Junk? Nope.

One of the biggest criticisms of Food Chaining is that we teach children to eat junk food. That may seem correct to those who have not been to our courses or understand the process fully. Our program was featured in The Journal of Clinical Nutrition because we lead children to healthy eating and diets that contain meats, breads/grains, dairy, fruits and vegetables. Our patients eat without being forced, coerced, pressured or stressed. We customize diets of all our patients to help them reach their full potential. I have treated children, even with autistic spectrum disorder, who now have diets that contain broccoli, spinach, fresh fruits, steak...a far cry from the days of popsicles, gummy bears, milk, crackers and chips. The reason our program works is because we start where the child IS and not only expand the diet but teach children HOW to eat these more complex foods. We use those flavor preferences and early texture preferences to design a customized feeding program and expand the diet at the child's pace. Isn't it more likely that the child who eats chicken nugget will accept fried fish, scallops, popcorn shrimp and breaded pork tenderloin before eating baked fish/chicken, roast and steak? But we use dips and condiments and seasonings to work toward those foods and help the children feel safe and confident eating these foods. Doesn't it make sense that a child who loves chocolate could accept fresh fruit dipped in chocolate until we can fade that masking flavor and help the child enjoy the actual taste of fruit? There is no "junk food" unless we are talking fried butter, food is of higher or lower nutritional value. Variety in the diet is key to breaking the patterns of picky eating. The ritual of eating the same thing over and over is much more harmful than eating popcorn shrimp. Selective eating is not just a preference for "junk food" it usually a reflection of the child's immature chewing and swallowing skills. A bite of a goldfish cracker is a very different chewing and swallowing event than a bite of filet mignon. A feeding specialist must start with success and help the child enjoy each trip to the table to avoid anxiety, fear, anger, stress and dysfunctional and destructive interactions at the table. Food Chaining works when done correctly and with eyes that see the current moment as well as a child's potential.