Are mealtimes in your household tricky to navigate? Here is how to know if your child is a ‘picky eater’ or a ‘problem feeder’.
Signs of a picky eater
Decreased range or variety of food (will eat at least 30 different foods).
Child will stop eating foods due to ‘burn out’.
These foods will typically be re-gained after around a 2-week break.
Can tolerate new foods on their plate.
May touch or taste a new food (even if reluctantly).
Eats at least one food from most food texture groups (e.g., purees, meltable foods, crunchy foods)
Eats at least one food from most food nutrition groups (e.g., fruits, vegetables, proteins, carbohydrates, dairy).
Frequently eats a different meal than the rest of the family
Typically eats with the family
Parents report that their child is sometimes a picky eater
Signs of a problem feeder
Restricted range or variety of foods (will eat 20 or less foods)
Child will stop eating foods they always ate due to food jags.
These foods are NOT eaten again after taking a break, resulting in a decrease in the number of foods they will accept or eat.
Child will cry, scream, meltdown or ‘fall apart’ when presented with new foods.
Refuses entire food textures (e.g., purees, meltable foods, crunchy foods)
Refuses entire nutrition groups (e.g., fruits, vegetables, proteins, carbohydrates, dairy)
Almost always eats a different food or meal than the rest of the family
Often does not eat with the family
Parents report that their child is always a picky eater
How can I support my picky eater?
If you find yourself thinking that you may have a picky eater and mealtimes are still stressful, we encourage you to check out or blog 'Tips to encourage positive mealtime experiences' to support your child at mealtime.
What to do if you have a problem feeder?
If you are unsure about whether your child needs support with their eating, or if you feel that your child may be a problem feeder, it is best to seek support from a professional. These professionals can include Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists Dieticians, Psychologists and Feeding Therapists. Our job as professionals is to identify the underlying cause of your child’s difficulties with eating (e.g., sensory, oral-motor, behavioural) and guide you on the next steps to support you and your child with making mealtimes enjoyable for everyone.
We strongly encourage you to reach out to your child’s feeding therapist if you have any further questions or would like any clarification to help you support your child on their feeding therapy journey.
This information was obtained from the SOS Approach to Feeding Guide and was developed by Kay A. Toomey and Associates 2002/2010