How to Find a Great Pediatric Dietitian in Ontario: What Parents Should Know

Looking for a pediatric dietitian in Ontario? Here’s how to find the right “dietitian near me” in London, Toronto, Ottawa, and beyond. Plus, what to ask before you book!

So you’ve decided it’s time to see a dietitian for your child…now what? You grab your phone and type “dietitian near me” into Google, hoping you’ll find someone you trust to help with picky eating, allergies, or whatever feeding challenge is keeping you up at night.

If you’re in Ontario, whether you live in a major city like London, Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, Windsor, or somewhere in between, it can feel overwhelming to choose the right pediatric dietitian for your family. Who do you call? What should you look for? And how do you know they’re actually a good fit for your child’s needs?

As a registered pediatric dietitian mom in London, Ontario, I bring my personal experience feeding three very different, growing boys and over 14 years of professional experience. I’ve helped many families just like yours find the right strategies that work best for your children and your family dynamic. Feeding kids isn’t always easy, and you’re not alone if you’re feeling stuck, frustrated, or worried. Maybe you can relate to some common reasons families have shared with me why they were searching for a registered pediatric dietitian in Ontario.

Why Might You Need a Pediatric Dietitian?

• You’re tired of unhelpful comments. Well-meaning family and friends might have commented on your child’s eating or body size and/or keep comparing your child’s eating to other kids, and you want guidance from a trusted professional instead.
• Feeding multiple kids feels chaotic. You’re looking for a simpler, more practical approach that works with different personalities, appetites, and stages. As a mom of three myself, I get how challenging it can be to balance everyone’s needs.
• What worked before isn’t working now. Feeding your first child might have felt easier, but now with another child in the mix—or changes in your older child’s eating—you’re looking for new strategies and support.
• You’re entering a new stage. Introducing solids, weaning from milk feeds, adjusting to daycare or being new to packing school lunches can feel overwhelming. Or maybe your child, who used to eat everything, is suddenly more selective. Did you know we have an article all about how important iron is for babies 6-12 months.
• You’ve received new medical information. Concerns about growth, a newly diagnosed food allergy or intolerance, or guidance from your family doctor or pediatrician might have you looking for expert nutrition support. We know just how overwhelming navigating food allergies can be.

Seeing a pediatric dietitian can help you navigate feeding challenges with more confidence and less stress. There’s no single “right way” to feed children, but there are evidence-based strategies that can make a big difference for your family. So now that you know you are not alone in your search for a trusted nutrition professional. Why would a pediatric registered dietitian be the right professional for your family and what should you look for?

Key Things to Look for in a Pediatric Dietitian

Navigating the online world of nutrition can be overwhelming, to say the least. As a parent, we all want what is best for our child(ren)! When you are considering information as important as your child’s nutrition, you want someone you can trust.

Here’s what to consider to make sure you’re finding the best match for your family:

• Registered status
• Experience with kids
• Virtual vs. in-person
• Location

Now, let’s dig into each one of these points!

1. Registered Status: Dietitian vs. Nutritionist in Ontario

First things first: Yes, there is a difference between dietitian vs. nutritionist in Ontario, and not all nutrition professionals are the same. In Ontario:

• Registered Dietitian (RD) is a protected title. RDs are licensed healthcare professionals who complete accredited education, supervised practical training, must pass a licensing exam and must be registered with the College of Dietitians of Ontario. They’re legally authorized to assess, diagnose, and treat nutrition-related conditions.
• Nutritionist isn’t regulated the same way. Anyone can call themselves a “nutritionist” in Ontario, even without formal training or oversight.

2. Experience with Kids Matters: Questions to Ask

Children aren’t just “small adults.” I repeat: children are not small adults! Feeding issues in kids—from allergies to extreme picky eating to medical conditions—require specialized knowledge. Understanding family dynamics, family values, a parent’s capacity, and the specific challenges parents face when feeding a family are essential in developing an individualized, realistic plan.

Before you commit to working with a pediatric dietitian, it’s worth taking the time to ask a few key questions. Feeding challenges can be very different depending on age, health conditions, or developmental needs. Not every dietitian works the same way, and you want to be sure you’re choosing someone who’s a good fit for your child and family. 

When choosing a dietitian, ask:

• Do you specialize in pediatrics?
• Do you have experience with infants, toddlers, school-age children, or teens?
• Have you worked with kids with [my concern: picky eating, allergies, ARFID, growth issues]?
• What is the approach you take to support families?

A dietitian with pediatric experience can tailor strategies to your child’s developmental stage and challenges. They will also be happy to explain how they work, and you should feel confident their approach aligns with your family’s values. 

What Are the Costs—and Does Insurance Cover It?

Cost is a real consideration for many families in Ontario. You can ask:

• What are your fees?
• Do you bill per session or offer packages?
• Are your services covered by private insurance or benefits?
• Do you provide receipts for reimbursement?

Some insurance plans cover Registered Dietitian services, so it’s worth checking your benefits before booking.

3. Virtual vs. In-Person Care

Dare I say there was a silver lining to the pandemic? One of the best advancements in client-centred care post-COVID is virtual care. While telehealth has been offered in the past, often for rural Ontario, the technological advancement and shift to more virtual care means increased access for families in Ontario and the ability to support more families in a more timely manner. 

Benefits of virtual care:

• Access a professional outside your city or region
• Reduce travel time, making it easier to work with busy schedules – lunch time session, yes please!  
• Accommodates family life when you have young children, siblings, or nap schedules to juggle
• Parents can connect from different locations. 
• Stay in the comfort of home. Want to stay in your pajamas? We can accommodate that!
• Waiting for an allergist and want some support before your appointment? Virtual care means we can bridge the gap to navigate how to feed your child until then.

When in-person might be preferable:

• Very young children who need feeding assessments that involve direct observation
• Complex cases needing team-based, in-clinic care
• Medically complex situations that need close monitoring and measurements

4. Location: Finding a Pediatric Dietitian in Ontario, Wherever You Are

Ontario is a big province, but that doesn’t have to limit your options.

• In larger centres like Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, or Windsor, you’ll find dietitians with pediatric specializations in private practice, hospitals, family health teams, or community health centres.
• Even if you live in rural Ontario or a smaller town near a larger city centre, virtual appointments can connect you with dietitians all over the province.

Don’t feel limited by geography. Telehealth means your family can get expert, personalized feeding support no matter where you live in Ontario.

How to Search for a “Dietitian Near Me”

So you’re ready to find the right pediatric dietitian for your child, but where do you actually start looking? Here are some tried-and-true ways Ontario families can find a trusted dietitian who’s a good fit for their family:

Smart Keywords to Use in Google

When searching online, try these effective, location-specific phrases:

• “pediatric dietitian [City]” (e.g., pediatric dietitian Toronto, pediatric dietitian London Ontario)
• “dietitian near me” (Google will prioritize local results)
• “children’s dietitian [City]”
• “feeding therapy Ontario”
• “food allergy dietitian [City]”

Ask a Trusted Medical Professional

Your child’s family doctor, pediatrician, public health nurse, or a trusted medical professional like a lactation consultant, physiotherapist, or psychologist you see already can often recommend a pediatric dietitian they trust.

• Many healthcare providers have local referral networks.
• Some may even have a business card or referral pad or even fax a referral directly (even if it’s not required) to make things easier for you.

Tap Into Word of Mouth

Some of the best recommendations come from other parents who’ve been there themselves! Consider:

• Parent or mom groups (in-person or online)
• School communities
• Social media groups for your city or region
• Asking friends or family with kids of similar ages

Use Trusted Directories

Not sure if someone is truly qualified? These professional directories let you search for Registered Dietitians (RDs) who meet strict training and licensing standards:

• College of Dietitians of Ontario – Find a Dietitian: Verify registration and ensure your dietitian is qualified to practice in Ontario.
• Dietitians of Canada – Find a Dietitian: Search for pediatric dietitians, specialties, or virtual providers across Canada.

Don’t be shy about asking questions. A great pediatric dietitian wants you to feel informed, comfortable, and confident before you start working together. After all, feeding support is a partnership, and your family deserves care that truly fits your needs.

How Centred Nutrition Collective Can Help

At Centred Nutrition Collective, we know that feeding challenges can feel overwhelming, isolating, or even defeating at times, but you don’t have to navigate them alone.

Our team of Registered Pediatric Dietitians (including myself, Jess!) are dedicated to supporting families across Ontario, no matter where you live. We consider working with our clients a collaboration and we want to work with you to come up with a plan that works best for your family. We are open and honest and are here to work with you! 

We offer virtual appointments designed to make care accessible and convenient, so whether you’re in London, Toronto, Ottawa, Windsor, or a small town nearby, you can connect with a pediatric dietitian who understands:

• Picky eating and extreme food selectivity
• Food allergies and intolerances
• Growth concerns and nutrition gaps
• Feeding struggles for neurodivergent children
• Family mealtime stress and conflict

We use a family-centred, weight-inclusive, neurodivergent-affirming approach, with responsive feeding strategies grounded in evidence and empathy.

If you’re not sure where to start, we’re happy to chat. We offer a free 15-minute nutrition consultation call so you can ask questions and see if we’re the right fit for your family!