A family I’m working with shared this with me today:

“My son doesn’t try new foods and I have to cook 2 meals for the whole family”

Sound familiar? 

Here are 3 ways you can support your child if they have limited food range, understand their challenges better, and aim for a more calm and connected mealtime for the whole family.

1 

Create a warm, calm and accepting meal-time environment. Meet your child where they’re at.

Your child has eating difficulties for a reason. They’re not trying to be naughty or frustrate you.

They’re doing the best with skills and sensory abilities they have, at that moment.

2

Re-calibrate your expectation of what ‘trying food’ means. If your child is seeing, smelling, touching, tasting or interacting with food in any way, this is trying food.

Notice and celebrate your child’s tiny steps forward towards gradually exploring and experiencing food in new ways.

3 

Serve family meals in ways that your child may tolerate, even just to look at. Serve their favourite parts. You can deconstruct it a bit as needed.

Add ‘safe’ foods that your child likes to their plate as Plan A, rather than making their favourite meal as Plan B.

I’d love to hear what you’ve found helpful! Reply and let me know: Which idea do you think you’ll try first?