Fussy eaters: Nutritionist shares common causes in children

Understanding the struggle with fussy eaters.

A balanced diet is crucial for growing children, but 62% of UK parents admit their child one of the fussy eaters. This challenge causes stress for many, with the same percentage finding feeding times overwhelming. Google searches for ‘kids veg’ have risen by 29% compared to last quarter, highlighting parents’ concerns about nutrition.

To support parents, JoJo Maman Bébé has teamed up with nutritional therapy practitioner Sandrine Olmi. She shares expert advice on why children develop fussy habits and practical tips to introduce vegetables discreetly.

Common causes of fussy eaters as children

Sandrine identifies four main reasons for picky eating:

1. Sensitivity: “Some children are more sensitive to tastes, smells, and textures, common among neurodivergent children.”
2. Exposure: “Limited food variety at home can lead to fussy habits due to lack of exposure.”
3. Lack of interest: “Some children prefer familiar foods and show little interest in trying new ones.”
4. Previous experiences: “A negative food experience can trigger fussy eating habits.”

Creating a positive food environment

Sandrine advises that most children outgrow fussy eating. However, children with sensory issues might continue preferring ‘safe’ foods into adolescence. She stresses the importance of a positive food environment:

“Allowing children to explore ingredients in a fun, caring setting makes them more likely to try new foods. Pressure during mealtimes can create stress, affecting digestion and reinforcing negative associations with food.”

Six ways to sneak vegetables into meals

Sandrine suggests these strategies:

1. Offer vegetables as snacks when children are hungry, like after school.
2. Present vegetables in various forms: cooked, raw, mashed, or grated.
3. Include vegetables in baked goods like carrot cake, courgette muffins, or black bean brownies.
4. Involve children in food preparation.
5. Add vegetables to smoothies.
6. Hide vegetables in sauces, smoothies, or pancakes.

“I love adding frozen cauliflower to chocolate smoothies or making sweet beetroot and spinach pancakes,” Sandrine shares.

Parents’ top tips for introducing vegetables

A survey of 500 UK parents revealed creative methods:

• Mixing vegetables into mashed potatoes.
• Creating fun, colourful vegetable faces.
• Blending vegetables into pasta sauce.
• Adding one small new food to their plate daily.
• Giving vegetables playful characteristics during meals.
• Grating vegetables finely to hide in dishes.

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