About Me
Hi! I'm Adriana, and I help parents turn their picky eaters into adventurous eaters.
I know what it's like to dread dinner. To cook two different meals just to avoid a tantrum. To worry your child isn't getting enough nutrition. To pack special snacks everywhere you go because you can't trust they'll eat anything else.
I'm living it too. I have an 18-month-old who recently discovered the word "no" and uses it liberally at mealtimes. But I've also spent over a decade as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst solving exactly these kinds of challenges. So when my own toddler started testing boundaries with food, I knew what to do.
And now? We sit down to family dinners where my son eats what we're eating. No separate meals. No battles. No stress. That's what I want for your family too.
My Story
I grew up in the 90s eating Hamburger Helper, Chef Boyardee, and boxed mac and cheese. That was just what kids ate back then. But years later, after being diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases, I discovered that what I ate actually mattered. Through lifestyle changes and switching to whole, minimally processed foods, I resolved both conditions. That experience completely shifted how I thought about food and the foundation we're giving our kids.
As a BCBA working in public schools, I started seeing patterns. I noticed what kids were eating and how it was affecting their behavior, focus, and wellbeing. I knew I wanted to help families build healthy habits early, before those patterns became ingrained.
When I became a mom and started hearing constant conversations about picky toddlers, it all clicked. I had the expertise, the lived experience, and a toddler of my own entering the picky phase. That's when The Mealtime Turnaround was born.
Why Behavior Science Works for Picky Eating
I'm a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over a decade of experience working with children and families. I'm also a certified health coach, which gives me a unique perspective on both the behavioral science behind why kids refuse food and the nutritional piece of what their bodies actually need. But more importantly, I know how to apply it in real life with real families.
Picky eating isn't random. It's learned. And when you understand the behavioral patterns behind it, you can change it. I don't just know the science. I know how to make it work in real kitchens, with real toddlers, and with exhausted parents who just want dinner to be peaceful.
What Makes Me Different
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I identify what's really causing your child's picky eating (food pressure, sensory sensitivities, negative experiences) and create a personalized plan that addresses the root issue, not just the symptoms.
But here's what really sets me apart: I don't just give you information and send you on your way. I join you at your dinner table (via Zoom) for 5 consecutive nights to coach you through real mealtimes. You get real-time guidance on what to say, how to set up the plate, and how to respond when your child refuses food.
As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, I use behavioral science to understand why your child is refusing food and what strategies will actually work for your specific situation. It's the difference between reading about swimming and having a coach in the pool with you.
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Picky eating is a symptom, not the problem. There's always a reason behind food refusal, and my job is to help you identify what that is for your child.
One-size-fits-all doesn't work. Every child is different, every family is different. Generic advice ignores that. I create strategies tailored to your family's needs, schedule, and goals.
Pressure backfires. The more you push, beg, or bribe, the more your child resists. Removing pressure is often the first (and hardest) step.
Food should bring families together. Mealtimes shouldn't be a battle. They should be a time to connect, enjoy each other's company, and build positive food experiences that last a lifetime.
Our kids deserve better. The foundation we're building now affects their health, their relationship with food, and their overall wellbeing for years to come. Teaching them to enjoy nourishing foods early matters.
