Happy Eaters

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.

Our small-group Food School program for Term 2, 2026 is now open for enrolments.Food School focuses on: • Gentle food ex...
17/02/2026

Our small-group Food School program for Term 2, 2026 is now open for enrolments.

Food School focuses on:
• Gentle food exposure
• Building confidence around food
• Reducing anxiety and pressure
• Supporting sensory food aversions in a fun, supportive environment

Spots are limited, reach out early if this feels like the right fit for your child or if you would like any extra information.



Iron plays a key role in children’s energy, growth, immunity and learning — yet many selective eaters struggle to meet t...
12/02/2026

Iron plays a key role in children’s energy, growth, immunity and learning — yet many selective eaters struggle to meet their needs.

Low iron can sometimes show up as:

Fatigue or low energy
Poor appetite
Difficulty concentrating
Frequent illness
Restless sleep

We can provide dietary support, supplement recommendations and child-friendly strategies can make a big difference. We’re here to guide families every step of the way.



🩸 Is your child taking iron supplements?Did you know that calcium (from milk, yoghurt and dairy foods) can reduce iron a...
04/02/2026

🩸 Is your child taking iron supplements?

Did you know that calcium (from milk, yoghurt and dairy foods) can reduce iron absorption if taken at the same time?

✨ Helpful tips:

• Separate iron supplements from dairy where possible
• Offer iron powders with juice, water or non-dairy options
• Timing matters more than perfection

If getting iron into your child feels tricky — especially with taste or texture sensitivities — we can help you find strategies that actually work.



As we step into a new year, we want to remind families that support is here 💛At Happy Eaters, we support children and fa...
29/01/2026

As we step into a new year, we want to remind families that support is here 💛

At Happy Eaters, we support children and families with:
• Fussy and selective eating
• ARFID and feeding anxiety
• Food allergies and intolerances
• Weight gain support
• Feeding and food therapy

If feeding feels stressful, overwhelming or stuck — you don’t have to manage it alone.



💛 A big goodbye (for now) to our wonderful therapy assistant and food whisperer, Ashlea 💛Today is Ashlea’s last day with...
22/01/2026

💛 A big goodbye (for now) to our wonderful therapy assistant and food whisperer, Ashlea 💛

Today is Ashlea’s last day with Happy Eaters as she prepares to welcome her newest (and most important) role — becoming a mum.

We are so grateful for her care, creativity and warmth she has brought to our families and sessions, and we wish her all the very best for this exciting next chapter.



🥳 Looking forward to 2026 and seeing familiar faces and welcoming new families to Happy Eaters this year!               ...
31/12/2025

🥳 Looking forward to 2026 and seeing familiar faces and welcoming new families to Happy Eaters this year!



Merry Christmas to all our Happy Eaters and families 🎄🎅🏻⭐️
24/12/2025

Merry Christmas to all our Happy Eaters and families 🎄🎅🏻⭐️

Family gatherings can bring joy… and sometimes unhelpful comments like:“In my day, kids had to finish everything on thei...
23/12/2025

Family gatherings can bring joy… and sometimes unhelpful comments like:

“In my day, kids had to finish everything on their plate!” 🙃

For children with ARFID or selective eating, pressure (even well-meaning pressure) can make things much harder.

A few ways to set everyone up for success:

💬 Send a quick message beforehand explaining what supports your child’s eating. (“We’re keeping meals pressure-free — no comments about what they are or aren’t eating.”)

🌟 Redirect conversations at the table — talk about the day, holidays, pets, anything but food.

🪫 No food policing — skip statements like “you haven’t eaten much” or “just one more bite.”

🤝 Thank loved ones for helping you keep mealtimes calm — often they simply need gentle guidance.

Your child’s comfort comes first — you’re allowed to advocate for them.



Happy Eaters will be closed over the Christmas/New Year period. We look forward to seeing you in 2026!
18/12/2025

Happy Eaters will be closed over the Christmas/New Year period.

We look forward to seeing you in 2026!

We have been busy this December making all things Christmas in clinic and in home visits. These are just some of the fun...
17/12/2025

We have been busy this December making all things Christmas in clinic and in home visits.

These are just some of the fun Christmas creations the kids have made!

Have you been doing any Christmas cooking this School Holidays? Post your creations below!



The holidays can be tricky for kids who have low hunger cues, low drive to eat, or struggle to maintain weight. Without ...
12/12/2025

The holidays can be tricky for kids who have low hunger cues, low drive to eat, or struggle to maintain weight. Without school routines, long gaps between meals can happen easily.

A few supportive strategies:

⏰ Set up alarms on your phone/ calendar for meals & snacks.

🍱 Pack a lunchbox for day trips or long outings — kids often eat better with familiar containers and structure.

🚪 Keep ‘grab & go’ options ready near the door (muffins, biscuits, bars, cheese + crackers, yoghurt pouches, smoothies).

🔁 Aim for predictable eating windows — even if times shift slightly during holidays.

✨ Christmas can be a beautiful opportunity for gentle exposure — without pressure.When kids see new or different foods i...
05/12/2025

✨ Christmas can be a beautiful opportunity for gentle exposure — without pressure.
When kids see new or different foods in a relaxed, social setting, they often learn simply by watching others enjoy them.

A few ways to support your selective eater this Christmas:

🍽️ Use neutral language — “This is turkey” instead of “Just try it!”

🥕 Platter-style meals let kids serve themselves and stay in control.

💫 Surprises do happen — sometimes they’ll add something new to their plate when they feel calm and included.

👍 Always include a safe food so your child knows there’s something familiar available.

Remember: exposure doesn’t need to be tasting — just being around the food is progress too.



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

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