Fussy Eating in Young Children: GP and Dietitian Advice for Parents

Fussy eating is one of the most common concerns parents raise with their GP or dietitian. While it can be frustrating, selective eating is a normal part of child development, particularly between the ages of one and five years. During this stage, children become more independent and often begin expressing strong food preferences, which can include refusing foods they previously enjoyed or rejecting unfamiliar foods altogether.

In most cases, fussy eating is temporary and does not affect a child's growth or overall health. The goal is not to force children to eat, but to help them develop a healthy relationship with food through repeated exposure, positive mealtime experiences and consistent routines.

Several normal developmental changes contribute to fussy eating, including:

• Slower growth after infancy, meaning appetite naturally decreases.
• A desire for independence and control.
• Food neophobia (fear of unfamiliar foods), which commonly develops between 18 months and 5 years of age.
• Sensitivity to textures, colours, smells or flavours.
• Variable appetites from day to day.

These behaviours are considered a normal part of development and usually improve with time and supportive feeding practices.

Tips to help manage mealtimes with your children.

1. Keep Regular Meal and Snack Times¹

Children benefit from predictable eating routines.

Aim for:

• Three balanced meals each day.
• Two to three healthy snacks.
• Water between meals.
• Avoid continuous grazing throughout the day.

Regular meal patterns help children recognise feelings of hunger and fullness and encourage better appetite at mealtimes.
 

2. Parents Decide What, Children Decide How Much¹

One of the most widely recommended feeding principles is the "Division of Responsibility."

Parents are responsible for:

• What foods are offered.
• When food is offered.
• Where meals are eaten.

Children are responsible for:

• Whether they eat.
• How much they eat.

Allowing children to listen to their own hunger and fullness cues supports healthy eating habits and reduces mealtime stress.


3. Offer New Foods Repeatedly¹

Children often need to see or taste a new food many times before accepting it.

Research suggests it may take between 8 and 15 exposures before a child willingly eats a new food. Some children require even more repeated exposure.

Keep offering small amounts without pressure.

Even touching, smelling or licking a food is progress.

4. Avoid Pressure, Bribes or Force Feeding¹

Encouraging children to "finish their plate" or rewarding eating with dessert can make fussy eating worse.

Instead:

• Stay calm.
• Avoid negotiations.
• Praise trying rather than finishing food.
• End meals after around 20–30 minutes.

Positive, low-pressure mealtimes encourage children to become more confident eaters.³

5. Eat Together Whenever Possible¹

Children learn by watching adults.

Family meals provide opportunities for children to:

• See parents eating a variety of foods.
• Develop positive eating habits.
• Enjoy social interaction around food.

Parents should model eating vegetables, fruits and other nutritious foods without drawing attention to whether the child is eating them.

6. Continue Offering a Variety of Foods¹

Avoid becoming stuck preparing separate meals.

Offer the same family meal with at least one familiar food your child usually accepts.

This approach helps children gradually become comfortable with new foods while ensuring there is always something they feel confident eating.

7. Let Children Explore Food

Messy eating is part of learning.

Allow children to:

• Touch food.
• Smell it.
• Play appropriately with different textures.
• Help prepare meals.
• Wash vegetables.
• Stir ingredients.
• Choose between healthy options.

Food exploration increases familiarity and can improve acceptance over time.

Offer a balanced variety of foods across the week, including:

• Vegetables
• Fruit
• Wholegrain breads and cereals
• Lean meat, chicken and fish
• Eggs
• Beans and lentils
• Dairy foods or suitable alternatives
• Healthy fats

Remember that children rarely eat balanced meals every day. It is more helpful to consider their nutrition across an entire week rather than a single meal.1

If you’re concerned about your child’s dietary intake, a children’s oral nutritional supplement (ONS) such as PediaSure* may be beneficial. For personalised advice, please speak with your healthcare professional.

Not usually. Healthy children naturally regulate their own appetite.¹ Some days they eat very little, while on other days they may seem constantly hungry.

As long as your child is:

• growing appropriately,
• active,
• meeting developmental milestones,
• and generally healthy,

temporary changes in appetite are usually normal.

Medical assessment is recommended if your child:

• is losing weight or not growing as expected,
• refuses entire food groups,
• frequently coughs or chokes while eating,
• has ongoing vomiting or diarrhoea,
• has significant pain during meals,
• becomes extremely distressed around food,
• eats fewer than around 20 different foods,
• develops nutritional deficiencies,
• or mealtimes become highly stressful for the family.

A GP can assess your child's growth, exclude underlying medical conditions and refer to an Accredited Practising Dietitian, speech pathologist or feeding specialist if needed.

Most fussy eating is developmental, however severe food restriction may sometimes be caused by something more complex. If you’re worried about your toddler’s eating habits please consult with your GP or Paediatrician.

Fussy eating is a normal stage for many young children and usually improves with time.

Parents can support healthy eating by:

• following regular meal routines,
• repeatedly offering new foods without pressure,
• modelling healthy eating,
• avoiding force or bribery,
• encouraging food exploration,
• and seeking medical advice if growth or nutrition becomes a concern.

Most importantly, focus on creating enjoyable mealtimes rather than trying to make your child eat a certain amount.

* Food for Special Medical Purposes. Use only under medical supervision.

References
1. Marks K, Aust J Gen Pract, 2015;12(44):886-89. 

ANIAPAC-P-AU-202600286