Decoding the Picky Eater: It’s Not Just “Kids Being Kids”

Typically, picky eating is portrayed as toddlers refusing anything but chicken nuggets and preschoolers staging hunger strikes over green beans. But picky eating isn’t just about mac and cheese vs. mashed potatoes.

Your child has an invisible list of “acceptable” foods; anything outside is met with suspicion and disgust. In the case of picky eating, your child is limited in what foods they eat, dislikes specific textures, smells, and appearances, and sometimes refuses to eat altogether. 

Here’s the elephant in the room:

Picky eating is a normal developmental phase that affects approximately 50% of children. Think of it as your child’s way of asserting their independence and exploring their world, bite by bite (or avoided bite!).

In reality, picky eating falls on a spectrum. Some children are mildly selective, happily eating fruits and vegetables but turning their backs on meat. Others persistently avoid new foods, sticking to a limited repertoire of familiar favourites.

Even though picky eating is commonly found between the ages of 2 and 5, it can occur at any stage of childhood. The early years, however, are a period of significant sensory development and emergence of independence, leading to infamous food battles among your toddler’s newfound mobility and desire for control.

There is some good news: Most picky eaters outgrow their eating issues. Your child can develop a more adventurous palate and a healthier relationship with food with patience, a positive approach, and the right strategies.