Improving Picky Eating

Empowered Nutrition

Episode Summary

In this episode, we sit down with Kerry Lett, a registered dietitian and certified lactation counselor who specializes in pediatric nutrition, picky eating, food allergies, and maternal health. Kerry offers a wealth of insight on feeding children, from the early stages of introducing solids to navigating picky eating in toddlers and adolescence. They dive into the important differences between feeding neurotypical and neurodivergent children, bust common myths surrounding picky eating, and discuss effective, research-backed strategies for making mealtime a less stressful experience for both parents and kids. Whether you’re a parent with a picky eater or someone interested in child feeding strategies, this episode is packed with practical advice and fresh perspectives

Episode Highlights

• Kerry’s Journey into Pediatric Nutrition
  • Carrie shares her path from wanting to be a pediatrician to becoming a registered dietitian specializing in pediatric and maternal nutrition. She discusses the importance of preventing health issues before they arise, rather than just treating them once they occur, and how she focuses on supporting families through every stage of life.
• The Challenges of Feeding Kids Today
  • The conversation shifts to the common challenges parents face when it comes to feeding their children, especially with the overwhelming amount of conflicting information available online. Kerry explains how parents often feel lost or confused when it comes to starting solids and managing picky eating.
• Picky Eating: Is It Becoming More Prevalent?
  • Kerry discusses the growing trend of picky eating, pointing out that sensory issues and neurodivergence may be contributing factors. She shares insights into why picky eating seems more common today and how societal and environmental changes may be influencing this shift.
• Division of Responsibility in Feeding
  • Kerry explores the "division of responsibility" model popularized by Ellen Satter, where parents are responsible for providing healthy meals, and children are responsible for deciding whether or not to eat. She explains how this framework can be adapted for picky eaters and provides tips on balancing autonomy with structure during mealtime.
• The Role of Sensory Exploration in Feeding
  • Sensory exploration is a key part of Kerry's approach. She emphasizes the importance of letting kids explore food in a non-threatening way, from touching and smelling to playing with food before even thinking about eating it. This helps build familiarity and reduces fear around new foods.
• How to Transition from Purees to Solids
  • Kerry offers advice on introducing solids to babies, explaining that combining purees with baby-led weaning can be a successful approach. She discusses the benefits of both methods and how they can be used together to teach children to enjoy a variety of textures and flavors.
• Handling Picky Eating in Adolescents
  • The conversation wraps up with a look at picky eating in adolescence, a less commonly discussed topic. Kerry talks about the importance of setting boundaries, offering healthy snack options, and guiding teens toward more balanced food choices without controlling their autonomy.

Resources Mentioned

• Kerry Lett’s Practice:
  • Kerry is the founder of Milestones Pediatric and Maternal Nutrition, where she and her team offer personalized nutrition counseling and lactation consulting to help families thrive.
  • Website: Milestones Pediatric and Maternal Nutrition
  • Instagram: @milestonesnutrition
• Books & Approaches Referenced:
  • Ellen Satter's Division of Responsibility: Kerry references Ellen Satter’s model of feeding where parents provide the "what, when, and where" of feeding, while kids decide if and how much to eat.
  • The SOS Approach to Feeding by Dr. Kay Toomey: This multidisciplinary approach is crucial for children with sensory needs, developmental issues, or fear and aversions around food.
  • "From Yuck to Yum" Framework: Kerry shares her personalized approach to feeding based on evidence-based strategies, blending concepts from Satter’s and Toomey’s work.
• Free Resources:
  • Free E-books on Pediatric Feeding, helpful blogs, and more on Kerry's website for parents looking for support on picky eating, child nutrition, and feeding strategies.

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