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Today’s conversation is with McKenzie Hoffman, M.A., CCC-SLP, a Speech Pathologist who began her career in the NICU as well as providing feeding therapy in a pediatric outpatient clinic. Her passion led her to create a feeding program, as well as her Instagram account - @playingatyourplate - where she helps families feed their children in a positive and holistic way.
Supporting a picky eater can feel overwhelming for parents or caregivers. You may wonder if your child will grow out of it or if it's something you need to address now.
Mackenzie, a speech-language pathologist specializing in feeding therapy, shares insights from her years of experience. Here’s what we learned about picky eating, its causes, and practical strategies to help your child develop a positive relationship with food.
Picky eating often arises during toddlerhood, a natural phase as children explore their independence. But there are also societal and sensory factors that play a role:
Kid Food Culture: In many places, children are fed a limited diet of chicken nuggets, fries, and other "kid-approved" foods. This reinforces the idea that kids should only eat specific, bland items.
Sensory Sensitivities: Some children are more sensitive to textures, smells, and flavors, making them hesitant to try new foods.
Parental Influence: Parents may unintentionally limit their child's food experiences by sticking to “safe” foods to avoid conflict.
Mackenzie emphasizes that how you talk about food becomes your child’s inner voice. Instead of labeling foods as "yucky" or "gross," focus on neutral or positive language. For example:
Describe sensory properties:“This apple is red, shiny, and crunchy.”
Add facts:“Did you know apples grow on trees?”
Share personal excitement:“I can’t wait to eat this rice! It’s my favorite.”
By modeling this behavior, you encourage your child to view food through a curious and positive lens.
Expose, Don’t Pressure
Children need repeated exposure—sometimes up to 20 times—before accepting a new food. Keep offering it in a no-pressure environment.
Involve Them in the Process
Let kids touch, smell, and even play with their food. This sensory exploration is key to building familiarity and comfort.
Prep Them for Mealtime
Talk about what’s for dinner ahead of time. Share your excitement about the meal and connect it to positive past experiences to build anticipation and reduce resistance.
Stay Consistent
Even if progress feels slow, consistency is crucial. Mackenzie reminds us that the effort we make now can prevent lifelong struggles with food.
If your child struggles with sensory sensitivities, try these tips:
Messy Play: Allow them to touch and interact with foods in a fun, stress-free way. For example, squish yogurt with their hands or use cookie cutters to shape foods.
Modeling: Sit down with them and demonstrate that it’s okay to get messy and enjoy food.
Tools and Tricks: Use a therapy ball or other movement-based activities before mealtime to help regulate their sensory system.
Working with a feeding therapist like Mackenzie may be beneficial for children with severe sensory aversions or medical complexities. These professionals can tailor strategies to meet your child’s unique needs.
Mackenzie encourages parents to create positive food experiences at home. This doesn’t mean becoming a gourmet chef overnight. Instead, aim for:
Variety: Offer foods with different textures, colors, and flavors.
Flexibility: Let your child choose between two healthy options to give them a sense of control.
Patience: Celebrate small wins, like touching a new food or taking a single bite.
Mackenzie’s journey underscores the importance of continuous learning. She attributes much of her feeding therapy success to collaboration with occupational and physical therapists.
For therapists, she suggests:
Take specialized courses like SOS Approach to Feeding.
Stay curious and seek out resources to expand your toolkit.
Focus on creating a multidisciplinary approach for better client outcomes.
Feeding challenges are complex, but they provide an opportunity to nurture your child’s relationship with food. By focusing on creating positive, low-pressure mealtime experiences, you help your child build confidence and curiosity around food.
Whether you’re a parent introducing new foods or a therapist supporting a family, patience, and consistency are your greatest allies. With time and effort, you can transform mealtime from a source of stress to a foundation for growth and connection.
BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views and opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties and what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.
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This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.
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