Ep 243: Why Are Kids So Picky? The Surprising History of Children's Eating | Helen Zoe Veit

Send us Fan Mail

For years, many of us have assumed that toddlers are naturally picky—that children are simply born preferring bland foods, avoiding vegetables, and rejecting anything unfamiliar. But what if that's not actually true?

This week I'm joined by historian Helen Zoe Veit, author of Picky: How American Children Became the Fussiest Eaters in History. Together we explore how picky eating became so common, why children in previous generations—and in many cultures around the world—ate the same foods as adults, and what history can teach us about raising confident, adventurous eaters today. 

We discuss:

• Why picky eating wasn't always considered "normal"
• The surprising history behind children's menus and snack culture
• Whether kids really have more sensitive taste buds
• Why hunger between meals matters
• The role of structure versus pressure at the dinner table
• Why children around the world often eat the same foods as their parents
• Practical ways parents can expand their child's palate without power struggles

This conversation is encouraging, evidence-informed, and full of practical ideas that may help make family meals less stressful—and a lot more enjoyable.

About Helen Zoe Veit

Helen Zoe Veit is an award-winning historian, writer, and professor of history at Michigan State University. She specializes in the history of food in America and is the director of the What America Ate project. She is the author of Picky: How American Children Became the Fussiest Eaters in History, which explores how modern ideas about children's eating developed—and what history suggests we can do differently today. 

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube: Ask Dr Jessica

Shop my favorite products for kids on Amazon here

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA 

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only.  She does not diagnose medical conditions or formulate treatment plans for specific individuals.  If you have a concern about your child's health, be sure to call your child's health care provider.