Picky Eaters vs Problem Feeders

You have probably heard someone say their child is a "picky eater" but you may not have heard the term problem feeder.

What is the difference? Read along to find out!

Picky Eaters (info from sosapproach.com)

• Decreased range or variety of food; typically has 30 or more foods in their food range

• Foods lost due to "burnout" from food jagging are usually eaten again after a 2-week-break

• Eats at least one food from most all nutrition or texture groups (e.g. purees, meltable foods, proteins, fruits)

• Can tolerate new foods on their plate, usually able to touch or taste food (even if reluctantly)

• Frequently eats a different set of foods at a meal than other family member. Typically, eats at the same time + table as other family members.

• Sometimes reported by parent as a "picky eater" at well-child checkups, picky eating has been less than 2 years

• Learns to eat new foods in 20-25 steps on a steps to eating hierarchy

Problem Feeders (info from sosapproach.com)

• Restricted range or variety of foods, usually eats less than 20 foods

• Foods lost due to "burn out" from food jagging are not eaten again after a break, resulting in further decrease in the number of foods eaten

• Refuses entire categories of food textures or nutrition groups (e.g. soft cubes, meats, veggies,)

• Cries, screams, tantrums, "falls apart" when new foods are presented, complete refusal

• Almost always eats a different set of foods than their family; often eats at different time or place than other family members

• Persistently reported by parents to be a "picky eater" at multiple well-child checkups, picky eating has been more than 2 years

• Requires more than 25 steps to learn to eat new foods
  

If you are concerned about your child's eating habits reach out to us at 253.237.3405 or infor@circlecreektherapy.com

We would love to help!