Happy Eaters

Happy Eaters Helping kids to eat! Happy Eaters acknowledges that eating can be very difficult for some children. We regularly see children with NDIS funding.

Between 3 - 10% of children experience some form of feeding difficulty. It can be a normal pattern of behaviour for children to develop fussy eating habits at some point in their life. For most children, these patterns resolve without intervention, however for some children these issues can be long lasting and can be very difficult to manage. Justine has many years experience helping fussy eaters

and their parents. Justine also has experience in the management of ARFID - Avoidant/Restrictive Feeding Intake Disorder. These children and adults avoid foods based on colour, taste, texture or smell. Foods may cause adverse reactions such as gagging or vomitting and whole food groups such as fruit, vegetables and quality proteins may be refused. Happy Eaters also regularly runs food school
programs for small groups of children.

Why repeated exposure matters"My child tried it once and hated it."Many parents assume a food refusal means a child will...
06/08/2026

Why repeated exposure matters
"My child tried it once and hated it."
Many parents assume a food refusal means a child will never like that food.
In reality, learning to accept new foods often takes time.
Exposure doesn't have to mean eating.
A child can learn through:
• Looking at the food
• Touching the food
• Smelling the food
• Helping prepare the food
• Having the food on their plate
Every positive interaction counts. The goal isn't to force a bite. The goal is to create opportunities for learning and familiarity.
Progress often happens one small step at a time.


Have you ever wondered why your child refuses foods that seem perfectly "normal" to everyone else?For many children, eat...
30/07/2026

Have you ever wondered why your child refuses foods that seem perfectly "normal" to everyone else?
For many children, eating is much more than just taste—it's a full sensory experience.
Children experience food using all of their senses, including:
• 👀 Sight
• 👃 Smell
• 👅 Taste
• ✋ Touch (texture and temperature)
• 👂 Sound (such as crunching or chewing)
For some children, these sensory experiences can feel overwhelming. Certain textures, smells, temperatures, sounds, or even the appearance of a food may make it difficult for them to feel comfortable trying or eating it.
Understanding the sensory side of eating can help us respond with support and curiosity rather than pressure.
When children feel safe around food, learning becomes possible.



Food chaining is a feeding therapy strategy that helps children gradually expand their food repertoire by building on fo...
20/07/2026

Food chaining is a feeding therapy strategy that helps children gradually expand their food repertoire by building on foods they already accept.
Rather than introducing completely unfamiliar foods, we look for similarities in:
• Taste
• Texture
• Shape
• Colour
• Brand
• Preparation method
For example:
A child who enjoys plain crackers may feel more comfortable trying a different cracker before moving to bread or a sandwich.
Small steps can feel safer and more achievable than big changes.
Food chaining respects a child's comfort level while gently supporting progress over time.
Every child’s journey looks different, and success often comes from gradual, positive experiences rather than pressure.



Food exposure is more than just eating.When supporting a child with learning to eat, every interaction with food matters...
12/07/2026

Food exposure is more than just eating.

When supporting a child with learning to eat, every interaction with food matters.

Seeing a food
Touching a food
Smelling a food

These are all valuable steps in building familiarity, reducing anxiety, and increasing confidence around food.

Progress doesn’t always look like taking a bite. Sometimes the biggest wins happen before a food ever reaches a child’s mouth.

Food therapy isn't what most people expectMany parents imagine sitting at a table trying to convince their child to eat....
27/06/2026

Food therapy isn't what most people expect
Many parents imagine sitting at a table trying to convince their child to eat.
At Happy Eaters, sessions often include:
• Food play
• Sensory exploration
• Games
• Building confidence
• Parent support
Our goal is to help your child feel more comfortable around foods so that when they are ready, trying foods will become easier.

Red Flags to Watch ForWhen picky eating might need extra supportPicky eating can be a normal phase for many toddlers; ho...
18/06/2026

Red Flags to Watch For
When picky eating might need extra support
Picky eating can be a normal phase for many toddlers; however toddlers can get stuck in this phase. Here are some signs that may suggest it is more than picky eating Eats fewer than 20 foods
• Drops foods without replacing them
• Avoids all foods in a food group or all foods with a specific texture (i.e., wet, crunchy, mixed)
• Anxiety around new foods
• Gagging, vomiting, or distress at meals
• Growth concerns – poor weight gain
Early support can make a big difference.
If you're worried about your child's eating, Happy Eaters can support you. We offer tailored advice for you and your child to help you manage some of these frustrating feeding challenges.

We are so excited to introduce the newest member of the Happy Eaters family, little Lenny Drew Wagner.Congratulations to...
12/06/2026

We are so excited to introduce the newest member of the Happy Eaters family, little Lenny Drew Wagner.

Congratulations to proud parents Josh & Alice on the arrival of their beautiful baby boy. Mum and baby are doing wonderfully, and we can't wait to meet little Lenny in person!

Please join us in sending your congratulations and warm wishes to the Wagner family.

Our new Happy Eaters space is ready!A low-pressure environment where children can build confidence with food through pla...
06/06/2026

Our new Happy Eaters space is ready!

A low-pressure environment where children can build confidence with food through play. What do you think of our new therapy space?

What if they just won’t eat anything new?We hear this a lot—and it’s a very real concern.Our priority is always:✔️ Makin...
21/05/2026

What if they just won’t eat anything new?

We hear this a lot—and it’s a very real concern.
Our priority is always:
✔️ Making sure children are meeting their nutritional needs (supplementation can help)
✔️ Supporting growth
✔️ Reducing stress for families

From there, we gently work on expanding foods—without pressure or overwhelm.
You don’t have to do this alone



Food therapy isn’t about forcing children to eat.At Happy Eaters, it looks like:✔️ Playing with food✔️ Exploring texture...
13/05/2026

Food therapy isn’t about forcing children to eat.

At Happy Eaters, it looks like:
✔️ Playing with food
✔️ Exploring textures
✔️ Building trust
✔️ Reducing pressure

Because when children feel safe, they’re far more likely to learn.
Small steps → big wins over time


Address

Suite 13/76 Wises Road
Sunshine Coast, QLD
4556

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

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