When to See a Pediatric Dietitian, St. Louis Area Nutritionist Tips

29 Jul When to See a Pediatric Dietitian – Tips from St. Louis Area Nutritionist

Posted at 10:00h in Body Image Dietitian, Child Nutritionist, Disordered Eating Treatment, Eating Disorders in Teens, No-Diet Dietitian by BranzNC_2025

Back-to-School Nutrition: When to See a Pediatric Dietitian

As kids head back to school, families often find themselves settling (or scrambling!) into new routines and food is usually at the center of it all. Whether it’s the daily lunchbox struggle, a kid who suddenly stops eating breakfast, or new comments coming home from the cafeteria, back-to-school season often brings food challenges to the surface.

If you’ve ever wondered “Is this something we should just ride out… or should we talk to someone?” You are not alone.

Let’s talk about when it might be helpful to work with a pediatric dietitian, and how we approach this from a supportive, non-judgmental, weight-inclusive lens.

What does a pediatric dietitian do?

At Branz Nutrition Counseling, our pediatric dietitians support kids, teens, and families in creating a positive, pressure-free relationship with food. We’re not the food police. We don’t hand out meal plans or lecture about carbs.

Instead, we look at the whole picture, helping families find what works based on a child’s needs, preferences, medical history, and home dynamics. And we do it without moralizing food or focusing on weight.

Signs and Behaviors to Look Out For — Reasons Your Child Should See a Child Nutritionist

You don’t need a diagnosis or referral to see a pediatric dietitian, but there are a few common reasons families reach out, especially this time of year:

Your child is skipping meals or not eating at school

Kids may lose interest in lunch because of sensory overload, anxiety, peer dynamics, or body image concerns, and back-to-school can amplify all of that.

Mealtimes are becoming stressful

Whether it’s constant negotiating, sneaking, meltdowns, or power struggles, feeding your child shouldn’t feel like a daily battleground.

They’re constantly tired, cranky, or “off”

Low energy, mood swings, or trouble focusing can be linked to inconsistent nutrition, especially if your child isn’t eating much during the day.

They’re extremely selective or anxious around food

If your child is eating a very limited range of foods (or their preferences seem to be shrinking), a dietitian can help build safety around trying new foods without pressure.

You’re noticing signs of disordered eating

If your child or teen is suddenly overly focused on “healthy” or “clean” eating, starts skipping meals, avoids certain foods, or expresses guilt or fear around eating, these may be early signs of disordered eating, even if they aren’t underweight.

They’re coming home with concerning comments

It’s common for kids to hear things at school like “that’s bad for you” or “you’ll get fat if you eat that.” If your child starts expressing fear or shame around food or their body, that’s a great time to reach out, not just to “fix the food,” but to support their relationship with eating and self-image.

How We Approach Pediatric Nutrition at Branz

We use a non-diet, weight-inclusive, Intuitive Eating approach. That means:
We focus on how a child eats, not just what they eat
We support body trust, not food rules
We collaborate with the whole family
We work with parents to reduce stress and pressure around meals
We can screen for early signs of eating disorders or refer to a full care team when needed
We build practical strategies, whether that’s lunchbox ideas, safe foods for ARFID, or helping a teen challenge food fears

We also recognize the harmful impact of weight stigma, especially in school settings, and we help families navigate these issues with compassion and clarity.