Fussy or Restricted Eating

Fussy eating, also known as Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), is more than just picky eating. Children with ARFID have a very limited diet due to heightened reactions to certain textures, tastes, or fears related to food, such as the fear of choking. Unlike typical food preferences, fussy eating can significantly impact a child’s nutrition and overall wellbeing. Seeking treatment for child fussy eating is essential to address the underlying anxiety and ensure children receive the necessary nutrients for healthy development.

image of a teen girl refusing to eat

What the research says about fussy eating

Fussy eating, or ARFID, is a condition in which children or adults have significantly restricted food intake. This may be due to preferences in taste, colour, texture, or past negative experiences with food, such as choking or vomiting. While many children grow out of these food preferences as they age, others may continue these behaviours into adulthood.

ARFID can lead to:

  • Reduced consumption of certain foods
  • A limited range of ‘safe foods’, such as specific brands or types of food
  • Inability to eat certain foods due to anxiety and fears

In some cases, fussy eating can result in a nutritional deficiency, weight loss, or dependency on dietary supplements.

 

Signs That Fussy Eating Has Become a Problem

When fussy eating develops into a more severe issue, children may avoid entire food groups, such as fruits, vegetables, or meats. They may also experience physical reactions like vomiting or gagging when trying new foods. If your child is refusing to eat many different foods and only sticking to “safe” options, it may be time to consider treatment for child fussy eating.

 

Common Conditions Associated with Fussy Eating

Fussy eating often coexists with other conditions, including:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Many children with ASD display high levels of selective eating, often due to sensory sensitivities.
  • Anxiety Disorders: Fears surrounding food or eating may lead to food phobias that cause distress when new or unfamiliar foods are introduced.

 

Treatment for Fussy and Restricted Eating

Effective treatment for child fussy eating typically involves cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a therapeutic approach that focuses on changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviours related to food. Key components of CBT for fussy eating include:

  1. Record Keeping
    Encouraging both children and their parents to keep a food diary to track eating behaviours, feelings, and beliefs about food.

  2. Education About Anxiety and Food Avoidance
    Teaching children about the anxiety they may feel toward certain foods and helping them understand what to expect when facing new foods.

  3. Rewards and Behaviour Charts
    Using rewards to reinforce positive behaviours and encourage brave attempts at trying new foods.

  4. Thought Challenging and Self-Talk
    Helping children identify and change unhelpful beliefs about food, learning to replace them with more helpful, realistic thoughts.

  5. Gradual Exposure to New Food Groups (‘Stepladders’)
    Introducing new foods in a step-by-step approach, starting with the least challenging task, such as looking at or touching different foods, and gradually working up to tasting and eating them.

  6. Coping Strategies
    Teaching relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation, and focusing on calming thoughts, to help children manage their anxiety around food.

Our psychologists are highly qualified, holding Master’s or Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology.
We provide treatment for child fussy eating using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based
treatments like Mindfulness and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).