Incorporating new foods can be very natural for some children, but quite traumatic for others. There are those who love to try new flavors, while others do not risk leaving those flavors they know.
If this is what happens to your child, it is probably a case of neophobia (“fear of the new”). This phenomenon, especially frequent in childhood, can be very frustrating for adults, but it is important not to force the child to eat . We tell you what you can do to face this stage in the best possible way.
What is neophobia and why does it occur?
Food aversions and preferences constitute an individual variable of a person’s eating behavior that are influenced by a complex network of interactions of multiple factors, such as food availability, conditioned learning, economic factors, genetic factors…
There is also research that indicates that babies are born with a protective instinct against new foods, and therefore most show a certain reluctance to try them and need their time and several attempts to accept them.
Neophobia and nutritional deficiencies
Although neophobia does not usually have associated complications and it is a temporary stage in the child’s life, it is advisable to consult with the pediatrician, especially if our son has an overly restrictive diet, as it could increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies.
In this sense, a recent investigation carried out by the Finnish National Institute of Health and Well-being, of the University of Helsinki, and the University of Tartu in Estonia, have warned of an increased risk of the appearance of chronic diseases related to the style of life, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
The study, conducted among a group of individuals between the ages of 25 and 74, examined the impact of food neophobia on diet quality and lifestyle-related diseases. Until now, very little research related to this area has been carried out, making the data of great interest.
The research found that food neophobia is related to poorer quality of the diet, especially with a lower intake of fiber, protein and monounsaturated fatty acids, and a higher intake of saturated fat and salt.
Can neophobia be prevented?
There are certain factors on which we can act to try to prevent neophobia, although without a doubt our example is the best prevention measure. And it is that children learn by imitation, observing the eating habits of the family and imitating our behaviors
Our example should also include trying new foods, enjoying culinary news or talking about different flavors. If we do not like something, we can explain the reasons (for example, it is very salty, it has a spicy flavor, I feel bad…), but we have to experiment from time to time so that our children see us enjoy with the food.
“Hereditary factors and our genotype only determine our predisposition to food neophobia. Early childhood education and care , as well as guidance on lifestyle in adulthood can support the development of a diverse diet.” – Quotes the study we echoed.
In this sense, some of the recommendations that we can follow to avoid the appearance of neophobia are:
- Neophobia is a fear derived in most cases from a fairly poor diet in terms of flavors, so we must also try a varied menu. We will achieve this with a rich and extensive diet, which includes all kinds of fruits, vegetables, fish… in short, not always stick to the same type of food.
- Occasionally cook more elaborate dishes that combine different flavors, ingredients and textures.
- Eat calmly and with the family, without distractions that interfere in that precious moment.
- Food handling is also an excellent help in preventing neophobia. In this sense, it is recommended to leave babies to handle and experiment with food, and as they grow we can make them participate in the time of purchase and cooking, to become familiar with food from different perspectives.
- And of course, and as we mentioned at the beginning, you should never force the child, nor force him to try the food. Punishments blackmails and threats also have no place, as they are really harmful.
- However, we must not stop offering food in a patient and respectful way, since there will come a time when the child dares to try it. According to experts, the acceptance of the food usually comes after having tried it between 10 and 15 times.
New flavors from the womb and during lactation
During pregnancy, it is important for the mother to have a diet as varied and healthy as possible since the flavors of food can pass into the amniotic fluid and from there to the fetus. From the second trimester of gestation, the taste buds begin to develop and the baby begins to experience different sensations.
During breastfeeding, breast milk changes its flavor according to the diet followed by the mother, offering the baby the possibility of beginning to identify flavors, making it more likely to accept them later.