Is Your Child A Fussy Eater and Should You Worry?

Quiz Questions

• 1.
  Is your child a healthy weight?

  • A.
    Yes, I have no concerns about their weight or growth.
  • B.
    Yes, but I am concerned that this could become a problem.
  • C.
    No, but my child has always been slim and small for their age.
  • D.
    No, my child has lost weight and appears slimmer than he should be for their age..
• 2.
  Who makes the decision when your child should eat?

  • A.
    We both decide when it's time to eat.
  • B.
    I decide on meal and snack times.
  • C.
    My child decides when and what they eat.
  • D.
    I give my child food when they ask for it.
• 3.
  How do you choose what to offer at meals?

  • A.
    We chat about it together and we come to a compromise.
  • B.
    I serve food I know they will eat along with some food the rest of us are eating.
  • C.
    I serve the food I know my child will eat.
  • D.
    I cook a meal for the whole family which sometimes includes foods they might not eat.
• 4.
  How old is your child?

  • A.
    Under 1
  • B.
    1-5 years
  • C.
    Over 5 years
• 5.
  What is the environment/mindset like where your child eats?

  • A.
    Relaxed, we chat about our day, have a laugh and giggle.
  • B.
    Often stressful, full of drama or tantrums
  • C.
    If I don’t give my child what they want to eat, either my child or I end up in tears
  • D.
    Some foods and certain situations cause tantrums or tears.
• 6.
  Where does your child prefer to eat?

  • A.
    We all eat together at the table.
  • B.
    Often on the go.
  • C.
    Alone, separately from the rest of the family.
  • D.
    The children eat together at the table and we eat later.
• 7.
  How do you deal with mealtimes dramas/tantrums?

  • A.
    I tend to give them the Ipad/tablet/phone, distract with toys, books or put on the tv.
  • B.
    I don't, I struggle to manage it, everyone ends up upset.
  • C.
    Start a conversation or make my child laugh.
  • D.
    I give them exactly what I know they will eat.
• 8.
  How long does it take your child to eat a meal?

  • A.
    Less than 20 minutes
  • B.
    20-40 minutes
  • C.
    40 -60 minutes
  • D.
    An hour or more
• 9.
  Do you have to remind your child to eat?

  • A.
    I often tell them to eat up, or have some more?
  • B.
    I leave them to it, they will get what they need?
  • C.
    Sometimes I do, especially if it's food that they don’t want.
  • D.
    I end up feeding them myself just to get it over with
• 10.
  What do you do if your child refuses to eat?

  • A.
    Leave it be, I assume they are not that hungry or they are coming down with something?
  • B.
    Offer them a reward eg a dessert or something else?
  • C.
    I find myself getting frustrated and resort to feeding them myself.
  • D.
    Offer something else you know they will eat?
• 11.
  Does your child gag, cry, throw food, or vomit when they’re asked to eat a new or different food? Or, when a food is placed on their plate?

  • A.
    Sometimes, Yes
  • B.
    No.
  • C.
    No, but my child may become upset if a new or unfamiliar food is only their plate.
  • D.
    Yes, my child immediately starts to gag or retch at the site or smell of an unfamiliar food.
• 12.
  Does your child eat fewer than 20 foods?

  • A.
    Yes
  • B.
    No - but they only eat certain food groups or textures
  • C.
    No, they eat a good variety of different food groups, but can be fussy with certain textures and colours
  • D.
    No, they eat a good variety of foods.
• 13.
  Does your child struggle with new or unfamiliar foods?

  • A.
    No, they are pretty good at trying new or unfamiliar foods.
  • B.
    Yes but with persuasion I can usually encourage them to try it.
  • C.
    Yes, it's a struggle to get them to try it any new food. They wil usually refuse.
  • D.
    Yes, my child will create a fuss and become upset if a new or unfamiliar food is near them.
• 14.
  Does your child eat a variety of all food groups eg, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, dairy and fruit or vegetables.

  • A.
    Yes, they eat a good variety of all of these.
  • B.
    Yes, they eat foods from all of these but not a good variety.
  • C.
    No, my child eats more of some and not enough of others.
  • D.
    No, my child eats very few foods from less than 2 food groups.

Quiz Outcomes

• 1.
  Your child is not what we would term a fussy or picky eater over and above what is normal for their developmental age. 

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  That does not mean that they are not fussy with certain foods or foods in certain situations, it just means that it is unlikely to affect them medically or nutritionally. All children goes through periods in their life where they are fussy or selective with the foods they eat and is part of normal development. With time and experience children become less fussy and selective as they get older. Be aware that the results of this quiz is for general purposes only and does not mean that you shouldn't seek further support to improve your child's diet to ensure they eat more variety and more balance, if you feel your child would benefit from it. You can consult your doctor or health care provider to make a referral to a dietitian to assess their diet in more detail and discuss some techniques to help improve their variety, or alternatively you can get instant access to an Overcoming Fussy Eating Masterclass for 60 minutes of effective, easy to implement strategies to help calm mealtimes and expand food choices. Click the button below to find out more.Visit my Instagram HEREJoin my Facebook group - Baby and toddler Nutrition
• 2.
  Your child is a fussy eater.

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  This means that their way of eating is likely to affect their overall nutritional intake needed for growth or development. Their eating may not necessarily be affecting their growth, weight or development right now but that does not mean that there is no area of concern. Health professionals may have told you in the past that because your child is growing and is a good weight, there is nothing to worry about, however if their food choices are few, it is likely to affect the overall balance of their diet therefore they are likely to be lacking in certain vitamins and minerals which could potentially have an affect in the long term. Also you as a family are likely to be affected by your child's fussy eating tendencies, making meal times stressful. This environment is not conducive of a healthy relationship with food. There are lots of tips and tricks to help a child to eat more variety and choose new foods, many of these strategies don't involve food! It's about improving their mindset around food and developing their senses and awareness. If you would like further support you can purchase my instant access 'Overcoming Fussy Eating Masterclass' for 60 minutes of effective, easy to implement strategies to help calm mealtimes and expand food choices. Click the button below Overcoming Fussy Eating Masterclass Visit my Instagram HEREJoin my Facebook group
• 3.
  Your child may have a problem with eating.

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  This means that your child may have a condition called ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder). This means that your child eats so few foods that it is likely to affect their weight, growth and nutritional intake. You have probably found that no strategies have helped so far because your child appears to have a real fear or aversion towards certain foods and over time your child's selection of food choices have reduced with no suitable replacement. Your child may also gag or vomit at the sight or smell of foods. This could be as a result of a traumatic experience due to an allergic reaction, reflux or a choking episode in the past. I'm sure you are feeling extremely worried about your child. It is very important to approach your doctor and ask to be referred to a specialist feeding team where there are multiple professionals all working with their own specific hat on. There will be a Paediatrician, Speak and Language Therapist, Dietitian, Child Psychologist and Nurse all working together to help your child's eating. If you are struggling to get the support you need I have the experience and expertise to help with some of these strategies and get your child the nutrition they need with appropriate food supplements. Unfortunately the waiting list for these feeding clinics are very long and it is difficult to get a referral. If you need nutrition advice NOW for your child then I would love to support you. Click the button below to book and appointment.Visit my Instagram HEREJoin my Facebook group
• 4.
  Your child could be a fussy eater.

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  You child is showing signs of being fussy with their food, this may be as result of a recent illness or a developmental stage and may not be anything to worry about. If this persists and does not resolve then I would advise seeking some professional help. I have a really good masterclass called Overcoming Fussy Eating which goes over lots of very practical and easy to implement strategies to help you manage fussiness in your child. These strategies really do work and are very effective when implemented early before fussiness can become a problem.Click the button below to find out more.Visit my Instagram HEREJoin my Facebook group