Sensory Food Aversion and Picky Eating Explained

When I was very young, I really liked fried chicken. At the time, I felt like it was something special about me—because my dad loves fried chicken too. It was our thing, something we shared that no one else in the family did

Then one day, after eating a fried chicken drumstick, I got the stomach flu. The chicken didn’t make me sick—it just happened. But you know what? In my mind, that drumstick was tied to my stomach bug. The next time I saw fried chicken, all I could think about was how awful I felt after the last time I ate it.

And now? I’m a grown adult and I still won’t eat fried chicken! Actually, as I write this, I’m imagining the smell, and it disgusts me.

That’s how resilient an aversion to food can be.

What Is a Food Aversion?

The experience I just described is known as a conditioned taste aversion. It’s something many people experience after becoming ill. It happens when we associate the taste (or even the smell or texture) of a food with nausea or sickness, and develop a strong dislike for it.

When you have a conditioned taste aversion, you might avoid that food—or even the sight of it—at all costs. Interestingly, humans are more likely to develop aversions to foods that are novel, less preferred, or high in protein (Chambers, 2018). From an evolutionary standpoint, this kind of avoidance protects us. If a food did make us sick, avoiding it would be a smart survival strategy.

But sometimes, as in my case, the food just happened to be there when we got sick. And yet our body still makes that connection.

Medical conditions can also play a role. A child who experiences reflux, constipation, an allergic reaction, or a choking incident may associate a particular food with discomfort or danger—even if the food itself wasn’t the cause (Williams & Sieverling, 2024).

And once an aversion is learned, it can generalize beyond one food—In fact, researchers suggest that conditioned taste aversions can extend beyond individual foods to include whole food groups, food textures, or even unfamiliar foods in general (Williams & Sieverling, 2024).

Free Strategies for Picky Eating and Autism

What Do People Mean When They Say "Sensory Food Aversion"?

Sometimes, children react to food in ways that look a lot like a conditioned taste aversion—but the trigger isn’t illness. It’s the sensory experience itself.

When kids are highly sensitive to touch, smell, or taste, the act of eating certain foods can feel overwhelming. This reaction is often described as sensory food aversion. In these cases, the child may gag, cry, cover their nose, or refuse to eat entirely when faced with certain textures or smells.

Some children experience what's called Sensory Over-Responsivity (SOR)—a form of heightened sensitivity that can make them more prone to extremely selective eating (Chistol et al., 2017).

One way we assess the impact of sensory processing challenges is through tools like The Sensory Profile, a standardized questionnaire completed by caregivers and teachers. It helps identify patterns in how children respond to sensory input, including food-related input.

Sensory Sensitivities and Autism

Autistic children often present with differences in sensory processing—this is actually one of the diagnostic features of autism. Research shows that autistic kids are more likely than their peers to experience heightened sensitivities to touch, smell, and taste (Schreck et al., 2004).

In my work with autistic children, these sensitivities frequently show up at the table. Families may notice gagging, strong refusals of new foods, or diets limited to just a few highly preferred options.

If you’re looking for strategies on how to respond when gagging shows up—my recent post dives into that exact topic. You can read it here: Is Your Child Gagging on New Foods? What It Could Mean.

Understanding the sensory component can be key to offering the right support. When we recognize these patterns with compassion and curiosity, we’re better equipped to meet kids where they are—and guide them toward a more confident and empowered approach with food.

So, can sensory food aversions be overcome? Yes! -Even kids with strong sensory sensitivities can learn to like new foods with an approachable, predictable routine and consistent practice. (This is exactly what I teach inside my course Adventure Eating for Neurodivergent Kids!)

When it comes to feeding challenges, there's no one-size-fits-all solution—but there is a path forward. With a better understanding of food aversions, we can approach mealtimes with more patience, clarity, and compassion. And that’s where real progress begins.

References:

Chambers, K. C. (2018). Conditioned taste aversions. World Journal of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 4(1), 92–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wjorl.2018.02.003

Chistol, L. T., Bandini, L. G., Must, A., Phillips, S., Cermak, S. A., & Curtin, C. (2017). Sensory Sensitivity and Food Selectivity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(2), 583–591. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3340-9

Schreck, K. A., Williams, K., & Smith, A. F. (2004). A Comparison of Eating Behaviors Between Children with and Without Autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 34(4), 433–438. https://doi.org/10.1023/b:jadd.0000037419.78531.86

Williams, K. E., & Seiverling, L. (2024). Broccoli Boot Camp. Future Horizons.