Is Your Child’s Picky Eating Normal? When to Seek Professional Advice

Does your toddler refuse to eat anything green? Are you spending mealtimes persuading, negotiating, or worrying rather than enjoying family time? Some degree of picky eating is normal in children. It’s a common part of their developmental journey as they explore independence, assert preferences, and learn about the world through food. But for some families, picky eating becomes more than a passing phase,  it starts to affect nutrition, growth, and everyday life.

At Joyful Seeds Paediatric & Development Clinic, located in Bukit Timah, Dr Charmaine Teo and Dr Martha Liu help parents distinguish between normal developmental picky eating and feeding difficulties that may be linked to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). By identifying the cause, we can guide families towards practical, achievable solutions.

What’s Considered “Normal” Picky Eating?

It’s important for parents to understand that picky eating, by itself, is not always a cause for concern. Many toddlers and preschoolers go through “food neophobia”, a temporary reluctance to try unfamiliar foods. This is particularly common between the ages of two and five, when children are naturally cautious about change.

Signs of typical picky eating include:

• Preferring a limited range of familiar “safe” foods, such as plain pasta, rice, or specific fruit

• Rejecting vegetables or certain food colours (for example, refusing anything green)

• Wanting food prepared in a particular way,  such as sandwiches cut into triangles or noodles without sauce

• Skipping meals occasionally but making up for it later in the day

• Gradually warming up to new foods after repeated exposure

  
  

In most cases, this type of picky eating improves over time, especially if parents keep mealtimes positive, offer variety without pressure, and model healthy eating habits.

When Picky Eating Could Signal Something More

While many children outgrow their selective habits, some show persistent, intense, and restrictive eating behaviours that affect their nutrition, growth, and daily routines.

In Children with ADHD:

Children with ADHD often struggle with mealtime focus.

• They may find it hard to sit still long enough to finish a meal

• Distractibility can lead to forgetting to eat or leaving meals unfinished

• Appetite can fluctuate throughout the day, particularly if the child is on stimulant medication

• They may eat quickly

  without chewing thoroughly, or conversely, take an unusually long time to finish meals

  
  

In Children with Autism:

Feeding challenges in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder often relate to sensory sensitivities and rigid routines.

• They may strongly prefer certain textures, such as crunchy foods, and reject soft or mixed textures

• Certain smells, colours, or even the sound of chewing can be overwhelming

• Their diet may be extremely limited, sometimes fewer than 10–15 accepted foods

• Small changes, like using a different plate or brand of food,  can cause distress or refusal to eat

  
  

These behaviours may not just be a matter of preference. In children with ADHD or Autism, picky eating can be linked to broader sensory processing differences, behavioural patterns, and developmental needs.

Red Flags That Warrant a Paediatric Review

While occasional fussiness is common, parents should seek professional advice if their child’s picky eating:

• Leads to slow growth, weight loss, or plateauing on the growth chart

• Results in fatigue, low energy, or frequent illness due to inadequate nutrition

• Causes extreme distress or meltdowns at mealtimes

• Severely restricts the range of accepted foods

• Is accompanied by signs of developmental delays, speech issues, or social interaction difficulties

• Affects the family’s ability to share normal meals together

  
  

A paediatric review allows for a thorough assessment of your child’s growth, nutritional status, feeding habits, and overall development. At Joyful Seeds, we work with parents to identify whether further intervention, such as occupational therapy, feeding therapy, or developmental assessment is beneficial.

Practical Strategies for Parents

Helping a child expand their diet can be a gradual process. Here are some gentle strategies that support progress without pressure:

• Create structure

  Offer meals and snacks at regular times to help regulate appetite.

  
  

• Blend familiarity with novelty

  Introduce a new food alongside one your child already likes.

  
  

• Make it engaging

  Present food in fun shapes, colourful arrangements, or with dips to encourage exploration.

  
  

• Empower with choice

  Offer two healthy options so your child feels involved in decision-making.

  
  

• Normalise exploration

  Let children touch, smell, and talk about food before tasting it.

  
  

• Be a role model

  Eat the same foods you want your child to try, and show enjoyment.

  
  

• Avoid force-feeding

  Pressure can create long-term aversions and anxiety around food.

How Joyful Seeds Paediatrics Can Help

At Joyful Seeds Paediatric & Development Clinic, Dr Charmaine Teo and Dr Martha Liu take a holistic approach to picky eating and feeding challenges. We:

• Conduct comprehensive assessments of growth, nutrition, and developmental history

• Discuss potential links to ADHD, Autism, or other sensory processing differences

• Create personalised mealtime strategies tailored to your child’s personality and needs

• Provide referrals to trusted allied health professionals, including feeding therapists and dietitians

• Offer ongoing support and monitoring so families can track progress and celebrate milestones

  
  

Our aim is to help your child feel safe and confident trying new foods, while ensuring they receive the nutrition they need to thrive.

Why Early Assessment Matters

If you feel your child’s eating habits are more than just a “picky phase,” trust that instinct. Addressing the issue early can prevent nutritional gaps and reduce mealtime stress for the whole family.

At Joyful Seeds Paediatric & Development Clinic, located in Bukit Timah, Dr Charmaine Teo and Dr Martha Liu provide compassionate, practical guidance for families navigating picky eating, ADHD-related feeding challenges, and Autism-associated food sensitivities. Together, we can help your child enjoy a wider range of foods, grow with confidence, and embrace healthier mealtime experiences.

Book a Consultation