Picky eating is not something parents simply have to "deal with." There are strategies they can use to help expand the diets of their children.

In this episode of the Soaring Child podcast, Dana Kay sits down with ADHD Thrive Institute coach Andrea Daigle to unpack what's really behind picky eating. You'll learn why some kids rely on "safe foods," how texture sensitivity and digestion issues can drive food resistance, and why forcing bites may actually make things worse. You'll also discover that many children with ADHD who struggle at the dinner table are actually responding to deeper biological signals.

Andrea shares simple, practical strategies parents can start using immediately—including the powerful "add, don't subtract" method and the easy-to-implement cheese grater strategy that helps expand your child's diet without triggering overwhelm. If mealtimes feel like a daily battle, this episode will give you a new perspective and a clear, compassionate path forward.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS [00:00] The emotional reality of mealtime struggles [04:00] Picky eating as a nervous system and gut signal [05:42] Why pressure and forcing bites backfires [07:44] "Add, don't subtract" strategy explained [09:26] Cheese grater strategy for texture sensitivity [12:00] When picky eating becomes a red flag [12:47] Gut health and digestion as foundational drivers [13:57] Sensory issues and nutrient deficiencies [15:40] One simple action parents can start today [16:15] Why repetition (15–20 exposures) matters

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

"Picky eating is rarely ever just a behavior problem."

"It's their nervous system saying, this just doesn't feel safe right now."

"Even the slightest pressure like just try one bite can trigger a defensive response."

"Instead of taking foods away, let's start upgrading what they're already eating."

"When you barely change that texture, the nervous system does not react."

"We can't change picky eating for a child whose body is uncomfortable."

"Zinc deficiency… changes the way that you taste food."

"We want to look at all the pieces of the puzzle."

"It can take 15 to 20 times for a kid to accept a new flavor."

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