Eating habits can be highly individual, especially among children and neurodivergent people. In this blog post, we'll discuss selective eating, its prevalence among neurodivergent individuals, and how to support these needs while traveling.
Selective Eating
Most children go through “picky” phases with foods. This is a normal part of developing autonomy and usually eases as kids mature. However, some children are more selective than others due to personality, preferences, or sensory challenges with food textures and smells. Psychologists suggest avoiding the “picky eating" label because it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Neurodivergent Eating
Neurodivergent people are at a much higher risk of eating issues - a third have challenges with food. These individuals often have sensory challenges with food, but may also struggle with interoception, the sense that informs us about what's happening in our body like hunger. Pressure around food can also trigger those with anxiety, PDA, or sensitivities to criticism. Researchers estimate that ADHD kids receive 20,000 more negative messages than NT peers by age 10.
ARFID
Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) was added to the DSM V in 2013. It is classified as selective eating that may affect growth, cause nutritional deficits, interfere with energy, or social functioning. ARFID has a much higher co-occurrence in ND people than in NT peers, most prominently in autistic individuals (1 in 5 or more) and those with anxiety.
Eating & Travel
Travel means new places and new foods. This can be challenging for anyone, but add in ND eating concerns, and this can really derail a trip. So, how do we support these needs on the road? Here are nine tips to try for your next trip.
1 - Be Consistent
Traveling introduces a lot of new experiences for the whole family. Try to keep eating as similar to home as possible by sticking to a normal schedule, bringing a favorite cup or utensil, and keeping routines like washing hands or setting the table.
2 - Availability
Before you depart, check availability for favorite snacks or dips. Pack extras to have in a pinch and for travel days. It's always wise to have more if you can't purchase what you need.
3 - Prep, Prep, Prep
A little preparation can go a long way to making everyone more comfortable. Look at typical foods and menus for your destination. Show your child pictures and videos of cultural foods. Try the cuisine at a local restaurant. Find recipes and cook local delicacies together. Get a feel for common spices used in the destination's cuisine. Ask your hotel or host for help finding menus or traditional dishes.
4 - Let Them Help
Include kids in purchasing and preparation of food. Go to a local market together, let them pick something new to try at the grocery, or even try a cooking class or farm tour.
5 - Share
Let your child have a taste of your plate or order family style. Model sharing with your partner, other children, or travel companions, too. Use an extra plate for sharing to keep foods visually separate.
6 - Talk About It
Involve them in the conversation around foods. Engage their curiosity and keep it positive! Ask them what the food smells like, if it reminds them of anything, or what colors they see. Don't ask them if it is good. It creates an immediate opportunity for refusal.
7 - Self-Cater
Pick accommodations with the option to self-cater or at least access to a fridge. You don't need to cook everything, but having one typical meal a day goes a long way.
8 - Offer Safe Foods
Offer at least one safe food along with new flavors. Popular foods like pasta, yogurt, even nuggets are widely available. Bring it with you to restaurants as a back up.
9 - Don’t Stress
Don't make it a fight. This actually worsens things. Remember that any interaction is an exposure and travel is temporary. You can reset eating back at home. Don’t push. Everyone wants to have fun, low stress holiday.
We hope these tips will help you better understand and support the needs of selective eaters, whether they are your children or your traveling companions. Remember, patience and understanding are key. Bon voyage!
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