Nutrition & Growth Counseling

Expert nutritional guidance and precise growth monitoring to ensure your child's healthy development in Nashville. Our certified pediatric nutritionists create personalized, culturally-inclusive feeding plans and provide ongoing, compassionate support for optimal growth, addressing everything from picky eating to complex dietary requirements.

Growth Chart 25.2 kg Meal Plan

Active Living in Nashville

Encouraging movement and outdoor play in our beautiful city

Get Moving, Nashville!

Nutrition works best when paired with physical activity. We recommend aiming for 60 minutes of active play daily. Nashville offers incredible green spaces for families to explore:

  • Centennial Park: Great for walking loops and open play near the Parthenon.
  • Shelby Bottoms Greenway: Perfect for family bike rides and nature walks.
  • Sevier Park: A favorite for families in the 12 South neighborhood.
The "5-2-1-0" Rule

We teach our patients this simple daily goal:

  • 5 servings of fruits & vegetables
  • 2 hours or less of recreational screen time
  • 1 hour or more of physical activity
  • 0 sugary drinks (drink more water!)

Nashville Food Resources

Connecting families with fresh, local, and healthy food options

Farmers' Markets

We encourage visiting the Nashville Farmers' Market on Rosa L. Parks Blvd for fresh, seasonal produce. It's a great way to get kids excited about fruits and vegetables!

Visit Market Website

WIC & SNAP Support

Our social workers can help eligible families apply for Tennessee WIC and SNAP benefits to ensure every child has access to nutritious food. We guide you through the paperwork.

Community Gardens

Get involved with Urban Green Lab or local community gardens. Teaching children where their food comes from fosters healthy eating habits for life.

Comprehensive Nutrition Services

Personalized nutritional guidance for healthy growth and development

Infant Feeding Support

Breastfeeding guidance, formula feeding advice, and introduction to solid foods with age-appropriate meal plans and feeding schedules.

Growth Monitoring

Regular tracking of height, weight, and head circumference with growth chart analysis to ensure healthy development patterns.

Meal Planning

Customized meal plans based on age, dietary needs, and preferences, including recipes and portion size recommendations.

Allergy Management

Specialized nutrition plans for children with food allergies, intolerances, or special dietary requirements.

Weight Management

Support for healthy weight goals. Our programs align with Tennessee's "Eat Well, Play More" initiatives to encourage active, healthy lifestyles for Nashville kids.

Parent Education

Comprehensive education on child nutrition, healthy eating habits, and creating positive mealtime experiences.

Nashville Healthy Eating Resources

Local fresh food access for your family

Farmers Markets

We encourage families to visit the Nashville Farmers' Market on Rosa L. Parks Blvd. It's a great way to introduce children to seasonal produce like Tennessee strawberries, peaches, and corn.

Visit Website

WIC & SNAP Support

We actively support families participating in the Tennessee WIC program. Our nutritionists can help you maximize your benefits to create healthy, budget-friendly meals for your growing children.

Urban Gardening

Interested in growing your own? We partner with Nashville Food Project to provide resources on starting small home gardens, encouraging kids to eat what they grow.

Active Living in Nashville

Encouraging movement and outdoor play in our beautiful city

Get Moving, Nashville!

Nutrition works best when paired with physical activity. Nashville offers incredible green spaces for families to explore. We recommend aiming for 60 minutes of active play daily.

Explore Our Parks

Take a family hike at Radnor Lake, ride bikes on the Shelby Bottoms Greenway, or play frisbee at Centennial Park.

Community Recreation

Check out the YMCA of Middle Tennessee or Metro Parks Community Centers for swimming lessons, youth sports leagues, and dance classes.

The "5-2-1-0" Rule

  • 5 Servings of fruits & veggies
  • 2 Hours or less of screen time
  • 1 Hour of physical activity
  • 0 Sugary drinks

Healthy Eating in Nashville

Connecting your family with fresh, local food sources

Local Farmers Markets

We encourage families to explore Nashville's vibrant food scene! Visiting markets is a great way to get kids excited about fruits and vegetables.

  • Nashville Farmers Market (Rosa L. Parks Blvd) - Open daily
  • Richland Park Farmers Market (Charlotte Ave) - Saturday mornings
  • East Nashville Farmers Market (Woodland St) - Tuesday afternoons

Community Food Resources

Access to healthy food is a right, not a privilege. We partner with local organizations to ensure every child has the nutrition they need to thrive.

  • WIC Referrals: Direct support for qualifying families.
  • Second Harvest Food Bank: Connecting families with local food pantries.
  • School Meals: Assistance with MNPS free/reduced lunch applications.

Age-Appropriate Nutrition Guidelines

Tailored nutritional recommendations for every stage of development

0-6 Months: Exclusive Breastfeeding

Breast milk provides all necessary nutrients
Formula feeding if breastfeeding isn't possible
No solid foods or water needed
Vitamin D supplementation as recommended

6-12 Months: Introduction to Solids

Continue breastfeeding or formula
Iron-rich foods like pureed meats, cereals
Variety of textures and flavors
Finger foods for self-feeding

1-2 Years: Toddler Nutrition

Whole milk transition from formula
Family foods with appropriate textures
3 meals + 2 snacks daily routine
Self-feeding encouragement

2+ Years: Balanced Diet

Variety of food groups daily
Portion control appropriate for age
Limited processed foods and sugars
Healthy eating habits establishment

Growth Tracking & Monitoring

Height & Weight Measurements

Regular monitoring using standardized growth charts to track your child's progress and identify any concerns early.

Head Circumference

Important indicator of brain development and overall neurological health, especially crucial in the first two years.

Growth Percentiles

Understanding where your child falls on growth charts and what percentiles mean for their individual development.

Early Intervention

Identifying growth concerns early allows for timely interventions and nutritional adjustments to optimize development.

Sample Growth Chart

Weight Age (months) 95th 50th 5th Your Child

Tracking your child's growth pattern over time helps ensure healthy development.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about child nutrition and growth

Most babies are ready for solid foods around 6 months of age. Signs of readiness include sitting up with support, showing interest in food, and losing the tongue-thrust reflex. Start with iron-rich foods like pureed meats or iron-fortified cereals.

Normal growth follows a consistent pattern on growth charts. Your child should maintain their growth percentile over time. We track height, weight, and head circumference at regular visits and look for steady progress rather than specific numbers.

Picky eating is common in toddlers. Continue offering variety without pressure, make mealtimes pleasant, involve children in food preparation, and be patient. It can take 10+ exposures to a new food before acceptance. Focus on overall nutrition over individual meals.

Toddlers aged 1-2 years should have 16-24 ounces (2-3 cups) of whole milk daily. After age 2, you can switch to low-fat milk. Too much milk can interfere with appetite for other foods and lead to iron deficiency, so balance is important.

Focus on healthy eating habits rather than weight alone. If your child is following their growth curve and eating a variety of nutritious foods, they're likely fine. Consult us if you notice sudden changes in growth pattern or eating behaviors.

Give Your Child the Best Nutritional Start

Schedule a nutrition consultation today and ensure your child receives personalized guidance for healthy growth and development. Our certified pediatric nutritionists are here to support your family's journey.

Certified Pediatric Nutritionists • Personalized Meal Plans • Growth Monitoring • Insurance Accepted