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Food Chaining: The Proven 6-Step Plan to Stop Picky Eating, Solve Feeding Problems, and Expand Your Child's Diet
Food Chaining The Proven 6 Step Plan to Stop Picky Eating, Solve Feeding Problems, and Expand Your Child?s Diet by Fraker, Cheri, Fishbein Dr., Dr. Mark, Cox, Sibyl, Walbert, . Published by Da Capo Press,2007, Paperback
416 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 20, 2008
My 5 year old son is a picky eater but he's not as picky as the children in Food Chaining. There were a few things that I can take from this book. I can certainly think about better scheduling of his meals and snack times. I can get a better feel for the types of foods he likes and use that to expand his choices but that's about it.
I found myself skipping large portions of the book because it didn't apply to our situation. There's a lot of focus on underlying problems causing some kind of problem but my child doesn't have any of those issues. Even narrowing it down to a specific type of food isn't that helpful because he's got foods that he'll eat at his grandmother's house but won't touch here and vice versa.
There's also a lot of focus on babies and toddlers. My son was an excellent eater until he was about 3. Then he just started deciding he didn't like things. His diet had dropped down to just whole wheat bread and water but we were able to work it back up to be better balanced. When he started dropping out foods again I thought I'd try to find a way to stop the behaviour before he dropped too many. This book won't help me do that.
I also didn't like the focus on junk food. I don't want to introduce him to unhealthy food to get him to eat healthy food. I was hoping there'd be better advice on how to get fruits, vegetables and meats into his diet but he doesn't like McDonald's Chicken McNuggets and I'm fine with that.
I would've liked more food chain examples for more varieties of food. A better description of their food "types" so that I could figure out if it's a taste thing with him or something else. All in all I'm a little disappointed.
I found myself skipping large portions of the book because it didn't apply to our situation. There's a lot of focus on underlying problems causing some kind of problem but my child doesn't have any of those issues. Even narrowing it down to a specific type of food isn't that helpful because he's got foods that he'll eat at his grandmother's house but won't touch here and vice versa.
There's also a lot of focus on babies and toddlers. My son was an excellent eater until he was about 3. Then he just started deciding he didn't like things. His diet had dropped down to just whole wheat bread and water but we were able to work it back up to be better balanced. When he started dropping out foods again I thought I'd try to find a way to stop the behaviour before he dropped too many. This book won't help me do that.
I also didn't like the focus on junk food. I don't want to introduce him to unhealthy food to get him to eat healthy food. I was hoping there'd be better advice on how to get fruits, vegetables and meats into his diet but he doesn't like McDonald's Chicken McNuggets and I'm fine with that.
I would've liked more food chain examples for more varieties of food. A better description of their food "types" so that I could figure out if it's a taste thing with him or something else. All in all I'm a little disappointed.
January 21, 2013
I read this book on the advice of a coworker who has been trained in the food chaining approach for working with kids who are picky and problem eaters. The authors describe their six-step plan, which starts with medical, nutritional, feeding, sensory, and behavioral evaluations and then finally gets to food chaining, which involves analyzing a child's diet and then taking preferred and accepted foods and gradually making small changes in taste and texture to expand the diet little by little in a gentle and nonthreatening way. There is also a chapter on prechaining, a prevention program for infants who show early signs of feeding difficulties, and a chapter on food chaining with special needs kids. I found it to be a very informative, helpful, and readable book. It's a comprehensive approach that makes intuitive sense, and I appreciated all of the examples of different food chains. I also liked the emphasis on the team-based aspect of the approach. I learned a lot that will be useful with my kiddos at work who have feeding issues. Many of the kids who are profiled in the book do have more serious issues, but I think there is a lot to take from the book for kids with less severe issues as well. It's definitely a valuable resource.
August 16, 2011
If you have a problem eater, I highly recommend it. If you have a child with special needs that has any eating (or drinking) issues, this book is a MUST.
Food Chaining is a really good look at picky and problem eaters, but most parents want something they can do on their own. This book is not about that (which is why I removed a star, because I know most parents will expect something easier). You need a feeding team to really get the most out of this program and if you're unimaginative, coming up with your own food chains isn't that easy.
My son was actually seeing a speech therapist for apraxia when I mentioned that he was a picky eater, she was the one who suggested a pediatric dietitian. The group where he had his therapy was holding a class based off of this book so I enrolled him (run by a speech therapist and pediatric dietitian). It has helped meal time immensely. Dinner time is much more fun and relaxed. We enjoy using the rating scale (though we use the one from his class which is a 1-5 and I think easier for a 4 year old than a 1-10). And he's excited to try new things too. The approach of just touching and smelling (and sometimes painting with) different foods really helped my child overcome whatever discomfort he had with some foods.
Food Chaining is a really good look at picky and problem eaters, but most parents want something they can do on their own. This book is not about that (which is why I removed a star, because I know most parents will expect something easier). You need a feeding team to really get the most out of this program and if you're unimaginative, coming up with your own food chains isn't that easy.
My son was actually seeing a speech therapist for apraxia when I mentioned that he was a picky eater, she was the one who suggested a pediatric dietitian. The group where he had his therapy was holding a class based off of this book so I enrolled him (run by a speech therapist and pediatric dietitian). It has helped meal time immensely. Dinner time is much more fun and relaxed. We enjoy using the rating scale (though we use the one from his class which is a 1-5 and I think easier for a 4 year old than a 1-10). And he's excited to try new things too. The approach of just touching and smelling (and sometimes painting with) different foods really helped my child overcome whatever discomfort he had with some foods.
October 7, 2012
Phenomenal. I can't wait to actually try some of these techniques, and I am more excited because I can start this week. I like the emphasis that thy put on questions pediatricians and therapists may ask, and wish they would have had an in-depth interview made of up these questions in the appendix (I have made my own). I rented this book for the library, and it's definitely one that I am going to purchase so I can continue to use it as a reference. The best part was it focused on specific disabilities toward the end, and there was a section on pre-chaining for kiddos who are tube-fed, which is so important in my field. Would definitely recommend to other therapists and to parents.
September 6, 2023
As an early intervention provider getting my 'feet wet' in the feeding world, I found this book immensely helpful. It refreshed me on developmental milestones, what typical feeding looks like and how certain strategies can be implemented in a daily routine. I liked how there were case studies as well as sample food chain menus to work from. I also appreciated that the authors were speaking directly to the parents in their narration - I think this will help me grow in how to speak to parents about feeding since it can be a very scary and difficult routine to work on if things do not go well. For anyone working in EI, and parents with babies/ toddlers that want to know more about the feeding process - you should read this book!
March 1, 2018
My daughter’s speech language pathologist recommended this book. I appreciate all the information provided about underlying medical causes of problem eating. Most books seem to focus on behavioral causes. My daughter has been diagnosed as failure to thrive with global delays, and uses a g-tube for most of her nutrition. At 2 we are still working on transitioning to solid foods. I love the chaining concept that I can apply as we go from purees to real food.
May 12, 2017
A great reference book. I'm anxious to put this into practice with a couple of the severe problem eaters on my caseload today. This book definitely has information I will come back to for myself and as a resource for the parents I work with.
June 12, 2020
The book is easy to read as a lay-person, and a lot of the information is really helpful. Unfortunately some of the information/advice is outdated (particularly a section labeled "Food Allergies Can Sometimes Be Prevented") as the book was published in 2007.
February 12, 2025
Excellent book on child development, it’s a great way to learn how to let them be and explore the world instead of trying to get them to do thing in a certain way in regards to their development and milestones.
October 21, 2018
For parents with children who are extremely picky eaters, this is a must read book. Very informative and provides plans to incorporate at home.
August 1, 2024
Nothing overly surprising after working with kids for a few years.
November 1, 2024
Excellent
Got so many ideas for my picky eating toddler. This book was recommended to me by a highly trained and experienced OT.
Got so many ideas for my picky eating toddler. This book was recommended to me by a highly trained and experienced OT.
March 31, 2011
Overall Lesson: You Are The Key To Your Child's Eating Success, P.S. It's Hard And Time Consuming!
This book was recommended by my daughter's Speech-Language Pathologist who "coached" us through my daughter's feeding issues. My daughter, Della, is 3 years-old and has speech, mobility, and developmental delays from an unknown cause. She doesn't seem to have any aversion to different textures and as far as we can tell, no sensory issues. That being said, she is acting like a "normal" 12-18 month old child who is learning to assert her opinion through what she chooses to eat or not eat. Just like other children she will go from loving certain foods to completely refusing them seemingly overnight. When she was eating only a handful of foods I started to read "Food Chaining" looking for some easy answer or at the very least, a plan with all meals laid out in an order that would "fix" her picky eating habits. What I got from this book was that the "cure" is to find a link between what your child will eat now and what you want them to eventually eat later. Only you can customize this plan because you are raising your child and you know them best. Even the best laid-out meal plans won't fit every child. I once tried the "South Beach Diet" but I hated it because I didn't like many of the meals that were in their weekly "plan." So, Lesson #1- Use the guidelines and figure it out yourself. Yes, it is hard and time consuming and complicated and not "easy" but we are raising children here, not assembling a bookshelf. Lesson #2: Be persistent. You will throw away a lot of food. Period. Most children need to have a lot of exposure to new foods before they will readily eat it. Some children will only need to see it 4 or 5 times before eating it, others may need to be exposed 20 times before they accept it into their diet. Once again, this is hard and time consuming and complicated and anything but easy. Keep at it! You are the key to your child's success!
I think that many people are looking for a quick-fix. I know I was. I hate to say it, but there is no such thing. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many people who feel frustrated that the past 6 books they've read on picky eating haven't worked. I know I was that way. Not every family will find this book helpful but if parents understand that this problem will take time, persistence, and some effort on their part, they will most likely find success when they implement the guidelines and methods laid out in "Food Chaining."
This book was recommended by my daughter's Speech-Language Pathologist who "coached" us through my daughter's feeding issues. My daughter, Della, is 3 years-old and has speech, mobility, and developmental delays from an unknown cause. She doesn't seem to have any aversion to different textures and as far as we can tell, no sensory issues. That being said, she is acting like a "normal" 12-18 month old child who is learning to assert her opinion through what she chooses to eat or not eat. Just like other children she will go from loving certain foods to completely refusing them seemingly overnight. When she was eating only a handful of foods I started to read "Food Chaining" looking for some easy answer or at the very least, a plan with all meals laid out in an order that would "fix" her picky eating habits. What I got from this book was that the "cure" is to find a link between what your child will eat now and what you want them to eventually eat later. Only you can customize this plan because you are raising your child and you know them best. Even the best laid-out meal plans won't fit every child. I once tried the "South Beach Diet" but I hated it because I didn't like many of the meals that were in their weekly "plan." So, Lesson #1- Use the guidelines and figure it out yourself. Yes, it is hard and time consuming and complicated and not "easy" but we are raising children here, not assembling a bookshelf. Lesson #2: Be persistent. You will throw away a lot of food. Period. Most children need to have a lot of exposure to new foods before they will readily eat it. Some children will only need to see it 4 or 5 times before eating it, others may need to be exposed 20 times before they accept it into their diet. Once again, this is hard and time consuming and complicated and anything but easy. Keep at it! You are the key to your child's success!
I think that many people are looking for a quick-fix. I know I was. I hate to say it, but there is no such thing. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many people who feel frustrated that the past 6 books they've read on picky eating haven't worked. I know I was that way. Not every family will find this book helpful but if parents understand that this problem will take time, persistence, and some effort on their part, they will most likely find success when they implement the guidelines and methods laid out in "Food Chaining."
April 25, 2012
I haven't marked this as "read" yet because I'm still referring to it on a daily basis. I read about this book in an article about picky eaters. I bought this book hoping to make some progress. I wish I'd had this book 13 years ago. The idea is simple and logical. The authors are the medical professionals you would work with in a feeding team and they know their stuff. I have had great success in simply forming chains on my own (as there is no local feeding team to help us out) and I have been in contact with one of the authors as she practices in Springfield, IL. My hopes are high. This book is mainly written for infants and toddlers, but they have sound advice and specific case scenarios for older children and teens also. I would highly recommend this to anyone who questions the eating habits of their children, whether for physical, medical, emotional, sensory or any other reasons. This book covers ALL the bases. This is not a book for eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia. It does show how a feeding team can pinpoint physical and medical reasons for picky eating, but does not address eating disorders.
July 31, 2012
Very good information. Gives case studies to help you see how your kid is compared to other cases. Through this book so far, I have learned my son is a problem eater not just picky. He is not a bad as the cases here. He has started to try certain vegetables we are growing in our garden. He just takes a bit and spits them out. He is not under weight so I am reading who I need to talk to make sure he is getting the right nutrition he needs to grow healthy. Being skinny isn't always a sign of healthiness I have learned from this book.
March 19, 2010
This book is really geared for children with true feeding disorders... and those who apparently eat only fast food and kraft macaroni and cheese. Not terribly useful, but some interesting ideas about exposing kids to a wider-variety of foods when they are selective about what they will try. A bunch of info in this book is contrary to other things I've read, and even to itself from one part of the book to another.
June 23, 2011
So Lincoln isn't really a picky eater, but he is a gagger with texture, chewing and tongue issues. This book basically said think about the foods he will eat, figure out what he likes about them, and try to expand his diet from there. It had some good ideas of foods to try, but was really long winded. I feel bad saying this, but it also made me feel a bit better...he for sure doesn't have it as bad as plenty of other kids out there.
January 1, 2012
I read a lost of this book, but not all. I thought it was helpful, though I think some of the food chains are strange like starting with chicken nuggets, then grilled chicken, then chicken with cheese on it. I would like to end the chain with grilled chicken which would be healthier than chicken with cheese. I like the concept though, it has helped me choose new foods to try during my son's feeding therapy appointments.
June 17, 2012
Not what I was looking for. This doesn't seem to be a book to help with the typical picky eater. This is for kids who are gagging when they see new foods, had eating issues originating in infancy, only eat a handful of foods, etc. My child doesn't really want to try new foods but doesn't put up a fight if we insist. He just doesn't like anything new that he tries. Probably a good resource for a situation different than mine.
February 16, 2013
This book is not what I expected from reading the information provided by the publisher. You really need to use this book while you're working with professionals, it's not of much use for people (like me) who are still in the long process of finding professionals, getting diagnoses and battling the insurance company.
May 19, 2013
I really like this book because of the chaining concept. I don't particularly like the food suggestions but I get that they are just using as examples to chain. As a parent of a severe picky eater with sensory issues and severe food allergies, I found this to be very effective while doing food therapy with our son. It worked and we have had serious progress!
July 29, 2008
This book was written by a pediatric feeding team, a doctor, dietitian, therapists and psychologists. Feeding disorders are complex and not an easy fix. I found a great deal of information in this book.
I don't agree with the first review. How can you review a book you didn't read?
I don't agree with the first review. How can you review a book you didn't read?
May 28, 2011
I really thought unwound get something useful out of this book, however, it didn't apply to my older (7) kid until chapter 5. Most of it was geared at younger children ( babies-4). Having said that, I did did find the sensory chapter helpful ad our daughter has sensory processing disorder.
August 23, 2012
Although much of this book was so specific to certain disorders the information didn't apply to me, it was worth it for the food chaining chapter alone. The concept of food chaining as well as the sample chains were incredibly helpful and really make sense.
August 4, 2013
I thought the foods recommended in this book weren't as healthy as what I normally buy and eat. I can already get my kid to eat junky stuff fine - it's the healthy stuff he won't touch, and that's what we need the help with.
May 3, 2011
I skimmed this one, which was easy to do. Not a very complex idea, but reviews all the different kinds of reasons kids are "picky eaters" and what you can do about it.
Want to read
May 9, 2011Ethan Babe, this one's for you!
February 19, 2012
The concept was interesting and it gave me some fresh ideas on how to expand my daughter's food preferences. I still think Ellyn Satter has the best overall approach.
April 15, 2013
Very informative book with lots of examples and suggestions to help with feeding problems.
April 4, 2013
Highly recommend for any therapist or parent working with expanding a child's diet
Although, it just made me want to attend the course more!
Although, it just made me want to attend the course more!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews