In this episode of You Had Me at Healthy, hosts Jonathan and Natalie Paul dive into the real-life challenges of maintaining a healthy lifestyle while navigating the social norms that often surround food. From school lunches and birthday parties to family gatherings and vacations, they explore how the Standard American Diet influences not only our children but also our relationships, routines, and identity.

Jonathan and Natalie share personal stories about empowering their kids to make confident food choices, building a supportive community, and finding joy in simple, healthy habits—like cooking together on vacation. Whether it’s navigating a potluck with different dietary needs or reflecting on how far they’ve come in their own health journeys, this episode is all about living intentionally in a world that often encourages the opposite.

Learn more:

Natalie's Website: https://www.nattiepaul.com/

Nourish to Flourish Program

Jonathan's Website: https://www.mohawkcode.com/

Recipe:

Engine 2: Macaroni Not Cheese

Takeaways

• Social norms can create pressure to conform to unhealthy eating habits.
• School lunches often promote unhealthy options, making it crucial to plan ahead.
• Empowering children to make healthy choices is essential for their development.
• Positive reinforcement helps build confidence in kids regarding their food choices.
• Creating a supportive community can enhance healthy eating habits.
• Handling different dietary choices in relationships requires understanding and patience.
• The outside world can be challenging for maintaining healthy eating habits.
• Cooking together as a family fosters bonding and healthier eating.
• Reflecting on past food habits can help inform better choices today.
• Every small choice contributes to long-term health outcomes.

Chapters

00:00 Reconnecting and Setting the Stage

01:41 Navigating Social Norms and Diet Choices

04:17 School Lunches and Food Options

07:18 Empowering Kids to Make Healthy Choices

10:08 Building Confidence in Social Situations

14:19 Leadership Through Nutritional Choices

15:10 Changing Perspectives on Food Sharin

17:28 Creating a Supportive Community

19:07 Handling Different Dietary Choices in Relationships

23:42 Overcoming External Food Challenges

24:32 Vacationing with Healthy Choices

28:46 Finding Joy in Cooking Together

32:13 Reflecting on Past Food Habits

35:12 The Importance of Healthy Choices for Kids