From Picky Kid to Healthy Eater

with Jennifer Scribner

It is now so common for children to be “picky eaters” that most consider it a normal childhood phase. There are special menus at restaurants and at social events shaping this whole “children’s food” culture—offering primarily chicken nuggets, french fries and mac and cheese. Despite parents’ best efforts, “picky kids” seem to choose carbs all day long and getting them to eat healthier foods can appear like an impossible task. But is it? Can picky eaters be “fixed”?

On today’s podcast, Jennifer Scribner, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and author of “From Mac & Cheese to Veggies, Please”, helps us understand what makes a picky eater “picky” in the first place and she gives us strategies for helping them change their eating patterns. She tells us what to expect and how to plan ahead to make the transition smooth (or at least smoother) as we navigate from picky to healthy.

Notes:

Highlights from the conversation include:

common responses when picky kids’ parents try to make a shift in their diet
how they may fast for a time, but they won’t starve themselves
strategies for the parents to cope during this time
the importance of goals and having the whole family on board
what leads to “pickiness” in the first place—often compromised gut flora
how lip or tongue ties can cause eating difficulties
strategies for helping teenagers transition to a healthier diet (including discussions about how food affects them, and negotiating to get their cooperation)
how we need fat soluble nutrients to help our bodies detox
how to prepare to make this switch (including gaining competency in the kitchen, choosing the foods to focus on, picking a date to begin)
the importance of finding support groups with people who share your ideas and values about food
the initial temporary physical reactions that can result from dietary changes (including constipation, blood sugar issues or vomiting)
how honey, ghee, and coconut oil are great tools to keep blood sugar balanced
the importance of reducing toxic load by using natural personal care & household products
how most people assume children will grow out of the “picky eater” stage
how foods that kids eat today are much more processed than those that today’s adults ate as children
how there is a learning curve when it comes to navigating change
how to react when people react negatively to how we choose to handle the situation

Resources:

Jennifer Scribner’s website: https://bodywisdomnutrition.com

Book: From Mac & Cheese to Veggies, Please: How to get your kid to eat new foods, end picky eating forever, and stay sane in the process by Jennifer Scribner

GAPS support groups:

WAPF local chapter link – https://www.westonaprice.org/find-local-chapter/

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