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Monday 9am - 4pm Tuesday 9am - 4pm Wednesday 9am - 4pm Thursday 9am - 4pm Friday 9am - 4pm

Happy Eaters

Helping kids to eat! Happy Eaters acknowledges that eating can be very difficult for some children. We regularly see children with NDIS funding.

Between 3 - 10% of children experience some form of feeding difficulty. It can be a normal pattern of behaviour for children to develop fussy eating habits at some point in their life. For most children, these patterns resolve without intervention, however for some children these issues can be long lasting and can be very difficult to manage. Justine has many years experience helping fussy eaters

and their parents. Justine also has experience in the management of ARFID - Avoidant/Restrictive Feeding Intake Disorder. These children and adults avoid foods based on colour, taste, texture or smell. Foods may cause adverse reactions such as gagging or vomitting and whole food groups such as fruit, vegetables and quality proteins may be refused. Happy Eaters also regularly runs food school
programs for small groups of children.

26/07/2025

🍱 How to Build a Low Sensory Lunchbox (and Why It Could Help Your Fussy Eater)

Do you have a child who struggles with mixed textures or strong smells at lunchtime? You’re not alone.

A low sensory lunchbox can be a helpful way to increase the amount of food your child eats. Think: simple, predictable, easy-to-chew foods without strong odours or sauces.
✔️ Separate compartments
✔️Avoid over packing, stick to 3-4 different preferred foods
✔️ Dry/crunchy textures (e.g., crackers, plain pasta, cold toast)
✔️ Familiar colours and shapes

🔍 Why it helps: Reducing sensory overwhelm at lunch can increase intake, support energy and focus in the afternoon, and reduce mealtime anxiety. You may find that focusing on offering more variety of foods at mealtimes at home to be more successful and think of lunchboxes as food for fuel for your child.

Need help building your child’s safe food list? That’s what we do best 💛

18/07/2025

💪 Immune-Boosting Foods for Kids This Winter

Are you looking for ways to boost your childs immune system ahead of the cold and flu season? Here is snapshot of some nutritional foods to keep in mind;

🍊 Vitamin C – from oranges, strawberries, and capsicum
🧀 Zinc – in cheese, beef, and Weet-Bix
🍳 Iron – in eggs, red meat, and iron-fortified cereals
🥛 Probiotics – from yoghurt or perhaps a probiotic supplement

🌟 We’ll help you work with your child’s preferences (yes, even the picky ones!).

10/07/2025

🧠 Why We Don’t Pressure Kids to Eat

Bribing, coaxing, "just one more bite" — we’ve all done it out of love, but here’s why pressure can backfire:

❌ It increases anxiety around food
❌ Makes meals stressful
❌ Reduces long-term variety

✅ Instead, we use responsive feeding principles—offering food without pressure and creating a safe environment to explore.

Small steps, big wins. If you’re stuck in the mealtime battle, we’re here to help. 💛

28/06/2025

🍞 Warming Breakfast Ideas for Fussy Eaters

Mornings can be tough—especially when your little one only eats 3 things.
Here are some gentle winter breakfast ideas that are warm, familiar and nutrient-boosting:

🍌 Toasted banana bread with a swipe of peanut butter
🥣 Warm porridge with a drizzle of honey (start with smooth textures!)
🧇 Toaster waffles with warm milo
🥛 French toast with cinnamon

If you are looking for ideas on how to introduce new foods into your child's diet, then our dietitians can help.

25/06/2025

📣 Product Spotlight: Milo Restore – Should You Try It?

Milo has been a pantry staple for generations—but have you seen the new kid on the block, Milo Restore?

🟢 What’s different?
Compared to original Milo, Milo Restore is marketed as a version that reduces tiredness and fatigue, supports healthy minds, and aids muscle function. It includes extra magnesium as the ingredients as well as iron, zinc, and B vitamins—nutrients that can be tricky for some kids (especially fussy eaters!) to get enough of.

✅ Positives
Just 3 teaspoons (20g) provides over a third of a child’s iron needs
When prepared with 200ml milk, it gives around 10g of protein
Also contains vitamin D, calcium, zinc, and magnesium—all essential for growth, development and immunity
Cost-effective at around 30c per serve if you buy the larger tin
Lower in sodium and saturated fat when made as directed

⚠️ Things to be mindful of:
It’s still a sweetened drink, with added sugar.
It is low in fibre
Despite the “Restore” label, it is not a complete source of nutrition or shouldn’t be used in replacement of prescribed/ recommended supplements.

🥄 Our take?
Milo Restore might be a helpful option for those who are struggling with getting enough iron and magnesium from their diet or for those needing additional calories to support weight gain. It can be a useful tool for parents of fussy eaters looking for a practical way to boost nutrients.

15/06/2025

🗓 June 16–22
Your health, our mission: Talk to a Dietitian

This week we’re celebrating the impact of Accredited Practising Dietitians in improving health and changing lives.

Here at Happy Eaters, we specialise in a range of services including helping children with:
-Fussy/selective eating habits including children who have fears & sensory aversions to food
-Meal time management
-Food Allergies and Intolerances
-Weight concerns
- ARFID and other eating disorders

📍Based on the Sunshine Coast | 🌐 Telehealth available
💬 Get in touch to find out how we can support your child, adolescent or baby's needs.

05/06/2025

Our Food Schoolers have been showing their creative sides in recent sessions. Check out these cute grape and protein ball snakes and bunny waffles!

Food Schools run out of our Clinic in Maroochydore on Thursday afternoons. Please contact us on 5445 6145 to find out more or secure your spot for the second half of 2025.

29/05/2025

🍞 Weight Gain Without Pressure

Worried about your child’s weight or growth?

Here are a few ways to gently boost calories without turning mealtimes into a battle:

🧈 Add healthy fats to favourite foods meal – Think olive oil when cooking meat, extra butter on sandwiches, crackers or added to cooked pasta, nut butters spread on crackers or as a dipper

🧀 Include cheese or full-fat dairy where tolerated

🍫 Use energy-dense snacks like muffins, smoothies or banana bread

Weight gain can take time, especially for fussy eaters. If you're feeling stuck, our dietitians can help with tailored strategies that work with your child’s preferences, not against them.

22/05/2025

🌈 Is Your Child Getting Enough Variety?

Eating the same 5–10 foods on repeat? This is super common in fussy eaters or kids with ARFID.

Why it matters:
🚫 Limited variety can mean low intake of essential nutrients
🧠 Can impact growth, learning, and mood
🥄 Makes expanding the diet feel even harder

What we focus on:
✅ Building food confidence at your child’s pace
✅ Using gradual exposure (like food chaining)
✅ Supporting nutrient gaps with practical solutions

Your child doesn’t have to go from beige to broccoli overnight—but progress is possible. Let’s make it happen, together.

13/05/2025

🥛 Is Your Child Getting Enough Calcium? 🧀

Calcium is essential for strong bones, teeth, and overall growth, but many kids don’t get enough! Most primary school-aged children need 2–3 servings of dairy (or calcium-rich alternatives) each day.

✅ What counts as one serving?
🥛 1 cup of milk (250mL)
🧀 2 slices of hard cheese (40g)
🍦 ¾ cup of yoghurt (200g)

🌱 Choosing plant-based alternatives?
Always check the label! Look for a fortified milk or yoghurt with at least 100mg of calcium per 100mL to make sure your child is getting what they need.

Not sure if your child is meeting their calcium needs? Our paediatric dietitians can help! 💛

08/05/2025

🌟 What is Food Chaining? A Gentle Way to Expand Your Child’s Diet! 🌟

For fussy eaters, trying new foods can feel overwhelming. Food chaining is a gradual, low-pressure approach that helps kids feel comfortable exploring new foods step by step.

🔗 How does it work?

✅ Start with a food your child already eats
✅ Identify its texture, colour, smell, and temperature
✅ Make tiny, gradual changes while keeping it familiar

For example:
🍗 If your child only eats fast food chicken nuggets, you could try:
➡️ Frozen store-bought nuggets
➡️ Chicken strips
➡️ Homemade crumbed chicken strips
➡️ Lightly breaded chicken breast

This approach can help build confidence and willingness to try new foods—with less stress at mealtimes.

01/05/2025

✨ Making Mealtimes Happier for Fussy Eaters! ✨

Mealtimes with a fussy eater can feel stressful—but they don’t have to be! Here are some simple strategies to create a more positive experience at the table:

🍽️ Reduce pressure – Avoid forcing or bribing your child to eat new foods. Let them explore at their own pace!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Eat together – Role modeling is powerful! Seeing you enjoy a variety of foods helps build confidence.

🪑 Supportive seating – A comfortable, well-supported position makes eating easier. Chat with your OT if adjustments are needed!

🥦 Make food fun – Talk about food’s color, shape, crunch, or smell instead of whether it’s “yummy” or not.

🥗 Platter-style meals – Let kids choose what goes on their plate to increase their willingness to try new foods.

⏳ Keep it short & sweet – Aim for 30-minute mealtimes to avoid frustration and food battles.

Small changes can make a big difference! Need more support? Our paediatric dietitians are here to help. 💛

Address

Maroochydore, QLD

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 4pm
Tuesday	9am - 4pm
Wednesday	9am - 4pm
Thursday	9am - 4pm
Friday	9am - 4pm

Website

http://www.happyeaters.com.au/

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