If you have a picky eater at home, you’re not alone. Many parents struggle to get their kids to eat anything beyond a few basic foods. While it can be frustrating, there are some things you can do to make mealtimes less of a battle. With a little patience and creativity, you may just find that your picky eater is willing to try new things after all.
Picky Eating vs. Food Rejection
There is a distinct difference between picky eating and food rejection. Picky eaters recognize a wide variety of foods but will only partake in certain textures and flavors. Whereas people who reject food might display an intense fear or an inability to tolerate specific tastes, smells, textures, or temperatures of food. This behavior can be linked to other underlying medical issues, such as sensory processing disorder (SPD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), anxiety disorders, or other medical conditions. It is important to speak to a doctor if you think someone has difficulties with mealtime that go beyond normal picky eating, as it can lead to malnutrition and health complications.
Food Sensitivity
For families with picky eaters, it can be hard to determine if food sensitivity is to blame. The most reliable way to rule out food sensitivity is through a medical professional. An elimination diet, which removes certain foods from the diet for several weeks and then introduces them one at a time, is often effective in identifying the source of sensitivities. Accompanied by lab tests, this approach can allow for a trustworthy diagnosis of food sensitivities. For those worried about picky eating habits, it is important to remember that multiple causes could be affecting dietary choices. Reaching out to a doctor or other medical professional can help accurately identify any underlying health-related issues and create individualized treatment plans.
Tips to help you deal with a picky eater:
- Try not to make a big deal out of meals. If your child senses that you’re anxious about whether or not they’ll eat, they’re likely to dig their heels in and refuse. Instead, keep mealtimes relaxed and calm.
- Offer a variety of foods, even if you don’t think your child will touch them. It’s important to expose them to new tastes and textures. They may surprise you and take a liking to something you never thought they would.
- Let your child help with meal prep. If they’re involved in the cooking process, they’re more likely to be interested in trying the finished product. Plus, it’s a great way to bond as a family.
- Don’t give up if your child doesn’t like something the first time they try it. It can take ten or more times for a person to acquire a taste for certain foods. Keep offering new foods, and eventually, they’ll find something they like.
Dealing with a picky eater can be challenging, but it’s important to remember that it’s only temporary. With a little patience and creativity, you’ll find that your picky eater is trying new things in no time. Just keep offering new foods and let them help out with meal prep whenever possible. Before long, mealtimes will be stress-free, and everyone will be enjoying their meals.
Circle City ABA understands that caring for children with autism also means caring about their families, so we provide full-family education and support from day one. You’re an active and involved part of the process. To us, that means we’re here to walk you through what we’re doing and why. We share in your child’s wins together, and we’re always available to answer questions, discuss concerns, or workshop solutions to problems together. To learn more, contact us today.
