From picky eating to positive mealtimes: Supporting varied eating habits

This episode is in partnership with Nursery Management Show:

Nursery Management Show is the largest show dedicated to nursery management and leadership. Join us on the 27th June 2025 for one day of insightful content, discussion and networking for the early years sector, plus access to industry leaders, suppliers and providers.

Find out more here: https://nurserymanagementshow.co.uk/tickets?utm_campaign=56071396-Nursery%20Management%20Show%20Birmingham%202025&utm_source=voice-of-early-childhood

In this episode…

Registered nutritionist Catherine Lippe and early years writer Charlotte Goddard look at what drives fussy eating, and give practical strategies on how to support children to try new foods without pressure.

Read Charlotte's and Catherine's article here:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/from-picky-eating-to-positive-mealtimes-supporting-varied-eating-habits/

Get in touch and share your voice:

Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/

Episode break down:

00:00 – Welcome!
02:00 – New nutrition guidance document
06:40 – Fussy eating and food refusal
09:45 – Eating is a highly sensory & emotive process
11:00 – Food neophobia
13:00 – Accepted and non-accepted foods
15:00 – Food refusal is not your fault
17:10 – Responsive feeding vs controlling feeding
22:20 – Rolling snack & self-serving
24:45 – So should we scrap set meal times?
29:50 – Responding to emotional cues and signals
32:00 – Allow children to self-regulate their appetite
33:20 – Supporting children to try new foods
36:00 – Getting parents involved
36:35 – Equipping children with vocabulary around food
39:40 – Treats, puddings, sweet after savoury…
43:20 – Using food as a reward
47:00 – Leave your feelings about food at the door
48:30 – Keep language around food factual rather than emotional
52:00 – More on nutrition at the Nursery Management Show
54:35 – Article on nutrition for young children

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com