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My stepson seems to get sick a lot. It always happens the day or day after we get him from his mom's house (not paleo). The poor kid will start throwing up in the morning and not stop until 3-4pm. This has happened 4 times in the past two years.

We eat pretty strict paleo in our house, no naturally that's the only kind of food we have. Having him eat paleo at one house and not at the other has been a challenge itself but my husband and I are going to stick to our guns and feed him the way we believe is the healthiest.

Only problem is he fights us on a regular basis even when not sick. When he's sick... absolutly doesn't want anything paleo. Tried to feed him bone broth, and he think's it's gross and wont eat it. I'm at a loss for what will help him sooth his stomach.

Any ideas from you experienced paleohackers out there?

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Why the down votes? – DanielleO812 Jul 26 at 2:37

8 Answers

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This is a pretty strong reaction to food. Throwing up is not a healthy response. I'd suggest getting his tested for food sensitivities or figure out what he is reacting to. No-one should be feeding a kid food that makes him throw up for hours the next day.

Does his mother know he does this? She needs to - I would never want that for my kid despite being in conflict with the other parent.

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Julianne, you are right about communication here. We definitely need to be doing a better job of this for his sake. Thank you for your response. – DanielleO812 Jul 26 at 1:40
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How old is he?

This makes me wonder if he is throwing up "on purpose" or stress related, because he doens't want what you are feeding him.

While I can appreciate that you want to feed him healthy food, I think modeling such a degree of inflexibility has serious, drawbacks. Perhaps you can compromise a bit and give him food he is used to.

Step-parenting, combining families is hard enough. Why battle about food?
I personally would be much more concerned about having a loving and mutually positive relationship with him. He is going to despise coming over if you won't feed him things that he is used to. Kids don't like that kind of change.

What's the point of having him eat Paleo if he hates coming to his dad's.. .which will happen, over time, I suspect.

I personally would want to have a less conflict heavy relationship with my step-kids rather than battle over food.
Its a lost cause anyway. Whenever parents battle over food with a child, the parents will lose - as you cannot make him eat or not eat and he may in fact be showing you that now....

If he really is sick, feed him bananas and rice.

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 I like this answer. A less conflict-heavy relationship is way more important than food. And I am way into food. But I've been around long enough to see that food is NOT the only important thing there is in life. Thanks for these words of wisdom. – patti2003 Jul 25 at 21:00
He is 6. I am certain he is not throwing up on purpose. I know I said he battles food, but it's not as much as you might think. He'll eat breakfast fine, make it to school and start to throw up - often. I appreciate your response. The way we compromise in our house is he's allowed to eat whatever he wants when we go out - just not in the house. I think that's fair. He doesn't hate coming to his dad's house at this time and he is learning little by little about healthier foods. It's a process. There is progression, I just don't want to feed him food I know is detrimental to his health. – DanielleO812 Jul 26 at 1:36
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 What does he eat for breakfast? Maybe that is what is making him throw up. For example - eggs are one of the top 8 allergens. – julianne Jul 26 at 1:50
Eggs usually. That's a good idea. I will try to eliminate these and see if the situation improves. – DanielleO812 Jul 26 at 2:36
Thanks for clarifying this. Is there something about the car ride or bus ride to school when he's with you? Just wondering if he is prone to getting car sick easily? – Crowlover Jul 26 at 15:56
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Good ole fashion chicken broth.

And I disagree with the comments about you needing to let up on the food. My house my rules as the saying goes. Why should you have to relent when it's the other household that's the problem? Feed the kid real food and call it a day. If he gets hungry enough he'll eat it....if not then I guess he gets to fast till he goes back to mom....no worries it won't kill him.

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1 
 JayJay is right. So many parents are afraid of their children not eating 3 square meals a day. If they willingly skip a meal (unlikely) they'll simply be fasting. Adults aren't the only ones that benefit from fasting. If your child doesn't eat what you put in front of him, he doesn't get to eat. I'd suggest putting your child on an autoimmune protocol is he reacts so violently to non-paleo food. – BoneBrothFast Jul 25 at 22:15
1 
 Thank you for your response. I do not want to let up on the food in my house - healthy is healthy and I'm not feeding him pasta and cereal and donuts which he gets on a weekly basis at his mom's. It's funny because this only happens right when he comes from his house. He has never once been sick after being fed a paleo diet for more than a few days. This just confirms my beliefs that we are doing the right thing for him. Thanks, JayJay. – DanielleO812 Jul 26 at 1:39
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He could be losing electrolytes. If he appears lethargic then give him Pedialyte. He may need to be evaluated by his pediatrician if this happens on a regular basis. Agree with Crowlover that this can become a losing battle. The important thing is to do what is best for your step-son even if it's not paleo. Good luck to all of you!

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This sounds like a stomach bug. Usual way we treat it is to make mint tea and have him/her drink it cold/luke warm, slowly, a few sips at a time until it's over. Mint helps settle the stomach, and since it's tea it provides fluids to prevent dehydration.

Coconut oil might help with this as it's antibacterial.

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Tea is a good idea. Thank you! – DanielleO812 Jul 26 at 1:37
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Throwing up? Kids are prone to stomach viruses. They usually last right about 24 hrs. No food for 24hrs from the onset. Then try Some water and white rice to see if it stays down. Nothing until that stays down and he/she is hungry.

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So you think I should not be trying to feed him anything? This is actually an interesting thought. If he continually throws up the food, maybe you are right. Let it pass then once he comes out of it let him eat as much as he'd like. Great response, thanks Bill. – DanielleO812 Jul 26 at 1:42
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Still need to know how old he is.

Also, what is the typical diet at the other home?

If he is throwing up a lot of the time after returning home, he does need to be tested for food sensitivities. That's not normal. Arrange something with your doctor. ASAP.

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He is 6 years old. His diet at home is a typical SAD diet - cereal daily, pasta, donuts, fast food. The exact OPPOSITE of paleo. His mother is very overweight and unhealthy - as my husband can vouch for. – DanielleO812 Jul 26 at 1:43
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A quick dose of acv and your cured! If he is really picky about the taste add a little sparkling water and honey to the apple cider vinegar and it tastes just like gingerale.

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Wow great idea, Chelsea! Thanks I will try that. – DanielleO812 Jul 26 at 1:43

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