Lily Nichols is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator, researcher, and author with a passion for evidence-based nutrition. Drawing from the current scientific literature and the wisdom of traditional cultures, her work is known for being research-focused, thorough, and sensible. We dive into what a nourishing prenatal diet looks like, how to support blood sugar balance during pregnancy, and what to know about gestational diabetes — from prevention to managemen...

Welcome Samina Qureshi, a Registered Dietitian specializing in gut health and digestive disorders, to the podcast! Sarah and Samina discuss the importance of identifying common digestive issues in kids, and practical tips for managing GI distress and constipation. They discuss: How to identify food sensitivities or digestive difficulties in kidsHigh fiber sources and ways to introduce them in kids' dietsFoods and lifestyle changes to help with constipationKid-friendly ways to help with GI dis...

In this quick solo episode, Sarah shares some of her meals that her family shared last week, including opportunities to improve upon for next week's meals to make things easier, and also highlights what worked well for busy weeks. She also shares some easy recipes for you to try! Your meals don’t have to be Pinterest-worthy — simple, repeated, even imperfect meals still get the job done. Don't forget to leave a review for the podcast. I’d love to hear what you all ate last week! Tag me or sen...

Gisela Bouvier is a media Registered Dietitian based on Florida. In this episode, Gisela shares how to be okay with using convenient and processed foods in her busy lifestyle, while still nourishing her family. She talks about how and why she came to embrace mindful eating after suffering from an eating disorder for many years prior to having her three kids. From that experience, cultivating a good relationship with food is very important to her, and she shares how she does that in her house ...

In this episode, Breana Killeen, Sarah speaks with Breana Killeen, a senior food editor at Food & Wine and a dedicated farmer and chef. Breana shares her insights on the unique experiences of raising children on a farm, lessons learned through farming, the importance of family meals, and how these experiences shape their relationship with food. Breana also offers practical tips for busy parents on meal planning and preparation. Her approach to cooking is both accessible and creative, maki...

In this episode, Sarah talks with Beth Stark, to discuss the challenges and strategies of meal prepping, especially during the back-to-school season. They explore: - How parents can navigate the busy schedules to create balanced meals - How to involve children in meal planning - Redefining meal prep for busy families - Creative Lunchbox Ideas for Kids - Encouraging Variety in Kids' Diets - How to create a variety of meals that are both nutritious and appealing Beth Stark, RDN, LDN is ...

In this quick episode, Sarah shares a realistic approach to bedtime snacks — a common source of confusion (and negotiation) for many families. Should you offer them or not? Whether your child is genuinely hungry at night or using snacks as a stalling tactic, this episode explores how to approach bedtime snacks without guilt, pressure, or power struggles. Sarah covers: Why bedtime snacks can be totally normal (and sometimes needed!)How summer and school year routines change thingsWhat to...

In this episode, my seven year old, Camryn, joins me to talk about snacking habits, and how kids may see snacks. We talk about strategies to offer more fruits and veggies, let kids play a role in the snack process, and fun ideas that you can try at home. Camryn even shares some tips for enticing picky eaters to try new foods, and some fun summer-friendly options! Snacks mentioned in this episode: Edible cookie doughPumpkin spice cookie doughSweetpotato zucchini muffinsGreek yogurt banana brea...

If you've ever been worried about your child's weight, this is an episode you won't want to miss! Jill Castle, long-time childhood nutrition expert and founder of The Nourished Child and author of Kids Thrive at Every Size, joins Sarah on Managing Mealtime Madness. Together, Sarah and Jill explore: Why traditional approaches to weight and BMI in children often miss the markHow parents and caregivers can shift the focus from weight to well-beingThe role of nutrition, growth patterns, and...

Chelsea LeBlanc is an award-winning registered dietitian, media personality, recipe developer, and nutrition expert in Nashville, TN. She runs a nutrition communications company and virtual private practice where she helps career-driven women plan and prep quick and easy meals on a budget. She frequently contributes to multiple media outlets––including Eat This, Not That!, Well + Good, MSN, and Eating Well. Passionate about reducing food waste, she promotes sustainable meal planning and prepa...

Amid rising controversy and misinformation on social media, this episode explains what seed oils are, how they’re processed, and whether they deserve the “toxic” label they’ve been given. As a Registered Dietitian, Sarah dives into the science behind seed oils, their role in heart health, inflammation, and whether they’re safe for kids. In this episode, we discuss: What seed oils are and how they differ from fruit oils How seed oils are processed and what that even meansThe truth a...

In this episode, Sarah talks about her recent firsthand experience on cattle ranches in Nebraska and some of the main takeaways for families. She shares some of the myths about beef and misinformation about grass-fed vs. conventional beef, and talks about beef nutrition, especially for growing kids. From how cattle are raised to what happens before beef ends up in your grocery store or on your toddler’s plate, Sarah breaks down 5 key takeaways that every parent should know. If you’ve ev...

Childhood nutrition is a complex issue! In this episode, Sarah and Alex Turnbull, RD discuss the challenges of child nutrition, particularly in the context of school food service. As a Registered Dietitian who used to work in school food service, Alex talks about many of the challenges that school nutrition programs face, including funding, food policies, offer vs. serve and more. In this episode: How parents can reduce pressure when serving healthy meals to kidsHow school meals a...

In this episode, Sarah shares practical tips for making mealtime more enjoyable for families, especially with young children. To make family meals more fun, we discuss the importance of predictability and allowing kids to serve themselves to foster autonomy. Sarah also touches on providing empathy when dealing with picky eaters, avoiding pressure, and creating rituals to enhance family bonding during meals. This is a great and quick episode to listen to for school pick up, while doing the dis...

Sally Kuzemchak is a registered dietitian and founder of Real Mom Nutrition, where she shares down-to-earth advice about feeding kids plus simple recipes--and since she's a former picky eater, they're all created with the finicky palate in mind. Her passion is helping moms feel more confident, and less guilt and confusion around feeding their families. She's the author of two books and has been published in numerous magazines and online outlets including Parents, Simply Recipes, and WebMD.&nb...

Hilary McMahon is a Registered Dietitian specializing in baby-led weaning and toddler nutrition. When her daughter was born, she became more aware of the true challenges that parents face when it comes to starting solids, navigating mealtime daily, and providing proper nutrition for their little ones. She founded her programs First Foods Academy and Toddler Foods Academy, as a way to help families find success in this area, and to also have the proper support they need to navigate what can be...

Kelly Jones is a board-certified specialist in sports dietetics and owner of Kelly Jones Nutrition, a performance nutrition and nutrition communications consulting company and private practice. As a nationally recognized sports nutrition expert, Kelly’s expertise is highlighted in national media outlets, broadcast television in various markets, and she has appeared on CBS mornings. Kelly relates to the need for practical tools that support physical performance and wellness as a former ...

In this episode of Managing Mealtime Madness, we’re diving into one of the most effective frameworks for reducing stress at the table: Ellyn Satter’s Division of Responsibility in Feeding (sDOR). This evidence-based approach ties into everything when feeding kids (babies through adolescents!) and helps parents create a positive mealtime environment while allowing children to develop healthy eating habits and a strong relationship with food. In this episode, we discuss: What the Division of Re...

Ali Ellis is a registered dietitian and the founder of The Toddler Kitchen. She helps parents raise curious, adventurous eaters, while fostering a positive relationship with food. Ali holds a Master of Science in Health Promotion and has an extensive background in health psychology research, working with families with young children in changing their nutrition habits. She is also a passionate recipe developer, dedicated to creating easy, nourishing recipes for toddlers and young children. If...

Join me for a quick solo episode to help spark some dinner inspiration for your house! I'm sharing 5 recipes/meal ideas that we loved and how you can make them and modify them in your household. Need some easy weeknight meal ideas? Here are 5 recent meals that my three kids loved! Of course, feeding kids can be challenging with things always changing. Try offering up any of these options! Want more family recipes? Make sure to grab this freebie! Recipes mentioned: Tortellini sausage soupAir f...