Welcome!
Welcome!
Feeding kids is hard. And it's normal to feel frustrated. But with guidance, education, and some handholding, I can help take the stress and confusion out of the equation.
Defeated By Dinner Again? You're Not Alone.
Confused.
Frustrated.
Overwhelmed.
Short on time.
Short on patience.
Guilty.

These emotions fit so many areas of parenting, but they are particularly persistent when it comes to feeding.

Even as a pediatric nutritionist, I feel ya. I feed three little mouths every day and I. Am. In. It. with you.

Feeding kids is hard.

We aren't given an instruction manual, there is mixed messaging everywhere, and scrolling through social media makes us all feel inadequate.

The pressure to raise “healthy” and “adventurous” eaters is immense. It's no wonder we resort to ALL the tactics to coerce our kids to eat 'better' (whatever that means to you).

The good news: there is another way to feed - free from bribery and threats and bargaining and short order cooking - so that you can enjoy family mealtimes together, without the stress.

I'm here to help you get there.

Get more info on how I work with families 1:1 - providing support and guidance with zero judgement.

My Philosophy
  • As an RD, my approach to family feeding relies on validated, evidenced-based models, like Ellyn Satter's Division of Responsibility in Feeding, and a commitment to weight-neutral, non-diet interventions.
  • Research shows that kids grow into competent eaters when parents avoid pressure and give children autonomy. I help parents focus on their job in the feeding relationship - deciding WHAT, WHEN and WHERE to eat – and allow kids to embrace their own role, namely control over WHETHER to eat and HOW MUCH.
  • My feeding advice is also time tested at my own kitchen table. Even as a trained pediatric nutrition expert, I am not immune to the stress and worry of feeding my own kids. My advice comes vetted by my day-to-day experience as a busy working mom trying to get my family fed.

My Philosophy
  • As an RD, my approach to family feeding relies on validated, evidenced-based models, like Ellyn Satter's Division of Responsibility in Feeding, and a commitment to weight-neutral, non-diet interventions.
  • Research shows that kids grow into competent eaters when parents avoid pressure and give children autonomy. I help parents focus on their job in the feeding relationship - deciding WHAT, WHEN and WHERE to eat – and allow kids to embrace their own role, namely control over WHETHER to eat and HOW MUCH.
  • My feeding advice is also time tested at my own kitchen table. Even as a trained pediatric nutrition expert, I am not immune to the stress and worry of feeding my own kids. My advice comes vetted by my day-to-day experience as a busy working mom trying to get my family fed.

Meet Sarah
Hi! I'm Sarah Ladden, the founder of Better Family Meals. We've covered some of the basics - mom of three, registered dietitian - now let's get down to the real deets:

  • I'm a New England girl through and through. Born and raised in Worcester, MA, schooled in Boston, and now living in Connecticut and Vermont.
  • When traveling to a new city, “best local bakery” is usually the first thing I Google.
  • I eat my grilled cheese sandwiches with ketchup.
  • My Pandora station is permanently fixed to Hip Hop BBQ.
  • I have a beagle. His name is Arthur. He's pretty rad.
  • My husband and I had our first and second kiss 10 years apart.
  • I've never been camping - I'd only go for the s'mores.
  • I can sleep through almost anything (wonderful, but sometimes not ideal with three small kids).
  • I love vacuuming. Really.
King Arthur
Vermont <3
My joy
Smores. Always.
Experience, Education and Credentials

Before embarking on my nutrition career, I followed my passion for writing and earned a BS in Journalism from Boston University.

After graduation, I travelled the globe working for Special Olympics International in Washington, DC.

Finding my way back to Boston, I earned a master's degree in nutrition communication from Tufts University, simultaneously working as a nutritionist and lactation consultant for a local WIC program.

I completed my dietetic training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and received my registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) credential.

I spent over a decade leading consumer-facing nutrition and wellness strategy for food trade associations and some of the nation's top food and beverage brands.

Becoming a mom and navigating the daily challenges of feeding my own family sparked a passion to help other struggling parents feed... better. I founded Better Family Meals to do just that.

Testimonials
Follow along on Instagram @BetterFamilyMeals