The Truth About Fussy Eating: 5 Myths Parents Need to Stop Believing

If you’ve ever been told, “Don’t worry, they’ll grow out of it,” this one’s for you.

Fussy eating can be a frustrating, exhausting, and sometimes downright confusing experience for parents. Everyone seems to have an opinion, from well-meaning relatives to random strangers at the grocery store. But how much of what you’ve heard is actually true?

Let’s bust some of the biggest myths about fussy eating and get to the real facts that can help your child develop a healthier relationship with food.

Myth #1: “They’ll Eat When They’re Hungry”

Truth: Nope! Some kids will happily skip meals rather than eat foods they find scary or unfamiliar.

While hunger is a powerful motivator, it’s not always enough to override sensory sensitivities, anxiety, or strong food preferences. If a child consistently avoids meals or eats only a very limited range of foods, it’s a sign that something more is going on.

Myth #2: “Just Keep Offering the Same Food, and They’ll Eventually Eat It”

Truth: Repeated exposure is important, but HOW you offer the food matters.

Simply plonking broccoli on a plate every night won’t magically make a child love it. Instead, making food exposure fun and pressure-free—like playing with textures, exploring the smell, or even turning it into a game—can encourage curiosity and acceptance over time.

Myth #3: “Fussy Eating Is Just a Phase”

Truth: While some kids do naturally grow out of picky eating, many don’t without the right support.

Persistent fussy eating can lead to nutritional gaps, food anxiety, and increased stress around mealtimes. If a child is consistently avoiding entire food groups or has a very limited diet, early intervention can make a huge difference.

Myth #4: “Bribing with Dessert Will Get Them to Eat”

Truth: Using food as a reward can actually make picky eating worse.

When kids are told they must eat their veggies to get dessert, it reinforces the idea that vegetables are the ‘bad’ food and dessert is the ‘good’ food. Instead, focus on making mealtimes a positive, low-pressure experience where all foods are neutral.

Myth #5: “If You Just Find the Right Trick, They’ll Eat Everything”

Truth: There’s no one-size-fits-all solution—every child is different.

Fussy eating is often complex, with reasons ranging from sensory sensitivities to anxiety or past negative food experiences. What works for one child may not work for another, which is why personalised strategies are key.

Real Stories: How Families Have Overcome Fussy Eating

A Fussy Eating Transformation: The Girl Who Wouldn’t Eat Breakfast

This beautiful young girl had a very limited diet of about 20 foods, with 10 of them fluctuating in acceptance. Breakfast was a daily struggle for her mum, who desperately wanted her to eat something before school.

Mum’s first goal? Getting her to re-accept Rice Bubbles, a food she had previously enjoyed but rejected. Through feeding therapy, we turned it into a game. We became cats licking Rice Bubbles and seeing how many we could fit on our tongues at once. By the end of the first session, she had eaten a small amount—and most importantly, she was having fun! Her mum was ecstatic.

A Fussy Eating Transformation: Josh and the Dragon Diet

Josh was a wonderful boy whose list of safe foods was shrinking every year. Trying anything new was overwhelming, so we took a different approach—using his interests to make food exploration fun.

We played MasterChef Junior, where he experimented with ingredients and learned about different food textures while preparing meals for his mum, himself, and me. Through this, he discovered that everyone has different food preferences, and curiosity led him to try new things.

We also used his love of dragons to explain nutrition. Our dragon couldn’t fly without the right fuel—just like his body needed a variety of nutrients to stay strong. This approach helped Josh feel more in control and open to trying new foods at his own pace.

So, What Can You Do Instead?

✅ Offer new foods in a playful, pressure-free way.

✅ Focus on exposure, not force.

✅ Respect your child’s sensory needs and anxieties.

✅ Make mealtimes a positive, stress-free experience.

✅ Get support if your child’s eating habits are causing stress or impacting their health.

Fussy eating doesn’t have to be a battle. With the right strategies, patience, and a little creativity, your child can learn to enjoy a wider variety of foods in a way that feels safe and enjoyable for them.

Want personalised help with your child’s eating? Book a consultation or grab my free guide on making mealtimes stress-free!