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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.

24/12/2025

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

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.

18/12/2025

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

We look forward to seeing you in 2026!

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!

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.

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.

26/11/2025

🔍 How We Use Food Diaries at Happy Eaters

One of the tools we use as paediatric dietitians is a 3-day food diary — a record of everything your child eats and drinks across three typical days.

From this, we can create a detailed nutrient breakdown showing how your child’s intake compares to their daily needs — including key nutrients like iron, calcium, fibre and zinc.

This helps us:
🍎 Identify nutritional gaps that might explain low energy, constipation, or poor growth
🧃 Guide food-based strategies to gently boost nutrients
💊 Decide if short-term supplements may help — especially if blood tests aren’t possible or results are pending

It’s not about judgment or perfection — just getting a clearer picture of how we can best support your child’s nutrition, safely and confidently.

19/11/2025

🌈 What Progress Looks Like in ARFID & Selective Eating

Progress in feeding isn’t always measured by how much or what a child eats.
For children with ARFID or selective eating, success often looks different.

At Happy Eaters, we remind families that ARFID is managed, not “cured.” Growth comes through consistency, trust, and support — not pressure.

✨ Progress might look like:

Sitting at the table with the family again

Feeling calmer around food or mealtimes

Eating enough to maintain energy or weight (even if from safe foods or supplements)

Trying a new brand, shape, or texture of a familiar food

Attending a birthday party or school camp with less stress

Parents feeling more confident and less anxious about meals

Every child’s eating journey is different — and progress can be measured in confidence, calmness, and connection, not just bites.

🧩 Small steps = real progress.

12/11/2025

🎨 Food Play at Happy Eaters

Not every feeding session is about eating. Sometimes, it’s about exploring — smelling, touching, decorating, arranging, and even laughing at food!

This week, one of our clients created a veggie mandala from an Asian rice bowl 🌈, while another built a spooky Halloween toast character 🥑🎃. These activities might look like play (and they are!), but they’re also powerful steps toward building confidence and curiosity around food.

✨ Exposure through play helps children:

Feel safe around new foods

Learn about colours, textures, and smells

Reduce anxiety and pressure at mealtimes

Build positive interactions with foods

At Happy Eaters, our goal isn’t just to get kids to taste new foods — it’s to help them feel comfortable and curious first. Because trust often comes before trying.

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.

14/10/2025

🌟 Lunchboxes don’t have to be complicated!

As Term 4 rolls around, both kids AND parents can start to feel the end-of-year fatigue.

A simple snack-style lunchbox can be a great option — especially for selective eaters who prefer smaller portions and familiar foods.

✨ The “DIY Snack Box” idea works well because kids can pick and choose what feels safe for them:

Protein: cheese cubes, hummus, boiled egg, or even a favourite dip
Carbohydrate: crackers, pita bread, or plain bread fingers
Veggies: cucumber sticks, capsicum strips, cherry tomatoes (or swap for any of their preferred veg)
Fruit: apple slices, grapes, or berries
Dairy: yoghurt pouch, cheese, or milk drink

👉 Lunchboxes don’t need to look “perfect.” What matters most is packing food your child will eat, with a mix of options to help keep them fuelled through the day.

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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