Fussy eaters

If you're worried about your child's fussy eating

It's natural to worry whether your child is getting enough food if they refuse to eat or are very choosy. This is a normal phase.

If your child is active and gaining weight, they are getting enough to eat.

As long as your child eats some food from the main food groups below, then you shouldn’t worry:

• fruit and vegetables
• starchy food (such as potatoes, bread, rice and pasta)
• protein (such as meat, fish, eggs, beans and pulses)
• dairy or dairy alternatives

Further information on what to feed your child to make sure they get a healthy balanced diet is available at:

• Healthy eating for children

Speak to your GP or health visitor if your child is clearly not gaining weight or is obviously unwell.

Reasons for fussy eating

It is normal for toddlers to ear or even taste new foods.

But sometimes, it may be that your child is picking up your own feelings about food.

Perhaps you’re a dieter, or you have a weight problem. 

Maybe you just see healthy eating as an important goal.

If your child is picking up your anxiety, it may be that mealtimes have become an ideal time to get attention.

Tips for parents of fussy eaters

There are some things you can do to try and encourage your child to eat. 

These include:

• offer them the same food as the rest of the family (remember not to add salt)
• eat your meals together if possible
• give small portions and praise them for eating,  even if they only eat a little
• offer finger foods, as they can be easier to manage
• if your child rejects the food, don’t force them to eat it – take it away without making a fuss, but don’t offer an alternative until the next snack or meal time
• don’t leave meals until your child is too hungry or too tired to eat
• limit snacks between meals
• avoid big drinks before meal times that may fill your child
• don’t get annoyed if they refuse to eat – sometimes your child may just be attention seeking
• don’t use sweet food as a reward - instead play a game with your child or go to the park
• ask another adult your child likes, or another child the same age, to eat with you – this may break the habit of refusal
• try to make mealtimes enjoyable and not just about eating
• use brightly coloured plates and cutlery

New tastes or textures may need to be offered several times, for example 16 or 17 times before your child will take them, so don’t give up too soon.

More useful links

• Healthy eating
• PHA webinar on fussy eating