Broccoli Boot Camp

Broccoli Boot Camp is a comprehensive guide for parents of children who are selective or picky eaters, and can be used with children with or without special needs (e.g, autism or Down syndrome). It presents commonsense behavioral interventions to successfully expand children's diet variety and preferences for healthy foods.

The book starts with the simple premise that when children are encouraged to taste and consume tiny portions of new foods, repeatedly and with lessening resistance, they learn to accept and enjoy the foods as part of their regular diets. Real-life, compelling case studies and abundant research findings support the authors' advice on how to overcome a child's selective eating. It describes ways to increase compliance, factors to consider when choosing an intervention, and strategies to shape behavior.

Finally, five intervention plans are presented with step-by-step procedures, modifications, and tips on maximizing success. Parents can choose the intervention which works best for their family's circumstances. The book also contains forms to track data, incentives, and meals, and a behavior contract to use with older children. Broccoli Boot Camp gives parents the tools they need to promote healthy eating for their child as well as improve the family mealtime experience!

This second edition includes expanded content throughout the book to address selective eating patterns across a wider range of children, including children diagnosed with conditions such as avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and pediatric feeding disorder. There is also new material on the various medical conditions, such as food allergies and nutrient deficiencies commonly seen in children with selective eating.

The importance of evaluating a child's oral motor skills prior to implementing a plan to improve their diet variety has been expanded and revised as well. References and the supporting research literature cited throughout the book has been meticulously updated. In addition, there are strategies to address a wider range of child behaviors that caregivers may encounter during mealtimes, such as gagging, self-feeding difficulties, and a reliance on devices or television during meals.

While the five step-by-step plans from the first edition remain the same, the new edition provides additional variations, modifications, and adaptations for the plans, which may help your selected plan be more successful.

Lastly, there are two more chapters in the second edition. Chapter 18 focuses specifically on fading or discontinuing a plan. Chapter 21 was developed to guide clinicians and professionals using these plans, and include decision-making models for to aid in selection.