March 2024

Food Play: To help picky eaters try new foods

By Emma Shafqat / March 17, 2024 / Fussy eaters / 7 minutes of reading

Mealtime struggles with picky eaters can often feel like an endless battle, leaving many of us feeling frustrated, defeated, and exhausted. As a paediatric dietitian and feeding therapist, I’ve encountered countless families grappling with the challenges of raising fussy eaters, including my own. Having just qualified as an SOS feeding […]

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ARFID and Autism: Strategies and Support

By Emma Shafqat / March 1, 2024 / Fussy eaters / 12 minutes of reading

ARFID and Autism Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a relatively new term introduced in 2013 with its inclusion in the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) (1) Previously known as Selective Eating Disorder, ARFID marks a distinct departure from its previous classification under

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Lunch box ideas for picky eaters
by Emma Shafqat
October 7, 2024
This blog is about lunch box ideas for picky eaters to make lunch a fun experience and reduce stress during mealtimes. As a mum and dietitian of a fussy eater, I know how stressful it is coming up with lunch box ideas. I find it harder than coming up with dinner ideas. Most kids experience
Food Jagging – How does it impact my fussy eater?
by Emma Shafqat
August 12, 2024
If your child insists on eating the same food meal after meal, they might be experiencing a “food jag.” Food jagging occurs when a child repeatedly desires only a specific type or brand of food, prepared in a particular way, day after day. This behaviour is common and can happen at any age, including adolescence
Feeding Therapy for Picky and Problem Eaters
by Emma Shafqat
July 24, 2024
Are mealtimes a source of stress and anxiety for both you and your child? Are you struggling with fussy or problem eaters? As a trained SOS feeding therapist and a paediatric dietitian, I understand the difficulties and frustrations of feeding issues. That's why I'm here to share with you the benefits of feeding therapy and provide practical tips and strategies for implementing it at home. Learn how feeding therapy can help improve your child's relationship with food, expand their diet, and reduce mealtime stress. Join me on this journey towards creating confident eaters and fostering a healthier, happier mealtime experience.
Meal Prepping for Picky Eaters: A Comprehensive Guide
by Emma Shafqat
July 24, 2024
As a parent of a picky eater I know the struggle of meal prepping for picky eaters. It’s like a culinary rollercoaster of negotiating with tiny food critics at the dinner table, trying to find the magic combination of flavours and textures that even the most stubborn little eaters will love. I know from my
Sensory Food Aversion: 10 Ways to Help your Picky Eater
by Emma Shafqat
July 24, 2024
Sensory Food Aversion In this blog, we will go over what sensory food aversion is and 10 helpful approaches to help your picky eater. Some children will refuse only a few foods whereas others will refuse most foods. Then, some children only eat one or two brands of food. You may have tried disguising it