Getting healthy dinners on the table that our kids will actually eat and that also save us time and money is no easy feat. Maybe you have the same recipes on rotation and cooking is the last thing you want to do after a long, busy day. With some simple meal prep ideas, however, serving up healthy and delicious dishes in no time can be a breeze. In this special bonus edition of the podcast, I sat down with Catherine McCord, founder of the popular site Weelicious, co-founder of One Potato,...

When it comes to kids' snacks, there are a ton of so-called healthy options. You know the ones: they have buzzwords like "organic," "natural," and "made with real fruit.” But that doesn't necessarily mean they're good for our kids. Many are ultra-processed, high in sugar, and lacking in nutrition. In this episode, I sat down with Diane and Laurel Orley, co-founders of Daily Crunch Snacks, a company that makes superfood-infused, sprouted nuts that are made without added sugars, preservatives,...

During the pre-teen and teen years, a lot changes, including how kids eat. They often have new food preferences, want what other kids are eating, and may be embarrassed by what you’re packing them for lunch. They’re exposed to a lot more food marketing and social media, and with more social opportunities, you realize you have a lot less control over what they eat. In this episode, I sat down with Kiran Dodeja Smith, a mom of 4, a certified integrative health coach, marketing expert, and...

In recent years, there’s been an explosion of new organic baby food brands that are veggie-forward and focused on real food ingredients instead of highly-processed foods and those with a ton of sugar. We’re also seeing a lot of really interesting flavor combinations that you’re more likely to see on restaurant menus but can go a long way in raising healthy, adventurous little eaters. In this episode, I sat down with Shibani Baluja, a mom of 2 and founder & CEO of lil’gourmets, a company...

If you’re like most parents, your kids are picky eaters. Whether they refuse to eat vegetables, avoid certain textures and tastes, or have only a handful of foods they’ll eat, maybe you’ve turned to vitamins in the hopes of filling in the nutritional gaps. But maybe you've thought about it and wondered, do kids need vitamins?   Vitamins for kids are a big business in the U.S. and show no signs of slowing down. By 2025, the global gummy vitamin market is estimated to reach 10.6 billion. Not...

When it comes to plant-based, non-dairy milk for kids who are lactose intolerant, have a dairy sensitivity, or are avoiding cow’s milk for another reason, the options are endless: almond, oat, pea milk, coconut, and many more. By 2028, the global plant-based dairy market is expected to reach $31.5B, and while demand continues to grow, what you may not know is that not all plant-based milk for kids is created equal. In this episode, I sat down with Lauren Abelin, co-founder of PlantBaby...

Picky eating is one of the most common challenges we have as parents. We all want our kids to eat healthy and we know it’s important for their growth, development, and overall health. But we often find ourselves encouraging them to “just take a bite!,” eat the meal we took the time to make, or try new foods. And when they flat-out refuse, it can be super frustrating. In this episode, I sat down with Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, International Board...

We all know that childhood obesity has been a complex problem in the U.S. for years and solving for it hasn’t been easy. We’ve looked to policymakers, pediatricians, parents, and new programs, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the issue. Although we’ve seen a lot of progress, more needs to be done because the latest research shows childhood obesity rates are on the rise. In this episode, I sat down with Karla Lester, M.D. a pediatrician, a certified life and weight coach, a...

About 50% of infants younger than 3 months spit up at least once a day, but what if it’s a chronic problem for yours? Or maybe you have a toddler or big kid who has trouble swallowing and seems miserable at mealtimes—it could be acid reflux. The good news is that there are plenty of natural remedies for acid reflux in babies and big kids. In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Sheila Kilbane, a board-certified pediatrician, who is also trained in integrative medicine, and the best-selling...

Today on the show we’re talking about kids’ constipation which affects approximately 30% of children in the U.S. Chances are, it’s something that has affected your kids at one point or another, and around the holidays when there’s a lot of cookies and sweets, it’s a common challenge for kids. The good news? There are natural remedies and several foods to help kids poop. In this episode, I sat down with Jessica O’Connell MBA, RD, LD, a registered dietitian, owner of Jessica O'Connell...

Food allergies affect 5.6 million children in the U.S. and if you’re a parent, you know how challenging it can be to keep kids with them safe at school, birthday parties, and restaurants. Around the holidays, however, there are so many new foods, tons of cookies, and homemade family favorites that often have secret ingredients, and plenty of places where food will be so avoiding an allergic reaction can be tough. In this episode, I sat down with Kelly Woyan Rudnicki, a writer, producer, and...

Artificial sweeteners have been around for more than a century, but today, it seems that they’re showing up almost everywhere: in snacks, sports drinks, and tons of processed foods. And just like sugar, kids are getting too much. In fact, more than one in 4 kids consumes artificial sweeteners on any given day. Although they may seem like a step up from sugar, you might be wondering, are artificial sweeteners safe for kids? In this episode, I sat down with Kimberly Gomer, a registered...

Between homework, after-school activities, and the holidays right around the corner, it’s a busy time of year.  So when it comes to getting dinner on the table, it’s hard to find the time to cook. Maybe you find yourself calling out for food or going through the drive-through more often than you care to admit. The good news? Getting a healthy dinner on the table doesn’t have to be time-consuming or complicated. In this episode, I sat down with  Sarah Walker Caron, a writer, recipe developer,...

Baby-led weaning has become super-trendy in recent years with a ton of websites, new books, and influencers all talking about it. And on Google, the term gets more than half a million searches every month. Despite its buzzworthy-ness, however, it’s not a new idea by any means, dating back more than 20 years. What is new, however, is the concept of adapted baby-led weaning for babies who have developmental delays and feeding challenges. In this episode, I sat down with Gill Rapley, PhD. who...

Whether you have babies, toddlers, or big kids, chia seeds are a superfood for the whole family. And if you’re wondering how to eat chia seeds, the good news is that there are a ton of quick and easy ways to serve them up. In this episode, I sat down with Malina Malkani, a registered dietitian nutritionist, speaker, and best-selling author of "Simple and Safe Baby-Led Weaning: How to Integrate Foods, Manage Portion Sizes and Identify Allergies." Malina is also a media expert, Forbes Health...

More than one-third of kids and teens in the U.S. eat fast food on any given day and there’s no doubt it makes our lives easier. After all, it’s quick and convenient, and we know our kids will eat it. But when it comes to marketing fast food to kids, companies are spending some serious money— to the tune of  $5 billion a year. Plus, with so many media channels vying for our attention, companies have had to get really creative with their messaging and how and where they target...

There’s been a lot of buzz in recent years about sensory issues and sensory processing disorder, which research shows affect between 5 and 15% of kids. Kids with sensory challenges often have trouble with clothing that feels scratchy, or sounds that are too loud, for example, but they can also show up at mealtimes. Kids may only eat white foods, refuse to eat foods with a certain texture or smell, or gag when they try new foods. Sensory issues and sensory processing disorder are certainly...

Welcome to the launch of season #8! The new school year brings new teachers, new schedules, and new expectations, plus sports and after-school activities. And with that comes the need for nutrition that supports kids’ brain function, and helps with memory, focus, and attention. When it comes to brain foods for kids, there are a ton of options, but they’re not always the easiest to prioritize especially if you have picky eaters.    In this episode, I sat down with Mark Brooks, co-founder, and...

With the kids back in school, it’s almost inevitable that they’re going to get sick. Kids, especially toddlers and preschoolers, are swapping germs all day long and their hand-washing habits usually aren’t ideal. Plus, the foods your kids eat, how much sleep and activity they get, and stress all have a lot to do with their immune systems. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to boost your child’s immune system and they don’t have to take a lot of time or effort. In this episode, I sat...

You’ve seen the photos on Instagram—you know, the ones of clean, beautifully-organized refrigerators with food strategically placed in a rainbow-colored fashion. Sure, they look amazing, but they’re all in the name of marketing and not realistic unless you have a ton of time on your hands. Yet if you’re trying to get your kids back on track with healthy eating this fall season, and you want to save time and money in the kitchen, learning how to organize your refrigerator (without all the...

It’s back-to-school season, and with that comes new schedules, sports, after-school activities, and a whole lot of busyness. We’re all well-intentioned and want to make sure our kids are eating healthy, but with all we have to do, it’s a challenge. With some simple meal prep ideas, however, you can make sure your kids are off to a good start and get the nutrition they need all year long.  In this episode, I sat down with Rebecca Huff, a mom of 6, creator of ThatOrganicMom.com, and host of A...

Prices for food, especially meat, eggs, and fish, are sky-high these days and families are feeling the pinch. Although shopping sales and clipping coupons can definitely help, trying some new plant-based meal ideas can go a long way in helping you to save money, give your kids a nutritional boost, and help you to model healthy eating habits. In this episode, I sat down with Nicole Centeno, a French Culinary Institute-trained chef, founder, and co-CEO of Splendid Spoon, a meal-delivery...

We all know “breast is best,” but that doesn’t mean breastfeeding always comes naturally or is easy. Many moms struggle with pain, low milk supply, and other breastfeeding problems and often don’t have the support they need. In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, a health psychologist, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and author of Breastfeeding Doesn’t Need to Suck. She is also the owner and editor-in-chief of Praeclarus Press.  Kathleen and I talk...

In the U.S., a whopping 40% of food is wasted, and some of it starts at the grocery store and in our kitchens. We may purchase more than we consume, toss perfectly good food scraps, food that’s past a certain date, or leftovers that no one wants to touch. Although the intention is to eat everything we buy, our kids are picky and we’re super-busy too, so it’s not always realistic. If you want to how to reduce food waste at home, however, it’s not as tough as you may think.  In this episode,...