Understanding fear of food

Many parents explain to me, almost in wonder that their child seems afraid of food. They seem visibly scared when offered something new or something a little different.

If this sounds like your child then:

a) You are not alone. Many children, and indeed adults, find new foods, certain foods, or most foods truly scary.

b) It is irrationally paralysing like a fear of spiders.

c) Although irrational, there is also logic behind feeling like this.

d) Fears can be overcome.

I remember visiting a friend from way back who was living overseas. By the time I met her son he was 4 years old and already a super selective eater. A large portion of his dinner was biscuits as he refused to eat most things, even usually slam dunk winners like ice cream, and struggled to gain weight.

While chatting I learned he’d had reflux as a baby.

Fear of food is logical when it is contextualised. Imagine you are a baby, and every time you eat, it makes you want to regurgitate food. Not a nice feeling. Even for adults this would be terrible.

Our brain is designed to keep us safe. If something seems as though it’s harming us, it is logical for our brain to avoid it. This is how some children develop a very early aversion to…