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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.

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.

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.

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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