A couple of questions

Why does my child gag when eating vegetables?

Some children will gag or vomit when they are given pureed foods that are not smooth. This is often caused by a very sensitive gag reflex. Offering only smooth foods and hoping that the problem will go away does not always work. There are a few things you can do to help make your child's gag reflex less sensitive.Nov 10, 2009

Is it normal to gag when eating vegetables?

As much as they might want to expand their diets, just the smell of a new food can trigger a gag reflex in extreme cases. … Bitter foods, like vegetables, are a taste that's acquired later on to prevent babies from eating potentially poisonous things.

Why is my 4 year old gagging on food?

Gagging is a normal part of the learning process with eating. It's the body's natural way of protecting the airway and prevent a choking episode, and most—if not all—kids will gag with the start of food introduction, especially when it has a different texture than what they're used to.

Should I force my child to eat vegetables?

Make sure you don't force kids to eat vegetables, or bribe them with promises like: “If you eat cauliflower, you can have candy.” This can make mealtime unpleasant, and won't help children build a healthy relationship with food.

Why do some food textures make me gag?

Some children are over (or under) responsive to the sensory elements of food and eating. This can mean gagging at the sight or smell of certain foods. … Sensory food aversion can occur for many reasons, but often it is the result of difficulty processing the sensory aspects of eating.

How do you stop gagging when eating vegetables?

Try sweeter vegetables like petite peas or super sweet carrots or corn. Or veggies might go down easier mixed with other foods — pack them on pizza, tacos, salad or in soup.

Why does my child gags when trying new foods?

Children who gag when trying to eat foods that are lumpy or have texture often have a very sensitive gag reflex. The gag reflex helps us to expel food that our bodies feel is unsafe for us to swallow. The gag is usually triggered somewhere on the tongue.

Why is my toddler suddenly gagging when eating?

Children who have a very sensitive gag reflex will gag when new foods are still in their mouth, before they have tried to swallow the food. This can occur when the food is near the front, middle or back of the mouth. Children with a swallowing problem have trouble after the food has been swallowed.