How to support the reluctant eater

Many children experience a level of reluctance around certain foods at some point in their development. The transition to solid foods is not always straightforward and new colours, textures and tastes can challenge familiarity. This uncertainty can also provide an opportunity for toddlers and children to assert a level of independence. This can often be accompanied by inconsistencies around what children will eat and where, so by understanding more about why a child may be a reluctant eater, and having strategies to improve mealtimes, parents and childcare professionals can be better equipped to support this transition.

Reluctant eating can be based around both an uneasiness to try new and unfamiliar foods and rejection of foods that have previously been accepted and eaten. The reason behind these is a basic fear response, which is a normal stage of a child’s development. This typically peaks around 2-3 years of age, but for some, the behaviour can become deep rooted. This initial fear around food, known as neophobia, is believed to be an evolutionary-rooted response. It served as a protective mechanism to ensure as hunters and gatherers, we didn’t eat something poisonous which would make us sick. Our ancestors developed their diet around safe colours, smells and textures and as some foods, specifically vegetables, have a naturally bitter taste, acceptance of these foods was challenged. This natural uncertainty is evident in modern children as they develop and expand their food palette

By understanding that this reluctance is based around a fear of the unfamiliar, it can be better understood as an expression of an innate trait all humans share. A basic approach to reducing this level of fear is to make the unfamiliar feel a lot more familiar. Research has shown that repeatedly offering a child a new food increases their readiness to touch, taste, eat and eventually like the food. Persistence is certainly key with this stage of development. If this reluctance is not addressed, children can grow up with a hugely restrictive diet that can reduce their exposure to essential nutrients. Use the top tips below as strategies to implement in your setting and share with parents who are also struggling at home.

Top tips to support the reluctant eater:

Relax

Remain positive and don’t expect or pressurise a child to eat as this can lead to further problems. If a child will try a small amount, praise and accept that as progress.

Exposure

To reduce the fear response you will need to plan at least 15-20 exposures before a child will willingly eat a particular food and you may need to track progress from happy to have on their plate, to touching, tasting and eating and acknowledge small steps.

Playtime

Look for other opportunities to increase exposure. Within childcare settings you can also read stories about foods, sing songs, visit a supermarket to look at the fruit and vegetables, plant some seeds and get children in the kitchen cutting and preparing their own food.

Be realistic

Consider portion size when encouraging children to eat new foods. 2-3 strawberries may be an ample portion size for a 2-3 year old.

Home

Communicate with parents. If a child will eat within your setting but is reluctant with the same foods at home, talk to the parents about your approach, how you serve it and even share the recipe.

Health

Use storytime, discussions and mealtimes as an opportunity to talk about food as our fuel to keep us growing to help children to begin to establish a link.

Support

If a child continues to be reluctant and has developed a hugely restrictive diet, then seeking additional support can sometimes be necessary. This can be accessed through a child’s GP.

As with any developmental stage, it’s important to develop an approach and remain consistent and if parents and childcare professionals communicate effectively, a child’s fear response around food can be reduced and they can widen their food choices with minimal upheaval.

Perhaps try my delicious smoothie recipe in your setting. It’s packed full of nutrition and bursting with colour and flavour.

For more food fun in your setting, sign up to the Youngest Chef Award. This award is for Early Years Foundation Stage pupils (ages 3-5) and is written by teachers for early years practitioners/teachers. It is designed around the popular children’s book “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle and has been developed and launched by The Food Teacher™. The award is a ‘Mini Muncher Challenge’, which can be delivered across 5 sessions (every day over a single week or once a week over a 5 week period) with 50 minutes of planned teaching time each session. Find out more at; https://youngest.youngchefoftheyear.com/