The Pediatric Dietitian

Ep 7. Starting Solids for Infants

In this episode, we cover: * When to start solids (and signs your baby is ready) * Purees vs. baby-led weaning — and why you don’t have to choose * Why staying on purees too long can lead to feeding challenges * The difference between gagging vs. choking (and what to do) * How to introduce allergen foods safely * Why texture exposure is critical for development * How to prevent picky eating early on * Why “kid food” is a modern problem — and what to do instead * The importance of family meals, no screens, and eating together * How your behavior as a parent shapes your child’s eating habits One of the biggest takeaways: Feeding is a skill. And like any skill, it has to be practiced. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s exposure, consistency, and creating a positive environment around food from the very beginning. Resources mentioned: * Solid Starts app (how to safely serve foods by age) * 101 Before One Who this is for: * New parents starting solids * Parents struggling with picky eating * Families wanting to prevent feeding issues early * Anyone confused by conflicting feeding advice online

Ep 6 Picky Eating What's normal, what's not normal, how to prevent it, how to fix it

Is your child a picky eater… or is it something more serious? In this episode of The Pediatric Dietitian Podcast, pediatric dietitians Jen & Danielle break down everything parents need to know about picky eating—what’s normal, what’s not, and when it’s time to seek help. We’re talking real-life strategies (not generic advice) to help you prevent, manage, and even reverse picky eating—without turning mealtimes into a battle. You’ll learn: What normal* picky eating looks like (and why it happens) Red flags that signal a more serious feeding issue When to involve a pediatrician, dietitian, or feeding therapist How to handle food refusal without power struggles Why forcing bites can backfire (even if it “works” short-term) Simple ways to increase food exposure (without pressure) The role of snacks, ultra-processed foods, and family habits Real patient stories—from mild picky eating to severe cases We also share *practical tools you can start using today**, like: ✔️ Balanced meal structure (even when they don’t eat everything) ✔️ How to introduce new foods without resistance ✔️ Why consistency matters more than perfection ✔️ What to do when your child only eats a handful of foods Whether your toddler is throwing broccoli on the floor or your older child refuses entire food groups—this episode will help you feel more confident and less overwhelmed. --- Have a question about your child’s eating? DM us on Instagram: @thepediatricdietitian 🎧 Subscribe for more evidence-based, real-life nutrition guidance for kids #pickyeater #toddlernutrition #kidsnutrition #parentingtips #feedingkids #pediatricdietitian

Ep 5. Childhood Obesity: Practical Tips for Parents (Portions, Snacks, Screens & Routines)

If your child is struggling with obesity and you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated — this episode is for you. In this episode, Jen and Danielle (clinical pediatric dietitians) share real-life, practical strategies to help parents manage childhood obesity without extreme diets, shame, or quick fixes. We talk about what actually works in real families — including: • Why pediatricians often don’t have enough nutrition tools • Why injectables and medications are not the first solution for most kids • How to know the right portion sizes for your kid without food scales • Why kids can overeat healthy foods (yes, even rice and pasta) • How to set boundaries before expecting self-control • Structuring after-school routines to prevent pantry binges • Pre-portioned snack strategies that reduce impulsive eating • How to handle grocery store meltdowns and treat requests • Why routine and consistency are key • How to reduce screen time and increase physical activity (even for non-athletic kids) • Creative exercise ideas for kids who hate team sports • Why “exercise as punishment” backfires • Heavy work and movement strategies for ADHD and neurodivergent kids This is not about putting your child on a diet. This is about changing the environment, building structure, and creating long-term healthy habits as a family. If you’re thinking: “My child keeps overeating.” “They snack constantly.” “They only want packaged foods.” “I don’t know what to do anymore.” You are not alone — and you are not failing. Follow us for evidence-based, practical pediatric nutrition advice: Instagram: @thepediatricdietician #childhoodobesity #howtohelpanoverweightchild #kidsnutrition #pediatricobesity #familyhealth #portioncontrol #screen time #ADHDandnutrition #feedingkids #pediatricdietitian

Ep 4: Childhood Obesity: What’s Actually Causing It (and What Parents Can Do Today)

Childhood obesity isn’t caused by one “bad food” or one parenting mistake. In this episode, Jen + Danielle (UCLA clinical pediatric dietitians) break down why childhood obesity is so common, what’s driving it in real families, and what actually helps—without shame, extremes, or diet culture. We talk about the real-life factors that matter: - Why childhood obesity is multifactorial (culture + portions + lifestyle + environment) - The “whole family” approach (because parents control the food + routine) - How after-school fast food runs create cravings and a vicious cycle - Portion sizes, fast eating, and practical strategies like the 20–30 minute pause before seconds - Screens + low physical activity (and how they impact eating and overeating) - Emotional eating, stress, sleep, and when therapy/support may be part of the plan - Ultra-processed foods, “food science” (hyper-palatable snacks), and why kids stop wanting real food - Hidden sugar everywhere (even “healthy” staples like breads, cereals, and spreads) - Why there are no shortcuts—and how to start with one realistic change at a time - Simple, practical ways to cook more at home (including meal kits as a bridge) If you’re a parent thinking: “My kid is always snacking… won’t eat real meals… wants fast food… hates vegetables… and nothing we try sticks.” This episode gives you a real plan to start changing the pattern—one step at a time. Follow for more evidence-based, real-life kid nutrition tips: Instagram: @thepediatricdietitian #kidsnutrition #pediatricnutrition #ultraprocessedfoods #pickyeating #familymeals #screen time #prediabetes #parentingpodcast

Ep 3: First-Time Parent Feeding Mistakes (and What Actually Helps)

First-time parent feeding advice online can be so misleading — and it can create unnecessary anxiety around bottles, formula ounces, starting solids, choking fears, and what “healthy” really means. In this episode, Jen + Danielle (UCLA clinical pediatric dietitians) break down the most common mistakes we see first-time parents make—not to shame anyone, but to help you avoid the stress spiral and get your baby eating and growing confidently. We cover: Why Instagram/TikTok “rules” can create feeding anxiety (and when to ignore them) The truth about formula ounces (especially for preemies + corrected age) Why bland food and fear of salt can backfire (and the difference between salt used in home cooking vs ultra-processed sodium) Bottle habits that make weaning harder (and why “out of sight, out of mind” works) Why we don’t recommend mixing formula/breast milk into purees (most of the time) Easy ways to add calories the right way: avocado, yogurt, nut butter, eggs, coconut cream, cheese, etc. The “purees only” trap (and why waiting too long to introduce textures can hold babies back) How to reduce choking fear: Solid Starts, food prep tips, CPR/choking classes, and staying calm Why parent anxiety during feeding can affect feeding success, especially in failure to thrive / slow weight gain cases This episode is for parents thinking: “My baby isn’t following the textbook… am I doing something wrong?” You’re not. Let’s make feeding feel simpler and more realistic. 👇 Send us your questions (or your “I wish I knew this earlier” moments). We love turning real parent struggles into real solutions.