23 May 2014 Picky eating – it's not just the kids
by Kellie Dye
I have never had much patience for people who turn their nose up at trying new foods, flavors or recipes. I realize now that there is much more to it than refusing to try a new food due to fear of the unknown.
I’m sure that you know a few adults who refuse to eat certain foods. Sometimes it’s due to the texture of the food or the smell or the appearance of the food. Picky eating is not just a kid problem. Plenty of adults suffer from picky eating.
There is picky eating, and then there is extreme picky eating, which can lead to many challenges and difficulties. Social isolation, fear of being judged, anxiety with social eating situations, nutritional deficiencies, health problems and a fear of passing this trait on to their children are just a few challenges. This condition can very negatively affect people’s social lives and mental health.
The term “selective eating disorder” (SED) has been coined to describe this condition. People with SED experience food far differently compared to other people. If being a picky eater impairs the quality of your life, then it can be classified as an eating disorder. Duke University started the first public registry of picky eaters. The number of active members in this group continues to grow. Unlike other eating disorders, picky eaters do not typically base their food choices on calories, fat or nutrition. They also tend not to suffer with body image issues. It is often a texture, smell or appearance issue with food. Some experts believe that extreme picky eating can be linked to obsessive-compulsive tendencies. There is so much more that is unknown about SED, and it needs to be studied more extensively.
Upon review of people who have joined the picky eater registry, they seem to have some things in common. Picky eaters tend to prefer bland, pale colored type foods such as plain cheese pizza, chicken fingers, French fries and plain pastas while avoiding most fruits and vegetables. Most people would give anything to be able to eat other foods. They often describe their eating habits as life-limiting, embarrassing and inconvenient. It can be a very socially isolating disorder. There are not only psychological consequences, but also nutritional consequences, such as poor bone density, heart disease, increased cancer risk and anemia to name a few.
Many children are picky eaters, and most outgrow this phase. Children are more likely to outgrow the phase if parents don’t allow this trait to define the child. In other words, don’t cater to the child’s picky eating demands and don’t call attention to it. Continue to offer new foods and never give up. Never force a child to eat, but do expose them to other foods as much as possible.
Don’t fall into the “kid food” trap. Many food companies market foods that are specially made for kids, such as animal shaped chicken nuggets, squeezable yogurts, juice packs, etc. Most kid-marketed foods are very low in nutrition and high in fat and sugar. Once a child gets beyond baby food, they should eat the same foods that adults eat in smaller, safe, bite-size portions.
Help for picky eating adults can be more challenging. Adults with SED should not be ashamed to ask for help. That help could involve psychological therapy if the adult feels that the quality of their life is impaired. It should also involve medical testing for disease risk and nutritional deficiencies, along with nutrition therapy by a registered licensed nutritionist.
Kellie Dye, a registered and licensed dietitian, is the wellness coordinator at the Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center. Send your diet and nutrition questions to Kellie at [email protected]. Frequently asked and pertinent questions will be addressed in future articles in 501 LIFE.
