Yva asked 3 years ago
It sounds like a frightening word. I know its about rejecting food – what is it and is there anything I can do to head it off or react when it is happening
Riverside Cares Staff answered 3 years ago
Neophobia means fear of the new, so food neophobia is just referring to the fact that it’s common for young children to be fearful or wary of new foods. This is often displayed via them refusing to eat foods. This wariness often extends across food groups, for example, children might be wary and refuse to eat any green food, or anything that seems slimy. It’s a common part of children’s development and it’s usually just a phase, while they learn ways to ensure that what they’re eating is safe. It’s one of the reasons that children often are not keen on foods which may have a slight bitter taste to them for example broccoli as in nature this could equate to something being poisonous.
You can read more about it here: https://www.childfeedingguide.co.uk/tips/common-feeding-pitfalls/food-refusal/ To help children overcome this, it’s important to keep offering a range of foods without any pressure or force for them to try them.
We do hope this helps,
Emma and Jill
http://www.riversidetrainingcompany.co.uk