Want to raise

a good eater?

A woman and a young boy having breakfast together at a kitchen table with croissants, apples, and orange juice.

Raising adventurous eaters doesn’t happen by accident.

There are proven strategies to put you on a path to happy, stress-free family meals and good nutrition habits to last a lifetime.

Have a picky eater?

A stepwise, individualized program can help reset and reframe habits. It’s possible to undo picky eating and restore peace to the dinner table!

The Dinnertime Doctor in blue scrubs with a stethoscope around her neck.
Illustration of a cooking pot with a lid and two handles.

Hi, I’m Christina, the Dinnertime Doctor.

Are you a new parent wondering what to feed your child?

I’m a pediatrician who is also board certified in preventive medicine. I’m passionate about helping families avoid mealtime battles and find a path to open-minded eating.

Over my 2o+ years practicing pediatrics and public health, I honed specific skills and collected evidence that I have translated into easy-to-follow, actionable guidance. It’s incredibly difficult to reverse course once picky eating develops.

An ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure!

Did you know?

🥕One in three parents report having a picky eater.

🥕 Eating habits can be learned — starting with baby’s first bites!

🥕 Just 10% of kids get their daily recommended servings of vegetables.

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Benefits of raising a good eater

You CAN do it, I can help

Proven strategies for raising great eaters from a pediatrician mom.

Mealtime battles. Power struggles over food choices. Cooking separate meals for picky eaters.

It doesn’t have to be this way!

My tailored, personal approach to teaching best practices and simple, practical tips make mealtimes fun, positive, and enjoyable for years to come!

Silhouette of a fork, spoon, and knife on a yellow circular background

Client Testimonials

  • “My coaching session with Christina completely transformed the way I approach food with my 3-year-old. She gave me the exact language I’d been missing to encourage more adventurous eating—and to gently shift the focus from constant snacking to mealtimes. One simple tip she shared even got my whole family eating vegetables before dinner (and actually enjoying it!).”

    Christy, Denver, CO

  • “As busy parents, we're always looking for practical ways to make mealtime both healthy and enjoyable for our entire family, and Dinnertime Doctor nails it. Highly recommend to any family wanting to bring more curiosity, confidence, and joy to mealtime!.”

    Shannon, Ft. Collins, CO

  • I have a son who was a very picky eater, and I desperately went to Christina for help. Since we implemented her suggestions, there have been considerably less meltdowns at the kitchen table. There are no more separate meals for each person for dinner and we are finally introducing some vegetables! Thank you Dr. Nelson for all of your help!

    Mike and Mayra, Ft. Collins, CO

It’s not rocket science!

A young girl with blond hair and a white shirt, smiling while holding a large slice of watermelon near her face.

Did you know that parents need to start early to teach healthy habits, reduce the risk of food allergies, and prevent picky eating – ideally before their child turns 2?

Many expecting or new parents promise themselves:

“We won’t let our kid be a picky eater! I won’t be making separate meals for my kid!”

But they don’t quite have the tools. And guess what? Fast forward to a few years later, and their mealtimes are ruled by pleading parents, kid refusals, and frustration. 

It doesn’t have to be this way!

There are evidence-based, tried-and-true methods to raise great eaters and avoid these struggles. These habits are easy to remember and implement…but many parents just don’t have the know-how.  

Have you ever wondered why some kids magically become good eaters in elementary school, while others refuse to even look at a vegetable?

It’s not luck. And it’s not rocket science.

Common-sense approaches, consistency, and recognizing and avoiding some traps of our society will put you on a healthy, stress-free road to happy family meals and open-minded eaters.

There’s lots of advice out there, but how do you wade through it?

Some advice is good, some is worthless and misguided. The internet abounds with coaches, guides, and videos for desperate parents on dealing with picky eating among kids.

As a pediatrician, public health expert, and mom of two healthy, adventurous eaters, I have collected and curated the evidence on what works and what doesn’t.

Most pediatricians don’t have the time or resources to explain in detail how to avoid picky eating and create healthy family meal dynamics.

Moreover, pediatricians are so busy absorbing information on all the health needs of kids – from vaccines to bedwetting to strep throat – that they can’t keep up with the latest evidence on preventing or managing picky eating.

An ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure.

And if you already have a picky eater in your family – don’t worry, help is here!

I will provide a tailored, personal approach to teach best practices to young families – making mealtimes fun, positive, and enjoyable for years to come!

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Digital illustration of a red bell pepper with green stem.
Illustration of fresh spinach leaves with green stalks.

Who I can help

SAFE,
    NON-JUDGMENTAL    
TECHNIQUES

Woman in pink dress holding a newborn baby wrapped in white blanket

  • It’s not too early to start your baby on the right path for healthy eating! What you eat helps your baby learn new flavors and can reduce the risk of allergies.

A happy family with a bearded man, a woman, and a young child, all smiling and hugging each other.

  • These early years are critical for raising adventurous eaters. Plus, specific time windows are best for introducing potential allergens – starting certain foods at the wrong time can backfire and lead to allergies.

An adult woman in a green dress holding hands with a young boy in a white shirt and brown shorts.

  • Children have specific preferences by now but are still very malleable. Best practices and coaching can help guide their choices, cultivate an open mind, and foster mealtime harmony.

A woman and a man holding hands with a young girl between them, all smiling, standing together.

  • If your child has become a picky eater, it’s not too late to steer them in a better direction! Proven strategies will help reduce mealtime battles and empower children and their parents to have a healthy, happy relationship with food.

READY TO START?

A cheerful cartoon boy with brown hair, wearing a turquoise shirt with a white star, and carrying a brown backpack, waving with a big smile.
Cartoon illustration of a reusable shopping bag labeled 'Farmers Market' filled with smiling vegetables, including a pumpkin, beet, and broccoli.