Do you have a picky eater at home? Are meal times turning into daily battles? Before you chalk it up to strong-willed behavior or assume your child is just being difficult, it’s important to take a step back and consider what might really be happening.
Believe it or not, in most cases of picky eating, the problem often isn’t the food itself.
Sure, some kids go through phases where they want to assert control, and mealtime can become the stage for that. In these cases, it's often just a passing phase of picky eating.
But for some children, refusing to eat isn’t a simple act of defiance - it's a sign of a deeper challenge. These kids go beyond typical picky eating and enter into the realm of feeding difficulties. And there’s a significant difference.
If your child is occasionally avoiding broccoli or getting distracted during a meal, that’s fairly normal. But if every meal is a constant source of frustration and stress, there could be an underlying issue.
Many kids who struggle at the table may be dealing with oral sensitivities tied to Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD).
Does your child take 10-20 minutes to chew and swallow a single bite of food? Do they gag at the sight or texture of certain foods? This isn't defiance or naughtiness - it may be that eating is genuinely difficult for them. Let’s explore whether your picky eater could actually be facing oral sensory processing challenges.
What is Sensory Processing Disorder?
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) can present in various ways, and one common manifestation is related to oral sensitivity. If mealtime feels like a constant struggle, your child may be experiencing oral SPD.
Here are some signs to look for:
- Everything tastes "spicy": Mild flavors may be perceived as overwhelming.
- Frequent gagging: Your child might gag easily on certain foods.
- Holding food in their mouth: It can take them 20 minutes to chew a single bite.
- Storing food in their cheeks: Instead of chewing, they may keep food in their cheeks without swallowing.
- Difficulty with dental hygiene: Brushing teeth can be a challenge.
- Nursing patterns: They may nurse for extended periods (over an hour) or only briefly.
- Transition troubles: Moving from breastmilk or formula to pureed foods can be tough, as can the shift from pureed to chewable foods.
- Chewing issues: They might struggle with chewing and swallowing raw foods.
- Bothersome textures: The skin or peels on certain foods may be off-putting.
- Biting difficulties: They might avoid using their front teeth or prefer to bite with their back teeth.
- Rigid tongue: The tongue may feel stiff when touched.
- Avoidance of utensils: They may continue using their hands to eat at an older age.
- Thumb-sucking or pacifier use: Extended use of these can be a coping mechanism.
- Drinking habits: Taking a drink after every bite or seeming constantly thirsty.
- Mouth breathing: This can occur throughout the day and night.
- Loud talking: They might speak at a consistently loud volume.
In addition to these oral symptoms, many children with SPD also exhibit sensitivities in other areas, such as being overly sensitive to certain textures on their skin, disliking wet clothes or tags, and being hypersensitive to lights and sounds.
It’s helpful to observe these additional behaviors as they can provide a fuller picture of your child’s sensory processing challenges.
Cooking for a Child with Oral Sensory Processing Disorder
While Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) can affect the entire body, this article focuses specifically on its oral aspects, particularly how to season food in a way that encourages your child to eat.
Many children with oral SPD perceive flavors as overly intense or "spicy." As a result, bland foods are often better tolerated, which can make family meals feel monotonous.
Fortunately, you don’t have to resign yourself to a lifetime of bland cooking!
The best starting point for seasoning food for a child with oral sensitivity is using unrefined sea salt or Himalayan salt. Many children respond well to mineral-rich salts like the ones mentioned, which some kids even enjoy eating plain! Using mineral salt can enhance the flavor without overwhelming their palate.
Once your picky eater adjusts to salted food, you can gradually introduce other seasonings. Begin with very small amounts - at the beginning a pinch for an entire meal is enough. This subtle addition may not be noticeable to you, but your child will likely sense the difference.
The 5 Element Diet from Traditional Chinese Medicine incorporates mild yet flavorful spices that are known to support and strengthen digestion in children. However, it's best to wait until your child is over 1 year old before introducing any seasonings, including salt.
My top 10 cooking seasonings include:
- Himalayan salt
- parsley
- garden lovage
- bay leaf
- cinnamon
- nutmeg
- clove
- vanilla (ground)
- cardamom
- caraway seed (ground)
Adding a touch of sweetness, like honey or coconut sugar, can also help to balance strong flavors.
If you want to learn more about spices and their healing properties for children, check out this post!
It’s also essential to test these mild seasonings on a variety of textures and temperatures.
For example, your child might handle a little extra spice in a casserole but only tolerate salted vegetables. This experimentation will give you a clearer picture of their preferences.
While it’s important to discover which flavors and textures your child enjoys, understanding what to avoid is just as crucial.
By focusing on both what to add and what to skip, you can create meals that are not only more appealing to your picky eater but also enjoyable for the whole family.
Avoiding Hot Meals for Oral Sensitivity
While salt and pepper are often considered basic spices, children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) may react strongly to pepper due to its lingering flavor on the tongue.
For these children, any seasoning deemed “hot” should be avoided altogether. This includes ingredients like cayenne, chili powder, and red pepper flakes.
When preparing meals, it's best to leave pepper out of your dishes entirely and serve it on the side instead. This way, those who enjoy a bit of heat can add it to their plates without affecting your child’s meal.
Dining out can present its own challenges. Always ask how the food is seasoned at restaurants, as many dishes can come unexpectedly spicy.
Additionally, keep in mind that the actual temperature of the food may be overwhelming for your child, as they might perceive a meal as too warm for much longer than you do; serving food lukewarm can help make it more palatable.
These small adjustments can make a significant difference in mealtime experiences for children with oral sensitivities.
Treatments for Helping Picky Eaters with Oral Sensory Processing Disorder
One final note about oral Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD): in addition to accommodating your child’s needs and adjusting their food, speech therapy can be incredibly beneficial.
There are various exercises designed to retrain the palate, which can gradually expand the range of foods and flavors your child is willing to try.
It's crucial to understand that oral Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) can be closely linked to gut health. The gut-brain connection plays a significant role in how children process sensory information, including taste and texture. If a child's gut health is compromised, it can impact their overall sensory experiences and contribute to picky eating behaviors.
If you suspect that gut health is playing a role in your child’s oral SPD, it may be beneficial to consult a healthcare professional, such as a holistic health practitioner or functional medicine expert. They can provide personalized recommendations and help create a dietary plan that supports both gut health and sensory processing.
If you’re looking for more tips on feeding a child with oral sensory issues, be sure to check out this post!
Keep in mind that oral SPD is not limited to children eating solid foods; it can also cause difficulties with breastfeeding. For those facing breastfeeding issues, there are natural remedies that may help.
Feeding a picky eater with oral SPD can indeed be challenging! It’s essential not to feel overwhelmed or frustrated. Practice patience and make gradual changes. Over time, your child can learn to eat better and tolerate a wider variety of tastes and textures.
Want to know more about how we can help YOU get to a place of health and calm with your child using natural strategies? Let’s chat!
I’m here to guide you through the next steps on your journey to better health for your child. It’s completely free, with no obligations—just a friendly conversation about how I can support you in reaching your health goals!
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