Hi there! I’m Christina Nelson, aka the Dinnertime Doctor, a pediatrician in Ft. Collins, Colorado, who is also board certified in preventive medicine. I am passionate about helping families find a path to adventurous eating and avoid mealtime battles! 

As a young mom, I wanted to do right by my children but often worried about what to feed them and how to avoid picky eating. I dove into the latest research and learned from the best and brightest in the field.

Over the span of 20+ years practicing pediatrics and public health, I honed specific skills to collect and review evidence and translate it into actionable guidance that is easy to understand. There’s a lot of helpful research out there, but it can be very difficult for parents to adopt it to meet their needs.

Borrowing from other cultures

I also lived and worked in numerous countries including Peru, England, and Argentina. I learned a great deal by being a keen observer of other cultures and parenting styles, talking to parents of good eaters, and noting how various approaches lead to vastly different outcomes.

Why is it that many American kids only want buttered noodles and chicken nuggets, while other kids from certain groups or cultures readily eat what's on their plate?

It’s not magic – it’s simple but essential differences in parenting and relationships with food. 

During get-togethers and mealtimes with family and friends, I watched with sadness as parents pleaded with their kids to take “one more bite” and became visibly more frustrated as the minutes ticked by. Some fellow parents were also stuck making separate meals for their children instead of socializing and relaxing during meals with us. Power struggles were frequent, and guess what? Kids can easily win when food and mealtimes turn into battles.

“Hungry” for knowledge

I realized that parents want the best for their children and have good intentions, but they often use strategies that actually backfire. Friends often reached out to me for advice on what they could and should feed their children, and it became clear that they were “hungry” for information! 

My careful research and diligence paid off – I’ve raised two sweet boys who eat a rainbow of foods and like to try new things.

I recognize there is a need to share easy-to-follow, evidence-based tips for parents who want to help their kids become happy, courageous eaters. I was inspired to create Dinnertime Doctor to do just that!

Sincerely,

Christina