Supporting a child’s health is about more than what’s on their plate. It’s about understanding their unique needs, building confidence around food, and creating healthy habits that can grow with them.
Chelsea Taylor Long, MAT, MS, RD, LDN, brings more than a decade of experience working with children, adolescents, and families across educational and healthcare settings. As a Registered Dietitian specializing in pediatric nutrition and eating disorder care, Chelsea takes an individualized, evidence-based approach to helping patients and families navigate nutrition with compassion and confidence.
With a background in elementary education and a passion for making nutrition education engaging and accessible, Chelsea works closely with children and families to support picky eating, ARFID, weight restoration, disordered eating, and foundational nutrition education.
Why Patients Choose Chelsea
Chelsea’s approach is grounded in the belief that nutrition care should feel supportive—not restrictive or judgmental. Her experience as an educator helps her connect with children and families in an approachable, engaging way while providing evidence-based guidance that meets each patient where they are.
Her care incorporates:
- Pediatric and family nutrition
- Eating disorder nutrition care
- ARFID treatment
- Support for picky eating
- Weight restoration
- Foundational nutrition education
- Gentle nutrition and intuitive eating
- Evidence-based medical nutrition therapy
- Health at Every Size® principles
Chelsea is especially passionate about working with children, adolescents, individuals with ARFID, and neurodivergent individuals. She also has experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
A Conversation with Chelsea
How does your background in education influence the way you approach nutrition care?
My background in education is helpful in how I approach nutrition care because it impacts my approach to communicating nutrition education in a way that is appropriate for the client I am speaking to. My education background has also been helpful with creativity in sessions/resources I make, strategies of counseling, and goal setting with clients.
What do you wish more parents knew about nutrition and their child’s relationship with food?
That a healthy relationship with food includes following an “All Foods Fit” mindset where foods like cookies and ice cream can be enjoyed in addition to the other foods for a healthy eating pattern. Restricting foods such as these can cause a strain on a child’s relationship with food.
What do you wish families knew about ARFID?
I wish families knew that ARFID is more than picky eating and that a kid with ARFID being pushed to try new foods can be a negative experience that impacts their relationship with food.
What is one piece of nutrition advice you find yourself sharing most often?
The most common nutrition advice I find myself sharing is the importance of eating breakfast and every 3-4 hours during the day (which is usually 3 meals, 1-3 snacks).
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, crafting in various mediums, and watching a movie or TV show. I also enjoy getting out into nature for hiking when I can, participating in exercise to move my body, and tending to my miniature garden of tomatoes, basil, and sweet potatoes.
Common Conditions Chelsea Helps Patients Manage
Chelsea works with children, adolescents, adults, and families navigating a range of nutrition concerns, with expertise in pediatric nutrition and eating disorder care.
Patients and families may seek her support for:
- Picky eating
- ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
- Eating disorders and disordered eating
- Weight restoration
- Pediatric nutrition
- Foundational nutrition education
- Nutrition support for neurodivergent individuals
- Nutrition support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Building a more positive relationship with food
- Navigating nutrition concerns as a family
Chelsea’s approach is individualized and rooted in gentle nutrition, intuitive eating, evidence-based medical nutrition therapy, and Health at Every Size® principles.
Fun Facts
What’s your favorite hobby?
I enjoy many hobbies, but my favorite at this time is crochet!
Coffee or tea?
I do enjoy both coffee and tea, but coffee will always be my first choice.
What’s your favorite snack?
This is a hard question! I could answer this with many different options, but a classic go-to has to be cheese and crackers.
What’s your favorite way to stay active?
I enjoy a variety of activities, but one that I always gravitate back to is swimming!
Tell us about your pets!
I have 2 cats and 1 dog. My oldest cat is Ash (or Ashy) who is a dilute tortoiseshell who has a sassy personality, loves soft beds for napping, and is my little shadow. My other cat is Atticus, who is a black (with a few white spots) cat who is very social and is a big fan of snacks! My dog’s name is Cranberry, a miniature dachshund mix who loves to go on regular walks and cuddle with her humans.
Meet Chelsea Taylor Long, MAT, MS, RD, LDN
Have questions about your child’s picky eating, growth, nutrition needs, meal planning, ARFID, or relationship with food? Join us for Meet the Dietitian Day at Avance Care Pediatrics and meet our Registered Dietitian, Chelsea Taylor Long, MAT, MS, RD, LDN. Stop by to meet Chelsea, ask questions, and receive practical, family-friendly nutrition tips.
Chelsea specializes in pediatric nutrition and works closely with children and families to support picky eating, weight restoration, ARFID treatment, disordered eating, and foundational nutrition education. With a background in elementary education and extensive experience supporting children and adolescents, she provides approachable, engaging nutrition care tailored to each child’s needs.
Learn more about Chelsea HERE, and more detail about Meet the Dietitian Day HERE.