Picky Eating vs. Selective Eating: Instagram Advice vs. Reality

Let's face it, navigating the world of picky and selective eaters can feel like trying to solve a Rubik's cube...while blindfolded! In this intro to our "Eating & Feeding" series, we'll discuss the ins and outs of feeding our young neurodiverse kiddos while breaking down the differences between picky and selective eaters, and share our own relatable mom struggles to dish out real-life strategies that actually work.

We'll also tackle common misconceptions by reviewing instagram advice vs reality and provide actionable strategies to help you create a more positive mealtime experience by understanding the developmental phases of eating to practical tips on how to encourage variety - without pressure.

Timestamps:

(01:25) - Welcome

(12:24) - Selective Eating vs. Picky Eating

(17:09) - ARFID and Picky Eating

(28:03) - Mealtime Challenges

(30:11) - Dinner Routines and Strategies

(43:41) - Separate Meals As A Strategy

(48:31) - Encouraging Kids to Try New Foods

(51:48) - "They'll Eat When They're Hungry.."

(01:01:20) - The Shift in Feeding Therapy Approaches

(01:05:33) - Take Home Message

Episode References:

• Pjetraj, D., Pjetraj, A., Sayed, D., (...), Lionetti, M.E. (2025) Decoding Picky Eating in Children: A Temporary Phase or a Hidden Health Concern?. Nutrients.
• Breiner, C.E., Knedgen, M.M., Proctor, K.B., Zickgraf, H.F. (2024) Relation between ARFID symptomatology and picky eating onset and duration. Eating Behaviors.
• Silvers, E., Erlich, K. (2023) Picky eating or something more? Differentiating ARFID from typical childhood development. Nurse Practitioner.
• Zickgraf, H.F., Richard, E., Zucker, N.L., Wallace, G.L. (2022) Rigidity and Sensory Sensitivity: Independent Contributions to Selective Eating in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology.
• Bayoumi, S.C., Halkett, A., Miller, M., Hinshaw, S.P. (2025) Food selectivity and eating difficulties in adults with autism and/or ADHD. Autism.
• Chiong, T.X.B., Tan, M.L.N., Lim, T.S.H., (...), Aw, M.M. (2024) Selective Feeding—An Under-Recognised Contributor to Picky Eating. Nutrients.
• Tarawneh, A., Al-Dhmour, H., Almajali, R.M., (...), Mahgoub, S.S. (2024) Zinc and Growth with Picky Eating in a Jordan Pediatric Clinic: An Observational Study. Jordan Medical Journal.
• Zohar, A.H., Pick, S., Lev-Ari, L., Bachner-Melman, R. (2020) A longitudinal study of maternal feeding and children's picky eating. Appetite.
• Pesch, M.H., Bauer, K.W., Christoph, M.J., (...), Neumark-Sztainer, D. (2020) Young adult nutrition and weight correlates of picky eating during childhood. Public Health Nutrition.
• Page, S.D., Souders, M.C., Kral, T.V.E., (...), Pinto-Martin, J. (2022) Correlates of Feeding Difficulties Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
• Sarnataro, R., Siracusano, M., Campanile, R., (...), Mazzone, L. (2025) Relationship Between Food Selectivity, Adaptive Functioning and Behavioral Profile in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Behavioral Sciences.
• Zhang, S., Hu, R., Zhao, S. (2024) Autistic traits and ARFID-associated eating behaviors in preschoolers: Mediating effects of sensory processing patterns. Appetite.
• Harris, H.A., Bowling, A., Santos, S., (...), Jansen, P.W. (2022) Child ADHD and autistic traits, eating behaviours and weight: A population-based study. Pediatric Obesity.
• Ariyanti, F.W., Fatmawati, A., Sari, I.P. (2023) Factors Associated with Picky Eating in Preschool Children. Amerta Nutrition.
• Patel, M.D., Donovan, S.M., Lee, S.-Y. (2020) Considering nature and nurture in the etiology and prevention of picky eating: A narrative review. Nutrients.
• Chilman, L., Kennedy-Behr, A., Frakking, T., (...), Verdonck, M. (2021) Picky eating in children: A scoping review to examine its intrinsic and extrinsic features and how they relate to identification. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
• Wang, J., Wu, R.-X., Cheng, X.-W., (...), Zhu, D.-Q. (2021) Moderating effect of children's temperament on the relationships between parental feeding practices and their preschoolers' picky eating. Zhongguo Ertong Baojian Zazhi.
• Diamantis, D.V., Emmett, P.M., Taylor, C.M. (2023) Effect of being a persistent picky eater on feeding difficulties in school-aged children. Appetite.
• Pereboom, J., Thijs, C., Eussen, S., (...), Gubbels, J.S. (2023) Association of picky eating around age 4 with dietary intake and weight status in early adulthood: A 14-year follow-up based on the KOALA birth cohort study. Appetite.
• Barnhart, W.R., Dial, L.A., Jordan, A.K., (...), Musher-Eizenman, D.R. (2025) Higher meal disengagement and meal presentation are uniquely related to psychological distress and lower quality of life in undergraduate students. Journal of American College Health.
• Wolstenholme, H., Kelly, C., Hennessy, M., Heary, C. (2020) Childhood fussy/picky eating behaviours: A systematic review and synthesis of qualitative studies. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.
• Wolstenholme, H., Kelly, C., Heary, C. (2022) ‘Fussy eating’ and feeding dynamics: School children's perceptions, experiences, and strategies. Appetite.
• Wirth, J.M. (2023) Evaluation and management of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
• Bandeira Dos Santos Junior, P., Rezende Soares da Paz Oliveira, N.L., da Paz Oliveira, G. (2025) Prevalence of food selectivity and eating disorders in autism: A meta-analysis. Annales Medico-Psychologiques.
• Calisan Kinter, R., Özbaran, B., Inal-Kaleli, I., (...), Ghaziuddin, M. (2024) The Sensory Profiles, Eating Behaviors, and Quality of Life of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. Psychiatric Quarterly.
• Kozak, A., Czepczor-Bernat, K., Modrzejewska, J., (...), Matusik, P. (2023) Avoidant/Restrictive Food Disorder (ARFID), Food Neophobia, Other Eating-Related Behaviours and Feeding Practices among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and in Non-Clinical Sample: A Preliminary Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
• Kasak, M., Okumus, H.G., Celik, Y.S., (...), Öğütlü, H. (2025) Selective Eating and Sensory Sensitivity in Children With ADHD: A Comparative Study of ARFID Symptom Profiles. International Journal of Eating Disorders.
• Martin, E., Dourish, C.T., Higgs, S. (2023) Interoceptive accuracy mediates the longitudinal relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) inattentive symptoms and disordered eating in a community sample. Physiology and Behavior.
• Keller, J., Mandy, W.P.L., Herle, M., Carter Leno, V. (2026) Adolescent eating behaviours: associations with autistic and ADHD traits in childhood and the mediating role of anxiety. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines.
• Thomas, K.S., Keating, J., Ross, A.A., (...), Jones, C.R.G. (2025) Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) symptoms in gender diverse adults and their relation to autistic traits, ADHD traits, and sensory sensitivities. Journal of Eating Disorders.
• Breda, C., Santero, S., Conti, M.V., Cena, H. (2025) Programmes to manage food selectivity in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Nutrition Research Reviews.
• Hunt, M.A. (2020) Occupational therapy for the treatment of selective eating. A Spectrum of Solutions for Clients with Autism: Treatment for Adolescents and Adults.
• Roen, A., Fishbein, M. (2025) A Plateful of Advice: How to Address Picky Eating in Primary Care. Pediatric Annals.

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