Comprehensive Nutrition and Wellness Care

If you have ever worried about your child’s health, eating habits, exercise regimen (or lack thereof), you’ve probably already combed the internet, looking for help. Perhaps you’ve worked with a healthcare professional to help your child get “healthier.”

Despite this, you may find yourself in the same spot as where you started. Or, perhaps a few things have changed, but not to the degree you were hoping for.

The information and advice are out there, but the hardest thing to do is implement it in a way that fits your family and your life.  

To create real transformation for your child and your family, while considering your unique situation.

Let me help your child gain and sustain health, inside and out.

My Pediatric Nutrition Practice Promotes Health and Well-Being

Many of the interventions for children center on changing their size…losing weight or gaining weight, or changing their eating.

But this can send a potentially damaging message to your child! 

Every child can gain health, no matter their size.

And this is my goal.

I focus on gaining health through a whole-child approach that emphasizes and integrates your child’s physical health and emotional well-being.

A Whole-Child Approach to Healthy Habits for Children

After 30+ years as a pediatric dietitian, and having raised four children of my own, I know the risks to a child’s self-esteem and worthiness when we problematize their bodies or their eating. I also understand the potential for health conditions that arise from living a lifestyle of too much screen time, poor sleep and eating habits, and a lack of movement.  

I take a whole-child approach, one that considers a child’s physical health, emotional well-being, and overall development.

When the focus is on a child’s physical appearance (too large, too small, not lean enough, too fat), it may compromise their emotional well-being, unintentionally creating other concerns like poor body image or disordered eating. 

And when we only center their happiness and emotional security, we may ignore the risks that eating habits and other behaviors pose to their physical health. 

We need to pay attention to all of it by keeping a keen eye on:

• Their developmental stage, including cognitive, social, and emotional
• Their growth over time, eating patterns, and habits
• Family interactions around food and eating
• Other health-promoting behaviors like sleep, activity, and screen use 
• Family culture, traditions, food attitudes, and food history
• Any medical concerns and conditions
• Any mental health concerns and conditions

Comprehensive Care for Children and Their Families

I understand the challenges children go through, especially if they’re growing too much or too little, or eating in ways that may compromise their health.

From societal norms and pressure to excel to dealing with peer pressure and bullying, growing up in today’s world makes it very hard for children to feel good about themselves.

When I work with you through my virtual pediatric nutrition practice, I approach your child’s nutrition and lifestyle behaviors comprehensively. 

If you are:

• Worried about your child’s size, because they’re smaller, larger, or growing too fast or too slow
• Frustrated with the eating habits you see your child developing, such as sneaking food, out-of-control eating, or picky eating and skipping meals
• Concerned that lifestyle habits, like screen use, sleep, and physical activity aren’t where they need to be for optimal health
• Dealing with health concerns like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or pre-diabetes
• Want to support a competitive, growing athlete or get a head of dysfunctional eating behaviors
• Concerned about your child’s emotional health due to poor self-esteem, bullying, or other challenges related to their size
• Feeling alone, judged, and overwhelmed with helping your child holistically

Then, I can help.

Nutrition Therapy Personalized for You and Your Child

When you engage my nutrition practice and me as your dietitian, I help you learn a refreshingly new approach to raising a happy and healthy child in the body they’re in. 

No crazy diets. No unrealistic behavior changes. No advice that is out of touch with your reality. 

Just comprehensive care that meets you and your children where you’re at, and considers the strengths and challenges you uniquely face. 

I “hold your hand,” supporting you through ups and downs, building your confidence, and getting you and your children to a better place. 

In other words, I help you transform your reality today into something better for your children and your whole family.

To do this, we:

• Set goals for your children’s growth and health
• Use a whole-child lens, caring for both your children’s physical health and emotional well-being
• Consider all health-building habits: your family dynamics, sleep, movement, food, eating, feeding, screen use, and more
• Develop a whole-family plan for positive lifestyle habits
• Provide accountability through regular appointments, helping you stay on track, and change course if you need to
• Build your confidence, toolbox of strategies, and a path forward

I really enjoyed working with Jill to get my family’s approach and mindset around nutrition on the right track. She helped not only put some clear structure in place to address our immediate issues, but also to shift my perspective as a parent on how to set the whole family up for success in leading a healthy lifestyle with appropriate attitudes toward food. I now feel more informed and empowered to make good choices and remove guilt and shame from the equation.

Stephanie S., mom of two

Jill is expert in what she knows, as a leading pediatric dietitian nutritionist, and that was clear from our first session. More important for our family, and for me, is how she delivers that information. Jill listened to the needs of our family and accompanied us on a journey over several months. She was in tune with what might work, what wouldn’t work, and what we hadn’t yet considered. She brought in curiosity over judgment and will be a continued member of our team of support and guidance. 

LS, Parent of a 6 year old

Why Should You Work with Me?

As a 30+ year career children’s nutritionist, a mom, and a healthcare professional who’s operated two different pediatric nutrition practices exclusively focused on children and families, I have deep knowledge and expertise with children, especially those with larger and smaller bodies.

As the author of six books, including Kids Thrive at Every Size, I make it my business to know the latest research and translate it to help you better.

But “knowing” isn’t the same thing as “doing.” And this is the gap many families fall into.

They know what to do…but it’s the doing that’s tough.

I support:

• Competitive youth athletes
• Children with ADHD
• Children with extra body fat
• Picky eaters (from toddler to children with extreme pickiness)
• Parents who want to have better interactions with their children around food
• Parents who want a better food system in their home
• And more!

Transformation doesn’t happen because you know things. It happens when you overcome the obstacles in your way while striving to meet your goals.

I’m confident that a deep, personal relationship with an experienced pediatric dietitian who is fully committed to cultivating a whole-health approach to wellness for your family can help you make the changes you really want to make – even if they feel hard (or even impossible) right now.

I keep the needs and realities of your children (and family) front and center while supporting, empowering, and keeping you accountable to your goals.

Of course, this takes time. 

What is Your Approach to Nutrition for Kids?

I’m known for my “whole child approach,” focused on lifestyle habits and behaviors as the end-game, not the number on the scale or the number of “healthy” foods your kid eats.

I’ve deeply researched the issues for children, especially those growing up with larger and smaller bodies, including their self-esteem, family culture, and promoting self-love, and I’ve helped families and kids transform their thinking, attitudes, and self-awareness. 

“All of your helpful thinking and education has made my son wise and thoughtful about nutrition.”

~Ann

I purposely run a small, high-touch, pediatric nutrition practice where I can show up fully for a limited number of families who want robust support. I engage the families I work with for an extended period to effectively help them. 

I’ve set up my virtual pediatric nutrition practice to allow us more time together. So I may support you when it gets hard and icky and keep you accountable to your goals, even when you want to give up. 

Whether you engage me for 3 or 6 months or longer, we will get to know each other deeply and work together to create positive lifestyle changes that improve your children’s (and family’s) overall health and well-being.

You can get nutrition and health information anywhere, but personalized support, an implementation plan, and dedicated time with an experienced pediatric dietitian is vital to creating real and lasting changes.

If you want a real transformation and want to consider me as your pediatric dietitian and guide, set up a discovery call with me and let’s see if we’re a good match.

What it Looks Like to Work with Me in My Pediatric Nutrition Practice

Once you become my client, we will set up a 75-minute intake call to review your child’s medical history, growth, development, current challenges, and the goals you want to achieve. 

We will create your ‘working goals’ together and set a timeline to achieve them. 

Of course, you can always add or modify these! Kids change and new things come up all the time – you’ll get flexibility and responsiveness from me to meet your needs.

After our first intake call, you will be free to schedule appointments during my office hours. These are available in 15- or 30-minute sessions, and you may book up to one session per week throughout our time together. 

For a 3-month package, you can book up to 4 sessions a month, or 12 sessions in total with me.

For a 6-month package, you can book up to 4 sessions a month, or 24 sessions in total with me.

This allows us plenty of time to tackle all of your goals and truly transform the health and well-being of your child. 

You can always renew or upgrade your package.

Let me help your child gain health, inside and out.

Frequently Asked Questions About My Nutrition Practice

How much does it cost to work with you?

I offer a 3-month and 6-month retainer to engage my services. You may pay in full at the start of our work together, or pay in monthly installments.

3-month retainer: $1800 (pay in full) or a monthly installment of $625/month x 3 months

6-month retainer:  $3000 (pay in full) or a monthly installment of $550/month x 6 months

*Please note, once you commit to a retainer plan, you are committed to the full payment, even if you decide you’ve met your goals early.

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes, you can pay in 3 or 6 monthly installments. 

Why do you require a long-term commitment?

I offer 3-month and 6-month packages because working with families who are concerned about their child’s health takes time. It’s not a one-and-done deal.

Also, I personally desire meaningful transformation for children and their families, and that comes from a place of trust and connection that’s built over time. 

If you want to transform your child’s health habits, attitudes, and sense of self, you need an invested guide. 

If you just want information, head over to The Nourished Child, my education website for parents.

What nutrition concern would be ideal for a 3-month and 6-month packages?

A 3-month package is ideal for families who have a singular concern, such as toddler picky eating, sports nutrition education, a system for feeding a family, or nutrition rehabilitation for the underweight child.

A 6-month package is ideal for those families detailed above who want more support and accountability, or for those families who have multiple children with various concerns, a child with disordered eating, or for families of larger-bodied (or overweight) children who want to help them become physically and emotionally healthier.

Of course, in our discovery call, we can sort out the right package for you based on your concerns and goals.

Do I need to use all of the sessions?

You can use as many sessions as you feel you need. Some families will use all of them to ensure they’re on track with their goals, touching base each week to tweak or confirm everything is going as planned, or to get their questions answered. 

Other families will transition to monthly or bi-monthly check-ins and intensify appointments when things veer off track, like after a vacation, for instance. 

Although you have a maximum amount of sessions (based on the package you purchase), you are free to manage your time with me as you see fit. 

Because I am only working with a limited number of families at a time, your package guarantees you have access to me when you need or want it and that you have my attention on your family, sharing insights and resources designed for your specific needs

Will my child lose (or gain) weight?

When we work together, our focus will be on helping your child create positive lifestyle habits, not dieting to lose weight. However, in working on these behaviors, you may in fact see physical and, likely, social-emotional changes.  

Cultivating physical health and emotional well-being with positive lifestyle habits will help every child gain health, and that’s the goal.

What is your training?

I have a B.S. in Nutrition Science from Indiana University (Bloomington, 1988); and a Master’s degree in Nutrition with a pediatric focus from the MGH Institute of Health Professions, 1995. I completed my dietetic internship at Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston) in 1990 and became a Registered Dietitian (RD) in 1991.

I am Licensed to practice in Massachusetts (license #LDN6803) and Connecticut (license #001203).

You can read more about me and my work here.

Do you work with teens?

Yes, I do work with teens who are willing and developmentally-ready to engage in the process. I am always careful to ensure my interactions are positive, non-stigmatizing, and teen-involved. Generally, I work directly with teens over 15-16 years of age.

Are you a non-diet dietitian, HAES dietitian, or do you follow the medical treatment of “obesity?”

I am cognizant of the ins and outs of all these approaches and like to think I’m adept at garnering the best of each of these philosophies as I help kids and their families on a personal level. I believe every child and family is unique and has different concerns and needs. I try to meet my clients exactly where they need me to be – protecting and optimizing both their children’s physical health and emotional well-being. 

I’ve spent decades practicing a non-diet approach before the approach even had a name. I’ve never believed that weight loss diets for kids were effective long-term, and I’ve always feared the worst outcomes for families who pursue them – disordered eating or eating disorders. 

But I’ve also cared for children whose health was impacted by their lifestyle behaviors, resulting in medical conditions that needed medical management.

I do my best to take care of the whole child and avoid any judgment or specific agendas for the families with which I work. Rather, we work together to plan a pathway forward that reflects the realities and needs of your children and family for better health, inside and out.

Do you accept insurance?

My pediatric nutrition practice does not accept insurance. I accept payment via Paypal or credit card. I can provide a receipt for services should you want to submit it to your insurance company for reimbursement.

How do we meet and communicate?

We meet virtually on the computer via Practice Better, a secure healthcare platform, and we communicate via a secure digital platform.

Let me help your child gain health, inside and out.