Columns - Irish Examiner

Aoife Hearne

Aoife Hearne is a CORU-registered dietitian and the founder of Nutrition Solutions. She is a lecturer and course leader for the Nutrition & Exercise Science degree programme at South East Technological University (SETU).

Preadolescent boy having cereal with milk for breakfast at the dining table at home

Aoife Hearne: How can I get my picky son to eat in school hours?

I'm worried now that my son is in secondary school he won't get proper nutrition during his school days

Tue, 01 Sep, 2026

Aoife Hearne: My three-year old won't give up his bottle

He’s drinking so much milk that he’s rarely properly hungry and picks at his meals

Tue, 04 Aug, 2026

Aoife Hearne: My child loved his vegetables but now refuses to eat them

What one was a normal part of their diet is now a source of discomfort, what can I do?

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

A teenager with a sleepy face idly looks out the window and chews rice porridge

Aoife Hearne: My Leaving Cert child is picking at his food and not eating meals

A ‘little and often’ approach to eating nutrient-rich meals can be easier to manage during the exam period

Tue, 02 Jun, 2026

No vegan diet concept. Teen girl pushing away plate with broccoli and other vegetables refusing to eat. Food waste. Selective fo

Aoife Hearne: My exam teens don't want to eat full meals

When students are preoccupied with their studies, appetite signals can take a back seat and three square meals may feel too much. Try the ‘little and often’ approach, which offers more flexibility

Tue, 05 May, 2026

Delicious cheeseburger with cola and potato fries on the wooden table. Fast food concept.

Aoife Hearne: How do I talk to my teen about her weight gain and snacking habits?

There is no doubt that you are dealing with a delicate situation

Tue, 31 Mar, 2026

Happy elementary school girl with healthy food in cafeteria

Aoife Hearne: My children have lost interest in the free school meals. What do you suggest?

A good place to start with your daughters is to understand why they have lost interest in the school meals — are they fed up with the menu options or has the quality deteriorated?

Tue, 03 Mar, 2026

Teenage boy having scrambled eggs for breakfast

My teen follows a strict high-protein diet but I'm worried about his weekend eating habits

At the weekends, he eats all around him — fried breakfast, toast, roast potatoes and desserts

Tue, 03 Feb, 2026

Little girl enjoying a lollipop on a winter city street with warm lights

Should I put my children on a sugar detox?

Rather than focusing on exclusion, shift to thinking about the frequency and portions of each that are being consumed

Tue, 06 Jan, 2026

Aoife Hearne: Clubs rewarding children with sweets are being irresponsible

We have to teach our children how to eat them in small quantities and take the power away from forbidden foods.

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025