In this roundup episode of What the Actual Fork, Jenna and Sam dive into their chaotic daily routines. They discuss the realities of balancing work and nutrition during busy days and share some laughs over their mom struggles. With both of them prepping for upcoming travel, they exchange their best travel tips, including what snacks to pack, how to manage solo parent duties, and what shows to watch while you’re in the air. Plus, Jenna shares a story about a social media interaction that...

Dr. Charlotte Markey is a professor of psychology at Rutgers University, with nearly three decades of research on eating behaviors and body image. Her most recent book, Adultish: The Body Image Book for Life, is described as "the ultimate guide to taking on adulthood with body confidence." She joins Jenna and Sam this week to discuss all things body image, including self-acceptance, shifting standards of beauty, and how recent conversations around GLP-1s might impact young people. Listen to...

Navigating the journey of motherhood, especially with more than one child, can feel like a wild balancing act. This week, Sam and Jenna are chatting about the unique challenges that come with raising multiple kids while trying to hold onto your identity as a mom. Social media can add to the pressure, making it all too easy to fall into the comparison trap. Join us as we explore how setting boundaries and letting go of social pressure online can help us reclaim our sense of self postpartum....

Ever wonder if you're the only parent struggling with toddler mealtime battles? Jenna and Sam are here to tell you that you most definitely aren’t. Tune in as they report from the toddler trenches, all about food, control, and the art of meal negotiations with little ones. From table tantrums to family meals in front of the TV, they’re squashing mom guilt and sharing insights on flexible, realistic parenting. Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.com/ Visit...

Dalina Soto, threepeat guest, is back and helping Jenna answer your questions. They provide insight to your questions about the value judgments between diet soda and pre-workout, fears around gaining weight on vacation, why ARFID isn’t just “picky eating,” dealing with food pressures during the holidays, and good questions to ask yourself about the food choices you’re making. We are SO excited to have Dalina on this week because her new book, The Latina Anti-Diet: A Dietitian’s Guide to...

Sam and Jenna have a conversation about The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and the Internet’s reaction to dirty sodas that leads to a deep dive on comparison, making choices about how we spend our time, and setting boundaries–for social media in particular, and our lives in general.  Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.com/ Visit Carawayhome.com/ACTUALFORK to see all of our favorite products AND take an additional 10% off your next purchase.  What The Actual Fork...

This week is a dream conversation! Jenna talks with Karena Dawn, co-founder of Tone It Up and voice behind the podcast, memoir, and foundation, The Big Silence. Jenna and Karena explore vital topics like mental wellness, fitness, and managing stress. Karena opens up about her own journey, offering a fresh perspective on the wellness industry. She also highlights The Big Silence and the movement dedicated to normalizing conversations about mental health. We hope this heartfelt exchange...

In this solo episode, Sam opens up about her decision to start medication for anxiety. She shares her journey with mental health and the factors that influenced her choice, emphasizing the importance of destigmatizing medication for mental health. Sam also discusses the importance of building a toolbox with additional strategies to manage anxiety effectively. She includes some beautiful, honest, and vulnerable responses from her followers about their experiences with medication for anxiety...

Sam and Jenna are diving into the latest buzz on social media, starting with the annual return of pumpkin spice content and comparing popular 'healthy' smoothies to pumpkin spice lattes. They discuss the nuances of food choices, exploring the marketing strategies behind what we label as 'nutritious.' Plus, they chat about the rising popularity of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and reflect on how social media and popular culture influence body image, mental health, and overall...

In this episode of What the Actual Fork, Jenna chats with Andres Ayesta, a Registered Dietitian, founder of Planos Nutrition, and host of The Nutrition Blueprint Podcast, about the crucial role of dairy in both children's and adults' diets. Jenna and Andres explore how dairy supports children’s development, share strategies for feeding picky eaters, and discuss the advantages of a dairy-inclusive diet for adults. They also tackle myths and misinformation often seen on social media. This...

Sam and Jenna are diving into the trials and tribulations of motherhood, diet culture, and those pesky unexpected life events. From traumatic ER visits involving our toddlers to the ongoing struggles against diet culture, we’re exploring everything at the intersection of food, body image, and motherhood. Join us for an open, heartfelt, and hilarious conversation that aims to normalize this messy and rewarding journey! Listen to more podcasts like this:...

Shana Minei Spence, MS, RDN, CDN is a registered dietitian and author of the new book, Live Nourished, Make Peace with Food, Banish Body Shame, and Reclaim Joy. Shana joins Jenna and Sam this week to talk Live Nourished, her personal journey with diet culture, teaching without shame, the demonization of convenience foods, and so much more. Seriously, we cover a lot of ground in this one. Shana is so informative and insightful. We can’t wait for you to hear this episode.  Listen to more...

In this solo episode of the What the Actual Fork podcast, Sam dives deep into her personal NICU experience, offering heartfelt advice for parents facing similar challenges. She opens up about the unexpected NICU journey with her second baby, including tips on preparing for the possibility and managing the emotional rollercoaster. Whether you're expecting, dealing with a NICU baby, or supporting someone who is, this episode is packed with real talk and valuable tips to help you through this...

We’re getting the rest of Sam’s birth story this week! More specifically, we’re talking all things C-section. Sam shares what the experience was like, how she's supporting her recovery, and offers tips, guidance, and recommendations for anyone navigating C-section recovery. Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.com/ What The Actual Fork https://www.instagram.com/whattheactualforkpod/ Sammy Previte https://www.instagram.com/find.food.freedom/ Jenna Werner...

Sam’s back!! She fills Jenna in on how things have been going since she added another little one to her family. She talks about the ways she prepped for her second baby that made all the difference, what she felt good about leaving behind, how she’s trying to keep things as calm and collected as possible (which we all know is basically impossible–but she’s trying, folks!), and why it’s so important to just let people help you. Listen to more podcasts like this:...

You've got questions, Jenna's got answers! Here's what you asked this week:How do I navigate gentle nutrition for high blood pressure and high cholesterol with all of the diet noise out there?How do I balance wanting to "get back in shape" after pregnancy without going overboard?What are some good food tips for staying hydrated in the summer heat?What does intuitive eating look like if I'm training for a marathon? Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.com/ If you’re...

Our What the Actual Fork listeners always have the best, most thoughtful questions, so Jenna’s answering some more of them! Here’s what you wanted to know:How can I encourage my toddler to choose anything other than cookies when I offer him snacks?What should I do for my recent gestational diabetes diagnosis?How do I navigate gentle nutrition for high blood pressure and high cholesterol with all of the diet noise out there? Listen to more podcasts like this:...

Cole Kazdin is a writer, performer and four-time Emmy Award-winning television journalist. Her first book, What's Eating Us: Women, Food, and the Epidemic of Body Anxiety blends personal narrative and investigative reporting to reveal disordered eating as an epidemic crisis killing millions of women. She joins Jenna this week to talk about how her lived experience led her to writing this book, how the medical field hurts people in larger bodies, how reporting on the subject is informed by her...

This week, we're revisiting one of our favorite episodes from the early days. It's a very special Jenna solo ep. where she talked all things fitness. This topic is very special to her because she has had quite the history with exercise. She dives into fitness obsession vs intuitive movement, when does exercise become obsessive, and must haves in your fitness routine. Jenna shares her story more in depth than ever before and it is well worth the listen. Listen to more podcasts like this:...

Dalina Soto is a registered dietitian and positive health advocate. She joins Jenna this week to talk about her upcoming book, the whitewashing of dietetics, social media’s dangerous reliance on a lack of nuance, and why it’s so important to consider culture’s role in food and nutrition.  Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.com/ Go to puritywoods.com/FORK or enter code FORK at checkout for an additional 10% off your first order. Follow Dalina Soto on Instagram:...

Mindy Hoffman is a licensed professional National Certified Counselor and an eating disorder recovery advocate. She joins Sam and Jenna this week to share her own recovery journey and how her work as a counselor allows her to connect with people on similar journeys. She shares how her “Living in the Hot Pink” philosophy has helped her move beyond strict black and white thinking into a more vibrant, nuanced way of life that is anything but gray! Listen to more podcasts like this:...

Margaret Doherty is a New York based Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She joins Sam and Jenna this week to share her pregnancy journey. She discusses how her experience was so different from what everyone told her to expect, offering a unique perspective on the ways social norms and expectations can shape the stories we tell ourselves. She also offers some practical ways folks in larger bodies–pregnant or otherwise–can advocate for themselves in medical settings. Listen to more...

Jenna’s answering all your listener questions this week! From tips for folks who are new to intuitive eating, to dealing with bad body image days, and so much more in between, you had questions, and Jenna’s got answers. Plus, fellow Jersey girl, Producer Andrea, swings by for a little Springsteen chat, why not? Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.com/ Unlock an exclusive 30% discount using code FORK at www.cozyearth.com/fork Follow us: What The Actual Fork...

Just before Sam heads off for maternity leave, she and Jenna peel back the layers on what's really in store post-baby. Sam dishes on her epic watchlist for those late-night baby feedings, and then they delve into the unfiltered reality of the "roommate phase" of new parenthood. They pull no punches, discussing the genuine struggles couples face in keeping their relationship solid amidst the chaos, from sleepless nights to navigating newfound responsibilities, to showing yourself compassion...