How do I know if my child’s fussy eating is a phase or something more?

Typical picky eating improves over time if your child is growing well and eating from all food groups. If intake becomes increasingly restricted, growth falters, or mealtimes are highly stressful, book an assessment with a private paediatric dietitian.

What foods are safe for children with ARFID?

Safe foods vary by child and sensory profile. An ARFID dietitian will map current accepted foods and use graded exposure to add nutritionally similar items first, reducing pressure while improving dietary variety.

My child only eats beige foods — what should I do?

Keep mealtimes calm and predictable, offer one accepted food with one small new exposure, and avoid pressure. A private paediatric dietitian can screen for nutrient gaps (e.g., iron, vitamin D, fibre) and advise on targeted supplementation if needed.

Do dietitians diagnose ARFID?

Formal diagnosis is made by a medical or mental health professional. A paediatric dietitian identifies red flags, assesses nutritional risk, and provides evidence-based management strategies while liaising with your wider care team.

Should I choose a nutritionist or a dietitian for my child?

Dietitians are regulated healthcare professionals (HCPC-registered in the UK) trained to assess, diagnose, and treat nutrition issues. For ARFID, sensory-based eating, allergies, or medical conditions, choose a paediatric dietitian.

How can I find a private paediatric dietitian near me?

I offer online UK-wide and in-person sessions in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and parts of North London. Book via The Happy Feeding Company clinic page: https://www.thehappyfeedingcompany.com/the-clinic

Can supplements help with fussy or restricted eating?

Sometimes. Where diets are very limited, targeted supplements (e.g., vitamin D, iron) may be appropriate. A paediatric dietitian should assess first and guide any testing and supplementation.

Do you work with sensory processing challenges around food?

Yes. I tailor strategies to your child’s sensory profile, focusing on gentle exposure, texture bridging, and positive mealtime routines. When helpful, I collaborate with occupational therapists and psychologists.

Supporting Fussy and Restricted Eaters: How a Private Paediatric Dietitian Can Help

28 Aug

Written By Christina Hills

As parents, feeding your child isn’t always straightforward. For some families, mealtimes become a daily struggle- whether due to fussy eating, sensory processing challenges, or more complex feeding difficulties like ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder).

That’s where working with a private paediatric dietitian can make all the difference.

I’m Christina Hills, a HCPC-registered paediatric dietitian, passionate about helping children of all ages feel confident around food and supporting parents with practical, evidence-based strategies. In this blog, I’ll explain how specialist dietetic input can support children with fussy or restricted eating, and why seeking help early can be so beneficial.

What Does a Private Paediatric Dietitian Do?

A private paediatric dietitian specialises in children’s nutrition, working with families to assess growth, nutritional needs, and feeding challenges. Unlike generic nutrition advice, the support is personalised, considering your child’s:

Growth and development
Medical history
Food preferences and sensory profile
Nutritional gaps and potential deficiencies

This is especially valuable if your child struggles with restricted diets, sensory issues, or ARFID.

Understanding ARFID and Sensory-Based Eating Challenges

What is ARFID?

ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) is more than just picky eating. It’s a recognised eating disorder where children may avoid foods based on sensory characteristics (such as taste, texture, or smell), fear of adverse consequences (like choking or vomiting), or simply low interest in food.

Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID isn’t about body image. Instead, it can lead to:

Very limited food choices
Nutrient deficiencies
Growth faltering
High anxiety around mealtimes

Sensory Processing and Eating

Some children also experience sensory processing challenges. This means their brains process sensory input differently, making textures, smells, and even the sound of eating overwhelming. For these children, feeding difficulties aren’t about “being difficult”- they’re rooted in how their nervous system responds to food experiences.

How an ARFID Dietitian Can Help

As an experienced ARFID dietitian, my role is to:

Identify key nutritional risks (such as iron, calcium, vitamin D, protein, and fibre)
Suggest safe and acceptable foods to broaden the diet without overwhelming your child
Work alongside feeding therapists, psychologists, and occupational therapists if needed
Support parents with practical strategies for structured mealtimes and exposure to new foods
Recommend supplements or investigations (such as blood tests) if clinically necessary

The aim is not just to improve nutrition, but to reduce stress at mealtimes and build positive, pressure-free food experiences.

Why Choose a Private Paediatric Dietitian Near Me?

Searching for a “paediatric dietitian near me” can feel daunting, but accessing private support means you can:

Avoid long NHS waiting lists
Book at times that suit your family
Access virtual consultations wherever you are in the UK
Request in-person sessions in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and parts of North London (subject to availability/location checks)

I offer 1:1 private dietitian consultations tailored to your child’s needs, whether online or face to face.

FAQs

Q: How do I know if my child’s fussy eating is just a phase or something more?

Mild picky eating is common in toddlers. If your child eats from all main food groups (even in small amounts), grows well, and their diet gradually expands, it’s usually a phase. If the diet becomes increasingly restricted, or mealtimes are stressful, specialist support is worth seeking.

Q: Can dietitians diagnose ARFID?

Only a medical or mental health professional can formally diagnose ARFID, but a paediatric dietitian can identify red flags, assess nutritional risk, and support you with management strategies.

Q: Can a dietitian help with ARFID?

Yes- an ARFID dietitian can assess your child’s growth, review nutritional gaps, suggest practical strategies for mealtimes, and recommend supplements or safe foods if needed. They can also work closely with psychologists or occupational therapists as part of a multidisciplinary approach.

Q: What foods are safe for ARFID children?

This depends on your child’s individual food preferences and sensory sensitivities. An ARFID dietitian will help you identify “safe foods” (the ones your child accepts) and slowly build variety without creating pressure.

Q: What is the difference between fussy eating and ARFID?

Fussy eating is common in young children, especially toddlers, and usually improves with time. ARFID is more severe, long-lasting, and linked to anxiety, fear of certain foods, or sensory sensitivities. If your child’s diet is very limited or causing health concerns, it may be ARFID.

Q: My child only eats beige foods- what do I do?

Many children with ARFID or sensory issues stick to foods like bread, pasta, or chips. A paediatric dietitian can suggest gentle strategies to expand the range, while also checking if supplements are needed to cover missing nutrients.

Q: Nutritionist vs dietitian for children- what’s the difference?

A dietitian is a regulated healthcare professional (HCPC registered in the UK) who can assess, diagnose, and treat nutrition-related problems in children. A nutritionist may provide general advice but is not always clinically trained. For medical or complex feeding issues, a paediatric dietitian is best.

Q: Private paediatric dietitian near me – how can I find one?

I offer private appointments online across the UK, and face-to-face in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and parts of North London. You can book directly via my clinic page: The Happy Feeding Company Clinic.

How to Book a Private Paediatric Dietitian Consultation with Christina Hills

If you’re looking for an ARFID dietitian or a private paediatric dietitian near me, I’d love to support your family.

Book your appointment here: The Happy Feeding Company Clinic

Together, we can make mealtimes less stressful, more nourishing, and more joyful for your child.

Christina Hills