Gorton Center - Lake Forest, IL - Feed Them Well: Healthy Nutrition

Feed Them Well: A Guide to Raising Healthy, Confident Eaters for Life

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Feed Them Well: A Guide to Raising Healthy, Confident Eaters for Life

Thursday, November 19, 2026, 12:00 PM

Thu, November 19
12:00 pm
- 1:00 pm

JAndersonZoomBanner

Time

Thu, November 19, 2026 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Resources

FAN - Family Action Network

Location

Gorton Center
400 East Illinois Road Lake Forest, IL 60045

Sponsors

Feeding children can be one of the most challenging parts of parenting. From picky eating and vegetable standoffs to sugar struggles and confusing nutrition advice, parents often find themselves wondering if they’re doing enough. How do you encourage healthy eating without turning mealtime into a battle? What should you say when your child starts worrying about their body or labeling foods as good or bad?

Join registered dietitian Jennifer Anderson, MSPH, RDN, for Feed Them Well: A Guide to Raising Healthy, Confident Eaters for Life, an informative and practical conversation about building healthy relationships with food from childhood through the teen years.

Anderson, founder of Kids Eat in Color, offers an evidence-based approach to raising confident eaters. Drawing on her experience and a master’s degree in public health from Johns Hopkins University, she helps parents move beyond restrictive food rules, mealtime pressure, and the expectation of perfect eating. Instead, she shares practical strategies, helpful language, and tools parents can use in everyday situations.

Discover how to approach picky eating, introduce new foods, navigate sugar and snacks, and handle challenging food textures. Learn how to talk about nutrition and body image without encouraging diet culture or creating unnecessary anxiety around food. Anderson also explores how to manage outside influences, from comments made by relatives and friends to confusing nutrition headlines and advice from others.

Jennifer will be joined in conversation by Laura Petix, MS, OTR/L, a neurodivergent pediatric occupational therapist specializing in sensory processing. Petix is the founder of The OT Butterfly and author of The Sensory Code. Together, they will explore how parents can better understand children’s individual needs and create positive mealtime experiences.

Whether you’re raising a picky eater, navigating food sensitivities, or simply hoping to build healthier habits at home, this event offers practical guidance and reassurance. Leave with fresh perspectives and tools to help your children develop a healthy, confident relationship with food for life.

Gorton Center is a premier destination for outstanding cultural and performing arts experiences serving the residents of Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and the surrounding region. As a proud nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, we are dedicated to enriching our community through an array of exceptional events and programs.

At Gorton Center, we believe in the transformative power of the arts. Our vibrant calendar is brimming with diverse offerings, ensuring there's always something to captivate and inspire you. From live music performances that resonate with your soul to comedy nights that leave you in stitches, we curate events to suit all tastes and interests. Our dedication to quality and community engagement means you can expect only the best in cultural entertainment.

Whether you’re a long-time resident or a visitor, there’s always something extraordinary waiting for you. Come be a part of our community, where every event is an opportunity to connect, enjoy, and be inspired.

Gorton offers financial assistance and flexible payment options to individuals who may be unable to afford standard program fees. This support ensures that everyone has the opportunity to participate in meaningful learning and cultural enrichment experiences. Applications are reviewed based on demonstrated financial need.

Gorton Center will take and may use photos and videos from this event for its promotional purposes. Your attendance indicates your consent to the above.

Adult/health/wellness

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