{"id":8813,"date":"2025-04-17T22:11:54","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T21:11:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/?page_id=8813"},"modified":"2026-02-15T19:25:30","modified_gmt":"2026-02-15T19:25:30","slug":"pda-and-approaches-to-eating","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/what-helps-guides\/pda-and-approaches-to-eating\/","title":{"rendered":"PDA and approaches to eating"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;80px||80px||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;PDA and approaches to eating&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_heading_font||||||||&#8221; title_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; title_text_align_tablet=&#8221;center&#8221; title_text_align_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; title_text_align_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;32px|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px||16px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_orientation_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_orientation_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; text_orientation_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>Eating can be challenging for PDAers due to anxiety, sensory sensitivities, and a strong need for independence. Offering support that is flexible, and low demand can make a big difference. This page looks at why eating can be difficult and offers ideas on ways to help make it easier.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;||24px||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Why PDAers can find eating difficult&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h2&#8243; title_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; title_text_align_tablet=&#8221;left&#8221; title_text_align_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; title_text_align_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;32px|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px||16px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_orientation_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_orientation_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; text_orientation_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Demand anxiety<\/strong>: being expected to eat, follow routines around eating, or try new foods can feel overwhelming.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sensory sensitivities<\/strong>: taste, texture, smell, or the sound of eating can be distressing. Many fresh foods vary in taste and texture from one to the next, so they can feel unpredictable and unsafe.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Control and independence<\/strong>: feeling forced to eat certain things or not being able to eat only preferred food can trigger avoidance behaviours. Sometimes even the feeling of being hungry can become a demand that increases anxiety.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Differences in bodily awareness<\/strong>: some PDAers may struggle to recognise being hungry or full up and therefore may over or under eat. This can lead to health problems where even more demand is placed on eating in a certain way.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;||24px||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Ways to make eating more manageable with PDA&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h2&#8243; title_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; title_text_align_tablet=&#8221;left&#8221; title_text_align_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; title_text_align_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;32px|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px||16px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_orientation_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_orientation_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; text_orientation_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Careful use of language:<\/strong> choosing the right words around food can be helpful. For example, rather than saying \u201cyou need to eat,\u201d you could try, \u201cthere\u2019s food here if you fancy it.\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Offering choice and control<\/strong>: let people choose what, where, and how they eat. It\u2019s okay if something that was eaten yesterday gets refused today<strong>. <\/strong>You could try offering something else in a relaxed way instead. Eating sitting on the floor or sofa rather than at the table can feel much less demanding. Does cutlery really have to be used?<\/li>\n<li><strong>Making food accessible<\/strong>: keeping easy, preferred options available for when people feel able to eat can be helpful. Having a cupboard with a few different healthy snacks reduces the anxiety around being expected to eat at a set time.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Respecting sensory needs<\/strong>: offering familiar textures and flavours in a safe, predictable way can make eating an easier experience for a PDAer. Liking roast potatoes doesn\u2019t necessarily mean liking them mashed. Eating the same thing on repeat is better than eating nothing. Try using separate little bowls to serve different foods so they can be eaten in a way of each person\u2019s choosing.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Taking the stress away from eating<\/strong>: it doesn\u2019t really matter how or where the eating gets done. Eating in a relaxed setting, even while watching TV or playing, can reduce anxiety.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Trying playful approaches<\/strong>: picnic-style meals, themed plates, or having fun cooking together without pressure can make food feel less demanding.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;Caveat||||||||&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;gcid-body-color&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;36px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;36px&#8221; background_color=&#8221;gcid-6923f909-25e5-4c77-be27-cbebb4bb1b7c&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||24px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;40px|40px|40px|40px|false|false&#8221; border_radii=&#8221;on|24px|24px|24px|24px&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-body-color%22:%91%22text_text_color%22%93,%22gcid-6923f909-25e5-4c77-be27-cbebb4bb1b7c%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<div>\u201cMy husband does the cooking, but I still feel in control because I plan the meals. Before I would just go and buy seven ready meals once a week because of the demand avoidance.\u201d<\/div>\n<div>Anita*<\/div>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;||24px||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Common approaches to avoid with PDA&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h2&#8243; title_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; title_text_align_tablet=&#8221;left&#8221; title_text_align_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; title_text_align_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;32px|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px||16px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_orientation_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_orientation_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; text_orientation_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Rigid rules<\/strong>: having strict mealtimes or being told to \u201calways finish your plate\u201d create a high demand environment and can increase anxiety.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bribery or rewards<\/strong>: these can make eating feel like an expectation rather than a personal choice. This approach might work once or twice but quickly becomes counterproductive.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Over-focus on food<\/strong>: too much attention on eating can make it feel even more stressful. Distraction can sometimes help.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#f6f5f5&#8243; width=&#8221;100%&#8221; width_tablet=&#8221;100%&#8221; width_phone=&#8221;90%&#8221; width_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; max_width=&#8221;90%&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;64px||64px||false|false&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;0px||||false|false&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;30px||30px||false|false&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;30px||30px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;&#8221; custom_css_main_element=&#8221;max-width: 1200px;||margin: 0 auto;&#8221; border_radii=&#8221;on|24px|24px|24px|24px&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; width__hover_enabled=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; width__hover=&#8221;100%&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;When to seek extra support&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h2&#8243; title_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||16px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;0px||32px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;||15px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||16px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re worried that eating challenges are affecting someone\u2019s health or well-being, you could think about speaking to a GP or dietitian. ARFID (Avoidant\/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and other medical conditions may need specialist support.<\/p>\n<p>Seeing a loved one struggle with eating difficulties in this way can be very emotional for you and for them. The PDA Society is here to offer help and support to everyone who needs it, through our support service, consultancy &amp; training. If you need to seek help, we can\u00a0 help you work out how to do that effectively.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;30px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||40px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;0px||40px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;||15px||false|false&#8221; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_body_font|500|||||||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||8px||false|false&#8221; custom_css_free_form=&#8221;selector a {|| color: #207788;|| text-decoration: underline;||}&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4><a href=\"\/support-and-training\">Speak to the support service<\/a><\/h4>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_body_font|500|||||||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||8px||false|false&#8221; custom_css_free_form=&#8221;selector a {|| color: #207788;|| text-decoration: underline;||}&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4><a href=\"\/support-and-training\/training\">Explore consultancy &amp; training<\/a><\/h4>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Eating can be challenging for PDAers due to anxiety, sensory sensitivities, and a strong need for independence. Offering support that is flexible, and low demand can make a big difference. This page looks at why eating can be difficult and offers ideas on ways to help make it easier. Demand anxiety: being expected to eat, follow routines around eating, or try new foods can feel overwhelming. Sensory sensitivities: taste, texture, smell, or the sound of eating can be distressing. Many fresh foods vary in taste and texture from one to the next, so they can feel unpredictable and unsafe. Control and independence: feeling forced to eat certain things or not being able to eat only preferred food can trigger avoidance behaviours. Sometimes even the feeling of being hungry can become a demand that increases anxiety. Differences in bodily awareness: some PDAers may struggle to recognise being hungry or full up and therefore may over or under eat. This can lead to health problems where even more demand is placed on eating in a certain way. Careful use of language: choosing the right words around food can be helpful. For example, rather than saying \u201cyou need to eat,\u201d you could try, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"parent":8181,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"course_tag":[332,331,326],"class_list":["post-8813","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","course_tag-co-occuring-conditions","course_tag-eating","course_tag-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8813","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8813"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8813\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8181"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8813"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"course_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/course_tag?post=8813"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}