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Support for your family

When feeding or eating feels stressful, it can be difficult to know what to do or which advice to follow.

I offer specialist support for children, teens and families navigating ARFID, restrictive or selective eating, picky or fussy eating, neurodivergent feeding differences, growth concerns, body image difficulties, eating disorders and other paediatric nutrition challenges.

Together, we look beyond what your child eats to understand what may be happening underneath. This may include sensory needs, anxiety, appetite, growth, medical and developmental history, neurodivergence, family dynamics and your child’s relationship with food.

Compassionate support for calmer,  more connected mealtimes

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Gentle Practical Support for your child and peace for

the whole family

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You do not need to wait until your child loses weight

 

Children can need support even when they are still growing or maintaining their weight. If your child is eating very little, dropping previously accepted foods, becoming increasingly anxious around eating or finding mealtimes difficult, it is appropriate to seek help.

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You may have been told they will grow out of it, that it is “just a phase”, or that they will eat when they are hungry. But restrictive eating and mealtime anxiety deserve to be taken seriously.

Seeking support early is not overreacting. It can help prevent difficulties from becoming more entrenched and give you a clearer, calmer path forward. This is not about blame. It is about understanding what is making eating hard and finding strategies that better support your child.

 

I offer comprehensive feeding and nutrition assessments, including assessment and diagnosis of ARFID where the diagnostic criteria are met. Your concerns will be listened to and taken seriously.

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I can support your child with ...

Every child is unique, and feeding and nutrition challenges can look different at every stage. I offer gentle, evidence-based support tailored to your child and your family.

Early Feeding & Paediatric Nutrition

  • Starting Solids & Infant Feeding

  • Texture Progression & Weaning

  • Allergies & Intolerances

  • Growth Concerns

  • Reflux and Constipation

  • Coeliac Disease

  • Diabetes 

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Feeding, Eating and Sensory Differences

  • Picky or selective eating

  • Sensory eating differences

  • Reduced appetite or poor hunger awareness

  • Nutrition support alongside medications

  • ASD and ADHD nutrition support

  • Mealtime stress and food-related anxiety

Specialist Support

  • ARFID Assessment & treatment planning

  • Eating Disorders & Body Image

  • Highly Restricted Eating

  • Personalised Nutrition Planning

  • Nutrition Adequacy Concerns

  • Family Feeding Support

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Support is available from infancy through adolescence, whether you need early feeding guidance, help with a nutrition concern or specialist feeding and eating support.

Choose the support that fits your family

Compassionate Support for eating, feeding, nutrition, and body image throughout life.

Whether you are looking for support for yourself, your child or family, your school, or your professional practice, we will begin by understanding your experiences, your priorities and what matters most to you.

Initial child assessment

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​A comprehensive first appointment to understand your child's feeding, eating, growth, nutrition, medical history, sensory needs and family context.

 

ARFID assessment, treatment or support

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ARFID assessment and support

Specialist support for suspected AFRID, highly restrictive eating or more complex feeding needs, including assessment and practical next steps.

 

Follow up consultation

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Ongoing support to review progress, troubleshoot challenges and gently build on the plan in a way that feels realistic for your child and family.

 

Starting solids support

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Support tor families starting solids, introducing allergens, managing textures, gagging, or wanting a responsive and confident approach to infant feeding.

 

Nutrition care centred around your child and families needs.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach because every child, feeding story and family is different.

Together, we’ll build a realistic plan that supports your child’s nutrition, growth and wellbeing, while taking into account their sensory needs, development, medical history and your family’s capacity.

You know your child best. My role is to listen, help make sense of what may be sitting underneath the feeding difficulties, and offer evidence-based, compassionate support without blame, pressure or judgement.

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Ready to book?

Still unsure which service is right for you?

That's exactly what the free 15-minute discovery call is for. 

Together we'll talk through your situation and work out the best place to start.

Coming Soon

Parent Group Programmes

 

Sometimes healing feels easier when you're alongside people who truly understand.

These small-group programmes combine practical strategies, evidence-based guidance and compassionate support in a warm, encouraging environment.

Register your interest to be the first to hear when places become available.

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AEM: ARFID Empowerment

Group Programme

A compassionate programme for families navigating ARFID, selective eating, sensory differences and food anxiety.

 

Together we'll explore:

  • understand what sits beneath eating challenges

  • reduce pressure and mealtime stress

  • support nourishment with confidence connect with other parents who understand

Dismantling Diet Culture

Supporting parents to build greater peace with food and body, while helping their children develop body trust and confidence around eating.

Together we’ll explore:

  • Food thoughts, guilt and family food rules

  • Body trust, shame and comparison

  • Raising children with confidence around food and body

Frequently Asked Questions

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The Food Tree is a specialist dietitian practice providing compassionate, evidence-based nutrition support for children, adolescents and adults. We specialise in ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), paediatric feeding difficulties, neurodiversity-affirming nutrition for autism and ADHD, eating disorders, body image, family feeding and responsive feeding therapy. We also provide professional training, workshops and education for health professionals, schools and early childhood educators. Supporting individuals, families and professionals across New Zealand through in-person and online services.

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