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A common misconception is that the digestive process begins with the first bite of food. In reality it begins with the first sight or smell of a food. For some, it may even begin with the first mention of a food. I dare you to think of something really sour and NOT feel a rush of saliva into your mouth. Those of us who work with, or parent, a picky or selective eater know this all too well. Just as a sour food causes most of us to salivate because of our positive memory of it, for others {selective eaters in particular} the sight or smell of a food can produce more unpleasant responses like gagging, nausea, vomiting etc... Now...where am I going with this you ask? Well, here...  Photo: Y.M This is squid salad and a friend of mine who is in Hawaii right now, posted this picture and said it was "delicious." I'd like to believe that, but I can't. I just can't get past the suckers and the idea of that texture being in my mouth. If I'm being completely honest, I have felt "gaggy" from the instant I began to write this post because I knew I'd soon be staring at the picture again. It makes me lose my appetite. It looks too "other-worldly" for me. Now, my REAL point in writing this post is to remind everyone that your picky/selective eaters feel the way I do, about this squid salad, but with more mainstream foods. Foods that "shouldn't" be scary. Let's see...like "ants on a log"...how could a kid not like ants on a log? It's just celery, peanut butter and raisins, right?  photo: Creative Commons Well, to some kids they really DO look like ants and why would someone EAT ants anyway? See what I mean? Yet we think ALL kids should LOVE ants on a log. How about this strawberry? Does it look appetizing to you or does it look a little freakish with it's weird, bug-like seeds, it's hairy surface and the black blemish that could mean a bug is lurking inside?  Photo: Creative Commons Have I made my point?
Food looks different to everyone. Food evokes a different, neurological/biological response in everyone. Food that is "delcious" to you might make another gag. Yes...even for a two year old. Moral of the story? File this away and remember it the next time your picky/selective eater says "that looks....weird....yucky." You really have no idea how they are "seeing" {or experiencing} that food. Until next time...keep growing and blooming. Jen
3 Comments
9/25/2013 01:08:35 am
I completely agree, Jen. One of my workshops is called How To Get Your Picky Eater To Try New Foods and I talk about this all the time. Hi Anna. Thank you for reading and commenting. Yes, it is so important to remember as we are helping our picky and selectives to not PRESSURE to "get" them to try it. The less we pressure and "try" the better off many run of the mill picky eaters are and the less likely they will turn into true selective eaters. The end goal of any program should be that the child has a positive relationship with food-which may or may not satisfy others' idea of what they should be eating. :) I use Ellyn Satter's principals in my therapy with picky and selective eaters. If you don't already...check her out. It really needs to be the foundation of ANY therapeutic program. 9/25/2013 05:08:41 am
I think what you are doing here on your blog is wonderful and super helpful for parents and professionals. Keep up the good work and yes, I do read, listen and comment:) Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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