"He's temperamental ", "He's difficult ". These are all phrases that can be heard from close friends and family members about their children when they are generally between 18 months and 6 years old. At this time, the child may go through periods of apprehension and food refusal characteristic of "food neophobia". They reject foods that they once liked and refuse others that they are not familiar with. Food neophobia is a normal part of a child's development and usually occurs during the phase of food diversification. In this article I will explain how to identify this food neophobia, what the consequences can be and above all what strategies to adopt to get through this period as easily and calmly as possible!
What is it?
As you can see, "food neophobia" simply means fearing what is new ! But as a parent, this can seem worrying, I grant you, and we sometimes feel helpless when faced with this situation. However, you should know that 77% of children aged between 2 and 6 go through a period of food neophobia! So you are not alone... This fear of new foods and new flavours, on principle and without even having tasted it, generally corresponds with the "no" period in children.
This famous phase can be characterised by a meticulous inspection of each food, a sorting out of the plate, postural defences (turning away the head, grimacing, closing the mouth, visual refusal to look at the plate...), endless chewing of food, spitting out or vomiting food or simply a categorical refusal to eat. This period can result in insufficient food intake, leading to nutritional deficiencies and an impact on the weight-status curve, but also in some cases to excess weight. The solution: understand, support and reassure your child as soon as possible! I will give you a few tips that you can easily implement on a daily basis...
What to do?
Refusing a new food should not imply that your child does not like it! It may take up to 10 introductions for the food to be known and recognised. Patience is therefore required! You can even offer it in a different form or in a new recipe. Also give your child time toget used to it: watch the food, interact with him, the touch (with your fingers or a utensil if it's easier), the smell(with your fingers or a tool if it's easier), bring it to your mouth and maybe try to eat it. taste ! This is a familiarisation or ritualisation strategy, in the same way as sleep or independence. This can be reinforced by introducing the new food with a buddy food, i.e. a food that your child knows, recognises and enjoys.
Beyond familiarisation, mimicry can be a real asset for you! Your child is always imitating you, including during meals. Show them and arouse their curiosity by eating a food in front of them. Also eat at the table, as a family, in a pleasant atmosphere, as soon as possible, starting at the weekend if it is easier for you. By leading by example, your child will also understand that it is safe to eat the food. In addition, use and abuse positive, encouraging and stimulating phrases such as: "I love artichokes, it's so much fun to peel all the leaves and dip them in the sauce", "I hope that one day you'll like courgettes like I do, they're delicious au gratin", "When you grow up, you might like peaches and their sweet, sunny taste"...
You can also include your child in the cooking. The notion of pleasure should be omnipresent during this activity. This can even start with food shopping and continue in the kitchen at home. Once again, you observe, interact, touch, smell and even have the right to take a bite to taste while preparing! Take inspiration from recipes on the internet or found in a recipe book, even Granny Martinette's! Let them create a dish or a visual that reassures them and perhaps encourages them to try it. Your child has the right not to like it, but help them to verbalise their food sensations: "it stings", "it's hard"...
In all cases, we play it down, we arm ourselves with patience and benevolence, and we totally forget about forcing and blackmail. I am convinced that you will be able to implement one or more of these solutions and that this phase will gradually fade with time. On the other hand, if this persists or becomes more pronounced, do not hesitate to consult specialised health professionals (doctors, paediatricians, dieticians-nutritionists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, etc.), they are there to listen to you!
Dietician - Nutritionist specialising in paediatrics
Sources
- Aprifel and Interfel (December 2021)
