If you’re a parent navigating picky eating, gut issues, or the confusing world of kids’ nutrition… and your search history looks like “pediatric dietitian for picky eaters” or “constipation nutrition for toddlers,” you’re not alone.

Feeding your child shouldn’t feel like walking a tightrope. But when you're dealing with limited food variety, constipation, or low appetite, the pressure builds fast, and the advice out there doesn’t always help. Maybe you’ve tried prune pouches, Instagram tips, or every smoothie hack in the book… and your gut still says something isn’t right.

Modern parenting comes with a constant stream of advice. Some helpful, much of it overwhelming (and conflicting!). And when your child’s eating habits don’t look like anyone else’s, it’s hard to know what’s normal or when to step in.

This is where working with a pediatric dietitian can make all the difference.

What Is a Pediatric Dietitian (and Why It Matters)

A pediatric dietitian is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with specialized training in children’s health, growth, gut function, and feeding development. We understand how nutrition, digestion, sensory needs, and behavior intersect — and we know how to support children who don’t fit the mold.

At Nourished Pediatrics, we go even deeper. We work with kids who:

Eat fewer than 10 foods — and the list is shrinking
Struggle with chronic constipation — even with Miralax
Crash after meals, skip breakfast, or rely on milk for calories
Are in feeding therapy, or unsure if they need it but something feels off
“Look fine” on paper — but aren’t thriving in real life

Picky Eating Isn’t Always What It Seems

Many of our clients are thoughtful, proactive parents. They’ve tried all the right things — supplements, sensory strategies, Pinterest meals — and still feel stuck.

That’s because picky eating is often a symptom, not the whole story.

If your child is always constipated, low on energy, or never hungry, no amount of food exposure will help. Their body might not feel safe or regulated enough to eat.

That’s why we look beneath the surface — at digestion, nutrient status, and nervous system regulation. Because if a child’s gut is inflamed and their zinc or iron is low, even familiar foods can feel overwhelming.

Constipation Nutrition: What Most Providers Miss

Constipation isn’t just a bathroom issue. It can affect appetite, behavior, sleep, and willingness to eat. If your child hasn’t had a comfortable poop in days, their body will protect itself by shutting down hunger and resisting new foods.

You might have already been told to “add more fiber” or try another laxative. When that doesn’t work, it’s easy to feel stuck.

This is where a pediatric dietitian trained in constipation nutrition becomes essential. We look at motility, hydration, microbiome health, fiber type, and micronutrient status. Then we build a plan that gently supports the gut, and by extension, the nervous system and feeding relationship.

Feeding Therapy Is Powerful, But Sometimes It’s Not Enough

Feeding therapy is a vital resource, and we often work alongside amazing therapists. But when a child is dysregulated or undernourished, even the best therapy can stall.

That’s where working with a pediatric dietitian fills in the gaps.

We don’t replace feeding therapy - we reinforce it by supporting the internal systems that allow kids to engage, explore, and eat more comfortably. When we address constipation, inflammation, and nutrient deficiencies, therapy often becomes more effective.

Many of the families we support are also in feeding therapy, or working with a therapist. We don’t replace those roles; we reinforce them. Our job is to support what’s going on internally so your child can show up to therapy regulated, nourished, and ready. When we address constipation, inflammation, and nutrient deficiencies, therapy often becomes more effective.

You’re Not “Doing It Wrong”. You’re Just Missing the Missing Piece

You’ve likely heard that your child needs more calories, or more exposures, or more patience. But here’s what’s often left out:

Nutrition isn’t just about what’s on the plate - it’s about what’s happening inside.

We look at:

How your child digests and absorbs food
Whether their body feels nourished enough to regulate
Whether gut and brain are working together to support consistent intake
How micronutrients like iron, zinc, and magnesium are impacting their appetite, sleep, and mood

This is the kind of evidence-based, root-cause work pediatric dietitians do every day.

What It’s Like to Work With a Pediatric Dietitian at Nourished Pediatrics

There’s a lot of information out there about kids’ nutrition, and if you’re like most parents we work with, you’ve already tried a lot of it. You’ve saved the tips, followed the Reels, added a few new supplements, maybe even adjusted your mealtime routines… and still, your child isn’t making the progress you hoped for.

That’s where pediatric nutrition support can make a meaningful difference, especially when it’s rooted in the full picture.

At Nourished Pediatrics, we specialize in helping families navigate feeding challenges with a more complete, clinically-informed approach. Our work goes beyond meal plans and food exposure strategies. When your child is dealing with picky eating, constipation, or isn’t growing as expected, we focus on what’s happening underneath.

Here’s what that looks like:

A whole-child lens. We consider digestion, sleep, nutrient status, gut health, growth patterns, and even nervous system regulation: all of which impact appetite and feeding.
Evidence-based guidance. Everything we recommend is grounded in clinical training and current pediatric nutrition research.
Individualized planning. Every child and every family is different. We develop nutrition plans that support your child’s needs and your family’s routines, especially when constipation or limited eating make things more complex.
Support without pressure. We don’t believe in blame, shame, or unrealistic expectations. Our goal is to help you understand what’s going on, and make mealtimes feel more manageable -and less stressful- over time.

When families begin working with a pediatric dietitian, they often feel a sense of relief. Not just because they’re getting help, but because the pieces finally start making sense.

Whether your child is struggling with variety, intake, constipation, appetite, or you're just not sure what’s “normal” anymore, we’re here to help you find clarity and next steps you can trust.

Who We Help

We work with families navigating:

Picky eating and feeding disorders (including ARFID & PFD)
Constipation and gut health concerns (SIBO, CSID)
Poor growth, low appetite, low food variety
Food allergies and intolerances
Nutrient deficiencies (and supplement confusion)
Tube feeding, reflux, and complex medical needs

You Don’t Need to Wait for It to Get Worse

If you’ve ever left a pediatrician appointment feeling dismissed...If you’ve ever sat on the couch at 10 p.m., scrolling through feeding therapy hashtags… Or found yourself rereading the same toddler nutrition Reddit comment thread, wondering if your child’s food refusal is “normal”...

You don't have to wait for things to get “bad enough” to get support.

At Nourished Pediatrics, you don’t need a referral, a formal diagnosis, or months of back-and-forth with insurance. We're an out-of-network practice - which means there’s no red tape, no approvals, and no delays. If you’re ready for answers, you can get started as soon as tomorrow.

We work directly with families, so we can move quickly, personalize everything, and spend time where it matters most: digging into the root causes and helping your child feel safe, nourished, and supported.

Let’s figure this out together - not with guilt or guesswork, but with clarity, clinical insight, and a clear path forward.

➡️ Ready for real answers?

Book your initial evaluation with a pediatric dietitian today and take the first step toward less stress, better digestion, and more nourishing meals.

Why Every Family Deserves a Pediatric Dietitian on Their Team