Food Jags in Fussy Eaters: How Parents Can Manage

At first glance, it might also seem harmless—especially if the food the child is stuck on is nutritious—but the concern lies in what happens next. Over time, many children begin to tire of this preferred food and may suddenly refuse to eat it, leaving parents scrambling for alternatives.

Food jags in fussy eaters are particularly concerning because these children are already selective about what they will eat. When one of their limited “safe foods” is removed from their diet due to a jag, it can further narrow their already restricted menu, making mealtime more stressful for both the child and the family.

Why Do Food Jags Happen in Fussy Eaters

Several factors contribute to food jags, but some common reasons include:

• Comfort and familiarity: Children often prefer the safety of familiar textures, flavours, and routines, especially when it comes to food.

• Sensory sensitivities: Some children are highly sensitive to textures, colours, or flavours, and will stick to foods that meet their sensory preferences.

• Developmental phases: Toddlers, in particular, go through phases of neophobia (fear of new foods), where they may reject unfamiliar foods and cling to those they know.

Are Food Jags More Severe in Children with Autism Traits

Children with Autism traits, particularly those exhibiting rigidity and difficulty with change, may be more prone to food jags. Rigidity in thought and routine, common among children with Autism, can also manifest in their eating habits. For these children, repeatedly eating the same food may serve as a coping mechanism to manage the stress of trying new or unfamiliar foods.

However, as these routines become more ingrained, the eventual rejection of the food once the jag ends can leave the child with very few options.

A study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders by Schreck et al. (2004) explored food selectivity in children with autism, identifying patterns similar to food jags, where children cycle through favoured foods and then abruptly refuse them.

A parent with Asperger’s, whom I worked with, shared that her food jags often lasted for months and, in some cases, took years to recover from, if at all. Her insight highlights the importance of prevention, offering valuable perspective on how challenging food jags can be and why early intervention is so beneficial.

How to Avoid Food Jags in Fussy Eaters

Avoiding food jags is crucial, especially for fussy eaters or children with Autism traits, as it prevents further narrowing of their diet. Here are some strategies that may help:

1. Offer Variety Early and Often: To reduce the risk of a food jag, try to introduce a wide variety of foods from an early age. Presenting different flavours, textures, and shapes can help children become more open to new foods.

2. Rotate Foods: Even if your child prefers a particular food, avoid serving it every day. Rotate it with other options so that it remains in their diet, but not as a daily staple. For example, if your child only wants yoghurt, offer it every other day instead of daily, or pick different flavours, consistencies and brands.

3. Responsive Feeding Practices: Respect your child’s hunger cues and allow them to guide how much they eat, but gently encourage exploration of new foods. This reduces pressure, which can increase mealtime stress. As always, focus on the principles of Responsive Feeding Therapy (RFT), allowing the child to maintain autonomy while exploring new tastes. Have a meal system, whereby you offer more than one single dish; serve 2 carbohydrates whenever possible, fruit and dairy or dessert. So your child can reliably feed themselves.

4. Present Food in Different Forms: To reduce rigidity, try offering the same food in slightly different forms. For example, if your child likes bananas, serve them whole, mashed, or blended into a smoothie. When offering sausages, experiment with different brands, flavours, and presentations, such as serving them whole or sliced. The familiarity of the food helps ease the anxiety of change while gently expanding their food repertoire. Additionally, involving your child in these changes can make them feel more in control and open to trying new variations.

5. Stay Calm During Rejections: If your child starts to refuse their previously loved food, remain calm and neutral. Pushing them to eat it again may only make things worse. Instead, introduce alternatives slowly and without pressure.

6. Seek Professional Guidance: If food jags become severe, working with a feeding therapist can be invaluable.

Food jags are a common experience, particularly in fussy eaters, but they can be more severe in children with Autism traits, due to heightened rigidity and sensory sensitivities. By incorporating a variety of foods, rotating preferred items, and seeking professional guidance when needed, parents can help prevent food jags and support their child’s healthy relationship with food.

If you feel you and your child are stuck, then feel free to reach out to me.

 

Schreck KA, Williams K, Smith AF. A comparison of eating behaviors between children with and without autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2004 Aug;34(4):433-8. doi: 10.1023/b:jadd.0000037419.78531.86. PMID: 15449518.