What are Food Jags?
Food Jags are a term to describe a child’s preference for eating the same food(s) prepared the same way every day or at every meal.
Click on the link below to watch our Feeding Therapist Marie explain more about Food Jags and how these can be addressed at home and in therapy. We also invite you to scroll down to read more!
What is the Problem with Food Jags?
Children can become burned out from being bored eating the exact same foods every day. These frequently eaten foods are typically observed to then drop out of the child’s food range permanently.
How Do We Prevent Food Jagging?
It is important to note that we do not want to take away a child’s primary source of nutrition and/or their favourite or preferred foods. We therefore need to implement alternative strategies to prevent food jagging.
We make a new rule that “we are not boring” so we cannot eat the same food every day.
It is encouraged that you document your child’s “Food Range Diary” listing the grains/starches (e.g., bread, rice, potato, pasta), protein/dairy (e.g. milk, fish, legumes) and fruits and vegetables (e.g. apples, grapes, cucumber, carrots) currently eaten by your child.
Your therapist will work with you to establish a “Meal Plan” including breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and drinks. It is important to alternate foods on different days (e.g., carrot sticks on Wednesday and Saturday, muesli bar on Monday and Thursday).
NOTE: If your child has under 5 foods in each core food category, then at least one sensory property within the preferred food will need to be changed (i.e., present the food in a different shape, colour, flavour/taste – e.g., adding parmesan cheese, and texture – adding thickener).
Example: Preventing a Food Jag on Pancakes
Week 1 – Change the Shape - Cut the child’s preferred pancakes with a cookie cutter or knife into different shapes (e.g. heart shape, star shape, square etc.).
Week 2 – Change the Colour – Change the colour of the pancake using different food colouring.
Week 3 – Change the Taste or Texture – Use different cooking oils, milks or batter to make the pancakes, add extra sauces, syrups or condiments such as honey or jam
GOAL: For the food to only change enough where it is JUST NOTICABLE. Your child should look like they noticed but are OKAY WITH THE CHANGE.
DISCLAIMER: It is important that managing your child’s food jags are directly supported and guided by your feeding therapist to ensure the transition and expansion of trying new foods is not overwhelming and is enjoyable as possible.
Copyright, 2002/2010, Kay A. Toomey.