Picky Eating? Preference or Symptom?

Picky eating is a common concern among parents, often causing frustration and worry. It’s not unusual for children to refuse certain foods or eat only a limited variety of items. But when does picky eating go from being a normal phase to a potential symptom of something more concerning? This blog explores the reasons behind picky eating in children, distinguishing between typical preferences and possible underlying issues.

Understanding Picky Eating

Picky eating is generally characterized by a child’s selective or limited intake of food, often rejecting new foods, disliking textures, or eating only a narrow range of foods. While this behavior can be frustrating, it’s also a common developmental stage for many children.

In my personal experience and based on the research, there are 4 primary causes of picky eating:

1. Medical reasons, neuro-developmental differences, or disabilities, and or delayed oral motor skills.
2. High-pressure, controlling, anxious and or permissive mealtimes.
3. Past negative mealtime experiences
4. Lack of exposure to textures, flavors, and or chewing during key developmental stages

When Picky Eating May Signal a Problem

While picky eating is usually harmless, in some cases, it may be a symptom of a more significant issue. Parents should consider the following signs as potential red flags:

Oral-Motor Skills Issues: Difficulty with chewing, swallowing, or managing food in the mouth could be a sign of oral-motor difficulties. This could be due to weak muscles, poor coordination, or other developmental concerns that might manifest as picky eating. When caregivers feel the need to modify the texture of the liquid of foods, positionings, or feeding strategies to increase the child’s intake, there may be underlying oral motor delays.

Limited Diet Leading to Nutritional Deficiencies: If a child’s picky eating results in a severely limited diet, leading to potential nutritional deficiencies, it might be more than just a preference. Signs include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, or difficulty concentrating.

Growth or Weight Concerns: If picky eating is affecting a child’s growth, either through weight loss, failure to gain weight, or stagnated growth, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional.

Social impact: If picky eating is causing frequent stress with the parent or child, peer relationships, avoidance of social events, mealtime tension, low self-esteem, or increased anxiety with mealtime.

Sensory Processing Disorder: Some children may have an aversion to the texture, taste, or smell of certain foods due to sensory processing issues. This condition can make eating certain foods extremely uncomfortable or even intolerable.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Picky eating is common among children with ASD, often related to sensory sensitivities or other behaviors. Children with ASD might prefer foods of specific colors, textures, or brands and may resist trying new foods.

Other underlying etiologies associated with feeding difficulties: Complex medical conditions developmental disabilities, genetic syndromes, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), neuromuscular coordination, structural abnormalities, behavioral factors, socio-emotional factors.

How to Address Picky Eating

For most children, a balanced approach to picky eating can encourage healthier habits over time. Here are some strategies that can help:

Create a Positive Mealtime: Avoid pressuring or forcing a child to eat certain foods. Instead, make mealtimes relaxed and positive. Offer a variety of foods without forcing a child to eat something they don’t want.

Repeated Exposure: It can take multiple exposures to a new food before a child is willing to try it. Keep offering new foods alongside familiar favorites without pressuring the child.

Involve Children in Meal Prep: Letting children help in the kitchen can increase their interest in food and make them more likely to try something new. Simple tasks like washing vegetables or stirring ingredients can make them more invested in the meal.

Model Healthy Eating: Children are influenced by the eating habits of those around them. By modeling a balanced diet and showing enjoyment of a variety of foods, parents can encourage their children to do the same.

Consult a Professional: If picky eating is affecting your child’s growth, development, or well-being, it may be time to consult a pediatrician, dietitian, or feeding specialist.

Conclusion

Picky eating is a common phase for many children and usually reflects normal developmental stages. However, when picky eating is severe or impacts a child’s health and well-being, it may signal an underlying issue that requires attention. Understanding the difference between typical preferences and symptoms of deeper concerns is crucial in supporting your child’s nutritional needs and overall development.

Picking eating can be a struggle, but whatever the situation, we can navigate through picky eating together! Consulting with a skilled feeding therapist who can assess your child’s nutritional needs and offer professional guidance personalized to your little.

If you have concerns about your kiddo, book a consultation today!

Schedule a consultation here!

References

1. Carruth, B. R., Ziegler, P. J., Gordon, A., & Barr, S. I. (2004). Prevalence of picky eaters among infants and toddlers and their caregivers’ decisions about offering a new food. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 104(1), 57-64

2. Dovey, T. M., Staples, P. A., Gibson, E. L., & Halford, J. C. G. (2008). Food neophobia and ‘picky/fussy’ eating in children: A review. Appetite, 50(2-3), 181-193

3. Field, D., Garland, M., & Williams, K. (2003). Correlates of specific childhood feeding problems. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 39(4), 299-304

4. Silverman, A. H., & Tarbell, S. (2009). Feeding and Swallowing Disorders in Infancy: Assessment and Management. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 29(2), 82-95