Picky Eater Test, Assessment and Dietary Management for Children

Written by: Professor Rosan Meyer

Picky eating is a common developmental phase that many young children experience, typically between the ages of 1 and 4 or 5 years. If a child continues to have highly selective or aversive eating habits beyond the age of 4 or 5, they are generally no longer considered a typical picky eater and may require further assessment.

During the toddler years, it is normal for children to be very particular about the foods they will eat. Dietary management for picky eaters focuses on repeated, positive exposure to foods in a non-threatening way. The goal is to help children become familiar with different foods without creating pressure or anxiety around eating.

One of the most common concerns parents express is that they repeatedly offer new foods, only for their child to refuse them. Naturally, this often leads parents to try even harder to encourage eating. However, the more pressure that is applied, the more likely the child is to continue refusing the food.

A key strategy when supporting a child who is a picker eater:

1. Continue offering new foods without any expectation that the child will eat them. 

2. Simply place a small portion of the food on the child's plate or next to their plate, not touching foods they already accept, and avoid asking or encouraging them to taste it. 

3. It's important to accept that the child may ignore the food, push it away, or even throw it on the floor. 

4. Looking at a new food, smelling it or maybe even picking this up, is a huge achievement.

The focus should remain on consistent, repeated exposure in a way that feels safe and non-threatening to the child.

It is also important not to give excessive attention to negative behaviours around food. If a toddler refuses a food, respond calmly and matter-of-factly, without showing frustration or disappointment. Similarly, if the child does try a new food, avoid making a big fuss or celebrating excessively. Keeping reactions neutral helps reduce pressure and allows the child to develop a more positive and relaxed relationship with food over time.

Dietary Management for Picky Eaters and Children with Feeding Difficulties:

I am a Specialist Paediatric Dietitian with over 30 years of experience supporting infants, children, and their families with a wide range of feeding and nutritional challenges. My approach (along with my team) is practical, evidence-based, and tailored to each child, providing parents with manageable, individualised strategies that fit into everyday family life.

I specialise in supporting children with:

• Picky and selective eating

• Feeding difficulties, including ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)

• Food allergies and food hypersensitivities

• Complex feeding concerns

My goal is to help families make mealtimes less stressful and more enjoyable. Together, we work at the child's pace, introducing new foods through practical, achievable strategies that gradually build confidence and acceptance of foods that have previously been refused.

I offer:

• One-to-one consultations (in person and online)

• Educational webinars 

New on demand webinar package for 2026 – for parents who need support and want practical tips you can implement straight away - The webinar is available at a special introductory price of £45 - (English speaking webinar – virtual) – created by Dr Polly James, Clinical Psychologist and myself. Please click here

About Me, Professor Rosan Meyer

I have dedicated my career to improving the nutritional care of children through clinical practice, research, education, and international collaboration.

Publications

• Author of more than 150 peer-reviewed scientific papers and book chapters.

• Co-author of the Clinical Paediatric Dietetic Pocket Book – the only comprehensive pocket reference of its kind for paediatric dietitians.

• Co-author of the internationally recognised iMAP Milk Ladder.

International Leadership

Current Chair, European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI):

• Task Force: Feeding Difficulties in Food Allergy

• Task Force: Breastfeeding in Children with Food Allergy

• Task Force: Food Hypersensitivity in Patients with Neuro-gastroenterology Conditions

Secretary:

• EAACI Immunomodulation and Nutrition Working Group

International Roles:

• Member of the Nutrition Programmes for the International Pediatric Association.

ARFID Expertise

• Trustee of ARFID Awareness UK for seven years.

• Course Lead for the ARFID Awareness Comprehensive Course on the diagnosis and management of ARFID at University of Huddersfield.

I am passionate about helping families navigate feeding challenges with confidence, compassion, and practical solutions grounded in the latest scientific evidence.

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New for 2026

Together with my colleague, Dr Polly, I have developed a practical online course and webinar designed to equip parents and carers with evidence-based strategies to make mealtimes more manageable and reduce the stress surrounding feeding difficulties.

The webinar is available at a special introductory price of £45. Learn more and purchase.

If you would like to find out more or register your interest and our small virtual group sessions, please get in touch here.

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Do get in touch with Rosan at info@rosan-paediatricdietitian.com if you think your child may benefit from a consultation. Rosan’s dietetic practice does prefer to work on a referral basis, to ensure that any underlying medical conditions are fully explored and where appropriate nutritional bloods are taken. However, she will consider each case on an individual basis.