Beth Conlon, PhD, RDN

PhD Clinical Investigation @einsteinmed | Adjunct Prof | Owner From the Start Nutrition - Pediatric & Family Nutrition | Mom of 4 💙 + 1 Aussie 🐶

[Beth Conlon, PhD, RDN @fromthestartrdn]

The Science of Hyperpalatable Toddler Snacks 🧬🍪

Why toddlers never seem full on snack puffs or crackers: 🥨

Industrial processing strips away chewing resistance, allowing kids to eat ultra-processed carbs so quickly that gut fullness hormones (CCK, GLP-1) don't have time to signal satiety.

Restore satiety by pairing processed snacks with crunchy whole foods like apple wedges 🍎 or cucumber slices 🥒

https://t.co/P9AsTDSB9N

[Beth Conlon, PhD, RDN @fromthestartrdn]

That’s exactly the kind of work we do in 1:1 nutrition counseling at From the Start Nutrition.

If meals are becoming stressful or your child’s food list keeps shrinking, support is available. 🩵

[Beth Conlon, PhD, RDN @fromthestartrdn]

Something I wish more parents of picky eaters knew:

You do not have to figure out the “perfect food” that will finally make your child eat.

[Beth Conlon, PhD, RDN @fromthestartrdn]

When a child has significant selective eating, sensory differences, anxiety around food, or ARFID, the answer usually isn’t a better recipe.

We look at why eating is hard.

Then we build skills from there.

[Beth Conlon, PhD, RDN @fromthestartrdn]

Nutrition is built across days, weeks, months, and years.

Keep offering variety. Keep familiar foods available. Keep pressure low.

We’re raising eaters—not trying to perfect tonight’s plate.

[Beth Conlon, PhD, RDN @fromthestartrdn]

If you have a picky eater, stop evaluating their nutrition meal by meal.

Zoom out.

A dinner of buttered noodles doesn’t tell you whether your child’s diet is adequate.

Neither does the untouched vegetable sitting beside them.

[Beth Conlon, PhD, RDN @fromthestartrdn]

You need food your child will actually eat that gives them enough energy to make it to the next meal.

Simple counts. 🩵

[Beth Conlon, PhD, RDN @fromthestartrdn]

One of the easiest ways to make a snack more satisfying?

Pair a carbohydrate with protein and/or fat.

Apple + peanut butter
Crackers + cheese
Banana + yogurt
Toast + egg
Pretzels + hummus

You don't need a Pinterest-worthy snack board.

[Beth Conlon, PhD, RDN @fromthestartrdn]

Fun recipe for the fall! 🍂 Try these Pumpkin Blondies. DM me if you would like a PDF copy of the recipe. https://t.co/UiZHhFJOvN

[Beth Conlon, PhD, RDN @fromthestartrdn]

You don’t have to make sweets unlimited or serve them at every meal.

You can simply stop making them something children have to earn.

Food doesn’t need a moral hierarchy.

[Beth Conlon, PhD, RDN @fromthestartrdn]

Dessert doesn’t become more nutritious when a child eats broccoli first.

But it can become more powerful.

“If you eat 3 bites, you can have dessert” teaches kids that the broccoli is the chore and dessert is the prize.

[Beth Conlon, PhD, RDN @fromthestartrdn]

Your job is to keep creating predictable opportunities to eat, include foods they can comfortably approach, and let appetite belong to them.

That consistency matters far more than what happens at one dinner. 🩵

[Beth Conlon, PhD, RDN @fromthestartrdn]

Your child not eating the dinner you made doesn’t automatically mean you made the wrong dinner.

Sometimes they’re tired.
Sometimes lunch was late.
Sometimes the food looks different than expected.
Sometimes they just aren’t that hungry.

Your job isn’t to make them eat.

[Beth Conlon, PhD, RDN @fromthestartrdn]

What’s one thing you could prep today?

🍋 Get the recipe from Budget Bytes:
https://t.co/gGqBerKlGA

[Beth Conlon, PhD, RDN @fromthestartrdn]

What are you up to this week? 🩵

Here’s your Sunday reminder to do a little meal prep today 💪 and make the busy days ahead easier!

You don’t need to prepare every meal. Even getting one dinner ready can help.

[Beth Conlon, PhD, RDN @fromthestartrdn]

This week’s recipe: Sheet Pan Greek Chicken and Vegetables from Budget Bytes. Chicken, colorful vegetables, and a simple lemon garlic marinade all come together on one pan. Serve with rice and offer the feta and olives on the side so everyone can customize their plate.

[Beth Conlon, PhD, RDN @fromthestartrdn]

Quick grocery tip for dairy-free or vegan families: Check the tofu ingredient label! 🛒

Tofu made with calcium sulfate packs over 300–400 mg of bioavailable calcium per half-cup. Tofu made with magnesium chloride (nigari) contains far less!

Cut calcium-set tofu into fun cubes and pan-fry in olive oil for an easy toddler and kid finger foods!

#BabyLedWeaning #FoodAllergies #EvidenceBasedCare

[Beth Conlon, PhD, RDN @fromthestartrdn]

Halloween’s almost here — what’s toughest about treats in your home? Endless pleas for candy, sweets everywhere, or unsolicited comments from other adults?

Ask away!

[Beth Conlon, PhD, RDN @fromthestartrdn]

Need an idea for next week's dinners? Try this slow cooker shredded beef. Serve it in tacos, rice bowls, or sandwiches to suit your family.

Save the recipe for your next grocery list: https://t.co/L0T6rddKPW

[Beth Conlon, PhD, RDN @fromthestartrdn]

It can be hard to know what to do with nutrition headlines, especially when they seem to contradict each other! A registered dietitian can help you cut through the noise and understand what the fad or resesarch findings mean for you and your family.