From Fussy Eater to Foodie: Helping Kids Explore New Foods Without the Mealtime Meltdown:

Navigating food options for developing babies/growing kids can be overwhelming at

the best of times. But what if your little one is a ‘fussy eater’? Throwing food on the floor,

squealing and moving their mouth away from every new food you try and introduce?

How do you transition them to solids, or introduce important foods like veggies in a

way that supports their lifelong relationship with food?

Some parents may notice their child has a strong preference for beige and/or soft foods. WHY this preference?

1. Consistent and uniform – these foods tend to be processed or pre-packaged.

Compared to self-prepared foods, the food is consistent every time. No

unwanted, unexpected surprises or shocks!

2. Lower sensory profile – most beige foods don’t have intense flavours, colours,

or smells that might be off-putting. If food is sensorially low-impact, that’s one

less thing to add to a potential sensory overwhelm.

So what can parents or professionals who work with these fussy eaters do…?

1. Exposure – children don’t even have to eat food the first time they interact

with it! Consider that they don’t have the years of experience an adult has to

know what to expect for a food’s flavour, texture, and taste just by seeing

and/or smelling a food. Just being around the food, during preparation and at

mealtimes, can start to demystify some foods. And remember, being wary of

trying new things is a part of healthy growth for young children. Up to 50% of

all 0-3 year old children refuse to eat new and different foods at least half the

time. (Dept. Health & Human Services, State Gov. Victoria)

2. Open curiosity – encourage the child to be curious about the food. Talk about

its features (colour, texture, smell, taste, sound) and ask what the child thinks.

Where possible, allow them time to explore the new food to build familiarity. Lil' Nibbles snacks are made for curious little explorers! With a variety of colours, textures, and smells our snacks spark interest and encourage kids to take that first tasty bite.

3. Start small – introduce one food at a time so as not to overwhelm. And do so

in a pressure-free environment i.e., if the child is old enough and the food is

prepared to be developmentally appropriate textures and sizes, let the child

handle the food themselves, with no expectation that they finish everything on

the plate. Lil Nibbles are just the right size for little hands, making it easy for kids to feed themselves with confidence.

Speech Pathologists can often help parents and their children if, after trying these

techniques, they require extra feeding support. If your child is consistently refusing

entire food groups (e.g., vegetables, fruits, starches), has frequent reflux or vomits

after meal times, or is not meeting important weight milestones, please talk to your

paediatrician or family GP.

For more information see the following resource by VIC Health:

https://heas.health.vic.gov.au/resources/promoting-healthy-eating/introducing-new-

foods-to-children/

Post by Bronwyn Hicks – Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP)

SMART SPEECH THERAPY https://smartspeechtherapy.com.au/