Episode 85 - Why Your Child Is a Picky Eater (And What to Do About It)

Have you ever found yourself holding your breath at the dinner table? Watching what your child will (or won’t) eat. Worried that your child is a picky eater. 

Counting bites. Wondering if you’re doing something wrong.

Mealtimes can quietly become one of the most stressful parts of parenting, especially when selective or “picky” eating enters the picture.

But what if it’s not just about the food?

When we zoom out, we see that eating is connected to emotional safety, nervous system regulation, sensory processing, modelling, and the overall parent–child relationship. Pressure, praise, rewards, and even our own food hang-ups can unintentionally make things harder.

The good news? There are practical, compassionate ways to shift the dynamic.

This is what we discuss in this episode. This episode is a little different as dietitian Atheana Brown is the one asking the questions and I am answering. 

Atheana and I chat about: 

• Why labeling kids as “picky eaters” can reinforce the behaviour
• The powerful role of parental modelling and nervous system regulation at mealtimes
• How pressure, praise, rewards, and punishment can backfire
• The importance of prioritizing connection over control at the table
• When selective eating may signal something deeper (sensory challenges, tongue ties, gut health, nutritional deficiencies, ARFID, growth concerns)
• Red flags that may indicate it’s time to seek professional support
• Practical ways to reduce stress around food and strengthen your relationship with your child

If you’re feeling stuck, stressed, or overwhelmed by your child’s eating, this episode might just get you looking at it from a fresh perspective. 

You don’t have to stay stuck and neither does your child.

Episode Links:

• Say hi to Atheana on Instagram 
• Listen to Diet Culture Dropout podcast

Come say hi to me on Instagram

Helpful Articles: Read my articles on wellness, motherhood, picky eating, and thriving as a mom.

Books to Thrive in Motherhood: Dive into The Motherhood Reset, Nourished Mama, and Mama Let It Go to overcome burnout and become a healthy, energized mom. 

Picky Eating Guide: Learn about common but lesser-known reasons kids are picky eaters and practical strategies to help children enjoy healthy foods. 

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Wild and Well is a podcast dedicated to holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and children’s wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to pregnancy and postpartum wellness to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, so you can feel healthy, strong, and vital in motherhood.