🌟 Helping Your Child Explore New Foods: A Parent’s Guide to Food Chaining 🌟

Low Pressure: No force, just fun
Repetition: Try often, not just once
Consistency: Clear, calm expectations

👶 Why Some Kids Struggle with Food

“Imagine biting into an orange—skin, white stuff, juice, mush. It’s confusing and scary for some kids.”
— Cheri Fraker, MS, CCC-SLP

Children with feeding disorders may feel overwhelmed by:

Food Chaining is a gentle, step-by-step way to help kids try new foods by starting with what they already like.

✅ Uses familiar foods
✅ Builds confidence
✅ Encourages exploration
✅ Focuses on enjoyment

1 in 4 children may have feeding challenges
Especially helpful for:
- Premature babies
- Medically fragile children
- Kids with sensory or motor difficulties

List Favorite Foods
(e.g., chicken nuggets, applesauce, crackers)
Group by Similarity
- Texture: soft, crunchy, smooth
- Flavor: sweet, salty, savory
- Color/Shape: round, orange, stick-shaped
Create Chains
Start with a favorite and slowly introduce similar foods.

Starting Food	Chain Progression
🍟 French Fries	Hashbrowns → Tater Tots → Mashed Potatoes
🍫 Chocolate Pudding	Vanilla Pudding → Yogurt → Yogurt w/ Fruit → Strawberries
🍗 Chicken Nuggets	Fish Sticks → Chicken Strips → Chicken Patties
🧃 Fruit Juice	Juice Popsicle → Canned Fruit → Fresh Fruit
🥨 Pretzel Sticks	Nutella Dip → Crackers → Fruit Strips → New Fruit

Always consult your child’s feeding therapist for personalized guidance.