“I don’t know what to do! He eats very little!”
“I’ve tried everything, but nothing changes!”
“If it’s not pasta, potatoes or bread, he won’t even touch it!”
If these phrases sound familiar to you, if they have been said (or thought) countless times at mealtime, then you may be dealing with your child’s neophobia and/or picky eating! I want you to know that you are not alone! Neophobia and picky eating are situations that concern many parents, often bringing stress, frustration, and endless negotiations to the table! So let’s see what these terms mean, why this happens to children, and most importantly, how we can manage it with more understanding and less pressure!
What is neophobia and selective eating?
Neophobia is defined as resistance, refusal and/or avoidance of trying and consuming new, unfamiliar foods, due to an intense feeling of disgust and/or fear, both visual and gustatory.
Picky eating is a more general term that falls under the category of eating disorders. As a term, it is used to describe the reluctance to consume both new and familiar foods. It is characterized by reduced food consumption and a limited variety of foods in children’s diets, which often leads parents to provide a special menu, different from that of other family members. Although neophobia and selective eating are similar, they are not identical concepts. Selective eating is a more general term that also includes neophobia, while neophobia only includes a part of selective eating.
Why is my child displaying these behaviors?
Selective feeding has been reported even at ages younger than one year, while neophobia usually begins to appear in the 1st year of life and peaks between the 2nd and 6th years. Neophobia is usually treated from childhood, while selective eating can persist into adolescence and accompany the individual into adulthood. Although neophobia can be a confusing and stressful situation for parents, it is a completely normal process. It is an evolutionary mechanism that aims to protect children from consuming potentially life-threatening foods, since the child has not been exposed to them before.
Possible factors leading to selective eating and neophobia are:
- Genetic background.
- The existence of pathological factors, the most common of which is gastroesophageal reflux.
- Conditions related to oral motor functions and sensory processing. Feeding requires the harmonious functioning of many different systems of the child and is related to the stage of development the child is in.
- Environmental factors (e.g., the child’s previous negative experiences with food such as choking, pressure around eating meals, exposure to food, the child’s involvement with food, the parents’ eating habits, etc.).
How can I handle this situation?
Dear parents, I understand that you may feel responsible or even guilty about the difficulties your child presents with feeding, such as neophobia and picky eating. However, as mentioned above, there are other factors that can potentially lead to these situations. Let’s not forget, overall
, that neophobia is a completely normal process. It is important that before proceeding with the following behavioral techniques that I will suggest, you make sure that there is no difficulty related to health problems (e.g. gastroesophageal reflux) or development, with the help of your doctor.
Techniques that seem to help deal with neophobia and selectivity are:
- Creating a safe and calm environment. Make sure the child is sitting comfortably in the highchair and is not distracted by external factors, such as television and/or a toy.
- Family meals and consumption of foods that we want the child to eat are initially introduced by the parents themselves. Parents are role models for children.
- Encouraging the child’s involvement with food, such as by participating in the cooking process.
- Repeated exposure to the new food or food that the child does not consume. The child must be exposed at least 15-20 times before he begins to accept the new food.
- Serve the new food or the food that the child does not eat together with another food that you know he likes. Cook the same food for all family members.
- Setting a time limit during the meal, e.g. 20-30 minutes.
Challenge your child’s curiosity and imagination. Use colorful plates or plates with characters your child likes. You can also offer a food with a different texture each time (e.g. boiled carrot or mashed carrot) Reward your child for every effort to improve their diet, but be careful what you use as a “prize.” Avoid using a treat as a “prize,” but instead use a sticker or a trip to the playground. You can have a goal chart that you fill in each time your child achieves a dietary change. Avoid phrases like “come on, one more bite for mom/dad” etc.
In Conclusion
Neophobia and picky eating are situations that can cause anxiety and concern for parents, but it is important to remember that these are normal processes in a child’s development. It is important to approach the issue with patience and understanding, offering our child a safe and calm environment, as well as the opportunity to explore new flavors at his own pace. Repeated exposure, encouragement to participate in food preparation, and positive reinforcement are effective strategies for supporting the child. Don’t forget that your support, without pressure and with respect for the child’s stage of development, is the most important element in overcoming these difficulties and developing a healthy relationship with food.