A podcast for parents who need help navigating the muddy waters of feeding their kids. From starting solids to picky eating and body image concerns, join me for real life, down to earth conversations about how to nourish our kids. I may be a pediatric dietitian, but I'm also a mom, dealing with the same day-to-day craziness and joy of motherhood as my listeners. You’ll learn, you’ll laugh, and you’ll be inspired!
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? Everything you need to know about what counts as a food exposure in one place. If you have ever wondered what counts as a food exposure for your picky eater we are laying it out for you today. We also give some examples of food exposures you can do with your child to get them exposed to new foods in a fun and un…
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? With energy drink consumption (and even coffee!) on the rise in our kids, we felt it was time to dedicate an episode specifically to caffeine in children. We'll tell you some of the hidden sources of caffeine to look out for and we will also walk you through some of the most popular energy drinks among kids and …
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? Sodium is one of the main nutrients of concern because Americans are getting too much, but does this extend to our children too? This week we are talking about sodium for kids and how our children’s dietary patterns may have them exceeding the guidelines and affecting their health. We also talk about some ways t…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Getting Kids Comfortable Around New Foods with ChopChop Founder Sally Sampson
42:47
42:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:47
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? This week we are joined by founder and president of ChopChop Family Sally Sampson as we dicuss the benefits of getting your picky eater in the kitchen to help them become more comfortable around new foods. Sally talks to us about some of her own experiences with picky eaters and how ChopChop's products can help …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Parents as Role Models In Feeding and Nutrition
31:43
31:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:43
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? Here are some quick and easy tips for parents to be a healthy role model for their children, to help them build healthy habits starting from a young age. Additional Links: Being a Healthy Role Model: https://www.dhs.gov/employee-resources/news/2022/03/17/be-healthy-role-model-children#:~:text=Go%20grocery%20shop…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Does My Extreme Picky Eater Need A Multivitamin?
34:37
34:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:37
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? If you have ever questioned if you child should be taking a multivitamin or wondered if you should keep your child on their multivitamin then this one is for you. Today we look at a research study that investigated multivitamins for kids and if they actually meet the nutrient needs of our children. Multivitamins…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Intuitive Eating for Kids with Sabrina Magnan
56:40
56:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
56:40
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? In this week’s episode we are joined by Food Freedom Holistic Health Coach and Founder of the Food Freedom Academy Sabrina Magnan. Sabrina is joining us this week while we talk about intuitive eating for kids and how to raise an intuitive eater in this world of diet culture that we live in. We discuss some of th…
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? High cholesterol in children is something Jen is seeing more and more in her practice so it's time for some education on cholesterol, how it affects our bodies, and some of the best ways to keep our cholesterol levels low. Plus, we provide some education on different types of fats including saturated fat, trans …
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? Happy 50 episodes! Today we are going to be taking you through the basics of breastmilk composition, the benefits of breastfeeding for mom and baby, and some fun facts about breastmilk. With all of the misinformation on this topic out there in the world we felt like it was time to set the record straight and exp…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Applying the Mediterranean Diet to Your Family (Even Picky Kids!)
37:54
37:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:54
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? This week we are continuing our discussion about the Mediterranean diet with some practical applications of the diet. We are going to be talking about some easy swaps you can make for your family today. Then we look at a dietary recall from one of Jen’s picky eating clients and talk about how we would make chang…
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? The Mediterranean diet is all the rage right now but is it healthy for our kids? This week we break down the Mediterranean diet, its benefits, if it is safe for your child, and some of the most important things to consider if you do choose to make the switch for your child. During this week’s product review of "…
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? This week is all about easy weeknight dinner ideas. These super quick and easy meals are perfect for those late nights when you are running around between practices, recitals, games, and any other afterschool activities you might have filling up your schedules. Additional Resources: Find Jen’s A Month of Meals h…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Why is My Child Rejecting Foods and What to do About it
34:30
34:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:30
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? If your child has been dropping foods or refusing to try new foods, we are here to help! This week we are discussing food rejections, why they happen, and what you can do to stop the refusals. Then we review Welches strawberry and banana protein smoothie. Additional Links and related episodes: Read more about Fo…
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? Everybody and their mother has a different opinion about the best way to get your kids to eat. The internet is completely saturated with ideas, tricks, "hacks," and promises of "just do THIS and your kid will eat broccoli!" We'll break down the most cringe worthy feeding practices that Jen hears, and why these w…
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? This week we are highlighting some brands and food products that are allergen-free. We also have some tips for eating out when you have allergies and phone apps that can be helpful if you or your child is living with food allergies. Then Jen shares her delicious and easy stuffed pepper soup recipe. Links: Learn …
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? Need some new ideas for what to pack your little one for lunch at school or daycare? Well, this week Jen and Izzy are giving you loads of ideas, all nut-free so they are safe for those with allergies and school-friendly. Then Jen talks about her lemon poppyseed energy bites that are the perfect sweet snack to pa…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Navigating Restaurant Menus With Your Kids
25:22
25:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:22
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? This week Jen and Izzy talk about the best tips for eating out with your child. It might feel overwhelming to go out to a restaurant with your family, but using these tips will help ease some of that stress and allow you to enjoy your meals out with your family where you don't have to cook! Then Jen talks about …
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? Have you ever wondered how much your child needs to eat? This week Jen and Izzy talk about portions for children, and how much food your child really should be eating. They talk about how to build a balanced plate for your little one using the right portion sizes for them. Then Jen talks about her pumpkin pancak…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Food Chaining: The Picky Eating Lifesaver
31:26
31:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:26
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? If you have a picky eater who will only eat a couple of foods then this one is for you! This week Jen and Izzy are talking all about food chaining which is a proven method to help selective eaters widen their accepted foods list. This method can be super helpful for parents who have foods they want their child t…
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? We have talked countless times about the importance of menu planning and how beneficial a feeding schedule can be for children, so today in our episode we talk about how to create a feeding schedule and what menu planning might look like for your family. Then Jen talks about her super easy salmon recipe and give…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Common Meal Time Struggles: Advice and Strategies
34:22
34:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:22
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? Do you have a hard time getting your child to the dinner table? Do you feel like a short-order cook? Ever wonder if your child should get dessert if they don’t eat their dinner? Does your child stay at the table and eat if they are hungry but get up and play if they aren’t? If any of these questions are somethin…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
A Conversation on Body Image and Body Dysmorphic Disorder
34:41
34:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:41
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? This week Jen and Izzy talk about body dysmorphic disorder in adolescents, the signs to look out for, and what you as a parent can do to help your child if you feel they might be struggling with this disorder. They also discuss body image and how as a parent you can help your child grow up with a healthy body im…
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? This week Jen and Izzy dive into some of the most popular baby and toddler products related to feeding and tell the listeners if it is a must-have or if you should pass on the product. Jen also shares some of her top tips for feeding little kids and babies who are doing baby-led weaning. Lastly Izzy talks about …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
What You Need to Know About Binge Eating Disorder
37:18
37:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:18
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? *this episode contains discussions about eating disorders that may be triggering to some individuals* This week we are continuing our education on eating disorders and focusing on Binge Eating disorder, plus our thoughts on air fryers! We talk about what you need to know about BED and we highlight the signs to l…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Nourishing Your Family When You Hate Cooking
29:11
29:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:11
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? If you hate cooking but want to make sure your family is getting all the nutrients they need to grow and be healthy, well this week we are giving you all our tips to minimize cooking while still creating balanced and healthy meals. Jen also shares one of her easiest recipes; Black Bean and Sweet Potato Quesadill…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Signs of Anorexia and Bulimia for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
33:09
33:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:09
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? *This episode does contain conversations about eating disorders and behaviors associated with them that may be upsetting to some people* Since this week is eating disorder awareness week, we wanted to make an episode talking specifically about anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. These two eating disorders are …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Constant Requests for Snacks: Food Obsession or Something Else?
36:04
36:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
36:04
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? Many parents often wonder if their child has a sugar or food obsession based on their actions or behaviors that child has around a certain food. If you have ever wondered if you child has a food obsession this one is for you. Jen and Izzy talk about signs of “food obsessions,” some causes for a child to act this…
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? There are so many myths out there about the best nutrition or diet plan to follow if you have a child with ADHD. Artificial dyes? Omega 3s? Sugar? This week we break down what you need to know about nutrition’s impact on ADHD and how best to fuel your child with ADHD. Then Jen talks about one of her delicious si…
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? Children who live in larger bodies are, unfortunately, destined for ridicule by society at large. Many children are very aware of their own body size and as a parent, you may feel like you need to help them shrink their body or eat in a particular way. In this episode we'll dive deep into how to help children li…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Kids Who Eat Emotionally and What You Can Do About It
28:40
28:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:40
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? We are taking a deep dive this week into emotional eating in kids and some of the signs that your child might be eating emotionally. We'll walk you through some ways that you can help your child work through emotional eating and some tips to help prevent it in the future. Jen also shares with us her delicious Wi…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Fueling for Sports and How We Feel About Sports Drinks
27:22
27:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:22
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? This week’s episode is a quick guide to help you feed your child before, during, and after exercise. Whether your child is doing a sport all year round or only plays sports for certain seasons it is very important to make sure that they are fueling properly to support their activities. We give lots of pre and po…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Tip and Tricks for Helping your Child Gain Weight
27:11
27:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:11
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? In this week’s episode, we're here to help you figure out healthy ways to help your underweight child gain weight. We also give some sample snack ideas that are great balanced options to support your child’s weight. On Jen, What’s Cooking? this week it's all about the smoothies, rich in healthy fats and fruit th…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Pelvic Floor and Constipation with Guest Experts Alyssa and Bree Almeida
42:08
42:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:08
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? We are so excited to share with you our very first guest expert interview! Dr. Alyssa Almeida and Dr. Brianna Almeida from Renew Health Pelvic Health and Wellness are here to school us on all things pelvic floor health. This episode we hear all about the importance of pelvic floor health and how a weakened pelvi…
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? Happy New Year! This week's episode is all about fun and easy ways to bump up your fruit and veggie intake in 2024. New year's resolutions can be hard to stick to or fail after January, but this episode will help you stay on track with your fruit and veggie goals. At the end of the episode Jen shares her yummy e…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Dealing with Food and Body Comments at the Holidays
34:50
34:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:50
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? In this episode, Jen and Izzy talk about the best ways to respond to comments on food and body during the holidays. This time of year can be very stressful and it is usually centered around food, so to help ease your anxiety we are giving you some fool proof responses to help shut down the conversation from the …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Combat Picky Eating: The Division of Responsibility
34:16
34:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:16
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? In this episode Jen takes a deep dive into The Division of Responsibility, a feeding model coined by Ellyn Satter and one of the most important things to do when you've got a picky eater. Jen talks about all four aspects including the parent deciding what food is being served, when that food is being served, the…
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? Do you ever find yourself begging your child to "just take a bite"? How about "try it, you'll like it!" Or maybe you yourself had a "clean plate club" family growing up. These are all forms of pressure, that can actually make eating WORSE for children who struggle to eat! If you find yourself in this boat, you m…
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? If you go on social media at all, some fit-fluencer is talking about macros. But what is a macro? This episode will break it down for you and let you know if you need to be worried about yours or your child's macros. Then, we're talking coconut oil on Jen, Is This Healthy? Disclaimer: Any information that I disc…
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? We've talked about so many nutrition topics on this podcast so far, but we haven't dug into the basics of MyPlate! This is the healthy eating guide that replaced the old Food Pyramid. I don't think I've done a single counseling session without referencing it. On Jen, Is This Healthy we'll get into rice cakes and…
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? In Part 2 of our BLW episodes, we take a deeper dive into the specifics of what you can offer your baby as far as foods, textures, allergens, and more! Starting solids can be so overwhelming, especially for new parents. Let us ease your mind! Disclaimer: Any information that I discuss on this podcast is for educ…
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? Here's a little insight into Jen's day-to-day: she's in the thick of BLW right now! Jen started offering her 6 month old strips of steak, soft cooked apple wedge, and even peanut butter, right away! BLW is a method of introducing solids to your baby that is completely, as it sounds, baby led. Many parents remain…
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? We are in the thick of cold and flu season by now, so this week we're chatting all things immunity! This episode is really important for those listening with super young ones. We'll define immunity, discuss how we build our immune systems, and let you know how you can help your child strengthen their immune syst…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Happy Halloween! Keeping Candy No Big Deal
32:15
32:15
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:15
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? Happy Halloween! Does the thought of your kiddos eating seven gazillion pieces of candy tonight make you cringe? Today we are talking about how to handle candy with your little ones on the biggest candy holiday of the year. We are also going to discuss why it is important to let your child have some candy, and k…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Social Media and Wellness Trends: Greens Powders
32:34
32:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:34
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? Are greens powders really just as good as eating your veggies? Can you truly get all your vitamins and minerals from that tiny scoop of green dust? Will they make you "healthy" and end all your gastrointestinal issues? Many brands of similar products have been circulating on social media for the past year or mor…
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? **EDIT** In the episode I say drinking a gallon of water is "pretty harmless" - but I correct myself! This much water intake could be problematic for some people. At the beginning of next week's episode, I'll explain more about this. When we recorded the Social Media Food Trends episode I had it in my head that …
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? Have you ever wondered if your child (or you!) could use a supplement? With so many on the market, from multivitamins to individual vitamins and all sorts of potions out there, it's confusing! On this episode we'll talk about what to look for in a supplement and when a supplement might be needed. Disclaimer: Any…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Mom Series! Cleanses, Detoxes, and Scams Oh My!
43:14
43:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:14
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? It's Mom Series Episode 2! We are talking all about cleanses and detoxes [and scams]. In this episode we cut through all the noise about those expensive, trendy powders and pills and tell you the truth about if you truly need a detox or a cleanse! Then we are going to talk about one of Izzy’s favorite grab and g…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Mom Series! Yo-Yo Dieting (AKA Weight Cycling)
38:16
38:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:16
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? We are doing a special MOM SERIES on the podcast! In the next few episodes we will dive into diet culture, social media trends, and all the issues we have with the way foods, supplements, and diets are presented to consumers. First up is our yo-yo dieting episode where we'll talk about the detrimental health eff…
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? When you take your child to their annual physical, they get their height and weight measured and are plotted on a growth chart. But what do all those little dots on the chart really mean? Today we'll explain everything you wanted to know about growth charts, and how to assess your child's growth. Spoiler alert: …
…
continue reading
Suggestions, Comments, or Questions? This is one of my favorite episodes so far! This week we are discussing Health at Every Size (HAES), a way to approach health that is weight-inclusive and looks at parameters beyond the number on the scale. It breaks my heart that kids are subject to weight stigma at a very young age, and we need to talk about H…
…
continue reading