About this episode

Steph Greunke discusses the five common reasons behind picky eating in children and offers practical advice for parents.

If your child eats the same five foods every single day, it's probably not stubbornness. There are five real reasons picky eating happens, and Steph breaks down every one. In this episode, registered dietitian Steph Greunke walks through the five most common reasons behind picky eating in kids, from sensory sensitivity and gut health to nutrient deficiencies, anxiety and mealtime dynamics. Using a real client story, Steph shows how a five year old's five food list grew once his mom understood what was really happening in his nervous system. You'll learn what to watch for, when to loop in your pediatrician and small shifts you can start using at your next family meal. Topics Covered In This Episode: Why Kids Get Stuck on the Same 5 Foods The Nervous System and Sensory Sensitivity Gut Health and the Gut Brain Connection Building Gut Health Without Overhauling Everything Nutrient Deficiencies and Zinc Anxiety and Food Neophobia Lowering the Stakes Around New Foods Mealtime Environment and Division of Responsibility Show Notes: Read more about Ellyn Satter's Division of Responsibility Click here to learn more about Dr. Elana Roumell's Doctor Mom Membership, a membership designed for…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Elana Roumell, ND

Guest: Steph Greunke, RD

Topics covered

• picky eating
• children's nutrition
• sensory sensitivity
• gut health
• anxiety
• mealtime dynamics

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Ellyn Satter

More episodes of "Doctor Mom" Podcast | Practical Tips to Be a Proactive Parent

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• #419: Turning 40, Four Kids and Being Honest About It All with Dr. Elana Roumell and Steph Greunke, RD · July 7, 2026 · 52 min
• #418: Is Your Child High Risk? How to Know Before the Next Vaccine Visit with Dr. Ari Calhoun · June 30, 2026 · 36 min
• #417: What Your Kid Eats Before Practice Is Changing Their Performance with Angie Asche MS, RD, CSSD · June 23, 2026 · 50 min
• #416: Summer Nutrition Prep: Setting Up for Success with Steph Greunke, RD · June 16, 2026 · 15 min
• #415: Vitamin D: Do Kids Need Supplements? with Steph Greunke, RD · June 9, 2026 · 14 min

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