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Monday 9am - 4pm Tuesday 9am - 4pm Wednesday 9am - 4pm Thursday 9am - 4pm Friday 9am - 4pm

Happy Eaters

Helping kids to eat! Happy Eaters acknowledges that eating can be very difficult for some children. We regularly see children with NDIS funding.

Between 3 - 10% of children experience some form of feeding difficulty. It can be a normal pattern of behaviour for children to develop fussy eating habits at some point in their life. For most children, these patterns resolve without intervention, however for some children these issues can be long lasting and can be very difficult to manage. Justine has many years experience helping fussy eaters and their parents. Justine also has experience in the management of ARFID - Avoidant/Restrictive Feeding Intake Disorder. These children and adults avoid foods based on colour, taste, texture or smell. Foods may cause adverse reactions such as gagging or vomitting and whole food groups such as fruit, vegetables and quality proteins may be refused. Happy Eaters also regularly runs food school
programs for small groups of children.

06/11/2025

🍞 Bread often makes up a big part of a child’s diet — especially for selective eaters. The good news?

Some breads are better for nutrition than others.

Why?

Brands like Tip Top The One or Wonder White have added fibre and iron — two nutrients many kids (especially selective eaters) can miss out on.

✅ Soft texture = easier for selective eaters
✅ Added nutrients = extra support for growth and development
✅ Still tastes and looks like regular white bread

So if bread is a safe food in your house, choosing a fortified brand can help your child get more nutrition without changing what feels comfortable for them.

24/10/2025

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Appointment

✨ Before: Bring along anything you think is useful — previous heights/ weights, supplements they take, even photos of foods your child usually eats.

✨ During: We’ll talk about your child’s feeding history, medical background, and current challenges. We’ll also discuss your goals as a parent. If your child is comfortable attending, we’ll keep it relaxed and low-pressure.

✨ After: Together, we’ll start forming a realistic plan that supports your child’s individual needs and family mealtime goals.

💡 Common Q: Should I bring my child?

Yes if they’re comfortable, but it’s not essential for the first appointment — many parents prefer to come alone initially. There will be an opportunity to meet your child at later appointments.

21/09/2025

“You’ve been told your child will ‘grow out of it’… but something feels different?” 💭

While many children do pass through a “picky eating” phase, sometimes eating difficulties are more persistent — impacting growth, nutrition, or family stress.
Signs it could be more than picky eating include:
Eating very few foods (limited variety)

Difficulty chewing/swallowing certain textures
Meals that are very stressful for child or family
Poor growth or frequent constipation

This can be a sign of Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) — which affects eating skills, nutrition, and mealtime wellbeing. 💡 Early support makes a huge difference, and our team is here to help if you’re concerned.

16/09/2025

💊 “It tastes yuck!” — sound familiar?

We know how hard it can be to get children to take supplements, especially when they’re sensitive to taste, texture, or smell. That’s why we’re always on the lookout for options that are easier for families — like tasteless powders, sprays, gummies, or liquids.

🌟 At Happy Eaters, we support families by recommending supplement options that actually work for your child’s sensory needs — so they get the nutrients they need without the daily battle.

12/09/2025

✨ At Happy Eaters, we use Responsive Feeding Therapy (RFT).

This approach is all about:
* Respecting your child’s cues 🚦
* Reducing mealtime stress 💛
* Building safe, positive experiences with food 🍏

Instead of pressure or “tricks,” RFT focuses on creating trust — so children feel safe enough to try new foods over time. Research shows it’s effective for supporting kids with selective eating, sensory sensitivities, or feeding challenges.

🌱 Change is gradual, but when kids feel safe, progress is real.

02/09/2025

Let’s talk poo 💩 (yes, really!)

Constipation is common in kids — but it often goes unnoticed. Signs your child might be constipated include:

* Hard, painful poos or straining 🚽
* Skipping days without going
* Withholding behaviours (hiding, crossing legs, refusing to go)
* Tummy pain or reduced appetite

Constipation can make eating even harder for selective eaters — because who feels like trying new foods when their tummy hurts?

🌟 If you’re worried about your child’s poo habits, know you’re not alone. We support families to get on top of constipation so kids feel more comfortable and confident at mealtimes.

24/08/2025

🍏 We are now taking enrollments for Term 4 Food School 🍎

Please call the clinic on 5445 6145 to find out more!

13/08/2025

🥪 Why a Filling Afternoon Tea Can Help Selective Eaters

Does your child come home starving or ‘hangry’ – then struggle to eat dinner? You’re not alone.

Many selective eaters eat very little during school due to:

😞 Sensory overwhelm, Being too busy/ too distracted
😴 Fatigue or dysregulation
😣 Lack of preferred foods

A filling, familiar afternoon tea can be the perfect opportunity to offer:

💪 Energy (they're finally calm and hungry)
😋 Preferred textures (toast, smoothies, yoghurt, pasta)
🍗 Protein rich foods (like meat or chicken) that may be rejected at dinner with reduced effort to chew at that time of the day.

✨ Think of this snack as a mini-meal – and relieve the pressure off dinner. Less stress, more nourishment.

08/08/2025

🗣️ Why Using Neutral Language Around Food is Important for Kids

Ever catch yourself saying “you need to eat your healthy food first”? You’re not alone – but here’s why we suggest a gentler approach.

✨ Neutral language helps kids build positive, pressure-free relationships with food.

✨ Labelling foods as “good” or “bad” can increase shame, anxiety, and food avoidance.

✨ It’s okay to acknowledge that some foods help our bodies in different ways – but all foods fit.

Instead of “that’s a treat” try:
🟡 “That’s a fun food!”
🟢 “Let’s fuel up so you can play longer!”

Words matter. Let’s help kids feel safe around all foods.

31/07/2025

💊 Supplements for Fussy Eaters: Finding the Right Fit

Some kids just can’t meet their nutrition needs through food alone – and that’s okay.
We support families to find supplements that:

✨ Meet the child’s nutritional needs
✨ Are tolerable for sensitive taste buds
✨ Fit your child’s texture, smell & routine preferences

Whether it’s iron, zinc, B12 or multivitamins – we can help you navigate the maze of gummies, sprays, crushable tablets and flavour-free liquids.

We always work alongside your GP for safety and blood monitoring, but we’re here to make it doable at home 💛

Need help finding the right supplement (that your child will actually take)? That’s what we’re here for.

26/07/2025

🍱 How to Build a Low Sensory Lunchbox (and Why It Could Help Your Fussy Eater)

Do you have a child who struggles with mixed textures or strong smells at lunchtime? You’re not alone.

A low sensory lunchbox can be a helpful way to increase the amount of food your child eats. Think: simple, predictable, easy-to-chew foods without strong odours or sauces.
✔️ Separate compartments
✔️Avoid over packing, stick to 3-4 different preferred foods
✔️ Dry/crunchy textures (e.g., crackers, plain pasta, cold toast)
✔️ Familiar colours and shapes

🔍 Why it helps: Reducing sensory overwhelm at lunch can increase intake, support energy and focus in the afternoon, and reduce mealtime anxiety. You may find that focusing on offering more variety of foods at mealtimes at home to be more successful and think of lunchboxes as food for fuel for your child.

Need help building your child’s safe food list? That’s what we do best 💛

Address

Suite 7 61-63 Primary School Court
Maroochydore, QLD
4558

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 4pm
Tuesday	9am - 4pm
Wednesday	9am - 4pm
Thursday	9am - 4pm
Friday	9am - 4pm

Website

http://www.happyeaters.com.au/

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