The Hard Shoulder Kids Health Check: Getting kids with no appetite to eat
Aug 18, 2025
Louise Lennox, a chef and founder of Fussy Eating Kids, specializes in helping picky eaters. She shares insights on tackling the summer appetite slump in kids, offering tips for establishing healthy routines as school resumes. Louise emphasizes the importance of consistent meal times and encourages parents to help children explore new foods through autonomy and sensory engagement. She also discusses strategies to manage mealtime challenges, especially for active kids transitioning from play to food.
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Why Heat Dulls Children's Appetite
- High heat reduces appetite because blood moves to the skin and digestion slows.
- Children often lose appetite even more than adults due to smaller food ranges and routine changes.
Holiday Roast In 37°C Feels Wrong
- Louise shares a friend's holiday example to show how hot weather makes heavy meals unappealing.
- She notes children feel disgust toward unfamiliar foods like tuna or green salad because they haven't learned to like them yet.
Rebuild A Simple Feeding Routine
- Reintroduce a consistent feeding routine and feed children every 2.5–3 hours (older kids up to 4 hours).
- Use the first half hour after waking as prime appetite time and avoid ice cream right before meals.