Taste
Taste sensitivity can affect eating, drinking, medication and oral hygiene.
Signs of taste sensitivity
A child may eat a limited range of foods, prefer bland or strong flavours, refuse mixed textures, avoid sauces, gag easily, notice tiny changes in brands, refuse food if packaging changes, avoid new foods, become distressed at mealtimes, eat the same food repeatedly or avoid toothpaste flavours.
Taste support ideas
- Keep safe foods available
- No-pressure tasting
- Tiny exposure steps
- Same plates or cutlery if helpful
- Food separated on plates
- Predictable meal routines
- Let the child smell, touch or look first
- Try different toothpaste flavours
- Keep brand changes gradual
- Monitor nutrition with professionals if diet is very restricted
Safe taste exploration
Food play without pressure to eat, smelling games, licking then stopping, crunchy vs soft comparisons, smoothie making, choosing toppings, cooking together, food sorting, tiny "learning tastes".
Do
- Keep safe foods safe
- Reduce pressure
- Respect gagging
- Offer choice
- Seek dietitian or GP support if nutrition, growth or weight is a concern
Don't
- Force-feed
- Hide foods without consent
- Shame picky eating
- Remove all safe foods suddenly
- Turn every meal into a battle