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Textual Problems in Consumables

Child's food texture issues and sensitivity to food textures can negatively influence nutrition and mealtime experiences. Here's some guidance to facilitate better.

Textural Problems in Food
Textural Problems in Food

Textual Problems in Consumables

In the world of feeding therapy, a progressive approach is taken to help children with food texture sensitivity. This approach includes a variety of textures, from smooth and predictable to crunchy and unpredictable, in a hierarchy that helps children gradually tolerate a wider range of food textures.

Feeding therapists, often in collaboration with occupational therapists (OTs), use evidence-based strategies to reduce anxiety during meals. These strategies include gradual exposure, play-based food exploration, and calming routines.

If your child regularly refuses vegetables, gags at new textures, or eats fewer than 10 different foods, it might be time to consult with a professional. Some feeding issues require support from an OT or feeding specialist.

OTs help by using sensory integration methods to gently increase a child's tolerance to different textures through play-based activities and sensory input that the child enjoys. They also provide oral motor warm-ups and exercises to improve chewing and tongue coordination.

A picky eating sensory approach focuses on building trust, offering food without pressure, and supporting regulation during meals. This approach encourages children to explore food in a non-threatening manner, reducing fear and increasing acceptance over time.

Common strategies to address food texture sensitivity in children include gradual exposure to new textures, tactile food play, oral sensory techniques, and food chaining (introducing new foods alongside preferred ones in small amounts without pressure).

OTs may also use alerting sensory techniques to stimulate mouth nerves positively, helping desensitize the child’s oral sensory system to various textures. They carefully observe the child's cues to lead the pace of exposure, ensuring the child remains comfortable and engaged.

Integrating these strategies into regular mealtimes promotes a supportive environment that broadens the child’s food acceptance and improves nutritional intake. An OT may also suggest adaptive equipment for eating to increase functional independence during meal times.

For additional resources, check out Kids Eat in Color for resources on picky eaters, and The Sensory Lifestyle Handbook for guidance on creating a sensory diet based on personal interests and preferences.

Feeding therapy offers structured, individualized support and helps families develop realistic strategies for long-term success. Sensory feeding therapy, in particular, helps children who experience discomfort, vomiting, or refusal when trying new foods. With the right support, children can learn to enjoy a wider variety of textures and improve their overall nutrition.

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