Meet Maya
Maya is a 4-year-old girl who had a very limited diet of just a handful of foods: plain pasta, bread, yoghurt, and crackers. Her parents were growing increasingly worried about her nutrition and the impact of her restricted eating on family meals. They had tried offering new foods repeatedly, but Maya refused to try anything unfamiliar. Mealtimes had become a battleground, with her parents feeling stressed and unsure of how to help her.
Where They Started
Maya’s parents had tried various strategies, including hiding vegetables in her food, but Maya would quickly notice and refuse to eat. They had spoken to their GP, who suggested waiting it out, but the situation wasn’t improving. Desperate to expand Maya’s diet and reduce the tension around mealtimes, they contacted Milk to Mealtime for help.
Understanding the Challenge
After assessing Maya, it was clear that her food selectivity was driven by sensory sensitivities. Maya was particularly averse to certain textures and flavours, which explained her strong preference for plain, soft foods. Additionally, the pressure she felt at mealtimes had created a negative association with eating, making her even more resistant to trying new things.
The Plan
I worked with Maya’s parents to develop a gradual and gentle approach to expanding her diet, focusing on reducing anxiety around food and encouraging her curiosity:
✔ Safe foods with small changes: We began by offering Maya her favourite foods but with slight variations—like adding a small amount of cheese to her plain pasta or cutting her bread into different shapes. This helped her get used to changes in a low-pressure way.
✔ Food exploration outside mealtimes: We encouraged Maya to explore new foods through play, without the expectation of eating them. She helped with food preparation, touching and smelling new ingredients, which helped reduce her anxiety.
✔ Desensitisation to textures: We introduced new textures gradually by offering foods that were similar to those she already liked, such as offering mashed potatoes in place of her usual pasta.
✔ Positive mealtime environment: Her parents were coached to create a relaxed, non-pressured atmosphere at the table, removing any focus on how much Maya ate and celebrating small wins when she tried something new.
The Results
Over a few months, Maya’s diet began to expand. She started trying new foods, beginning with small bites, and discovered a liking for some vegetables, like steamed carrots and cucumber. While the process was slow, her parents noticed she was less anxious at mealtimes, and they were able to sit together as a family without the stress of her refusing to eat.
By the time Maya turned 3.5 years old, her diet included more proteins, fruits, and vegetables, and she was open to trying new foods in a calm, curious manner.
What You Can Take Away
Maya’s journey shows that expanding a child’s limited diet doesn’t happen overnight, but with patience and a gentle approach, progress is possible. If your child’s picky eating is causing stress and limiting their nutrition, Milk to Mealtime can help create a tailored plan to support their eating journey.
If you want a piece of Maya's experience, book your FREE chat today and get on your journey to happy mealtimes.
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