After many years as a feeding therapist, I’ve had hundreds of families come to me and describe their child as “picky.” Labeling them “picky” is really just a reflection of our own one-track mind. We cannot expect each and every individual to eat a very wide range of foods. As human beings, we must teach that we have the right to choose what goes in our bodies. When we force feed (I’ve seen it all), what we are really doing is teaching them to mute their body’s own cues.

If we plan to explore mealtime together, then building trust is paramount. Coercing them into trying foods often heightens their mealtime anxieties. Establishing an environment without the pressure to sample new foods is crucial, as it reduces the risk of triggering their nervous system and potentially causing more harm than good.

Observing signs of masking during meals is key: exclusive successful eating with one adult, selective eating in specific locations, and immediate refusal of foods outside their usual preferences could mean they are masking! What are your thoughts?