Why do you think toddlers go through the fussy food stage?

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So a lot of babies will eat pretty much anything given to them, then at some point around 3, they tend to prefer blander foods and/or limit their range, and will then (often) grow out of that.

Do you think their taste buds change? Or is it about the control?

Curious :)

And obviously I know not every child is the same, some will eat all sorts all the way through, some will only ever have a limited palate. But I'm generalising and just wondered.

I believe it's all about control.
I think that a toddler has so little control over their everyday life that food is the one thing that they can control.
Also I think the bigger fuss made by the parent about it all the less the toddler will eat as they realise that they are getting a reaction and attention from not eating what their parent would like them to eat!!

One theory is a inbuilt defence mechanism to stop kids picking up poisionus plants etc. When they get to the stage they are able to pick stuff up themselves and supervision might become more lax.

Can't remember which documentary I heard it but it was a theory some scientists were pushing. It's also the reason few people like blue food - like blue Smarties.

No idea, but my now three year old refused to eat any vegetables right from when he was weaned at 6 months. He still won't, except cucumber. I offer them to him every day. The only way I get them into him is in pasta sauce.

Yip, it's a control thing. My little one went through this, still does at times. They grow out of it, I hope so anyway!

Yes as @EdtheBear said, it’s a primeval thing,
Toddlers are beginning to move away from their main career for the first time and explore the world around them. At this stage they prefer fewer familiar “safe” foods As self defence against newer, unfamiliar items that might be poisonous.

I didn’t know this was a thing in NT D.C. My DS very much so and has never gone back to it he had Aspergers.DD S always ate anything and still do.

As @edthebear said, it’s apparently biological thing that some children have and some don’t that is related to textures. It is believed that historically, when kids got more adventurous, our bodies had to be better at judging off food when foraging etc and that slimey foods were a good indicator of what was ‘off’ therefore some children start refusing food that activates this reflex in them.

I had it as a child and still have elements of it left over as an adult. For me, it’s never been about control I just find some textures funny especially combined textures! I feel their pain

Who knows? But it’s bloody annoying! Dd was a fab eater until about 3 months ago and is now hideous to feed. Eats perfectly at nursery though... why IS that?!!

*off or poisonous food

" Eats perfectly at nursery though... why IS that?!!"

They know how to push your buttons and you're familiar and forgiving. a bit like how kids will behave better for a teacher.

Omg, I was about to start a thread on (nearly) exactly this! My eat everything 3 yo has quite suddenly started no onions, no leek, I don’t want that.
Do I keep on giving them, smush them so small she doesn’t know they’re there? Ignore it? What? They form the basis of most of the things I cook, so am stuffed if it lasts!

My eldest never out grew it and my youngest never did it! She eats pistachios, exotic fruits, vegetables (age 3). Doesn't eat bread though . I thought it was luck to be honest!

I thought it coincided with getting molars...