The “I don’t like it bite — fussy eaters refusing new foods

The “I don’t like it” bite

If you are using one of the food delivery services and finding it a struggle with children who are fussy eaters, hopefully this will give you some practical suggestions for positive ways to keep the service and support a more positive response from the children!

If you are finding the children take a quick bite and declare every new food a “no” this is also for you.

A “no thank you bite” is quite a popular suggestion among parents with fussy eaters, and even some professionals working in the sphere.

I am not fond of it on two levels:

1. It is quite a negative concept. Even the wording is pre-empting a no!

2. For children who find food difficult, pushing them to take a bite can be anxiety producing. I believe food is about love and pleasure. Forcing someone to do something does not fit into that ethos.

However, even if we are not using the “no thank you bite”, many children still create their own version, the “I don’t like it” bite. Frequently, this is about pleasing a parent or seeking an alternative food as the one on the table is not ticking boxes.

I was speaking to a family last week and the “I don’t like it” bite had become a major and…