2024-01-16 15:41:15
January 16, 2024
A dish of lentils rejected with both hands… Then an equally marked rejection of a plate of carrots… For some children, the discovery of new foods simply proves impossible. And it’s not a whim…
Food neophobia corresponds to the reluctance to taste unfamiliar foods… It generally manifests itself from the age of two, in other words following a period of dietary diversification where the little one has shown himself to be rather willing to discover new tastes and new flavors. Then, it can occur “ a form of rupture », as described by Aurore Pointet in her Master’s thesis in social sciences (Applied Social Sciences to Food Course – Jean Jaurès University of Toulouse).
« The child will go from acceptance to distrust of foods, or even a refusal to taste them when they are unknown to him. », she continues. Food neophobia sets in and can last until the age of ten. The phenomenon appears widespread since 77% of children aged two to ten go through such a phase. With two families of foods that are particularly rejected: fruits and vegetables.
How to help him overcome his food phobia?
First, present vegetables and fruits one by one before combining them with other foods. This way, the child will be able to differentiate the taste of carrot, zucchini, etc. Other tips:
Patiently offer the same food at least 8 times; Present small quantities: first just a spoonful, without insisting and always in the same form so that the food is more easily identified; Taste the rejected foods in front of the child: by mimicry, he will be encouraged to taste them once more; Get the child to express himself on the reasons for his rejection: the flavor, the texture, the temperature, etc. You will then be able to better adapt the preparation; And above all, stay calm! This is normally just a passage.
Beware of the risk of deficiencies
Food neophobia therefore appears characterized either by a refusal to incorporate unfamiliar foods into the dietary register, or by the development of significant selectivity of them. Moreover, foodstuffs that were accepted during dietary diversification are thus rejected, at the risk of greatly restricting what specialists call the ‘child’s food repertoire’. And in the end, there is a risk of deficiencies appearing. If necessary, do not hesitate to ask the pediatrician, the attending physician and/or a psychologist specializing in early childhood for advice and appropriate care.
Source: Food neophobia in children: marker of social and cultural differentiation. Aurore Pointet. Master’s thesis in Social Sciences (Applied Social Sciences to Food Course – Jean Jaurès University of Toulouse). Academic year: 2020 – 2021 – Rigal, Natalie, Virginie Soulet, and Julie Brément. “Emergence of Self-Awareness and Food Neophobia in Young Children”, Enfance, vol. 2, no. 2, 2016, pp. 217-229.
Written by: David Picot – Edited by Emmanuel Ducreuzet
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