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Best food for weight gain in toddlers and kids

Best Foods for Weight Gain in Toddlers & Kids to Support Healthy Growth

If you have a toddler or kid at home who struggles to gain weight, you might feel stress and pressure to get them to eat. In my experience working with ...
Iron rich foods for picky eaters

Top Iron-Rich Foods for Picky Eaters (Todders & Kids)

Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in kids. Picky eaters, especially those who refuse whole food groups (like meat, beans and legumes) are at higher risk ...
Best Protein Powder For Kids

Best Protein Powder for Kids (Top Picks from a Pediatric Dietitian)

If you have kids at home, especially if they tend to be picky eaters, you’ve probably wondered more than once if they were getting enough protein. You might have also ...

Pediatric Dietitian Services: Jessica Gust, MS, RDN

Hey there, I'm Jessica Gust, Pediatric Dietitian/child nutritionist, and founder of Element Nutrition Kids. If you struggle with how your kids eat, you are not alone, feeding kids is hard ...
Best yogurt for babies 6 months to 1 year

Best Yogurt for Babies: 6 months to 1 year (& beyond)

When you’re getting ready to start your baby on solids, there are so many things to think about. I remember my first time starting solids with my oldest like it ...
Bentgo Lunch Box Ideas

Bentgo Lunch Box Ideas for Kids (Picky Eater Approved)

I have a love/hate relationship with packing lunches in my house, I love knowing that I am sending my kids to school with nourishing foods for their growing bodies, but ...
Vegetables for picky eaters

Top Vegetables for Picky Eaters (Plus 5 Ways to Increase Intake)

If you have a picky eater at home (or any kid for that matter), they likely are not eating a whole lot of vegetables. According to a 2021 study by ...
Natural remedies for constipation in kids

Natural Remedies for Constipation in Kids

Having a constipated kid is one of the more unpleasant experiences in parenthood. Constipation is uncomfortable for them, and as a result, is uncomfortable for you. Luckily, whether they are ...
Toddler throwing food

Throwing Food: Why Toddlers Do It & How to Stop It

If you have (or have had) a toddler, you know all too well how frustrating it is to see them throwing food. I mean, do we need one more thing ...
Food before one is just for fun myth-baby getting messy while eating

Food Before One Is Just For Fun: Feeding Myth

Inside this article: The saying “food before one is just for fun” is one of the most commonly thrown around terms in the feeding baby world. However, this term is ...
Kid Eating a Bedtime Snack

Best Bedtime Snacks for Toddlers & Kids (10 easy ideas)

Inside this article: If you’ve ever wanted to pull your hair out after hearing “Mom, can I have a snack” five minutes after you cleaned up the kitchen from dinner, ...
Mom cooking breakfast for toddler

Toddler Breakfast Ideas For Busy Mornings

Inside this article: Mornings with toddlers can be hectic, yet breakfast is a key part of their day. This article will cover my favorite toddler breakfast ideas for busy mornings, ...
Plate with high protein foods for picky eaters

High Protein Foods For Picky Eaters (25+ Healthy Ideas)

Inside this article: If you’ve ever wondered if your kid is getting enough protein in their diet, or if you simply need some protein ideas for a picky eater, you’ve ...
Baby eating dissolvable solids teething cracker

Dissolvable Solids For Baby-When to Serve Them

Inside this article: Easily transition your baby through the starting solids process from purees to table foods using dissolvable solids as a gateway. Here I’ll review what dissolvable solids are ...
Toddler eating oatmeal

3 Easy Recipes For Constipation In Toddlers

Having a constipated toddler is not a fun thing to experience, yet it is one of the most common issues in the early years. Because of this, parents are often ...
Baby and Toddler Eating Yogurt

Probiotic Foods for Kids: What to Serve & When to Supplement

Probiotics have been a hot topic for a while. You might be wondering if your kid needs probiotics and how to even get probiotic foods into your kids. Getting kids ...
Image of the top baby food allergens

Baby food allergens-when and how to offer them

Starting your baby on solid foods is a huge milestone, it can be super exciting, but also pretty scary. In this post, I'll walk you through everything you need to ...

Crockpot chicken fajitas-kid friendly

I have been all about crockpot meals lately, but I'm also very particular about the types of crockpot recipes I use. For me, any recipe I follow needs to be ...

Healthy drinks for kids-new guidelines for parents

Many parents are surprised that one of the first things I talk about when they come into my office is beverage choices. I generally go through a list of “how ...

30 balanced school lunch ideas for kids

Every year right around September, my phone starts to ring like crazy. Kids are headed into the doctor's office for their back to school physicals and the referrals start pouring ...

Milk vs. milk alternatives for toddlers & kids

One of the most common topics that come up in my office and on my social media feed is milk, particularly when milk alternatives for toddlers. This is a popular ...
picky toddler won't eat

Toddler won't eat? Here is what you can do

A few weeks ago I had a mama in my office who was very stressed about her 3-year-old daughter who "wouldn't eat anything." She had been trying everything she could ...
Plate of food for baby led weaning

The best baby led weaning foods to start with

One of the most common questions I get from parents when they are getting ready to start solids is about the best baby led weaning foods to start with. Baby ...
Baby eating broccoli using the baby led weaning method

Baby-led weaning vs. traditional-which is best?

A few years ago I started getting lots of questions from parents about baby-led weaning. While this isn't a "new" method of feeding, it is "newer" (in the past 5-10 ...
signs your baby is ready for solids

Signs your baby is ready for solids

Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend introducing solids or complementary feeding around 6 months when you see signs baby is ready for solids. Being ...

No added sugar energy bites for kids

I talk a lot about added sugar when I am working with families. This is mostly because kids are getting way too many added sugars in their diet. That is ...
Image of child eating ice cream

Recommended daily sugar intake-How much should my kids have?

Added sugar and kids As parents, we are constantly bombarded by all the things we have to know to raise our kids. Sleep schedules, car seat safety, choking risks, potty ...

Easy Pancake Recipe-Just 4 Simple Ingredients

My favorite way to make pancakes more nutritious is to make them from scratch and this super easy pancake recipe is exactly that! I recently posted this recipe on Instagram ...

Orange creamsicle smoothie for kids

Whenever I am working with families, the smoothie question always comes up. With. Out. Fail. Parents always what to know the best smoothie for kids. While there isn't a "best" ...
Fruit and veggies for picky eaters

Eat the rainbow-For picky eaters

The best part of a good rainstorm is always the beautiful rainbow at the end. There is something about the vibrant colors that bring life back into the world after ...
healthy kids cereal

Is cereal healthy-What are the best choices for kids?

This is by far the most frequently asked question I get in my office. Why? well first, it is super convenient, so parents love it. Second, many are pretty sweet, ...

Carrot apple muffin recipe-kid-friendly, mom-approved

Have you been searching for simple breakfast and snack ideas your kids will enjoy? Then this is the recipe for you! This carrot apple muffin recipe is super easy to ...

Simple Salmon Burritos

These simple salmon burritos are a unique twist on the traditional burrito. A great way to expose your children to fish in a unique way! Salmon is also a good ...

Contact

Jessica Gust, MS, RDN
P 805.550.1724 F 805.476.1435
[email protected]
405 E. Branch St. #102 Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

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