when should I worry about picky eating? a guide for parents

Most children have foods they love, foods they refuse and days when they seem determined to eat nothing but the same favourite meal.

Picky or fussy eating can be a normal part of childhood. But sometimes eating becomes much more restricted, stressful or difficult than ordinary food preferences.

Perhaps your child eats only a small number of foods. Maybe they used to eat foods they now refuse. Perhaps a different brand, shape or texture can bring mealtime to a sudden stop.

Or maybe you’re hearing, “Don’t worry. They’ll eat when they’re hungry,” while knowing that your child’s experience seems much more complicated than that.

So when should you worry about picky eating?

There isn’t one magic number of foods that tells us when eating has become a problem. Instead, it helps to look at the range, severity, duration and impact of your child’s eating — and to consider what might be making eating difficult in the first place.

You might want to seek the advice of your child's health team if your child:

• eats a very limited range of foods, or has sudden or significant changes in their eating
• is regularly dropping previously accepted foods
• avoids whole food groups
• has strong reactions to textures, smells, colours or brands
• becomes very distressed around unfamiliar foods
• has fear around choking, vomiting, pain or eating
• gags, coughs, chokes or struggles to chew or swallow
• experiences significant stress around mealtimes
• has eating difficulties that affect school, parties, holidays or family life.

If you have concerns about your child's growth, weight, nutrition or energy, or suspect they have a food allergy or eating disorder, it's always wise to seek advice, even just for peace of mind.

There isn't one magic number of foods that tells you whether eating is a problem. What matters is the overall picture and the impact on your child and family.

Food aversion can involve strong avoidance of particular tastes, textures, smells, appearances or other characteristics of food.

You may also have come across ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder). ARFID is more than ordinary picky eating and requires professional assessment. A child having a limited diet does not automatically mean they have ARFID.

If you're concerned about your child's nutrition, growth, swallowing, significant fear around eating or possible eating disorder, speak with an appropriate health professional.

We recommend that it's always best to start by booking an appointment with your child's general practitioner, who can refer you to more specialist care if needed.