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For those who’ve never had a problem with potatoes viciously touching the meat on your plate like in Michelangelo’s famous fresco “The Creation Of Adam,” eating is like a walk in the park. When the sun it’s out, it’s fun, and when it’s raining, you just try to get it over with.

But for the gang of picky eaters, having food go into your stomach is something not to be taken light-heartedly. You gotta calibrate, engineer, and foresee the products, tastes, and combinations before they hit the tongue, and even then, there should always be a plan B.

So this time, we’re gonna see what picky eating is all about, as shared by the selective foodies themselves, who seem to have an excellent sense of humor. From having your friend’s mom tell you she’s made food for you to that cursed feeling when seeing the menu in a restaurant feels like you made a mistake, these are some real-life situations but with a humorous twist.

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Kirsten Kerkhof
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Toddler: "I don't eat those seeds on my buns!" Also toddler: "Mmm, rocks."

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If you, your family member, or your friend is what is commonly known as a “picky eater,” the chances are it didn’t happen overnight. The term refers to someone who’s selective about their food, unwilling to try new foods, and has very strong food preferences, which makes fussy eating classified as a feeding and, later in life, eating difficulty.

Many of these fussy eating behaviors start appearing in early childhood, and in order to find out what exactly is fussy eating in kids and the tactics to help it, Bored Panda reached out to the baby and child nutritionist Charlotte Stirling-Reed. Charlotte is an award-winning author who specializes in positive, evidence-based advice on giving children a healthy start in life.

There are so many reasons why little ones might start being fussy about their food, says Charlotte. “First off, it’s a very natural part of their development, a phase often known as 'neophobia'—a fear of the new.” It turns out, it has to do with an evolutionary response, explains the child nutritionist.

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“As soon as babies and toddlers start becoming more independent and moving around more, ultimately, it may protect them from eating something they shouldn’t (but doesn’t stop them from trying to eat pen lids and small toys though… strangely)."

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Numpty Gamer
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The texture of Mushrooms. Yucky yuck yuck. I like the smell of them cooking, but put them in my mouth? Nope.

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Foxxy (The Original)
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am getting better at this. I do need to remember that just because I didn’t like it as a child doesn’t mean I won’t like it now.

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Moreover, Charlotte adds that there is also a genetic element to fussy eating as “some individuals may be more likely to reject more tastes than others. Additionally, research also shows that some children just have more sensitive perceptions of taste (Mennella et al 2005).”

Among many reasons, some fussy eating can be attributed to learning from parent feeding practices and mealtime behaviors.

Having said that, Charlotte has good news and it’s that “you can do something about fussy eating, even if a toddler is genetically predisposed to reject more foods.” The children nutritionist also said that those parents who have a fussy baby/toddler shouldn’t feel like they’re alone in the world.

“I run Fussy Eating Webinars for parents regularly and know it’s a really common and that many parents face fussy eating difficulties every day, especially with children between 18 months and 3 years of age—but it can happen at any time.”

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tuzdayschild
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ever been over friend's house to eat and the food just ain't no good. I mean the macaroni's soggy, the peas all mushy...

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Foxxy (The Original)
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One reason why I always eat the same thing at restaurants is because I don’t want to waste money on something I may not like. And also because I know my choice is pretty safe (not always).

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Most importantly, there are many strategies and tactics that can help little fussy eaters and broaden the foods they’re eating. Charlotte shared a couple of them.

“Start their weaning journey with VEGGIES—some research actually shows that offering vegetables as baby’s first foods and offering them regularly through the first years of life can increase acceptance of them later on in childhood! I go into detail about how to do this in my new book How to Wean Your Baby.”

Another tactic is what Charlotte calls the “Role Model.” “It might sound simple, but eating similar foods at similar times as your children can really influence their dietary patterns. One specific study even showed that the more often children ate the same food as their parents, the better the quality of the children’s diet.”

The third strategy to try has to do with your own reaction to a fussy eater. Charlotte suggests not taking rejection literally since “there are so many reasons why kids will reject a meal e.g. overtired, over-hungry, over-grumpy, already full, sore teeth, a cold—I could go on and on, but sometimes they just simply don’t feel like eating what is on offer.”

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itz kimora
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

u can hate me if u want but tbh i don't like eating resteraunt soup because I have no idea what's in it and I'm allergic to... a heck load of stuff.

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According to the child nutrition expert, “adding foods to a 'rejected' list only goes to limit their diets more.” Instead, she suggests that parents keep trying those foods and keeping their kid's diet varied because “one day, they might eat it.”

Most importantly, Charlotte’s key tip has to with “making mealtimes light, fun, and enjoyable, as much as you can.” Try not to overstress, but enjoy the moment of discovering new foods even if they get rejected at first. “This can make all the difference in the world,” Charlotte concluded.

For more helpful tips on dealing with picky eaters from an early age, visit her website “Sr Nutrition.

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Tiari
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is one of the things why some people can’t stand picky eaters. Everything unhealthy and childish is magically fine. Swap one ingredient for something healthy and it gets disgusting.

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Flisey
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a picky eater, autistic, and she wouldn't eat this because the food is mixed. Food not touching means all food not touching.

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Flisey
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A vegetarian going to a bbq because you know that even the salad will have meat in it.

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Foxxy (The Original)
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whenever I watch Bear Grylls or I’m a celeb get me outta here, I always think that I would die of starvation coz I couldn’t handle what they eat.

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Freelove
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't imagine having a friend who would tell me they were happy for me who then turned around and posted our conversation online, saying that if hurts to be friends with me.

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htbq
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that's all the vegetables! that's not being picky, that's being a child who wont eat greens.

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chi-wei shen
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These shrimps look so delicious I cant think of any reason why I would order chicken with fries.

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Shika Louis
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

if I have to make it, chance are, I ain't gonna make it therefore: MOOOM, THERE'S NO FOOD!!!

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Llewella
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They still rememberd my husband at te Disney restaurant a year later, as the man who only ate the kidsmeal

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Tiari
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Go to cheaper restaurants if you want premade instead of home-made dinners.

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rspanther
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just choose a limited variety of food. As an adult I don't have to eat food I don't want to eat.

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Numpty Gamer
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No tomato. 100% agree there. That one fruit that can get the chuff out of here.

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Tiari
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is that orange stuff on the bottom? Doesn’t look like carrots but it’s the only thing I can thinking with this color...

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Raine Soo
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love avocado. I have a friend who "loathes" (her word) fruit, any fruit. Is there anyone out there who is also like this?

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Teucer T
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sad to say, but studies show this occurs very early in childhood development. Here are a couple ideas on how to start though: https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ss/slideshow-picky-eating

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Aldhissla VargTimmen
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I warn everyone I know beforehand that I'm a very picky eater and if I don't eat they don't have to take it personal. Most people now text me with their plans for when I come over and if I will hate it I bring my own food.

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Giulia
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

here in italy avocados aren't very common but i heard about how good guacamole is so i tried it and i gagged, but hey at least i tried it. same thing with mangos: I LOVE mango icecream so i decided to try an actual mango: it was AWFUL lmao

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