Why a First Bite May Not Lead to a Second”
Aired Mar 24, 2025
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Welcome Back!
Hi and welcome to another episode! I’m Christine, your host and a holistic feeding therapist. I help parents transform mealtimes—from stressful and stuck to confident and calm—with a personalized roadmap that looks at the whole child.
If you're new to my work, you can visit thepickyeaterstest.com to figure out what type of eater your child is and get started on the right path.
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Why Do Kids Refuse a Second Bite?
This is something I hear all the time:
"My child took a bite, said they liked it, and then never touched it again!"
Or:
"They ate it yesterday—why won’t they eat it today?"
Let’s unpack some common reasons:
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1. Too Much Excitement or Pressure
We get excited when our kids try something new—maybe too excited.
That enthusiastic, “Oh my gosh, you did it!” can feel overwhelming or even suspicious to them. Some kids shut down as a result. It’s safer to drop the food than deal with the attention.
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2. People-Pleasing
Some kids say they like it just to make you happy.
They want you to smile, so they say, “Yeah, it was good,” even if they weren’t actually ready for that bite. Their real feelings might not come out until it’s time for that second bite.
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3. Surprise or Uncertainty
That first bite might’ve caught them off guard.
Maybe the temperature, flavor, or texture wasn’t what they expected. For stuck or fearful eaters especially, they need time to process that new sensation before they’re ready to try again.
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4. Sensory Overload
A strong flavor or texture can trigger a fight-or-flight response.
When everything in their environment is predictable and a new food suddenly enters the mix, it sets off alarm bells: “This is different. This is unsafe.” And the instinct is to shut down.
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5. Loss of Control
If there was any pressure to take another bite, your child might feel like they’re losing control.
Refusing a second bite helps them regain autonomy—even if they actually liked it.
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How to Encourage a Second Bite (Eventually)
So what can you do? Let’s talk about what works:
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1. Stay Neutral
Even if you’re jumping for joy on the inside… play it cool on the outside.
Say nothing. Or keep it simple with: “You took a bite.”
Leave out the questions like “Did you like it?” and resist the urge to celebrate.
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2. Pair the Bite with a Positive Emotion
Sometimes I’ll do something silly—like put food on my nose—to make my son laugh right after he takes a bite.
Why? It helps his brain link that moment with a good feeling.
Now the first bite = fun, not fear.
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3. Acknowledge, But Don’t Pressure
If your child looks proud, you can say, “That was different,” or “That was new.”
If they seem unsure or negative, give them an out:
“It’s okay, you don’t have to eat more right now. Would some water help?”
Avoid saying “That didn’t taste good?” Instead, say, “That was new,” or “We’re not used to it yet.”
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4. Model Calm Reactions
Try the food yourself and comment casually:
“These blueberries are a little more tart than usual.”
“That orange isn’t as sweet—maybe they’re not ripe yet.”
This teaches your child how to interpret and talk about food experiences.
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5. Celebrate Quietly
Even if they don’t take another bite today, celebrate it internally.
That bite meant they were more flexible than yesterday. That’s a win.
Flexibility = progress.
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6. Keep Offering It Again
Even if they said “no,” keep that food nearby.
Exposure over time builds comfort.
They tried it once—they might try it again. Especially if you’re modeling calm, curiosity, and flexibility.
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Remember: These Strategies Aren’t for Every Child
If you took the quiz at thepickyeaterstest.com and it told you your child is fearful, this strategy probably isn’t the place to start.
They may need many steps before they can even approach a new food, let alone taste it.
That’s why general podcast advice isn’t always enough—it might not be in the right order for your child’s journey.
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Want the Right Plan for Your Child?
If you want a deeper dive with personalized guidance tailored to your child’s unique profile, check out the Mealtime Roadmap. It’s the exact step-by-step plan we use with families who are ready to move forward.
You can learn more at thepickyeaterstest.com.
Thanks for listening—and we’ll see you next week!
