149 | Why Kids Feel Anxious Around Food and How to Help
"It’s not just what children are eating. It’s how they’re experiencing food that shapes their habits." In this episode, I’m joined by Alicia Eaton, a behavior change therapist and author, to unpack what’s really happening beneath the surface when kids struggle with food. Because it’s not just about what’s on the plate. It’s about the environment, the language, and the emotional experience surrounding it. What We Talk About: Why phrases like “just try one bite” can increase anxiety around food...
"It’s not just what children are eating. It’s how they’re experiencing food that shapes their habits."
In this episode, I’m joined by Alicia Eaton, a behavior change therapist and author, to unpack what’s really happening beneath the surface when kids struggle with food. Because it’s not just about what’s on the plate. It’s about the environment, the language, and the emotional experience surrounding it.
What We Talk About:
- Why phrases like “just try one bite” can increase anxiety around food
- How early feeding experiences shape adult eating behaviors
- The difference between typical selective eating and ARFID
- Why sensory exposure (not just tasting) is key to expanding food variety
- Practical strategies to reduce mealtime pressure and build food confidence
- How to guide parents toward long-term progress
If you’ve ever had a parent say, “I just want them to eat the broccoli,” this episode will completely reframe how you approach that conversation.
Resources Mentioned:
Read my article: How the 5 senses shape a child's appetite
Check out Alicia's book: Mind What Your Kids Eat
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Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.