diarrhea since Dec 07 until

about 2 months ago. Now the die-off diarrhea is happening).

+++Unfortunately getting them to change their attitude is almost

impossible. Fake it, if you have to. Tell them his pediatrician has

advised you and he is on top of the situation. Or get a bottle of

medicine for diarrhea from the drug store, empty the contents, and

put herbal tea in it instead, or whatever. LOL!

>

> I'm just praying that the dietician doesn't come in and ruin

> everything for him. To tell you the truth I feel like they are

> ganging up on me, forcing the dietician on us in a passive

aggressive sort of way. I think they are concerned about how I've

gained all this knowledge about nutrition all of a sudden. Little do

they know that I studied about 50 hours of nutrition in massage

school - which is more than the typical medical doctor - plus all the

information on your website, Bee.

+++It is sad what this world has come to, and that doctors and

dieticians are held is such high regard, even when they don't know

what they are doing.

>

> Anyway, we have an appointment with the pediatrician in a couple of

> weeks to discuss the diet in full. If necessary I will explain

about the candida, but if not, it might just be best to focus on his

hyperactivity and speech improvements from being on this diet, since

that's the reason he was referred to the pediatrician in the first

place.

>

> Either way, deep breaths and prayers are very helpful!

+++I'll be praying my dear.

Luv, Bee

[Guest guest]

Wow, Bee, thanks again for taking the time to write to me. I wish my

own mother had done those charts with me as a kid, then it would be

second nature to me now. She parented the way her parents did, but I

guess it's time for me to break the cycle. I will get started on

making a chart! I think it's a really good idea.

I wish I could donate salt and coconut oil to the school, but they

told me they forbid any outside food. I think on Monday I will talk

to his teacher and ask if I can also talk with the dietician when she

comes in. And to ask them to order coconut oil to cook with. I

could show them the Himalayan salt, too. It's readily available in

grocery stores here, so it wouldn't be so difficult for them to get,

I would imagine. And I know of a wholesaler in Sweden who sells vco

to businesses (I wish I could order from them).

> +++Unfortunately getting them to change their attitude is almost

> impossible. Fake it, if you have to. Tell them his pediatrician

has advised you and he is on top of the situation. Or get a bottle

of medicine for diarrhea from the drug store, empty the contents, and

> put herbal tea in it instead, or whatever. LOL!

Bee, you're a riot! I literally laughed out loud when I read that!

I just love it how your mind works!!!

I just love coming here. I feel so much at home.

Take care,

[Guest guest]

+++Unfortunately getting them to change their attitude is

almost impossible. Fake it, if you have to. Tell them his

pediatrician has advised you and he is on top of the situation. Or

get a bottle of medicine for diarrhea from the drug store, empty the

contents, and put herbal tea in it instead, or whatever. LOL!

>

> Bee, you're a riot! I literally laughed out loud when I read that!

I just love it how your mind works!!!

+++Bows and curtsy my dear. It is my pleasure. I had to laugh when

I wrote it - laughter is the best medicine.

>

> I just love coming here. I feel so much at home.

+++I'm so glad you feel like that.

Lotsa prayers, Bee

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

I've been reading your exchanges with Irene and was impressed by how

respectful you were of each other in your disagreements. Thanks!

I just had one thought--You might actually have meant this, but I

would not " ask " if you can be present when the dietician comes in; I

would just tell them you expect to be there and when is it? It's

your son they are going to be talking about, and I personally would

not want the meeting to go on without me, as the teacher may her

mistrust of you to the dietician. You've done a lot of thinking and

have research and your doctor's support, not to mention the evidence

in your son's behavior when he gets Real Food.

I hope that the school will be able to accept what you know is best

for your child, and would add the good sea salt and coconut oil to

their kitchen. You go, Mom!

--Rhe

>

>

..

I think on Monday I will talk to his teacher and ask if I can also

talk with the dietician when she comes in. >

[Guest guest]

Hi Rhe,

I managed to talk to his teacher yesterday (Friday) after school

[she's not always there at the end of the day] and she told me that

the cook was just going to call the dietician (so I can't really be

there) and that it would be an " anonymous " call, meaning that she

would not mention my son's name or anything specific about him. I

think she was maybe looking more for ideas of what to cook than

anything else. So, I'm not really sure why they needed my

permission. I think part of the Swedish culture is full disclosure,

so I think they were trying to be respectful of that.

I suggested that I bring the cook some recipes that I know my son

likes so that they can get him to eat better at school and not be so

hungry all the time. The teacher seemed really pleased with that and

said that that would help the kitchen staff a lot. I think they are

trying to co-operate with me somewhat. I will mention again that

adding fat to his food will help with the hunger and I think I will

bring in a jar of virgin coconut oil so they can see what it is.

Maybe they just don't know what it is and have just gotten used to

the government issued food guide. It must be strange to have a

foreigner, like myself, to come in and make " weird " food requests.

Thanks for your comments. Sometimes I *am* a pushover and I have to

be reminded that when it comes to my son, I need to be assertive.

>

> Dear ,

> I've been reading your exchanges with Irene and was impressed by

how

> respectful you were of each other in your disagreements. Thanks!

>

> I just had one thought--You might actually have meant this, but I

> would not " ask " if you can be present when the dietician comes in;

I

> would just tell them you expect to be there and when is it? It's

> your son they are going to be talking about, and I personally would

> not want the meeting to go on without me, as the teacher may her

> mistrust of you to the dietician. You've done a lot of thinking

and

> have research and your doctor's support, not to mention the

evidence

> in your son's behavior when he gets Real Food.

>

> I hope that the school will be able to accept what you know is best

> for your child, and would add the good sea salt and coconut oil to

> their kitchen. You go, Mom!

> --Rhe