Some kids and adults may eat specific foods and in very specific contexts. This can be confusing and and even feel frustrating for parents and carers who see a child eat a particular snack or meal at school or a friend’s house but then refuse the exact same food at home. Similarly, some young people will accept food from one person but reject it when offered by another.
You might also be interested in my co-authored book about an Autistic young person and their same food ‘Gabby’s Glimmers’ and my other food blogs such as Why We Need Low Pressure Food Opportunities and How to Get Them to Eat: Rethinking Some Traditional Parenting Strategies
Understanding Context Eating
Context eating refers to how a person’s ability to eat a food is often tied to the situation in which they encounter it. It’s not just about the food itself - it’s about where they are, who they are with and what they are doing at the time. They do not necessarily see food as a standalone entity that can easily be moved between settings. Instead, they perceive it as part of the broader experience.
Common Contexts That Influence Eating Habits
Many factors can shape when and where a someone feels comfortable eating certain foods, including:
Time & Day of the Week: Eating a certain food at a specific time (ie., always having toast at breakfast but never at dinner or having toast every morning before school but unable to eat it on weekends).
Physical Setting: Feeling comfortable eating a particular food at school but not at home, or eating only at Nan’s house.
Routine: Associating a snack with the school run but no interest in the same snack outside that routine.
People: Accepting food from a nanny or a friend but rejecting it from a parent.
Activity-Based Eating: Enjoying popcorn at the cinema or a granola bar snack after a swim lesson but not wanting those same foods elsewhere.
Why Context Eating is Often Misunderstood
Context eating is only just being understood and so it has been easy to have misinterpreted context eating as a child being difficult, controlling or defiant. Common misconceptions include:
Controlling or Naughty Behaviour – The refusal isn’t about power but comfort and predictability.
Pushback on Compliance – The child is not necessarily refusing to obey, they just do not view the food as separate from its context.
Lack of Strictness from Caregivers – This is not about discipline but about how the young person processes their eating experiences.
Reframing Context Eating
It helps to recognise that context eating serves a purpose for the young person. Often, they use food routines for:
Comfort and Predictability – Eating the same food in the same setting provides security.
Supporting Social Outings – Associating a food with an enjoyable activity makes it feel safer and therefore helps increase access.
Structuring Daily Life – Eating routines help create order in their day.
Conclusion
Recognising context eating as a valid food trait supports us to then better support young people in feeling more secure and more able to be included in social experiences. We can acknowledge how environments, routines and emotions shape food choices.
Thank you for reading,
Laura Hellfeld
RN, MSN, PHN, CNL
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Disclaimer: The information shared in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a licensed healthcare provider for personalised support and care tailored to your specific needs.
This is so relatable and such an important topic that is often misunderstood and overlooked!