Beige food diet leads to teen losing his sight and hearing

DCUK NewsBot

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,059
A teenager has lost his sight and hearing after living off chips, crisps, white bread and processed meat for most of his life. It with great sadness that we bring this story but, as an organisation that has long championed the importance of meals based around whole foods, we hope this case provides a clear example of why the right food choices can be so important. The boy from Bristol lost two of his major senses as a result of lack of nutrition. His health began to suffer when he was 14 and he complained to the doctor that he was always tired. Tests carried out showed he had low vitamin B12 levels which contributed to a condition called macrocytic anemia meaning his body had larger-than-normal red blood cells Vitamin B12 is found in fish, beef, eggs and low fat milk. Initially, he was given injections of vitamin B12, however, a year later doctors found his sight and hearing had been damaged. A case report stated that by the time he was 17 the "patient's vision had become progressively worse, to the point of blindness". It was only then that he disclosed that since primary school he had lived on a diet of Pringles, white bread, ham slices and chips, avoiding foods with "certain textures". Further medical investigation found he had severe vitamin D deficiencies, a reduced bone mineral density and low levels of copper and selenium. A nutritious diet is essential to maintain good health and the study carried out by the Bristol Eye Hospital has demonstrated how important fresh fruit and vegetables are for a human body to function properly. The report said: "The risks for poor cardiovascular health, obesity and cancer associated with junk food consumption are well known, but poor nutrition can also permanently damage the nervous system, particularly vision. "It is rare in developed countries. The condition is potentially reversible if caught early. But if left untreated, it leads to permanent blindness." It is upsetting that a teenager has suffered in this way and we hope that similar cases can be prevented through greater knowledge of the consequences that can occur.

Continue reading...
 

ickihun

Master
Messages
13,698
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Bullies
I think I saw this in the metro free newspaper yesterday.
He lived off sausage and chips, mainly.
However I didn't read it well. I'm unsure if he had any ASD which made him compulsory eat only certain foods.
 

lucylocket61

Expert
Messages
6,435
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
the kid was suffering from acute nourishment, and ate only a few foods,

more sloppy reporting, blaming beige foods, not malnourishment and lack of proper medical care.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ickihun

Mr_Pot

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,573
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Presumably his parents were responsible for his meals so why did it take so long for the doctors to realise what he was eating, or rather not eating?
"It was only then that he disclosed that since primary school he had lived on a diet of Pringles, white bread, ham slices and chips, avoiding foods with "certain textures".
 
  • Like
Reactions: DawnOfTheZed

Energize

Well-Known Member
Messages
810
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I read abot this yesterday. So sad.

I fail to understand how this situation got to this stage before someone noticed things weren't 'right'

Surely his family / carers must have noticed he wasn't eating other foods? It rather makes me wonder what the rest of the family ate too. It could be that the kids were left to fend for themselves a bit too much, perhaps?
 
  • Like
Reactions: DawnOfTheZed

ickihun

Master
Messages
13,698
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Bullies
Some autistic kids don't like certain textures too. Parents can only do so much but my son was discharged from dietician once consultant was satisfied he wasn't under nourished due to his encouragement to eat out. Although his fascination with McDonalds due to targeted advertising sometimes appears out of the blue. Once home or in a good restaurant he enjoys his vegetables without too much fuss.