The Pediatric Dietitian

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 fe...

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 t...

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 sec...

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 bac...

In this episode, Jen + Danielle (UCLA clinical pediatric dietitians) talk about common nutrition mistakes we see every single day—from both pediatricians and first-time parents. This episode is lighthearted, honest, and educational… but also important. Because some of these well-intentioned recommendations can actually delay progress, worsen feeding issues, or create long-term problems when it comes to growth, weight, and nutrition. We cover: Common nutrition mistakes pediatricians make (and why they happen) When failure to thrive should be taken more seriously—and what parents should watch for Why weight alone is never the full picture Infant formula mistakes that can cause...

When should you actually start focusing on your child’s nutrition—before school? Before sports? When picky eating starts? In this episode, Jen + Danielle (UCLA clinical pediatric dietitians) break down the real answer: start now—and ideally, start before your kids are even born. Because your child’s eating habits don’t begin with them… they begin with the adults in the home. We talk about: Why parents need to be on the same page (and what happens when they’re not) How grandparents and family dynamics can unintentionally sabotage healthy habits—and what to say to set boundaries The biggest reas...