Cali Guttman Nutrition

05/23/2026

I really do cook one meal for the whole family.

But today at lunch, my daughter specifically asked for these noodles, so I made them for her while I ate something different.

I have celiac disease, so obviously I’m not eating the pasta myself. But I still cook it for my kids, touch it, squish it between my fingers to see if it feels cooked enough, and occasionally rely on my five-year-old for quality control. Oh and go through an entire paper-towel roll while washing my hands a ton during the prep!

A lot of people are surprised by that, but remember, touching gluten isn’t the same as eating it.

05/21/2026

Friendly reminder that babies don’t know breakfast foods exist.

And especially in the beginning, when some babies are only eating solids once a day, I’d rather focus on making that one meal nutrient-dense than worrying whether the foods “match” the time of day.

This combo of leftover salmon and chicken with sweet potato at 10:30am sounds perfect to me 🥰

05/19/2026

From day one, I try to let our fridge lead the way when it comes to feeding my baby.

Not separate “baby meals.” Not multiple different dinners.

Just versions of the same foods we’re already eating as a family.

I decide what’s offered. He decides whether to eat it.

Family food first is one of the feeding approaches I recommend most often. Because over time, it helps make mealtimes feel more sustainable, less stressful, and more connected.

05/09/2026

Always keeping feeding content a little less aesthetic and a little more real over here ❤️

05/07/2026

He’s covered in meat sauce and I’m not going to wipe his face.

I never do. Not mid-meal, not since he started eating.

My husband cares way more about the mess than I do. So if you’re more like him, try to give yourself permission to let it go for even just one meal. And if you’re already someone who lets the mess be, keep going.

Because what’s happening under that sauce is important. He’s learning what food feels like, smells like, what it means to sit with something new and not be afraid of it.

That sensory exposure is doing quiet, important work. It builds comfort. It builds confidence. And over time, it’s one of the reasons kids become more open to trying new foods. It’s not because we pushed them, but because eating never felt like something to get through.

If you’re worried about picky eating, a very small shift you can make is letting mealtimes be messier and slower. Save the washcloth for after. Let them touch it, smear it, wear it.
That’s where the comfort starts.

05/02/2026

Dietitian mom confession: I buy the convenient stuff too.
I bake from scratch, I cook from scratch, and I also grab the box off the shelf sometimes.

Because some of the options out there are actually good. Real ingredients, great quality. And they make our lives easier, which makes us better at the table with our kids.

And when convenient foods are just a normal part of what your kids eat… they’re less “special.” They’re not exciting or forbidden. They’re just food, which is exactly how we want our kids to see it.

So here’s permission to include it all. Feel good about it.

Comment below: what’s a convenient food you’ve bought lately and actually felt good about? I’ll start with this mac and cheese which clearly my daughter that was “delicious”

04/15/2026

You don’t need to wait for first foods to start.

This is my almost 4 month old practicing with a spoon. No food, no pressure, just exploring. He’s learning how to bring something to his mouth, what a spoon feels like, and that he’s in control of the movement. This is what I mean when I say feeding starts before solids, and it’s something I’ve done with all of my kids, now doing it again with my third.

You’ll notice the spoon is textured. These are the ones I tend to reach for at this stage because they’re easy to grip, easy to bring to the mouth, and give a bit more sensory input while babies are just learning.

I see so many parents reach out right when they’re about to start solids, and I get it, that’s when it suddenly feels real. If you’re thinking about starting and want support, DM me to book a consult ahead of time.

Follow along for more on feeding babies and toddlers.

If you’re in this stage too, let me know! ❤️

01/21/2026

At dinner, my son said he was done after just a few bites.
I stuck with my boundary:
“You don’t have to eat, but you do have to stay at the table.”

He ended up finishing his plate… and then some!
Save this as a reminder for next time your child refuses to eat ❤️

03/27/2018

A great read on the importance of early peanut introduction!

Early Introduction of Peanut Foods: Keep It Simple Author: Sherry Coleman Collins, MS, RDN, LD Introducing peanut foods to infants can seem like a scary step. But when you have the facts and some simple tools, it becomes a manageable and exciting part of your infant’s early eating experiences. Con...

04/15/2016

Finding an exercise that you love makes working out so much more fun and enjoyable!! Join me and let's try this exciting new workout together!!
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