Picky Eating is NOT One Size Fits All...

I've never liked the "one size fits all' concept: For ANYTHING but especially for picky eating. I find mysellf getting more and more frustrated with the mainstream media and misinformed "experts" who talk about picky eating and prescribe "tools" and plans to parents. I'm all for improving diets and spreading information to those who need it but currently, there is FAR too much misinformation out there about picky eating and I feel overwhelmed with trying to keep up with educating others so the well meaning bloggers, celebrities and misinformed professionals become more aware and responsible with this term/concept of picky eating. 

First and foremost...there are MANY variations to the "picky eater." 

Picky Eaters: 
~generally have more than 30 or more accepted foods
~MAY have food jags {a period of time that they restrict themselves to only a few favorites} the KEY is that the foods that were "shunned" return at some point
~generally no medical conditions like vomiting, reflux, constipation or other GI related issues
~may have some mild sensory issues {don't like highly textured or slimy foods etc..}


Finicky Eaters:
~generally have more than 30 or more accepted foods
~MAY have food jags
~generally no medical conditions
~may have mild sensory issues
~have CLEAR preferences in an otherwise balanced diet {no sauces, bland or mild taste preferences, few sweets etc}


Selective Eaters:
~generally fewer than 20 accepted foods
~often less than 10 accepted foods
~strong reactions/fear/anxiety respones to foods {gagging, crying, refusing to come to the table}
~may have weight gain issues or a diagnosis of Failure to Thrive
~may drop foods and they do NOT reappear in the diet
~may reject ENTIRE food groups {not JUST fruits and veggies here}
~often have medical conditions related to mechanical {oral motor/swallowing/developmental conditions} or sensory or Gastro Intestinal conditions {reflux, Eosinophilic esophagitis, Celiac disease, allergies etc...}
~nutritional concerns
~high stress level in the family due to the picky eating {mealtime routines change, family doesn't eat out or oftentimes together}
~extreme loyalty to certain foods {ONLY McD's chicken nuggets, ONLY Ritz crackers etc...}


Feeding Disorder:
~swallowing problems-may have diagnosis of Dysphagia {difficulty swallowing/aspiration-taking food or liquid into the lungs upon swallow}
~inability to chew and manage foods above puree 
~difficulties with appetite regulation
~refuses ALL solid foods/drinks calories 
~feeding ability does NOT match developmental age
~arching, gagging, crying, extreme behavioral responses to foods, bottle, utensils [turning head away}


So, you can see why the catch all term of "picky eating" can be dangerous. As a feeding specialist, do I use the term? YES, I do because it allows me to reach those who I  need to reach in order to help them. I , however, am CONSTANTLY educating on what constitutes the spectrum of picky eaters. 


The danger comes when we are giving advice about picky eating and we don't understand or even KNOW that there are so many variations and how DANGEROUS it can be to tell a parent of a selective eater to do this or do that.


 A selective eater will NOT: "eat when they get hungry " if you implement a technique designed to "wait them out" or "exert your parental control."  If you alter one of their 10-20 foods, you risk having that food drop out of their food list FOREVER. That. Can't. Happen. because that would mean lower intake which then  would translate into weight loss, nutrional concerns etc..MORE stress for the child and family.


Treatment for each area under the umbrella of picky eating is slightly different and THIS is what becomes so important when we speak about and offer advice on the subject. I am constantly learning from other professionals, PARENTS and children themselves. There is NO one size fits all approach. What worked for one child/family is NOT what will work for another. What worked for YOUR child may not work for another so parents of picky eaters ALSO need to be cautious with giving advice and information.


Please offer advice carefully and instead encourage families to seek out a team of professionals who can help them navigate this confusing area of "picky eating." If you are a blogger, product developer, celebrity, nutritionist etc...and you write about or are educating others on this subject, PLEASE consult with a feeding therapist with experience in this area to help provide accurate information. I'm happy to help. 


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In the meantime keep growing and blooming!


Jen