Picky Eaters and the Holidays

The holidays bring an abundance of special foods, but for families with picky eaters, mealtime can be a source of stress rather than celebration. According to ASHA, picky eating often stems from sensory preferences, oral motor challenges, or anxiety around new experiences (ASHA, 2023). Parents and therapists can help children navigate holiday meals by using strategies that encourage comfort, exploration, and gradual acceptance of new foods.

1. Prepare Ahead of Time

Introduce holiday foods in a low-pressure environment before the big day. ASHA recommends gradual exposure to new foods to reduce anxiety. For example, practice with small pieces of pumpkin pie or cranberry sauce during regular meals to make them more familiar (ASHA, 2023).

2. Use Descriptive Language

Describe the sensory characteristics of foods, such as their color, texture, or temperature. This corresponds with ASHA's advice to use language to engage curiosity about foods. For example, saying, “The stuffing feels soft and squishy like a sponge!” can make it less intimidating (ASHA, 2023).

3. Create a Safe Food Plate

Always include one or two familiar, preferred foods on the child’s plate to ensure they feel comfortable. It's important to balance exposure to new foods with access to safe options, so children don’t feel overwhelmed (ASHA, 2023).

4. Encourage Participation in Food Prep

Allow children to help prepare holiday dishes. ASHA highlights the benefits of hands-on experiences, as touching and smelling foods during preparation can increase willingness to taste them. Activities like stirring mashed potatoes or decorating cookies can be fun and break down barriers to trying new foods (ASHA, 2023).

5. Respect Boundaries

Avoid forcing children to eat foods they’re not ready to try. ASHA advises using a no-pressure approach, encouraging exploration without requiring eating. Praise small steps, like touching or tasting a new food, to build confidence and reduce overall aversion (ASHA, 2023).

With some of these strategies, families and therapists can create positive holiday mealtime experiences for picky eaters while fostering their long-term comfort with a wider variety of foods.

References:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2023). Feeding and Swallowing Disorders in Children.