Hi, I’m Kat!

I’m a pediatric dietitian, an infant and toddler growth specialists, and a mom of 2 toddlers. After years in corporate healthcare, I became increasingly frustrated with the lack of resources and guidance my parents of poor growth kids had. They didn’t need to “just add butter and cream” or fortify more formula. They needed someone to actually give them the TIME to figure out why their child was struggling so much with their feeding and growth, especially when all of the tests came back normal. So I created the @failure.to.thrive.dietitian instagram and my Time to Thrive Nutrition Program.

  • Virginia Tech graduate

  • 1st job: Pediatric specialty clinic

    • I founded the nutrition department in this clinic and got to build it from scratch!

    • The clinics I covered included: GI, endo, neuro, genetics, NICU follow-up, Gtube, and feeding.

  • 2nd job: Large children’s hospital

    • The services I typically covered included: GI, cardiology, PICU, and FTT.

  • Currently I work part time in a psychiatric hospital with teens battling severe eating disorders.

My Start & My Career

What Makes Me Different?

I get asked this question ALL the time by skeptical parents who have tried “everything.” They have access to a dietitian and received all of the handout education available. What else can investing in my program get them?

The simple answer: TIME! What makes me different from your typical clinic or community-based dietitian is the time I’m able to spend with you and your family. I truly believe you can’t help someone if you don’t know them and it’s impossible to learn someone in a 15 minute appointment every 3-6 months. (Especially with young toddlers who change their food preferences hourly lol!)

My program is 4 months long which means I spend 4 months getting to know you, your child, and your family so that I can best support you. Plus, because we are checking in so frequently we’re able to troubleshoot IN THE MOMENT rather than waiting for your next appointment.

“If you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day. If you teach a man how to fish, he will eat for a lifetime.” -Lao Tzu

Similarly - handouts and high calorie foods only go but so far. Teaching you how to apply the knowledge you have for YOUR child.. that’s where the magic happens.

  • I LOVE coffee and I drink 100% decaf! I found switching to decaf significantly reduced my anxiety and I can quickly tell when a barista accidentally gives me a caffeinated americano. 😅

  • My favorite color is a dark, forest green.

  • I’m a self-aware cycler breaker and my #1 goal in parenting is to provide a space where my kids can feel physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually safe to be their authentic selves.

  • I originally studied architecture in college and within the first month I knew my analytical brain was not made for the arts lol. By my 2nd semester I’d switched to nutrition & exercise.

  • My newest hobby has been backyard birding. I’ve been teaching my daughter all of the birds at our feeders and I’ve LOVED this time together.

  • My favorite foods are fried chicken, wood fired pizza, and brown butter chocolate chip cookies.

  • I don’t like to share my political beliefs in this space as I hope to foster an environment where families from all backgrounds feel comfortable reaching out to me. I don’t care what the color of your skin is, who you love, or who you voted for. You and your child are welcome here. 🫶🏻

Fun Facts About Me