How to Manage the "Fun Food" Season

If you're a regular reader, then you know that I love fall and the holiday time that follows.  This time of comforting foods and social times with family and friends makes me happy. As a feeding therapist however, I don't love all of the over the top "fun food" that comes with it. No, I'm not a stick in the mud and I am absolutely on board with fun food for typical eaters {if there even is such a thing} and some of the fun food  ideas that are out there.  

While fun food has it's place...it absolutely must be used sparingly with our picky/selective eaters. I've done posts before that talk about why. Find one here.  Research shows that selective and picky eaters will be LESS likely to try a food if it looks like something other than food. Some of our picky/selective eaters already have difficulty telling food from non food items-if we add in food that is designed to look like something other than food, we inadvertently add to the problem. 

The key is to keep things simple. Make sure the food still looks like food. We have some great examples on our Pinterest boards. 

Click on picture to find original website/idea from Under Construction Blog.

One of the keys with fun food and the picky eater is to do the activity with your child so they can see the food transform. You'll also want to serve some of the foods in their natural, non-fun food, states right along with the dolled up foods. Don't be surprised if your child simply wants to watch-it counts as an exposure. Always, always, always remember not to pressure in any way to try or take a bite. Simply enjoy the process of being together in the kitchen and creating something fun. 


Do you have simple, fun food ideas that you use this time of year?  I'd love to hear about them or see pictures {post in comments or on our FB page}. 


Until next time...keep growing and blooming. 


Jen