The holidays are filled with fun, family, and plenty of delicious food—but for parents of picky eaters, holiday meals can be a bit overwhelming. If your child is hesitant to try new foods, family gatherings can quickly turn into stressful situations. Luckily, feeding therapy offers some great strategies to help make mealtimes easier and more enjoyable, even during the busy holiday season.

What is Feeding Therapy?

Feeding therapy is a specialized approach that helps children with challenges related to eating, whether it’s picky eating, sensory sensitivities, or developmental delays. Through play and gradual exposure, feeding therapists work with kids to expand their diets and feel more comfortable at mealtime. For parents of picky eaters, feeding therapy can be a game-changer—especially during the holidays when new foods and unfamiliar routines are everywhere!

How Feeding Therapy Can Help During the Holidays

The holidays bring a lot of excitement, but also new foods and mealtime routines that can feel overwhelming for picky eaters. Feeding therapy techniques can help your child feel more at ease while encouraging them to explore new foods without pressure. Here are some simple feeding therapy strategies to try with your child this holiday season:

1. Stick to a Routine

Holiday schedules can be unpredictable, but keeping mealtimes consistent will help your child feel more comfortable. In feeding therapy, we emphasize sticking to familiar routines, as it helps kids know what to expect and reduces anxiety. While the time or place of meals might change, try to keep certain elements the same, like sitting at a familiar spot or starting meals with a favorite food.

Tip: If you know you’ll be at a big event with new foods, bring along a favorite snack or dish to help your child feel secure.

2. Introduce New Foods Slowly

The holiday table is often full of unfamiliar dishes, which can be intimidating for picky eaters. Feeding therapy encourages slow, low-pressure introductions to new foods. Start by offering a small amount of a new food alongside familiar favorites, allowing your child to explore it without feeling forced.

Tip: Let your child touch or smell new foods without requiring them to eat it. Sometimes, just getting used to the look and feel of a food is progress in itself!

3. Make Mealtimes Fun

Feeding therapy often turns mealtime into a fun, low-pressure experience, which you can easily do at holiday gatherings. Get your child involved in helping with meal prep—whether it’s stirring, arranging food, or even playing with food in creative ways. The more fun and hands-on you make it, the less scary new foods will feel.

Tip: Encourage some holiday-themed play, like “Let’s see if the cranberry sauce can make a snowman on your plate!” When mealtimes are lighthearted, kids are more likely to give new foods a try.

4. Offer Choices, Not Pressure

Instead of insisting your child try a certain food, give them choices. In feeding therapy, we focus on empowering children to make decisions about what they eat. For example, you could say, “Would you like to try a bite of mashed potatoes or carrots?” This gives your child a sense of control, making them feel less resistant to new foods.

Tip: If they don’t want to try anything new, that’s okay! Stay positive, and remember that small steps, like sitting with the family or touching the food, are progress.

5. Create a Calm Environment

The holiday hustle and bustle can make mealtimes more chaotic than usual, which can be overwhelming for kids who are sensitive to their surroundings. Feeding therapy teaches the importance of a calm, predictable environment at meals. Try to minimize distractions like loud music or TV, and create a peaceful space where your child can eat.

Tip: If your child seems overstimulated, you can set up a quiet, cozy spot away from the main table where they can eat more comfortably.

6. Be Patient and Encouraging

Patience is key when it comes to feeding therapy. It can be frustrating when your child refuses to eat foods you’ve worked hard to prepare, but remember that progress takes time. Celebrate the small wins—whether it’s touching, smelling, or tasting a new food. Positive reinforcement, like saying, “Great job trying that!” goes a long way in making your child feel supported.

Tip: Use phrases like “I love how you’re exploring your food” to keep things positive. The goal isn’t necessarily to get them to eat it all, but to get comfortable with new foods at their own pace.

7. Set Realistic Expectations

Lastly, it’s important to set realistic expectations for your child at holiday meals. Feeding therapy focuses on gradual progress, and the holidays might not be the time for big breakthroughs. That’s okay! Every step toward trying new foods—whether it’s touching, smelling, or just sitting with the family—is a victory worth celebrating.

Making Mealtimes Joyful with Unlimited Possibilities

Holiday meals don’t have to be stressful for families with picky eaters. By using feeding therapy strategies like offering choices, creating a calm environment, and making mealtimes fun, you can help your child feel more comfortable and confident at the table. Remember, it’s all about making mealtime a positive experience, not just about getting them to eat everything on their plate.

If you’re finding mealtimes to be extra challenging and feel like your child might need more support, a feeding therapist can provide personalized strategies to help. At Unlimited Pediatric Therapy, our feeding therapy specialists are here to guide your family through mealtime challenges, helping your child explore new foods in a way that’s gentle and effective.

Wishing you and your family a joyful (and stress-free!) holiday season!