How to Introduce Cauliflower to Toddlers When I suggest trying cauliflower in feeding therapy, parents explain that they have attempted it before and their kids didn’t like it. In my experience, their refusal is usually due...
How to Introduce Sweet Potato to Toddlers The autumn harvest brings a variety of mouthwatering produce for our Thanksgiving meal. Family favorites are pumpkin, squash, kiwi, apples, pears and, of course, sweet potatoes! To get the best...
How to Introduce Pumpkin to Toddlers A pumpkin is more than a Halloween decoration; it is a surprisingly delicious fruit! Yup, pumpkin belongs in the fruit family along with melons, cucumbers and squash. This fruit has...
Lunch Packing Ideas for Parents It’s September, and back to school lunch packing STILL seems to be the hot topic with parents I work with. They tell me it is their biggest stressor of the...
Introducing Purees Parents oftentimes come to me to help them safely transition their baby from breast (or bottle) to puree foods. Here are a few of the tips I provide in feeding...
How to Introduce Pomegranates to Toddlers Pomegranates are such a beloved fall and winter food because they pack so much taste, nutrition and color with just a few sprinkles of its dark red seeds. Here are...
After School Fruit Snacks It’s back to school time! I oftentimes see kids for in-home feeding therapy right after the bell rings, and they are starving for that after-school snack! Here are a few...
How to Introduce Figs to Toddlers Figs are one of the first plants to be cultivated by humans. Children have been eating figs for over 11,000 years, yet I don’t meet a lot of toddlers who...
Fourth of July Picnic Foods Whether you celebrate in your backyard or at your favorite park for the firework display, you can keep your toddler engaged this holiday with these easy Fourth of July picnic...
Celebrating National Grilling Month with Toddlers Nothing screams summertime like grilling outside…and the month of July kicks off National Grilling Month. But we know that adding meat or any kind of protein to your toddler’s food...
Fathers are Fantastic Feeders Too! This Father’s Day lets applaud the other fantastic feeder in a child’s life…dad! Dads play a meaningful role in influencing their children’s food preferences and shaping their feeding routine. Studies...
How to Introduce Green Beans to Toddlers This week we are introducing green beans! This veggie is a great source of vitamins A, C, and K, plus folate and fiber. And they have a little protein too!...
How to Introduce Celery to Toddlers When most of us think of eating celery, we usually think of dieting, which makes celery not much fun! It’s true; celery is incredibly low in calories, and parents who...
It's Time To Ditch the Tray! As a Speech Language Pathologist and Feeding Specialist, I have to observe the child and the entire family when it comes to feeding and eating. Three of the most important...
Toddler Taste Challenge: Green Foods Since March is National Nutrition Month and St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, this is a great time to focus on new green tastes! Not surprisingly, green is...
How to Introduce Chard to Toddlers Chard is one of my go-to veggies because I get it in my CSA during the fall and at the farmer’s market from September to June! If you are unfamiliar...
“Lettuce” Introduce Lettuce Research shows that lettuce is the primary veggie adults consume; for some, it’s the only veggie they eat! On average, an American adult eats about 33 pounds of lettuce per...
How to Introduce Broccoli to Toddlers Broccoli is a nutritious veggie most parents want their toddler to eat (it is loaded with vitamins and protein too!). But it’s also a vegetable parents usually don’t model eating....
Feeding Toddlers: Nudge Don’t Judge I work with a lot of parents on how to feed their children and encourage picky eaters to eat, and I hear about the internal struggle of wanting your kid...
How to Introduce Persimmons to Toddlers Growing up in a military family meant I traveled a lot as a kiddo. I spent most of my younger years in Japan, where I was exposed to Japanese culture...
Introducing Solids with the Mini Mat Are you getting ready to introduce solid foods to your baby? This is an exciting time for both parents and baby! To prepare for a safe and fun feeding transition,...
Feeding Tips for the Glorious Carrot! Carrots are a nutritious veggie that your kids can enjoy year round, but especially during the holidays! And, because of their vibrant orange color, carrots are a great vegetable for...
Toddlers and Novelty Getting toddlers to eat consistently at mealtime can be a tedious task. One day they love a food, and the next day, total food refusal with a tantrum to boot....
Toddler Emotions at Mealtimes Sometimes a toddler doesn’t have problems with food, it’s their feelings about food that causes the hesitation at mealtime. A child who becomes emotional when two foods touch each other...