Kate Aragon, MS, RDN, LD of the Tasty Balance
At Compassionate Counseling St. Louis, we know that mental and physical health are closely connected - and sometimes this connection shows up in our habits around food.
Sometimes this can show up in ways that aren’t always easy to recognize. Which is why it is important to pay attention to what may be happening beneath the surface so parents and caregivers can better understand and support the whole child - not just the behavior they’re noticing.
At Compassionate Counseling St. Louis, we are big believers in the importance of collaboration and connecting families with trusted professionals who can offer specialized support.
Today, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on Registered Dietitian Kate Aragon, MS, RDN, LD, of The Tasty Balance!
What interested you in becoming a dietician?
My mom is actually also a dietitian, and I didn’t realize what an insane advantage it was to grow up seeing food neutrally.
Food was never really treated as “good” or “bad” in our house, and I didn’t grow up thinking I had to earn certain foods, compensate for what I ate, or feel guilty about enjoying something. Dinner was often served with dessert, and I had some sort of fun snack in my packed lunches. It wasn’t until I became an RD that I realized how most people see food in the extremes.
I became a dietitian because I wanted to understand the science behind food and nutrition, but the longer I’ve worked in this field, the more interested I’ve become in everything around food: our relationships with our bodies, how family systems, cultural norms, and emotional states affect what and how we eat. Sometimes the nutrition information itself is the easy part. It's figuring out how to actually live with food in a way that feels sustainable is what many people are incredibly confused with.
What kinds of eating/dietary concerns do you work with?
The dietitians at The Tasty Balance have a wide range of specialties, including eating disorders and disordered eating patterns, diabetes and high blood pressure management, sustainable weight management, women’s health, maternal and pediatric nutrition, selective eating, and gut concerns.
Personally, I specialize in eating disorders and disordered eating patterns, with a strong interest in meal planning support for ADHD, strained body image, and honoring cultural foods and bodies in BIPOC communities.
What ages do you work with?
The Tasty Balance sees individuals and families throughout the lifespan. We can also conduct family sessions with a parent and child, or sessions with adults and supportive others like siblings, friends, and spouses.
We do this because behavior change takes a community, and it's much more challenging (and less fun!) to take it on alone. Sometimes the person sitting in front of me isn't the only person who needs support or education. Creating a shared understanding of what is actually helpful can make a huge difference.
What happens during a first appointment with you?
The Tasty Balance
Before your first appointment, we ask you to complete some intake paperwork that includes things like a brief food diary, medical history, and your goals. We review that information beforehand so that we can spend the first appointment getting to know you as a person.
That is often the missing piece when people are trying to make a change. It isn't necessarily a lack of nutrition knowledge. Most people have already been told what they are “supposed” to eat. The harder question is, why isn't that working for you? (& it's probably not "lack of discipline")
I want to understand your routines, your relationship with food and your body, what has or hasn't worked in the past, and what you actually want your life to look like. From there, we can figure out what kind of support makes sense.
What are signs that parents might see in their kids that indicate working with a dietician could be helpful?
Ooh, this is a big one.
I would say that any significant change in eating habits in the household is a reason to consider nutrition counseling, especially when kids are involved. Kids are observation machines with LOTS of questions. Even if their own food habits don't change, they can still be impacted by changes in how you or anyone else in the household eats.
That doesn't mean parents need to panic every time a child says they don't like something or skips a snack. But if you're noticing increasing food rules, anxiety around eating, changes in appetite, food avoidance, increased focus on weight or body size, or major changes in how someone is talking about food or exercise, it can be helpful to have a professional take a look.
Best-case scenario, your child gets their questions answered and professional support in meeting their goals. Worst-case scenario, you have trained eyes monitoring for nutrient deficiencies, inadequate intake, or emerging disordered eating patterns. Either way, getting support early can be valuable.
What can parents expect to leave with after working with you?
Don't expect to leave with a perfect meal plan featuring Pinterest-worthy homemade dinners around a dinner table where everyone happily eats their vegetables without so much as a scoff.
If I had a magic wand, I'd wave it so hard for everyone who comes into my office.
What you can expect is to feel more prepared for the situations that actually come up. How to pivot when dinner doesn't go according to plan and still meet your family's nutritional needs. How to put together a lunch that prioritizes nutrient quality without requiring a gourmet kitchen. How to respond when your child suddenly decides they hate a food they've eaten for three years. Or what signs to look out for if food and exercise habits start to become concerning.
The goal isn't perfection. It's having a toolbox you can actually use when real life inevitably gets in the way.
Can you work with clients virtually?
The Tasty Balance
You betcha!
The Tasty Balance offers in-office sessions in our Brentwood (St. Louis) and Prairie Village (Kansas City) offices, and we're also able to meet with clients virtually across the Midwest.
What do you wish people knew about working with a registered dietitian?
We won’t judge what’s on your plate!!
I saw a Reel the other day that summed this up perfectly. It said, “Unfortunately being a dietitian means people saying, ‘Don't look at my plate’ even though you have the same food on your plate.” Haha.
Especially when you're working with a dietitian in nutrition counseling, we have training on behavior change and other therapeutic modalities that help make the space feel safe and nonjudgemental.
Share one fun fact about you that most people don’t know.
I originally wanted to be a flight attendant before becoming a dietitian, but I didn't meet the height requirement.
Honestly, I'm kind of glad it worked out that way. I traded serving snacks at 30,000 feet for talking about snacks in an office, which feels like a pretty decent career pivot.
The Tasty Balance Team
How can people learn more and contact you?
Learn more about The Tasty Balance team and our services on our website, and follow us on Instagram at @tastybalancedietitian.
You can find The Tasty Balance Team Online!
Website - https://thetastybalance.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tastybalancedietitian/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thetastybalance/
Curious to learn more? Wondering if you or your child could benefit from anxiety therapy or if working with a registered dietician like Kate would be helpful? Contact Compassionate Counseling St. Louis to set up a free 15-minute phone consult. We’ll talk about what’s going on and best next steps - and if we’re not the right fit, we’ll connect you with other wonderful St. Louis-based resources, like Kate!
Curious to learn more about anxiety and anxiety-driven anger? Reach out to us at hello@compassionatecounselingstl.com. As child anxiety experts, we love working with kids, teens, college students and parents to help manage their anxiety, stress, and anger. Compassionate Counseling St. Louis is located in Clayton, MO and works with families by offering both in-person counseling and online therapy throughout Creve Couer, Ballwin, Town and Country, Brentwood, and Ladue. We also provide online therapy Missouri -wide to teens and college students. You can set up your first free consult on this website, on our consultation page.