Up to two thirds of parents identify their children as ‘picky’ or unpredictable eaters.1
9 out of 10 kids aren’t consuming their recommended 5 serves of vegetables per day.2
Parenting a fussy eater can cause stress and frustration, even for the most laid back of parents. Mealtime can see the kitchen table turn into a battleground, where you beg and bargain with your kids to try their food, take a few bites, or simply eat some greens. It can be an emotionally fraught time for everyone involved.
Fussy eating in kids is an unwillingness to eat familiar foods or to try new foods, as well as having strong preferences for certain foods.3 A toddler who refuses to try a new food at least half of the time is considered a fussy eater.4
Kids’ refusal to eat may be due to a number of reasons, including:
not liking the taste, shape, colour and texture of particular foods
digestive issues or nutrient deficiencies
changing energy needs as they grow
wanting to assert their independence or control
conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Healthcare professionals define a fussy eater as a child who shows some or all of the following characteristics:5
only accepts a limited range of foods, often refusing foods such as vegetables, fruit and meat.
has a fear of new foods.
eats very slowly (longer than 30 minutes to finish a meal).
shows limited appetite.
may quietly spit food out that is tasted and not liked.
balks at the shape, smell, colour or texture of food.
shows inconsistency with food choices.
requests the same food repeatedly.
engages in battles over food with parents.
has meltdowns or displays some level of anxiety when it’s mealtime.
refuses or is apprehensive in trying new foods.
is not motivated by or does not show interest in food.
has an appetite that may vary from meal to meal and day to day.
is distracted at mealtimes.
has specific expectations around food presentation e.g. will not accept foods that touch each other or prefers to drink from a specific cup.
As with everything in life, children are learning and exploring their world. Young children need time (often years) to develop a liking and trust for a particular food. This process happens over time and many factors influence how their taste buds develop.
As children enter the toddler stage, they become more aware of the food being served to them, and they may commonly resist leading to potential nutritional gaps.
Want to make sure your fussy eater is getting all the nutrition they need?
Up to two thirds of parents identify their children as 'picky' or unpredictable eaters1 and 9 out of 10 kids aren't consuming their recommended 5 serves of vegetables per day.2
Get advice from our health professional experts on nutrition strategies for fussy eaters.
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Abbreviations: ADHD: attention deficit disorder. ASD: autism spectrum disorder.
References: 1. Abbott U&A Research, 2018. 2. Gasser C, Evans-Whipp T and Terhaag S. (2018). The physical health of Australian children. In G. Daraganova and N. Joss (Eds.), Growing Up In Australia – The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, Annual Statistical Report 2018. Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies. 3. Taylor CM et al. Appetite. 2015;95:349–59. 4. Better Health Channel. Toddlers and fussy eating. Available at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/toddlers-and-fussy-eating (Accessed 21 November 2022). 5. The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. Typical and Problematic Feeding and Mealtime Behaviours. Available at: https://www.rch.org.au/feedingdifficulties/difficulties/Typical_and_Problematic/ (Accessed 21 November 2022).
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