#Picky Eater Tips

My 5 NON-NEGOTIABLES for Picky Eaters (if you actually want to see progress!) …Don’t skip #5 — it’s the one most parents miss! Let’s make one thing clear: picky eating isn’t just a “phase” for every child. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like nothing is working — these 5 things are the foundation I teach every family I work with. Here’s what I never skip: 1️⃣ Sit-down meals & snacks Grazing makes picky eating worse. Structure helps kids come to meals more ready to eat and try! 2️⃣ A safe food ALWAYS on the plate When kids see something familiar, they feel calm enough to explore. No pressure = more progress. 3️⃣ Daily exposure to variety Even if they don’t eat it. Seeing, smelling, and touching foods builds trust and tolerance. 4️⃣ Modeling YOU are your child’s best example. Eat the foods you want them to eat. Let them watch and learn! 5️⃣ Regulate before you feed If your child is dysregulated, they’re not going to eat. Help them feel calm and connected before meals (this is a game changer!). 🤍🤍For more, comment PICKY for a copy of my free picky eating guide!!🤍🤍 ✨LIKE SAVE FOLLOW✨ @falcks_feeding @falcks_feeding @falcks_feeding Save & share this if you’re in the thick of picky eating — it does get better when you have the right tools! #pickyeatingtips #feedingtherapist #pediatricfeeding #feedingtherapy #toddlermeals #pickyeaterhelp #sensorykids #momlife #mealtimestruggles

Picky eaters can be frustrating!! It can feel like you are constantly cooking. One meal for them, one meal for you. And usually the meal for you ends up not being exactly “healthy” because you are just too tired to cook more. I am well practiced with my grown-man picky eater so if you have a picky eater, be it a child or a grown up, this hack + the others in my podcast this week will be so helpful for you! Comment PICKY EATER and I’ll send you the link to listen to the episode so you can get all the tips, tricks, and hacks for living with a picky eater. #pickyeater #pickyeaterapproved #pickyeatersolutions #healthypickyeaters #pickyeaterproblems

EASY food hacks to get your kids to ACTUALLY eat their veggies + protein without the battle 😜 Comment “Picky Eater” and I’ll DM you a link to my ultimate guide with recipes + resources to navigate the picky eater stage and create adventurous eaters 🍽️ Which hack are you going to try first??

Picky eating doesn’t change overnight.. it takes consistency, patience, and the right tools. Our toddlers learn through repetition, and that’s exactly how their eating habits improve too. 💛 My Picky Eating Reset gives you the clear, simple steps to follow. A short, straight-to-the-point mini course to help your child start eating again. Link is in my bio ❤️ #pickyeater #pickyeaters #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerfood #foryou

Here are practical, scientifically proven tips to reduce picky eating in kids 👶🍽️ 🌿 1. Make mealtime happy & stress-free Avoid forcing, bribing, or scolding during meals.Keep the environment calm and pleasant — no TV, no distractions. 🍎 2. Offer variety early and often Keep introducing new foods even if rejected the first few times — it can take 10–15 exposures for acceptance.Offer small portions of new foods alongside familiar favorites. 👩‍👧 3. Eat together as a family Kids learn by watching. When they see you enjoying fruits, veggies, or dal–roti, they’re more likely to try them too. 🍴 4. Follow the “division of responsibility” rule Parent’s job: Decide what, when, and where to offer food. Child’s job: Decide whether and how much to eat. 🥣 5. Keep portions small ( very underrated)- works very well. Big servings can overwhelm kids. Start with less and let them ask for more. You can always add more quantity and extra servings. 💧 6. Limit - milk & snacks. Too much milk or snacks fill them up before meals. Offer 2 milk feeds per day and avoid grazing between meals. 🌈 7. Make food fun and appealing Use colorful plates, cut fruits into fun shapes, or make smiley sandwiches.Serve a mix of textures and colors — kids eat with their eyes first! 🕐 8. Stick to a meal routine Offer meals and snacks at regular times so kids come to the table hungry, not full of random snacks 🧘‍♀️ 9. Respect appetite changes Growth spurts and slower phases are normal — some days they eat more, some less. 💪 10. Involve kids in cooking Let them wash veggies, stir, or serve food. Kids eat better when they feel ownership of the meal. Like, share and follow for more such simple yet effective tips. #pickyeater#pickyeating #pickyeaters #toddlermeals#toddlerfoodideas Want tips on screen free eating

You cannot control how much your toddler or picky eater is going to eat, but you can control your reactions & how you handle mealtime 🙌🏻 this is one of my many “activities” to get my kids eating more at meal time & trying new foods 🤍 #pickyeating #toddlermom #familymeals #toddlerfood #innerchild Picky eating tips, parenting tips, toddler mom tips, getting kids to eat their food, speech language pathologist, feeding therapy example

The opinions about picky eating are louder than necessary. Some kids grow out of it. Some need more time. Some just need less pressure. I have one child who will eat $60 worth of sashimi in one sitting, ask what the catch of the day is, and absolutely request a bite of everyone’s plate when we go out. And I have other children where fries, pizza, or chicken nuggets are a necessary backup plan when we eat out. Don’t get me wrong—they eat a ton of fruits and vegetables, and I’m grateful for that. But eating out is still extra challenging. If this is you, you’re not alone. You have permission to let curiosity bloom on its own timeline. Kids are people first. Eaters second. Were you a picky eater as a child? Share if you relate to this ✨

Picky eating can feel like you’re negotiating with a tiny but stubborn diplomat. “You’re so picky!” “Just one bite!” “Eat your broccoli, it’s good for you!”   Here’s the thing-how we talk about food matters as much as what’s on the plate. Words can either make kids curious… or shut them down. And while I don’t usually love the term “picky” (because it can stick as a label), I’m using it here since it’s what most parents search for when they’re looking for help. What I really want you to think about is that your child is still learning about certain foods-because that’s what’s actually happening.   Instead of labeling them “picky,” try: “Looks like you’re still learning about that one.” It normalizes the process and keeps the door open.   Instead of lecturing about nutrition, let them see you enjoying the food. Kids watch more than they listen-if you’re happily munching green beans, they’re more likely to wonder what they’re missing.   Give them a “No Thank You” bowl. It’s a safe spot for food they’re not ready for yet. It keeps mealtimes calm and still counts as exposure-because touching and smelling the food is progress.   Always pair something new with a safe food they already like. It anchors the meal and gives them confidence to explore without feeling cornered.   And if you really want to spark curiosity? Keep it playful. A carrot can be a “sword.” Broccoli can be “dino trees.” Play breaks down resistance way faster than pressure ever will.   Progress with picky eating isn’t just the bite-it’s all the little steps along the way. Want my full 7 pediatrician-backed tips to help your picky eater try new foods (no bribes needed)? Drop YOUTUBE LINK in the comments and I’ll send it your way. And subscribe to PedsDocTalk on YouTube so you never miss my free weekly parenting videos.   Has your child gone through a “picky” eating phase or are you in the thick of it right now? Share what’s helped you keep mealtimes calm and encourage new foods. Your tip might be exactly what another parent needs to hear.

Picky eating strategies: part 2! My son is 16 months and he is a picky eater (despite my efforts). But the good news is, I’m not stressed because I know it’s normal and I know how to respond! Toddlers go through so many changes, it’s inevitable that they will have ups and downs with eating as well. When we pressure or coerce toddlers to eat, it can end up backfiring and lead to more mealtime battles down the road. This approach is built on the foundation of trust at the table. He feels safe to explore the foods and I’m putting in the work to model and give him my attention during the meal. You can do this too! Follow along for more tips ❤️ Hi! I’m Marissa. I’m a pediatric occupational therapist specializing in ages 0-3. I share practical tips for parents to help their children thrive. Thanks for being here! #pediatricot #occupationaltherapy #firsttimemom #childdevelopment #earlyintervention #pickyeater #feedingtips #startingsolids

Follow for more toddler tips! ❤️ This one might be my favorite! #toddlertips #pickyeater #momhack #toddlerhack #toddlermom #parenting

Most people have dealt with a picky eater ✋ Have you!?!? Let me know below 👇 because I definitely have! 🙋‍♀️ Hey! I’m Brooke! A licensed pediatric OT & mom here to help you with all things baby! I’m so glad you’re here 🫶 Picky eating is super normal in late infancy & toddlerhood 👎 That’s why it’s so important to expose babies to a variety of textures, flavors, & foods in infancy… to reduce to risk of significant pickiness which leads to lack of calorie intake, nutrients, and all the things! 🍉🍓🍎🍐🥑🫛🥦🌽🥕🥔 Try this trick with your child if they are able to follow a simple direction (after age 1), and model throughout to make it fun! 🤩 You’d be surprised at how many foods your child will try with this fun technique & game! 🥳 Thanks for my speech therapist colleague that taught me this! It works like a charm! 🍀 Have you tried this before!? I’d love to know if you have or plan to!!! 🫶 Hang in there mama! You’re doing great! 😊 Follow @infantinsights for more tips like this & join us inside @bloombyinfantinsights for all things solids at your fingertips 🤩 #pickyeaters #pickyeater #blwideas #blwbaby #babyledeating #feedingtherapy #pediatricoccupationaltherapist #pediatricspeechtherapy

What to do instead: 🌟 Step into your role as health authority, home cook and gentle healer. 🌟 Shift your family’s food culture (not just with your picky eater) 🌟 Address on microbiome health 🌟 Use animal products as bioavailable protein 🌟 Mindset: setting boundaries for my picky eater is a gesture of love for their health. If you want to break the cycle, heal the gut. When your child’s Microbiome is imbalanced, “gut bugs” are capable of sending opioid-like signals to the brain. Sugary and starchy foods feed pathogens that send signals to the brain and hook 🪝your child on starch & sugar. Sugary & starchy foods spike your child’s blood sugar which makes them wired. Then it crashes, which makes them cranky. Meal times become peaceful when blood sugar is stable. 😌 With gut health as your foundation and focus you can make real progress with your picky eater. It’s 100% worth it! 🙏Remember even a little progress IS progress. And around here, we celebrate the small wins. 👏🎉 I can help you see the big picture in my Picky Eaters course. In this self-paced course you will: 🔹better understand the root-cause of picky eating 🔹Increase the # of nutrient-dense foods your child eats consistently 🔹Improve the health of the family Microbiome 🔹Create systems for attaining healthy eating even while traveling or during times of stress. 🆓If you’re interested, comment “PICKY” for the link to my FREE masterclass. Comment “plate” for my free healthy child meal time guide. 💖@wildnutritionist #guthealth #startingsolids #microbiome #realfood #microbiomehealth #naturalparenting #babyfood #postpartum #breastfeedingmom #foodasmedicine #toddler #toddlerfoodideas #toddlermom