Episode Title: Is Picky Eating Genetic?
Aired: September 29, 2025
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Hi, and welcome back.
So, is picky eating genetic? Parents ask me this all the time. And here’s the truth — it’s not a simple yes or no. There isn’t one single “picky eating gene,” but there are several genes that can make eating a whole lot harder if they’re activated.
For example, the MTHFR gene mutation affects nutrition absorption and oral development. There are also taste receptor genes that make vegetables taste very bitter. But picky eating is never just genetics.
In today’s episode, we’re going to look at how your child’s DNA, environment, and feeding experiences all weave together to shape how they eat. You’ll learn:
* The most common genes and genetic factors that can contribute to picky eating
* Visible signs and symptoms to watch for
* Three important steps you can take if you suspect genetics may be playing a role
Let’s dive in. You might have heard this saying before: Genes load the gun, but the environment pulls the trigger. That’s true for just about everything — including picky eating.
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Nature vs. Nurture
I often hear parents relate back to their own childhood or their spouse’s childhood: “I was a picky eater when I was young,” or “My husband was picky as a kid, so maybe our child inherited it.” And there may be a little truth in that. But usually, one of two things is happening.
First: environment. If a parent is currently a picky eater, doesn’t enjoy cooking, or eats a very limited variety of foods, the child will naturally be exposed to fewer foods. Exposure is one of the biggest drivers in how kids learn to eat.
But here’s the interesting part. Most of the families I work with actually love food. They cook a wide variety of meals, enjoy flavors and textures, and still have a child who is very selective. That’s when it’s worth asking — is genetics part of the picture?
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Genes That Can Influence Picky Eating
Let’s start with the big one: MTHFR gene mutation.
This gene helps the body process B vitamins, including folate and B12. These vitamins affect growth, appetite, energy, and even how the brain processes sensory input. Kids who don’t process B vitamins efficiently may have low appetite, texture sensitivities, or heightened sensitivity around food.
MTHFR is also linked to what we call midline differences — things like tongue and lip ties. If a tongue is restricted and can’t move freely, feeding can be exhausting or even painful, starting in infancy. Babies often develop compensations just to extract milk. Later on, those struggles can show up as picky eating.
And here’s the kicker: the very foods richest in B vitamins — leafy greens, beans, lentils, meats — are often the exact foods picky eaters avoid. Their bodies need them most, but their eating patterns make them hardest to get in.
Another set of genes worth mentioning are taste receptor genes. One example is TAS2R38, often called the “bitter taste” gene. Kids with this variant perceive bitterness more strongly. What might taste slightly bitter to you can taste overwhelmingly bitter to them. So when they push away broccoli, it’s not just drama — it really does taste different to them.
Other important genes:
* FUT2 gene: Influences gut microbiome and B12 absorption. Variants can lead to digestive issues and B12 deficiency.
* DAO gene: Affects histamine breakdown. If sluggish, foods like tomatoes, cheese, or chocolate may cause tummy pain or flushing, leading kids to avoid them.
* HLA-DQ2/DQ8 genes: Linked to celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Even without full celiac, gluten can irritate the gut.
None of these genes directly cause picky eating. A child can have them and still eat well. But they can make eating uncomfortable or unpleasant, leading to avoidance.
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Personal Connection
This isn’t just theory for me. I suspected I had the MTHFR mutation myself. My son struggled with feeding as a baby and had ties. His struggles mirrored things my mom told me about my own infancy. When I was pregnant with my second child, I asked for genetic testing, and sure enough, I do have the mutation.
So I’ve lived this both as a parent and as a professional. And what I’ve seen is that oral ties and midline differences are not “just” little pieces of tissue. They can make feeding inefficient and even painful from day one. Babies adapt, but often at the cost of swallowing more air, developing reflux, or tiring out before they’ve had enough to eat. And at a subconscious level, their brain learns that feeding is hard — which can show up later as picky eating.
This is why I always emphasize: we can’t just look at how many foods a child eats. We have to look at the whole child — oral motor skills, gut health, sensory sensitivities, and yes, sometimes genetics.
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Signs Genetics May Be Playing a Role
So what can you look for?
In infants:
* Tongue or lip tie at birth
* Reflux or frequent spit-up
* Difficulty nursing or bottle-feeding
* Constant fussiness or colic
* Poor weight gain
* Falling asleep during feeds from exhaustion
In toddlers and older children:
* Strong aversions to entire categories of foods (especially bitter vegetables or certain textures)
* Chronic constipation, diarrhea, or stomach aches
* Low energy, frequent illness, pale appearance
* Extreme selectivity that goes beyond typical toddler phases
Physical clues:
* Dark circles or bluish tint under the eyes
* Prominent bluish vein on the bridge of the nose
* Vertical groove between the nose and upper lip (methylation crease)
* Skin issues like eczema or frequent rashes
* Brittle nails or slow-growing hair
Behavioral signs like high anxiety, mood swings, and low energy can also overlap with genetic nutrient processing issues.
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What to Do
If you’re thinking, “This sounds like my child, but what am I supposed to do?” — let’s talk about next steps.
Testing is straightforward. You don’t always need a geneticist. MTHFR testing was included in my prenatal labs, and there are even cheek-swab kits available. If your pediatrician won’t order it, find someone who will. You have nothing to lose and only knowledge to gain.
But here’s the reality: not all pediatricians believe genetic testing is necessary. Sometimes they’ll simply say, “Take more folic acid.” Unfortunately, that advice is backwards for someone with MTHFR. Their body can’t process folic acid properly. It builds up and may even cause harm. What they need is methyl folate, the active form their body can use.
So doctors can be well-meaning but still misinformed. That’s why you need to be educated and advocate for your child.
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Practical Steps
Here are three steps I recommend if MTHFR or similar genes are in the picture:
1. Use the right vitamins. Choose methyl folate and methyl B12, not folic acid.
2. Eat for your gene type. Focus on foods rich in natural folate and B12: leafy greens, beans, lentils, avocado, meats, eggs, and dairy.
3. Get regular labs. Don’t just test for the gene. Monitor iron, folate, B12, and homocysteine levels to see if your child’s body is actually getting what it needs.
Supporting your child’s body with the right nutrients and labs makes a huge difference.
This is also why I call myself a holistic feeding therapist. Feeding therapy isn’t just about getting a child to eat one more food. We look at the whole picture: genetics, oral motor skills, gut health, sensory sensitivities, and mindset.
When a parent tells me, “My child only eats five foods,” I don’t hand them a sticker chart. Instead, I ask: Is there an oral tie? Is there a genetic piece affecting nutrient absorption? Is the nervous system on overdrive from sensory sensitivities? Is gut discomfort making eating miserable? Picky eating is a puzzle, and you need to zoom out to see all the pieces.
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Recap
So, is picky eating genetic? Maybe.
Genes like MTHFR, TAS2R38, FUT2, DAO, and HLA-DQ2/DQ8 can make eating harder. But there’s no single “picky eating gene.” These genetic factors combine with environment, sensory processing, and oral motor skills to shape your child’s eating.
The good news: with the right support, kids do not have to stay stuck as picky eaters.
If this resonated with you, here’s what you can do:
* Take my free quiz at thepickyeaterstest.com to see if your child is in the Fearful, Stuck, or Curious stage of eating. You’ll get tailored next steps right away.
* If you’re ready for personalized help, check out my Unlocking Mealtimes Roadmap. We look at every piece of the puzzle so you can finally stop guessing and start making progress. You’ll find all the details at foodologyfeedingtherapy.com.
Thanks for joining me today. I hope this episode helped you connect some dots about your child’s eating. I’ll see you next week!
