Pediatric Nutrition Counseling and Education

Pediatric Nutrition Counseling, Support, Education

Proper nutrition is the foundation for a healthy, happy and thriving child. At COPA’s Pediatric Center of Excellence, we offer children and their families support with nutrition counseling and education for a wide range of challenges and nutritional issues, from picky eating to gastrointestinal disorders.

Our pediatric registered dietitian, Audrey Hester RD LD, works with parents and children of all ages, from infants to teens. She can assess your child’s growth and nutritional needs, dietary habits and nutritional adequacy, provide nutrition counseling services, and help with meal planning. After the initial nutritional assessment, she can move forward with additional nutrition services and a nutrition plan for your child.

Audrey is also an expert in medical nutrition therapies to treat specific diseases by working with the entire family on intentional eating plans and close monitoring of diets in children with chronic medical conditions. As a pediatric nutrition specialist, she considers the unique needs of every child and encourages healthy choices when it comes to eating.

WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A REGISTERED DIETITIAN?

A medical assessment around the patient’s physical development or behavioral concerns may prompt more discussion about nutrition. The patient’s primary care provider may refer them to see COPA’s pediatric dietitian nutritionist for counseling nutrition services, nutrition education, and nutrition support.

A parent of a child or adolescent patient may also contact Audrey directly through a COPA scheduler to discuss their concerns, child’s clinical nutrition needs, and healthy eating.

The following are just a few examples of conditions that can benefit from nutritional counseling and education.

• Diagnoses of obesity
• Type 1 Diabetes
• Pre-Diabetes
• “Picky” or Selective Eating Habits
• Weight Loss or Gain (Weight Management)
• Disordered Eating
• Digestive Disorders
• Nutritional Deficiency
• Behavioral Hesitancy to Food
• Poor Feeding Tolerance or Feeding Difficulties
• GI Conditions
• Tube Feeding
• Nutrition Therapies for Chronic Illness

If you have any concerns about your child getting the complete nutrition they need, call today and make an appointment to see your provider or Audrey to learn more about nutrition counseling.