Pediatric Dietitian Nutritionists

Common Pediatric Conditions We Treat:

Mealtimes with your child should be a time of connection, not a battle. If you’re feeling stressed or uncertain about your child’s nutrition, help is here.

At Doherty Nutrition, we partner with parents and caregivers to foster your child’s positive relationship with food from the very start. Whether you’re navigating food allergies, childhood illness, or common eating challenges, our team offers compassionate guidance and evidence-based support — for happier mealtimes and more nourished families.

Our Pediatric Registered Dietitian Nutritionists

Our pediatric Registered Dietitian Nutritionists are more than food experts. These caring professionals bring empathy, creativity and a wealth of knowledge about the growth, development, and learning of children to help them and their families feel confident in their health.

We understand that every child is different, and so is every mealtime. That’s why our approach is rooted in family-centered care. We empower you to make nutrition fun, approachable, and realistic. Our goal is to help your child develop confidence with food and give you, as a parent or caregiver, clear, practical tools — and reduce stress along the way.

Anisah Ahmed

MS, RD, LD
Licensed in TX

Karlei Summerford

MS, RD, LD
Licensed in TX

Senior Dietitian

Remy Luper

RD, LD
Licensed in TX

Clinical Manager

Megan Bolyard

MS, RD, LD
Licensed in IL

Clinical Manager

Hannah Eddy

MDA, RD, LD
Licensed in TX

Paige Robinson

MS, RD, LD
Licensed in IL

Anne-Marie smiling in front of a brick wall

Anne-Marie Alford

MS, RD, LD
Licensed in TX

Clinical Manager

Your Dietitian's Approach to Pediatric Nutrition

Nutrition is an essential building block for every child’s health. Infants, children, and teenagers have unique nutritional needs as they grow and develop. It has been shown that eating habits developed in early childhood follow into adolescence and adulthood. Nutrition education plays a role in a child’s relationship with food and in the prevention of long-term health conditions.

At Doherty Nutrition, your pediatric dietitian takes the time to understand your child’s needs, habits, and personality to create a personalized, practical plan for your family that addresses some of the most common challenges parents and kids face.

Confident Care for Allergies and Health Conditions

Every child deserves to feel safe and included at the table. For kids with health conditions, their body’s ability to digest or absorb nutrients may be altered. For example, inflammation from allergies or celiac disease can damage the gut lining, reducing the absorption of vitamins such as B12 and iron.

Our care ensures your child gets the nutritional building blocks they need to power their growth and immune system, even when their body faces extra challenges. Our pediatric nutritionists will work closely with you and your medical team, addressing a wide range of childhood conditions, like:

Food allergies
Intolerances
Gastrointestinal disorders, including reflux or constipation
Celiac disease
Abnormal weight gain or loss
Nutrient deficiencies
Pediatric diabetes

Together, we build evidence-based meal plans that support your child’s body and brain, without making food feel scary or restrictive.

A Meal Plan for Picky Eaters

Picky eating is often deeper than simple stubbornness. For many kids, it’s tied to sensory experiences, anxiety, or a need for control as they grow. This can be frustrating for families trying to understand and accommodate while helping kids meet their nutritional needs.

That’s where our pediatric dietitian nutritionist for picky eaters steps in. We use gentle, no-pressure strategies, focusing on progress — not perfection.

When children are introduced to new foods in a supportive, low-pressure environment, their brains gradually become less alert to novelty and more accepting, rewiring their early childhood food fears.

Nutrition for Every Age and Stage

Children’s nutrition needs shift significantly from infancy through adolescence. With a pediatric dietitian nutritionist available near you, you’ll receive support at every milestone. From dealing with formula or breastfeeding concerns and starting solids to fueling a busy teen athlete, we adjust for your child’s nutrition needs. Their bodies get what they need at each stage, laying the foundation for lifelong health.

Our guidance includes:

Lactation support
Introducing new foods to infants and toddlers
Creating lifelong habits in growing kids
Strategies for nutritious weight gain
Nutrition plans to fuel performance for young athletes or active children

No matter your challenge or question, our team is here with answers and encouragement.

Common Pediatric Conditions We Treat:

Abnormal weight gain or loss

Diabetes

Food allergies & intolerances

Nutrient deficiencies

Breastfeeding/ lactation counseling

Gastrointestinal disorders

High cholesterol

Pediatric eating disorders

Cardiovascular disease

Enteral nutrition/ tube feedings

Hypertension

Picky eating

Abnormal weight gain or loss

Diabetes

Food allergies & intolerances

Nutrient deficiencies

Breastfeeding/ lactation counseling

Gastrointestinal disorders

High cholesterol

Pediatric eating disorders

Cardiovascular disease

Enteral nutrition/ tube feedings

Hypertension

Picky eating

Meet With a Children's Dietitian at Doherty Nutrition

Doherty Nutrition offers pediatric nutritionist appointments both in person at our Illinois and Texas locations and via secure telehealth nationwide. We accept most major insurance plans to make care accessible for your family.

Get started today with partners committed to helping you raise happy, mindful eaters.

FAQs About Pediatric Nutrition Counseling

Will our insurance cover a pediatric dietitian?

Many insurance plans will cover pediatric nutrition counseling as a preventative or medical service. We’re in-network with most major providers, so we recommend you verify your insurance benefits to learn what’s covered under your plan.

Where are your services offered?

We offer in-person nutrition counseling at select Texas offices. We also offer virtual nutrition counseling in 15 states, including Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Do we need a referral or medical reason to see a pediatric dietitian?

Many families come to us with specific concerns, and no referral or medical diagnosis is necessary for nutrition counseling. That said, some insurance plans, mainly HMOs, might require a referral from your pediatrician for coverage.

When should I consider pediatric nutrition counseling for my child?

Whenever you feel it is necessary. Some examples would be: If it is recommended by your doctor, if they are getting behind on growth, if they are picky eaters, if a parent has a hard time coming up with meals for the kids, or if they are a young athlete.

How long will my child need nutrition counseling?

We cannot know how long they will need nutrition counseling since our approach is very individualized and will vary from person to person.

What role will I play when my child is receiving nutrition counseling?

It depends on what you’d like your involvement to be. A lot of parents like being in their child’s nutrition counseling sessions so that they are aware of the recommendations and can reinforce them at home.

How do I book an appointment with a pediatric dietitian?

We encourage you to fill out our request counseling form to tell us more about your child so we can match them with the right dietitian. If you already know who you’d like to work with, you can also book directly online.

Our Locations

We are excited to offer in person nutrition counseling across Texas and Illinois, with dietitian offices in:

Telehealth visits are available across several states. Our Registered Dietitian Nutritionists are highly trained, super friendly, and ready to help you reach your goals!