Kids, Food, Picky Eating and How to Work with Their Systems with Katie Kimball

TedX Speaker, author and mother of 4 Katie Kimball is on the pod today to discuss the concept of picky eating and how it is not solely about the food! What?? I know. She introduces the five P's that contribute to picky eating: palate, pain, processing, pressure, and power. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the physiological and sensory aspects of eating, as well as the impact of pressure and power dynamics in the parent-child relationship. This episode will unlock so much powerful info for parents in this battle.

Even if you don't have a "picky eater," you have an eater. In this conversation Katie and I talk about how to support our children in listening to their bodies, making their own choices when it comes to food (with boundaries!) and helping them to build a healthy exploratory relationship between themselves and the food. What a gift to give them!

This episode was a wealth of information on a topic I know we all struggle with daily, I got so much out of it and I know you will too!

Takeaways

Picky eating is not solely about the food; it is influenced by various factors such as palate, pain, processing, pressure, and power. Understanding the physiological and sensory aspects of eating can help parents address picky eating behaviors. Pressure and power dynamics in the parent-child relationship can contribute to picky eating. Allowing children to listen to their bodies and make their own choices when it comes to food is important for developing a healthy relationship with food. Parents should focus on praising the process rather than the results when it comes to eating. Set boundaries and provide structure around meal times to teach kids to listen to their bodies and make healthy food choices. Establish snack time boundaries and say no to certain foods to create a balanced approach to eating. Teach kids to eat well by preparing the space, leading with healthy options, and maintaining a poker face. Exposure to a variety of foods is important, and it may take multiple attempts for a child to develop a taste for certain foods. Avoid short order cooking and catering to picky preferences, as it can exacerbate the problem. Cooking with kids builds their confidence, develops life skills, and creates positive associations with food.

You can connect further with Katie's incredible work and resources at https://www.kitchenstewardship.com/ and her Instagram @katiekimballkidscook