Question:
Has anyone found a successful treatment for overcoming picky eating? I am a 37 year old picky eater with 4 children and would like to improve my eating habits so as not to pass them on to my kids.
Answer:
Sadly, no. We, the community on the forum, are working hard to get this information out to medical professionals who might be able to help us. But most research out there seems to point to genetics as the likely culprit. For instance, one study done on identical twins separated at birth, showed they both (despite environmental factors) grew up to be picky eaters. Take some heart in that, because what it does mean is that you won’t likely pass it on to your kids due to “environmental” reasons. But of course, genetically you could have passed it on. We have many members on our forum who have children. Many of them have both normal and picky eating children, despite them being raised in the same environment. My favorite story is of a lady whose kids would sneak garlic and veggies in the house to cook with, because she wouldn’t eat or cook with them. So ultimately, you probably don’t have a heck of a lot of control over how your kids are going to turn out eating wise.
One thing I can recommend is that if you see your children having strong sensory aversions, you may have them checked out for Sensory Integration Dysfunction (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensory_Integration_Dysfunction). The Wiki link I provide there will give you more information on signs to look for. It has been linked to our condition, and early intervention seems to be the only thing that can really successfully treat it at this point.
I do recommend you join the forum and do some reading throughout there. You can get advice from other PE parents, and also some encouragement through them. You are a great man for desiring not to have this disorder passed on to your children. I wish I did have better advice for you.
Jessica
