Why Your Child Is a Fussy Eater: It’s Not Behaviour, It’s Biology (& It Can Be Healed)
Fussy eating isn’t a phase, it’s a warning sign. Behind every picky eater is a biological imbalance: gut issues, food sensitivities, or nutrient deficiencies that hijack your child’s taste buds and digestion.Most fussy-eating strategies miss the root cause, which is why progress feels impossible and frustrating. In this episode, you’ll learn how to uncover what’s really going on and discover simple, proven strategies to help your child love food again (or even for the first time). Because like any health condition, we don’t want to just manage fussy eating.We want to heal it.If you’ve tried all the classic picky-eater strategies; one-bite rules, sticker charts, hiding veg and nothing’s working, you’re not alone. Most of these methods target behaviour, not biology.Fussy eating is usually driven by what’s happening inside the body: gut imbalances, food intolerances, sensory sensitivities, and nutrient deficiencies. When biology is off, kids crave white foods, lose trust in food, and mealtimes become a battleground.But when you support biology first, behaviour follows. Your child isn’t being difficult; their body is asking for help. With consistent, kind upgrades, fussy eating shifts from daily battle to steady progress and family meals feel human again.You’ll also learn how to spot the early red flags, what kids actually need on their plate, and which common habits quietly sabotage appetite. Because once you fix the biology, everything else starts to flow.In this episode, I’ll help you uncover what’s really going on and share my ROOTS Framework to transform fussy eating at the root cause:R - Restore the Gut: Rebalance the microbiome so cravings calm.O - Observe Triggers: Identify and reduce inflammatory foods without fear.O - Optimize Meals: Upgrade family favourites, sneak and swap, no stress required.T - Teach by Example: Create safety and curiosity through exposure and connection.S - Supplement Smart: Target nutrient gaps for better appetite and taste buds.In this episode you’ll learn:The four real causes of fussy eating (and how to spot them)Why kids crave white foods (it’s microbiome-driven, not misbehaviour)The five food groups that heal gut health and improve moodEasy food swaps that retrain taste buds naturallyThe power of supplements in rebuilding appetiteCommon pitfalls that sabotage progress (and what to do instead)Connect with Sharon All links, recipes, and free resources mentioned in this episode are available at sharonmselby.com. It’s the best place to start your family’s gut-healing journey.Episode 6 (referenced): How to identify trigger foods, eliminate safely and reintroduce well https://sharonmselby.com/podcast/ep-6-how-i-identified-my-sons-food-triggers-reversed-eczema-allergies/ DM me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonmselbyWatch on YouTube & leave a comment: https://www.youtube.com/@sharonmselbySharon’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharonmselby Sharon’s Podcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/healyourgutwithsharonmselby Disclaimer: https://sharonmselby.com/podcast-disclaimer/Get SupportWant fuss free recipes your kids will actually eat, family meal plans, mentorship, and access to my team of naturopaths? Join my membership, SHE Thrives; your hub for gut-healing meals, expert guidance, and practical tools to help your child eat, grow, and thrive.Learn more: SheThrivesClub.comIf this episode helped, please follow, rate, and review the show, that’s how more mums find us. 💛
Ireland