The baby often has no appetite for food and shows no interest in any kind of food. Every meal feels like a perfunctory task, with only a set number of bites eaten each time. We’ve tried all sorts of methods to coax, deceive, and encourage the child, but he still “keeps his golden mouth shut.” When we took him to the hospital, the doctor said there was no serious issue with the child and only prescribed some appetite-stimulating medication. It seems that it hasn’t been effective either. Why is this happening?
Zinc deficiency causing taste alteration: Clinical findings indicate that loss of appetite and pica are related to zinc deficiency within the body. Zinc's impact on appetite is mainly manifested in the following aspects:
- One of the components of gustin in saliva is zinc, so when zinc is deficient, it affects both taste and appetite.
- Zinc deficiency can affect the function of the taste buds, leading to diminished taste function.
- Zinc deficiency can cause hyperplasia and incomplete keratinization of the mucosa, which results in large amounts of shed epithelial cells blocking the taste pore on the tongue papillae, making it difficult for food to come into contact with the taste buds, thus reducing sensitivity to taste.
Psychological factors should not be overlooked:
Some parents tend to choose what they believe to be the best and most nutritious foods for their children. This selective approach leaves a deep impression on the child, who naturally gravitates toward those so-called "good" foods and eats less or even avoids those considered "bad." Additionally, some parents always force their children to eat, and some even resort to punishment to make them eat. Over time, the psychological distress caused by forced feeding also becomes one of the reasons affecting the child’s appetite.
Sweet food affects appetite:
Sweet food is loved by most children. Some high-calorie foods, although delicious, cannot provide essential proteins and severely affect the child’s appetite. Moreover, among children with poor appetites, most rarely drink plain water; they only consume various beverages such as orange juice, fruit juice, sugary water, and honey water. This causes a large amount of sugar to enter the body, undoubtedly increasing blood sugar levels. When blood glucose reaches a certain level, it stimulates the satiety center and suppresses the feeding center, so these children rarely feel hungry and have no desire to eat.
Countermeasures:
Ensure adequate sleep:
The activity of the digestive tract is closely related to the function of the cerebral cortex. Insufficient sleep inhibits the eating center in the hypothalamus, significantly reducing the secretion of digestive juices and the movement of the gastrointestinal tract.
Do not scold the child while eating, as it greatly reduces their appetite:
Studies show that when a person is angry, sad, worried, or depressed, the pyloric sphincter reflexively contracts, preventing food from being emptied smoothly and remaining in the stomach, leading to a decrease in appetite. The dining environment should maintain a quiet, happy, and focused atmosphere.
Do not force feeding:
Due to complex physiological, psychological, and environmental factors, sometimes children eat more, sometimes less, which is quite normal. However, some parents overreact, becoming overly anxious and suspecting illness or forcing the child to finish their meal. Sometimes forcing them to eat leads to nausea or vomiting. In some cases, it even creates aversion and refusal to eat, eventually leading to anorexia.
Eat at regular intervals:
Regular meals help form a fixed conditioned reflex in the digestive system. Later, whenever it is close to mealtime, the entire digestive system will prepare itself, creating a sense of hunger and readiness for eating.
Choose adorable tableware:
Using cute or preferred tableware chosen by the child can promote the child's interest in eating. It's important to cultivate good eating habits gradually, correcting bad habits like snacking and drinking cold beverages. Parents should lead by example and try to enjoy family meals together.
Pay attention to the color, aroma, and taste of the food during cooking:
Frequently changing cooking methods, such as preparing eggs in different ways (steamed egg, boiled egg, fried egg, egg drop soup), can increase the child's interest in eating and improve their appetite.
Last night, I dreamed of cutting my hair short, and it looked terrible. I looked up the dream interpretation according to Zhou Gong Dream Interpretation, which says: "Cutting hair" represents forgetting the past and starting a new life. You feel tired of your current material life and wish to cut everything off completely. The process of cutting hair symbolizes your determination. If you are feeling regretful or disappointed, it is likely that you have some reluctance about things you are about to give up, such as work or love. You may have thoughts of giving up but are still reluctant, hesitating between letting go and holding on. Whether men or women dream of cutting their hair short, it indicates a desire to start a new life.
Really? What kind of new life do I want?