Picky Eating in Kids: Behavior Problem or Hidden Challenges?

If you have a picky eater at home, you’ve likely witnessed some challenging behaviors around food. Many children show their discomfort or dislike of certain foods by throwing food, crying, pushing the plate away, or even leaving the table entirely. These behaviors can be frustrating and exhausting.

But here’s the thing: behavior is communication. When a child consistently reacts negatively to food, it’s often not about being defiant or manipulative. Instead, their actions are telling us something deeper. 

If a child is struggling with a pediatric feeding disorder (PFD), these responses could be rooted in sensory sensitivities, heightened anxiety around mealtimes, and/or oral-motor delays. These difficulties can make eating feel overwhelming or even scary, which leads to refusal behaviors that are often misunderstood as “bad behavior.”

Sensory concerns

Sensory processing refers to how our brain interprets sensory information from the environment. Food is a sensory experience that requires all of the senses. Children with sensory processing differences may become overwhelmed by these inputs. For example, if a child is hyper-responsive to touch or smell, the feel of mushy bananas or the strong odor of broccoli may cause them to gag, cry, or flee the table. To them, the food may genuinely feel unsafe even if it seems harmless to us.

Anxiety Around Mealtimes

Feeding difficulties often come with a history. Some children have experienced early trauma related to eating, perhaps due to reflux, choking, allergies, or other medical events. These experiences can lead to deep-seated mealtime anxiety. As a result, children might associate eating with pain or discomfort, leading to ongoing refusal, fear, or avoidance. 

Oral-motor Delays

Oral-motor abilities refer to the use of the muscles in the mouth, jaw, lips, tongue, and cheeks for tasks like chewing, swallowing, and moving food around. If a child is struggling to use their mouth correctly, they may perceive certain foods as “unsafe” to eat and react by spitting it out or throwing it. 

We Must Identify the Root Cause of Picky Eating

Understanding the root cause of your child’s feeding challenges is essential. Rather than focusing on stopping the behavior, we must ask: Why is this happening? By addressing the sensory, motor, or emotional barriers a child is experiencing, we can help them feel safer and more confident around food, leading to better outcomes for the whole family.

Looking For Support with an Occupational Therapist | Orlando, FL  

If you're concerned about your child's feeding habits, you're not alone—and support is available. At Little Bites Feeding Therapy, we specialize in pediatric feeding therapy for children with feeding difficulties, including those with Autism, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and other developmental differences. We proudly serve families in the greater Orlando area with in-home, play-based support that helps children build confidence at mealtimes.