Picky Eater Test: Discover Your Eating Pattern
What is the Picky Eater Test?
The Picky Eater Test is a free, scientifically-designed online assessment that helps you understand your eating patterns and level of food selectivity. This 20-question test evaluates various aspects of your eating behavior, including:
- Food variety and dietary flexibility
- Response to new and unfamiliar foods
- Sensory sensitivities around food
- Anxiety or stress related to eating
- Impact on social eating situations
- Food preferences and aversions
- Personal eating habits and history
- Whether professional help might be beneficial
How the Test Works
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes
Questions: 20 multiple-choice questions
Format: Online, self-paced assessment
Results: Immediate feedback with personalized insights
Test Structure
The test evaluates four main categories:
1. Food Acceptance & Variety
- How many different foods you eat regularly
- Your openness to trying new foods
- Your response to food changes
- Flexibility in food selection
- Restaurant and social eating comfort
2. Sensory Sensitivities
- Texture preferences and aversions
- Response to food smell and appearance
- Preference for mixed versus separated foods
- Temperature and taste intensity preferences
- Visual food presentation importance
3. Emotional & Behavioral Factors
- Anxiety around unfamiliar foods
- Flexibility in food preferences
- Impact on daily life and social situations
- Response to pressure around eating
- Self-perception of eating patterns
4. History & Development
- Childhood eating patterns
- How your food choices have evolved over time
- Family eating history
- Whether you've sought professional help
- Long-term patterns and trends
Understanding Your Results
After completing the test, you'll receive a detailed assessment including:
Your Picky Eater Score
- A numerical score from 0-100
- Your percentile ranking
- Visual representation of your results
- Breakdown by category
Your Picky Eater Level
- Not Picky (Flexible eater)
- Somewhat Picky (Selective but flexible)
- Moderately Picky (Noticeably selective)
- Very Picky (Significantly restrictive)
Personalized Recommendations
- Tailored strategies based on your results
- Specific tips for expanding food choices
- Suggestions for seeking professional help if needed
- Next steps and action items
- Related resources and articles
Related Resources
- Articles matching your eating patterns
- Recipes designed for your dietary preferences
- Tips and strategies from experts
- Community support information
What the Four Result Levels Mean
Not Picky (Score: 51-60)
Your Profile: You have a healthy, adventurous approach to eating with diverse food preferences. You're flexible and open to trying new foods.
Characteristics:
- Eat 20+ different foods regularly
- Open to new food experiences
- Comfortable in diverse eating situations
- No significant food anxieties
- Willing to try different cuisines
- Minimal food-related stress
Recommendations:
- Maintain your open-minded approach to food and continue exploring new cuisines
- Help others expand their food horizons by sharing positive eating experiences
- Consider volunteer opportunities related to food or nutrition education
- Mentor others in food exploration
- Share your positive eating habits with family and friends
Somewhat Picky (Score: 41-50)
Your Profile: You have some food preferences and are selective about certain foods, but maintain reasonable dietary flexibility. You enjoy most foods but may avoid specific types.
Characteristics:
- Eat 10-20 different foods regularly
- Selective but willing to try new options
- Manageable food preferences
- Minor anxiety around certain foods
- Capable of adapting to different situations
- Generally comfortable in most eating situations
Recommendations:
- Gradually try new foods in comfortable settings with supportive people
- Start with small portions of unfamiliar items to reduce anxiety
- Focus on finding similar alternatives to favorite foods
- Practice mindful eating to identify what you truly dislike versus what feels unfamiliar
- Celebrate successful new food experiences
- Keep a food journal to track expanding choices
- Explore cuisines that feature your favorite base ingredients
Moderately Picky (Score: 31-40)
Your Profile: You have noticeable food preferences and avoidances that impact your food choices. You may struggle with expanding your diet and have specific food preferences.
Characteristics:
- Eat fewer than 10 different foods regularly
- Avoid multiple food groups
- Experience anxiety with new foods
- Significant impact on food choices
- Limited comfort with food variety
- Notable sensory preferences
- Social eating can be challenging
Recommendations:
- Work with a nutritionist to ensure adequate nutritional intake despite limited food choices
- Practice exposure therapy with new foods in a low-pressure environment
- Identify common ingredients in foods you enjoy to find similar new options
- Keep a food journal to track preferences and identify patterns
- Consider joining support groups for people with selective eating
- Try food chaining techniques (building on similar foods)
- Explore why specific foods are avoided
- Practice gradual desensitization with small steps
Very Picky (Score: 20-30)
Your Profile: You have significant food selectivity that may impact your nutrition and quality of life. Your food choices are highly limited, and new foods cause anxiety.
Characteristics:
- Extremely limited food variety (fewer than 10 foods)
- Strong food anxiety and avoidance
- Significant sensory sensitivities
- May indicate ARFID or similar disorder
- Substantial impact on social eating
- High stress around mealtimes
- Possible nutritional concerns
Recommendations:
- Seek professional evaluation from a registered dietitian or eating disorder specialist
- Consider cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to address food-related anxiety
- Start with very small, gradual exposures to new foods in a safe environment
- Explore whether your selectivity might be related to ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
- Work with professionals to develop a personalized food expansion plan
- Focus on improving nutritional balance with your current food preferences
- Document your current "safe foods" and their nutritional content
- Consider referral to a feeding therapist or occupational therapist
- Join support communities for similar eating challenges
Why Take This Test?
Understanding Your Eating Patterns
Gain insight into your specific areas of food selectivity and understand whether your eating habits are typical picky eating or something that requires professional attention.
Identifying Specific Areas
The detailed assessment helps pinpoint which aspects of eating are most challenging for you—whether it's texture, variety, anxiety, or something else.
Getting Personalized Guidance
Receive tailored recommendations based on your specific eating patterns, rather than generic advice.
Tracking Progress
Retake the test over time to track whether your food acceptance and variety are improving.
Professional Reference
Your test results can provide helpful information when consulting with nutritionists, therapists, or healthcare providers.
Family Understanding
Share your results with family members to help them better understand your eating patterns and support you appropriately.
Test Accuracy and Reliability
This test is designed based on research in selective eating patterns and food neophobia. While helpful for self-assessment and educational purposes, it:
- Is not a clinical diagnosis
- Should not replace professional medical evaluation
- Can help identify whether professional consultation is recommended
- Provides general guidance and insights
- Complements but doesn't substitute for professional assessment
- Is most accurate when you answer honestly and thoughtfully
Frequently Asked Questions About the Test
Is the test confidential?
Yes, your test results are not stored or shared. Your data is only used to provide your personalized results during your session.
Can I retake the test?
Yes, you can retake the test anytime. This is helpful for tracking progress over time or reassessing your food preferences after making changes.
What if my results don't feel accurate?
If you feel the results don't match your experience, you might consider retaking the test and ensuring you answer honestly. Professional consultation can also provide additional perspective.
How is the scoring determined?
Each answer receives a point value (1-3), with higher points indicating less pickiness. Your total is compared to the scoring scale to determine your level.
Should I be concerned if I score as "Very Picky"?
If your score falls in the "Very Picky" range, it's recommended to consult with a healthcare provider or eating disorder specialist to explore whether professional support would be beneficial. This doesn't necessarily indicate a disorder, but professional guidance can be helpful.
Is this test suitable for children?
This test is designed for older children, teens, and adults who can self-reflect. For younger children, parental observation and professional evaluation are recommended.
Next Steps After Taking the Test
1. Review Your Results
Carefully read your personalized recommendations and insights provided with your results.
2. Explore Related Articles
Visit our resource library for evidence-based strategies related to your eating patterns.
3. Consult if Needed
If your results indicate significant impact on nutrition or functioning, consider consulting a nutritionist or therapist.
4. Make a Plan
Decide on 2-3 actionable steps to gradually expand your food choices or address food-related anxiety.
5. Track Progress
Consider retaking the test in 3-6 months to assess progress and celebrate improvements.
6. Share with Professionals
If consulting healthcare providers, bring your results to discuss your eating patterns.
Resources for Further Support
Professional Consultation
- Registered Dietitian Nutritionist: Ensure your current diet meets nutritional needs and plan dietary improvements
- Therapist or Counselor: Address anxiety, trauma, or psychological factors related to eating
- Feeding Therapist: Work on sensory sensitivities and motor skills (especially for children)
- Gastroenterologist: Rule out medical causes of food avoidance
Support Communities
- Online forums for selective eating
- Local support groups (search in your area)
- Social media communities
- Family support resources
Educational Resources
- Books on picky eating and ARFID
- Articles on food exposure techniques
- Recipes for selective eaters
- Meal planning guides
Ready to Take the Test?
Discover your picky eater level and receive personalized recommendations to help you expand your food choices and overcome food-related anxiety.