Picky eating is super-frustrating and it’s one of the most common challenges we have as parents. Yet when you look for solutions online, a lot are focused on recipes, sneaking vegetables, and new meal ideas. Although those ideas can certainly help, it’s important to first figure out what is causing picky eating in the first place.  In this episode, I sat down with Katie Kimball, founder of KitchenStewardship.com, and the Kids Cook Real Food ecourse. Katie says food and eating are two different things and that kids can be labeled as picky eaters when there’s actually something else going on such as food allergies, constipation, or sensory processing disorder. She talks about what she calls the “5Ps of picky eating,” how to figure out why your kid won’t eat certain foods —or eat enough— and how to encourage your kids to be healthy eaters.  1:49 Let’s talk about your story! 5:18 Studies show about 50% of kids are “picky eaters” but so much of the solutions for parents are recipes, meals ideas, and fun ways to turn food into art projects. But you say food and eating are two different ideas—explain! 8:05 What have you discovered from your research and training in the SOS feeding approach to feeding? 10:58 Do you think our perspective about feeding kids in the U.S. is doing our kids a disservice? 13:30 Can kids be incorrectly labeled as picky eaters? 17:18 What are your 5Ps of picky eating? 22:40 What are your best tips to investigate these issues and get help? 24:57 Regardless of what is going on with your kid, what are your best tips for getting picky eating kids to eat healthy? 29:00 What are ways to instill a healthy relationship with food? 32:00 Although it’s not about the food, can new recipes, meal ideas, and food art projects encourage kids to eat healthy? LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW Julie mentions that Katie Kimball was on season #1 of “Food Issues” in the episode, “Cooking With Kids Through COVID-19.” Katie talks about the SOS Approach To Feeding and Kay A. Toomey, Ph.D. Katie mentions that approximately 15% of children have sensory processing issues. Julie mentions Katie’s TEDx Talk, “Picky Eating Isn’t About the Food.” Learn more about Katie Kimball on KitchenStewardship.com and her Kids Cook Real Food ecourse. FROM OUR PARTNERS Kids Cook Real Food eCourse The Kids Cook Real Food eCourse, created by a mom of 4 and a former elementary school teacher, is designed to build connection, confidence, and creativity in the kitchen. The course includes 30 basic cooking skills, 45 videos including several bonuses, printable supply and grocery shopping lists, and kid-friendly recipes. The course is designed for all kids ages 2 to teen and has three different skill levels. More than 18,000 families have taken the course and The Wall Street Journal named it the #1 cooking class for kids. Sign up now for the Kids Cook Real Food ecourse and get a free lesson for being a “Food Issues” listener. Thrive Market Thrive Market is an online membership-based market that has the highest quality, organic, non-GMO, healthy, and sustainable products. From groceries, clean beauty, safe supplements, and non-toxic home products to ethical meat, sustainable seafood, clean wine, and more, Thrive Market is where members save an average of $32 on every order! Through Thrive Gives, every paid membership sponsors a free one for a low-income family. Join Thrive Market today and get 25% off your first order and a free gift.