Picky Eating Uncovered: Causes and Impacts on Child Development
Happy 2025! I really hope the new year brings us more peace in the world.
Read on for what I've been thinking about lately...Pascal once said, "I have made this letter longer than usual, only because I have not had time to make it shorter." I really hope you make it down to the end :) - I'm working on something new...
#1 Picky Eating
There's a distinct rise in the number of children falling into the "picky eating" category. Common? Yes. Normal? No. A variety of circumstances have brought this about, but all of them have a common denominator.
Children with autism are notoriously fussy eaters. But it's not their fault. The imbalance in their microbiome, both in the gut and mouth (oral microbiome), is so pronounced and toxic, that most foods taste and feel awful.
Did you know that the thick, whitish coating many kids have on their tongue is a type of harmful yeast that can off-gas methane, acetone, and ethanol? Ewww, poor kiddos. It changes the taste and texture of almost everything they eat.
It's really no surprise that they've come to hate mealtimes or adamantly demand just a few select foods.
Other kids are in this category because of our own doing. The whole "kid's menu" is a feature of the modern west, and created by marketing gurus in the 80s. Remember "Happy Meals"?
By making us think that kids' foods are different or should be different from adult foods is very much a first world conundrum, and we find ourselves backed into a corner.
This thinking has created lots of unhappy parents and nutrient-deficient children. The result is a microbiome that has lost diversity and resilience, creating cravings for highly processed, sugary foods, and narrowing the palate both physiologically (due to a lack of fat-soluble vitamins) and gastronomically..
The solution to both, of course, is nurturing the microbiome: introducing healing, gentle foods that can undo the toxicity in the first instance and broaden the palate in the second. It takes some work and perseverance, but it's far from impossible. I would even argue that it's absolutely necessary.
And growing children — all of them, categorically— need high-quality animal fats and proteins to meet the demands of a growing brain and a stressful world. But their limited diets are preventing them from taking in those necessary nutrients. I'll share what I'm doing to help that need below...
#2 Red No. 3 is finally banned!
Did you hear? Red #3, that bright pinkish-red dye used in candies, baked goods, and even some medicines, is finally being banned in the U.S. Yes, I'm very glad, but I'm also rolling my eyes.
I mean, honestly, it’s pathetic that it took this long. This dye, made from petroleum (yes, petroleum — all conventional food dyes are made from petroleum), has been linked to cancer, ADHD, and other health concerns.
Want some salt on that wound? —It’s been banned in Europe for over 30 years. The studies linking it to behavior and illness have been around for decades. Meanwhile it’s all over the grocery store shelves in foods marketed especially to kids.
Sure, it's a step in the right direction, and I'll take it. But our whole food supply is so poisoned, at this rate I'm not sure when we'll get to the "clean" foods we all deserve. Anyway, it’s a reminder to keep an eye on food labels, and stick to natural, whole foods as much as possible.
Fingers-crossed that Yellow #5 is next!
#3 And coming soon...
I'm working on a guide for parents to "Conquer Picky Eating." I'll delve into the science of how the microbiome can shape and actually drive eating behaviors and into the physiological reasons why kids shun variety both in taste and texture.
I'll also provide practical strategies to help parents transform mealtimes into pleasant, nourishing opportunities that everyone in the family can look forward to.
And no, I promise you won't have to cut everything into dinosaur shapes or kawaii characters. Did I mention it'll be free? Oh yes, it'll be free! :) Watch my IG for updates soon!
Looking for guidance and support in changing your child's diet to help address autism symptoms? Sign up for a quick chat to see how I can help.
Remember, health is a birthright. Claim yours.
Chat soon,
Lubna
