Is this fussy eating "normal" or does my child need help? With Emma Shafqat. What happens if you visit a dietitian and practical strategies for all families with a fussy eater. Food For Kids Podcast. (2026)

About this episode

The episode discusses fussy eating in children and when to seek professional help, featuring insights from dietitian Emma Shafqat.

In this interview with ​Emma Shafqat from Dietitian With A Difference, we are talking about how to know if your child’s fussiness is just a ​"normal" level of developmental hesitancy around new foods, or whether you should consider asking for advice from a professional. I think a lot of us worry that we’re either making a mountain out of a molehill, or on the other hand, writing off actual eating issues as “just a stage”. ​Emma is very helpful in this interview in flagging up what to look for and when to ask for help. She also helps us to understand where your child is coming from when they refuse a food and gives suggestions on how to make mealtimes less stressful. Emma Shafqat is a qualified paediatric dietitian and focuses primarily on fussy eating and allergy issues and has the handle @fussyeating.dietitian on social media. Since graduating with a first class honours degree in Dietetics and Nutrition, she has been working as a dietitian for over 10 years. She has worked for the NHS, in special needs schools and privately, focusing on children’s health, and is also a SOS Paediatric Feeding Therapist Emma helps children and their families overcome a broad range of dietary…

People in this episode

Host: The Foodies

Guest: Emma Shafqat

Topics covered

• fussy eating
• child nutrition
• dietitian advice
• mealtime strategies
• parenting concerns

Keywords

• fussy eating
• child dietitian
• nutrition advice
• mealtime stress
• developmental eating

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Dietitian With A Difference, NHS, SOS Paediatric Feeding Therapist

Books & works: Food For Kids Podcast

Places: UK

More episodes of Food For Kids

• Five June seasonal meal ideas, easy and family friendly, with suggested swaps for fussy family members. Food For Kids Podcast (2026) · June 11, 2026 · 8 min
• How to freeze ingredients if batch cooking isn't your thing, with Kate Hall. Freeze unused or leftover ingredients for easy meal prep, save money and food waste. Food For Kids Podcast (2026) · June 4, 2026 · 18 min
• June seasonal foods - fruit and veg in season in the UK. Food For Kids Podcast (2026) · June 1, 2026 · 10 min
• FFK105: End of an era and the start of... what? · May 28, 2026 · 5 min
• FFK104: Why school food matters even if your child doesn't eat them · May 25, 2026 · 20 min
• FFK103: How to store and use up lettuce and salad leaves, and some recipes · May 21, 2026 · 15 min