Welcome to The Talk with April Anderson—a monthly series where we share practical insights, professional strategies, and family-centered tools to support positive feeding experiences.
This month, we’re diving into one of the most common concerns families bring to therapy: picky eating. While frustrating at times, picky eating can be a stepping stone to building resilience, trust, and healthier long-term habits. By understanding the importance of exposure, reducing pressure, and modeling positive behaviors, families can set the stage for more enjoyable mealtimes.
As feeding therapy professionals, we often encounter families seeking support for children with picky eating habits. Our role involves empowering parents, building trust with children, and offering evidence-based strategies to promote positive mealtime experiences.
It can take time to learn to like the flavour and texture of foods. Many children (and adults!) require up to 15–20 exposures to a food before they will taste it. This means that a food may be refused 15–20 times.
Avoid Pressure-Based Techniques
- Educate families about the risks of pressure, bribery, or coercion during meals, which can increase mealtime stress.
Advocate for a division of responsibility approach (parents decide what and when food is offered; children decide whether and how much to eat).
Encourage families to establish a predictable meal and snack schedule.
Coach Parents on Role Modeling
- Guide parents to model enthusiasm for trying new foods and making balanced eating choices.
- Highlight the importance of consistent family meals and shared positive mealtime behaviors.
- Remind parents that consistency builds a sense of security, even if food intake varies day-to-day.
Deepen Your Learning – Feeding Bundle (TalkTools Self-Study Courses)
Reflection Questions
- How do I usually react when my child refuses a food?
- What is one way I could create a calmer, pressure-free mealtime this week?
This month’s The Talk with April Anderson reminds us that mealtimes aren’t just about food—they’re about building trust, security, and joy around eating. Progress may come slowly, but every gentle exposure and positive interaction helps children take a step forward.
Stay tuned for next month’s edition of The Talk with April Anderson, where we’ll continue exploring practical strategies for families navigating feeding challenges.