As a society, we expect any meal served to automatically be eaten. But that's not logical to a child with any sort of sensory discomfort around food, says nutritional therapist Judith Yeabsley.

As a society, we expect any meal served to automatically be eaten. But that's not logical to a child with any sort of sensory discomfort around food, says nutritional therapist Judith Yeabsley.

The self-described "picky eating consultant' has followed up her first book Creating Confident Eaters with a new book Winner Winner I Eat Dinner.

Listen to Judith Yeabsley on Nine to Noon

Eating is one of the most complicated things humans do because it involves all of our senses, Judith tells Kathryn Ryan.

As such kids who are extremely sensitive to texture, smell or touch can become extremely avoidant of certain foods they have an adverse reaction to.

So what can be done?

Judith recommends parents help to break down their child's discomfort with certain foods via gradual desensitisation.

Will your child who says they hate bananas agree to carry a bowl of them to the table?

Playing with food is not always a bad thing, Judith says, especially if your child can be desensitised to a new texture via their hands.

Mix together foods the child likes with those they don't. This could be something like the worlds smallest piece of broccoli with a wad of cheese on it, Judith suggests.

"If they're then comfortable putting it in their mouth that's huge.

"Any change in comfort, attitude, approach to the food shows you that things are going better."

Focus less on your child eating the food and more on them engaging with it, she says.

"if your child is interacting with that food then you're doing everything you need to be doing for the child to eat the food.'

Related:

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018753208/is-your-child-a-fussy-eater-tips-for-parents

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018695827/tot-s-pantry-taking-the-fuss-out-of-feeding-time

https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/are-we-there-yet/story/201851497/how-to-avoid-dinner-table-dramas

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018667379/tips-on-children-who-are-fussy-or-restricted-eaters

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details