Why Telling Someone to 'Eat What You Dislike' Makes Them Stop Eating—What Is Happening at the Sensory Processing Level of the Brain

The more you say 'Eat it,' the less they eat—have you ever experienced this?
In this article, we will look at likes and dislikes from the perspective of 'sensory differences' rather than 'personality.' First, here is an introduction to related articles.

25 systematic reviews reveal the close relationship between sensory processing and eating behavior

The moment a green pepper enters their mouth, they grimace and spit it out. They cry just by touching the mushy texture of a tomato. We tend to dismiss such reactions in children as 'selfishness' or 'picky eating,' but in reality, something different from adults may be happening at the level of sensory processing in the brain. A systematic review by Nimbley et al. (2022) revealed from 25 studies that there is a consistent link between how sensory information is processed and eating behavior. What happens in a child's brain when they are told to 'eat what you dislike'?

'Picky eating' may be a matter of sensory processing, not personality

The review by Nimbley et al. (2022) shows that characteristics of sensory processing (how external stimuli are received and integrated) are associated with a wide range of eating behaviors, such as food selectivity, mealtime behavior, and food refusal. Of particular note is that hypersensitivity to taste and smell showed a strong association with food refusal and a limited food repertoire.

In other words, when a child intensely refuses a certain food, it may not be 'selfishness,' but rather that the child's sensory system is processing the taste, smell, and texture of that food with a different intensity than an adult's. A green pepper that is 'slightly bitter' to an adult might be felt as an unbearable bitterness by a child with tendencies toward sensory hypersensitivity.

The mechanism connecting sensory processing and eating behavior

The review reports that among sensory processing factors, hypersensitivity to taste and smell is strongly involved in eating behavior. In a study by Panerai et al. (2020), hypersensitivity to taste and smell showed the largest effect size (0.52) among sensory differences. Furthermore, studies by Padmanabhan & Schroff (2020) and Wang et al. (2014) also confirmed that among multiple sensory domains, taste and smell have the strongest association with behavior in mealtime settings.

This suggests that the act of putting food in one's mouth is actually a very complex process of sensory integration. When taste, smell, texture, temperature, appearance, and even tactile sensations in the mouth enter the brain simultaneously, a child with sensory processing characteristics may be overwhelmed by the amount of information. The instruction to 'eat what you dislike' further increases this sensory load.

Things to know when reading this research

The review by Nimbley et al. (2022) mainly integrates studies targeting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), so caution is required when applying it directly to neurotypical children. However, sensory processing characteristics are on a spectrum (a continuum), and it is believed that a certain number of children have tendencies toward sensory hypersensitivity even without an ASD diagnosis. Also, because many studies have a cross-sectional design (looking at associations at a single point in time), it cannot be asserted that sensory processing 'causes' eating behavior. Furthermore, the measurement of sensory processing is mainly based on reports from guardians, and studies that have conducted objective neurophysiological measurements are limited.

Things you can do starting today

Knowing that there may be sensory processing characteristics behind a child's reluctance to eat can change how you interact with them. Please try the following:

1. Before 'eating' the food, insert steps like 'touching,' 'smelling,' and 'looking' at it. By introducing sensory information in stages, it may become easier for the brain to prepare.

2. Try changing the cooking method even for the same ingredient. Even if they dislike raw tomatoes, they might be able to eat them if they are heated and the texture changes. Not only taste and smell, but texture is also an important factor.

3. Instead of forcing new food into their mouth, start by getting them used to it being on their plate. Repeated visual contact can also be the first step toward acceptance.

4. Even if they refuse, do not scold them; accept it by saying, 'You weren't in the mood for it today, were you?' If the experience of refusal is linked to punishment, the aversion to that food may be further reinforced.

5. If your child's sensory characteristics are affecting their daily life in general, consulting a developmental specialist is also an option.

There is a reason for a child's 'dislike.' If that reason lies in the characteristics of their brain's sensory processing, thinking together about 'how can we make it easier to eat' rather than saying 'eat it' might be the most effective approach.

Nimbley E, Golds L, Sharpe H, Gillespie-Smith K, Duffy F. Sensory processing and eating behaviours in autism: A systematic review. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2022;30(5):538-559. doi:10.1002/erv.2920

* This article provides general information based on international research findings and experience in childcare settings. There are individual differences, and this does not apply to all children. Please consult your family doctor or a specialist regarding any concerns about your child's health or development. The information is current as of the time of posting, and perspectives may change as new research emerges.

* Additional references: Panerai S et al. (2020). Special foods, binge and restricted eating in autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 71, 101496. / Wang GJ et al. (2014). Brain dopamine and obesity. The Lancet, 357(9253), 354-357.