Feeding Kids Without the Fear: Picky Eating, Food Headlines, & Screens with Jennifer Anderson, MSPH, RDN of Kids Eat in Color (ep – 94)

Kids' nutrition conversations usually center on what a child eats, but perhaps the how, the why, and the when are even more important…

In this episode, Dr. Ginger Hultin, MS, RDN, CSO, welcomes back Jennifer Anderson, MSPH, RDN, the registered dietitian behind Kids Eat in Color, for a conversation about children's eating behavior. Jennifer explains what actually counts as picky eating, how the label can stick to a child's identity, and what separates everyday selective eating from ARFID (avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder). She also makes the interesting case for focusing on hyper-palatable foods rather than the ultra-processed debate, and shares how you can decide whether a food headline deserves your attention.

Tune in and walk away with practical language for the dinner table and a reminder that as a parent, you got this.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

[00:02:46] The biggest barrier families face with feeding right now

[00:04:34] What picky eating actually means, and when it's something more

[00:05:34] Why "picky eater" can become a child's identity

[00:07:39] ARFID, screening tools, and advocating for your child

[00:11:49] Hyperpalatable foods vs. the ultra-processed conversation

[00:14:41] A filter for food fear, headlines, and misinformation

[00:17:37] Screens, distraction, and what kids miss at mealtime

[00:18:51] How to think about supplements for kids