Pediatric Nutrition

Pediatric Nutrition

Are you or the doctor concerned​ that your child’s weight may be affecting his/her health?

Are you worried about your child’s eating habits but unsure where to begin?

Have you started to dread mealtimes because your children are so picky?

A heartwarming scene showing a family having breakfast together at a table, with the mom pouring juice for her son

We Help You Get Rid of Guilt

Many parents feel paralyzed, fearing they will give their kids “food issues” by talking about food.

It feels wrong, as a parent, to let your child go hungry,  even as a result of being picky, so we bend over backwards to serve something they will eat.

Sometimes children are teased at school about their weight, and parents don’t want to make them feel worse.

Some parents carry the guilt of knowing they have passed their poor eating habits onto their children.

A cheerful image of a smiling girl

Our Focus is Health​

At Free State Nutrition, we take every family member’s needs into account. We carefully explain what the roles and responsibilities of parents and children are when it comes to eating and feeding.

With a focus on health (not weight), we work with families to make the changes needed to get on the path to better eating without causing stress at mealtimes by getting buy-in from everyone in the household.

Two children joyfully mixing ingredients in a large mixing bowl

Happier & Healthier

Our gentle approach helps parents address behaviors such as sneaking food, tantrums, food refusal, and power struggles at mealtimes. We will provide all the support you need to get everyone in the family on their way to healthier, sustainable habits, positive body image, and a healthy relationship with food.

Signs You Should Consider Scheduling an Appointment

My child is a picky eaterExpand

If you have a picky eater at home you know how stressful mealtimes are. Free State Nutrition can help you navigate mealtimes, decrease the stress level, and work on ways to get them to try new food.

Picky eating is very normal in toddlers and preschoolers, but if it continues, getting support from a professional might be necessary.My child is teased about their weightExpand

If you or your child’s doctor has concerns about their weight or growth, we can perform a comprehensive assessment to determine how to proceed. It is important to remember that all kids are different and so is their growth. Some kids are healthy in larger bodies, some in smaller bodies. A registered dietitian will assess their intake, food environment, etc.

I strongly recommend not discussing your child’s weight with their doctor in front of them. If you have concerns about your child’s weight, try to have that conversation separately and then come up with a plan. Weight can be a very sensitive topic for anyone, and we want to prevent insecurities in our kids around their bodies.My child has nutrient deficienciesExpand

If your child’s doctor identifies a nutrient deficiency (vitamin or mineral), Free State Nutrition can help you get things back on track. Iron deficiency and low vitamin D are the most common nutrient deficiencies in children.

Low iron is especially common in toddlers who are drinking too much milk/milk alternatives, but can happen at any age. A pediatric dietitian can help advise you on the best foods (and or supplements) to include to get your child’s levels back to normal.My child is a young athleteExpand

If you have a child athlete, getting proper nutrition is key to performance, recovery, and optimal growth. Because kids are growing so rapidly, their nutrition is especially important with high physical activity levels. Finding a dietitian who specializes in working with kids AND athletes is key.My child has food allergiesExpand

If your child has food allergies they may be missing out on key nutrients by eliminating foods from their diet. Free State Nutrition can help ensure they are getting those nutrients from other sources. Milk protein allergy is a common one and finding the right milk alternatives can help.Sneaking food, tantrums, and moreExpand

There are many other reasons to see a pediatric dietitian, not reviewed in this post. If you have any concerns with your child’s growth, diet, or nutrition, talk with their pediatrician about getting a referral, or read below for additional ways to find a pediatric dietitian.

How Free State Nutrition Can Help:

  • Provide general healthy eating advice.
  • Provide tips and strategies for packing healthy school lunches.
  • Help establish and maintain a healthy feeding relationship and positive body image.
  • Prepare a balanced eating plan for healthy growth and development.
  • Educate families on how much food children of certain ages need to eat to be healthy.
  • Develop tips and strategies for dealing with picky eaters.
  • Help manage various dietary and digestive conditions (food allergies, sensitivities, intolerances).
  • Generate healthy and delicious recipes based on foods young kids enjoy or prefer eating, if desired.
  • Offer alternative (nutritious) substitutions for favorite foods.
  • Provide nutritious meal options for the whole family.
  • Provide tips on how to get children involved in the kitchen.
  • Provide nutritional counseling for young athletes that coincides with the given sporting discipline.

Ready to Get Started?

Schedule your free introductory call with our expert dietitian. Your journey to a healthier, happier you begins today! BOOK NOW