Stories of Extreme Picky Eating: Children with Severe Food Aversions and the Solutions That Helped Them

If you found this review, chances are you have a picky eater too. You don’t even need to finish reading my thoughts- BUY THE BOOK!I have a five year old who is quite picky. It’s worsened over the years, and now little sister (three years old) is starting to follow suit. I had been following tons of Instagramers who specialize in picky eating, but their posts were never helpful to long term progress and I was hesitant to spend $150+ on their programs when I had no idea how they were supposed to actually help my child. After another rough dinner, I got to thinking “Maybe there is a book that could help me?” After a quick Amazon search, I found this book and purchased it.Within the first day of techniques, my son was already eating things he hadn’t in years. He was sitting with us for family dinner, and sister was back to enjoying foods. We have a long way to go to effortless eating experiences, but for the first time in a long time, I have hope that we will get there. Every interaction is a success. Three cheers for Jennifer Friedman for showing me how to help my children and giving me the hope that they too can enjoy mealtimes. Just takes practice!

I have been following this author for awhile and using some of her tips on Instagram. They have been so helpful but now that I have this book, it has given me much more tools and a full picture of how to help my picky eater.I’ve only had the book about a week but we immediately started using all of the tools and activities. We saw instant success.My son is neuro typical, almost 6, has limited food groups that he eats... he mostly doesn’t eat meat or any fruits and vegetables. Lives off peanut butter and hummus sandwiches as his only protein, oh and pizza (cheese). He gags smelling or even tasting the tiniest bit of food. He has vomited over new foods his whole life. The dinner table has always had tantrums over non preferred foods on his plate.After starting to do food explorer activities it has completely changed his relationship with new foods. He no long throws a tantrum, he will sit and explore up to his comfort level. And will almost always join in past his comfort level willingly if there is a food explorer game involved. It has taken the pressure off of him, he is in control. I am so excited to see his relationship with new foods change over time. I am very hopeful. He even put some peas and spinach in his mouth! He didn’t swallow yet, but I think as we continue, he will. This was a huge win for us anyway, trying new foods and being comfortable at the table with new foods on his plate. He loves food exploring now, he will even ask to do it now if there is a new food, instead of freaking out and panicking over trying something different.Buy. This. Book.

As a parent of a child with ARFID, I found this book to be very helpful. She presents tools and information throughout each narrative. I highlighted and took notes for ways to help my son. The best lessons for me were the hopeful perspective that even really difficult challenges can be overcome, and to maintain patience and a calm presence while transformation takes place because they typically take a very long time.

I received this book 2 days ago and keep reading it every chance I get!This book is an awesome resource for both families who have children with extreme picky eating or other feeding disorders, as well as for feeding therapists looking to better understand and help this very challenging group of kids and their families. As far as I'm concerned, this book is a "must have" for every feeding therapists library whether they are an OT, SLP, or as in the author's case, an RD. Basically, the book is a series of case studies of children with severe feeding disorders, but it's written in such a way that it's great for families as well as medical professionals. For families that are new to, or are feeling absolutely lost and overwhelmed in the world of severe food aversions, this is an awesome resource with which to learn about others with similar challenges, as well as explore ways in which to help their child.Thank you for this unique and excellent addition to this feeding therapist's "go to" library!

I run a speech therapy private practice in NYC where we specialize in feeding therapy. I have recommended this book to both my staff and to parents of children we treat. It is the best mix of information and strategies to assist a picky eater or problem feeder. The author does a fabulous job of making this an easy read while providing awesome recommendations to implement strategies at home to see positive change.

My only complaint about this book is that it wasn't published twenty years ago, when I was a young dietitian starting a family. I love this book. I've read as much literature as I can about picky eating. Jennifer Friedman's book is my absolute favorite. She addresses barriers that get in the way of children eating a wholesome diet and food in general. I appreciate the stories, research, insights, and application of strategies. She emphasizes discovering the pleasure of eating. Her approach is kind and thorough. As a mother and registered dietitian, this is a book that is accessible on my book shelf, highlighted and being used.

I absolutely learned so much. After reading this book, my son took a bite of a veggie and fruit. And that was only her first step!!! So excited for the future for my little now that I know, what to do! BTW, my son is 5 years old & on the spectrum. After this long of being a picky eater I thought it would be extremely hard to break. I was wrong! He loves playing with his foods now, making robots or happy faces.

I am not a dietician or therapist but parent of an extreme picky eater. I love following Jennifer Friedman’s Instagram and blog so I knew I would have to have this book! It goes more in depth than her Instagram but also reinforces lots of great ideas. I have already instituted some new changes and am excited to see them start to work for my kiddo!

This is a fantastic book. So practical and well written. It also uses the food chaining method and Kay Toomey’s steps to eating as a basis, which have inspired me previously but with practical actual methods to put into practice. Also reassuring real life examples to support you, and remind you that you are not alone.

This book is a very interesting and entertaining read about picky eating. Whether you are a parent of a picky eater or a health professional who cares for families of picky eaters. Jenny has referenced this book so well, I cant wait to get my hands on some of the research as well. She explains her process of treatment in detail. She doesn't have glorified views of curing picky eating but getting kids and parents along the right path. I hope this book will encourage parents to seek out help for their picky eaters early and with more knowledge of the problem. Thank you for sharing these cases!