The holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and plenty of delicious food. For many families, it’s an opportunity to gather around the table and indulge in traditional dishes. However, holiday meals can pose unique challenges for parents of children with food aversions or picky eating habits. Instead of worrying about how your child will handle the feast, these tips can help you make the day more enjoyable for everyone—without letting picky eating dominate your holiday plans.
How to Navigate Meals for a Picky Eaters
1. Plan Ahead with “Safe” Foods
One of the simplest ways to ease the stress of holiday meals is to ensure your child has access to foods they already enjoy. If you know a dish your child will eat, offer to prepare it for the gathering. Not only will this give your child a safe option, but it also provides an opportunity to share their favorite dish with others.
When preparing, make a little extra so there’s plenty for your child throughout the event. Knowing they’ll have something familiar to eat can help them feel more at ease in an otherwise overwhelming situation.
2. Bring Snacks or Feed Them Ahead of Time
If you’re attending a gathering where you know your child won’t eat any of the foods served, plan ahead. Feed them a meal at home before the event so they aren’t hungry during mealtime. Bringing along a few of their favorite snacks can also help—this way, they’ll have something to munch on while others enjoy the holiday meal. This approach allows your child to stay comfortable and avoids potential meltdowns, ensuring everyone can focus on enjoying the celebration.
3. Adjust Expectations
Holiday gatherings often bring bustling environments with new faces, bright decorations, and unfamiliar routines. For children with food aversions or sensory sensitivities, this can be overstimulating and make trying new foods even more challenging.
If your child has been working on trying new foods in feeding therapy, consider putting less emphasis on experimentation during the holidays. Instead, encourage them to focus on foods they already enjoy. If they show interest in trying something new, celebrate their effort without pressuring them. This relaxed approach can help them stay calm and engaged.
4. Encourage Similar Foods
For children willing to interact with new foods, the holidays can be a great time to explore dishes similar to those they already enjoy. For example, if your child likes ham, they might be open to exploring turkey since it has a similar texture.
Approaching new foods in this way keeps the experience low-pressure while building on familiar preferences. Small, manageable steps are key to helping your child expand their palate over time.
5. Avoid Comparisons
It’s important to avoid comparing your child to their peers or cousins. Every child is on their own journey, and progress in feeding therapy looks different for everyone. Instead of focusing on what others are eating, celebrate the milestones your child has already achieved. Whether it’s sitting at the table with the family, exploring a new food, or simply enjoying their favorite dish, these moments matter and show progress in their own way.
6. Stay Positive and Flexible
The holidays are about more than the food—it’s a time to connect, create memories, and celebrate traditions. If your child struggles with picky eating, maintaining a positive and flexible attitude can help keep the day focused on what truly matters. Celebrate small wins, like trying a bite of something new or simply enjoying their safe foods while surrounded by family. Your encouragement and understanding will make all the difference in helping them feel comfortable and supported.
Dealing with picky eating can be a challenge, especially during the holidays, but with preparation and patience, your child can navigate the season with confidence.
Take the first step toward personalized therapy services at Crawl Walk Jump Run. Contact us today at (586) 323-2957 to schedule an evaluation and learn how we can support your child’s growth and development.
