Food Exposure

Mealtimes can be a battleground for parents of picky eaters, especially toddlers with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). I see a great number of toddlers with Autism traits and many of my clients are picky eaters from mild to severe. Take a look at my blog for an outline of what the issues are and how to try and help.

ARFID goes beyond typical ‘picky eating’ and can significantly impact a child’s growth, nutrition, and social-emotional well-being. If your toddler is resistant to trying new foods or has a very limited diet, here are some strategies to navigate the introduction of solids:

1. Understand ARFID:

ARFID is a diagnosable eating disorder characterised by:

• Limited food variety: Eating only a small range of foods, often with specific textures or colours.
• Fear of new foods: Intense anxiety or aversion to trying unfamiliar foods.
• Sensory sensitivities: Heightened sensitivity to taste, smell, texture, or appearance of food.
• Lack of interest in eating: May show little interest in food or mealtimes.

2. Seek professional guidance:

• Paediatrician and/or gastroenterologist: Rule out any underlying medical conditions.
• Registered dietitian: Assess nutritional needs and create a balanced meal plan.
• Speech and language therapist (SLT): If oral-motor skills or sensory sensitivities are contributing to feeding difficulties.
• Occupational therapist (OT): If sensory processing challenges are affecting mealtime behaviours.
• Child psychologist: If anxiety or emotional factors are contributing to ARFID.

3. Strategies for introducing solids:

• Start small: Introduce one new food at a time, in small amounts, alongside familiar favourites.
• Patience is key: It can take multiple exposures (up to 10–15 times!) for a child to accept a new food. Don’t give up!
• Positive reinforcement: Praise and encouragement for any interaction with the new food, even just touching or smelling it.
• No pressure: Avoid forcing or pressuring the child to eat. This can create negative associations with food.
• Make it fun: Present food in playful ways, use cookie cutters for fun shapes, or involve the child in food preparation.
• Sensory exploration: Encourage exploration of food through touch, smell, and sight before tasting.
• Role modelling: Show the child that you enjoy eating a variety of foods.
• Use fun utensils: your child might like characters from ‘Frozen’ or ‘Dinosaurs’ or ‘Diggers’ there are a host of character-based cutlery and cups/plates to be had. Also, I really rate these two items very highly they are so good so I want to share these with you. Both are available online. But warning: the cup is outrageously expensive as it comes from the United States and is sold by a small scale company. But I feel this is cup very worth trying, I have had good results with this.

• Gradual desensitisation: Start with foods that are similar in texture or taste to accepted foods, then gradually introduce more challenging options.
• Food chaining: Introduce new foods that are similar in taste, texture, or appearance to accepted foods.

4. Mealtime Environment:

• Positive and relaxed: Create a calm and enjoyable mealtime atmosphere.
• No distractions: Minimise distractions like TV or toys.
• Consistent schedule: Offer meals and snacks at regular times.
• Child-sized portions: Offer small, manageable portions to avoid overwhelming the child.
• Involve the child: Let the child choose their utensils, plate, or cup.

5. Remember:

• Every child is different: What works for one child may not work for another.
• Progress takes time: Be patient and celebrate small victories.
• Focus on the positive: Praise any positive interaction with food.
• Seek support: Connect with other parents or support groups.

Introducing solids to toddlers with ARFID can be challenging, but with patience, persistence, and professional guidance, you can help your child develop a healthier relationship with food.

Get in touch with me via my contact form if you need support

Sonja McGeachie

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Find a speech and language therapist for your child in London. Are you concerned about your child’s speech, feeding or communication skills and don’t know where to turn? Please contact me and we can discuss how I can help you or visit my services page.