Food Issues

Food Issues

By Julie RevelantSociety & CultureHealth & FitnessNutritionKids & Family
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Food Issues episodes

  • S6:E4: Feeding Baby Solids With Betsy Fore & Sofia Laurell, Co-Founders, Tiny Organics
    Starting solids is one of the most exciting milestones for you and your baby. Whether you’re serving up purees or following baby-led weaning, offering a wide variety of new flavors, tastes, and textures can lay the foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating habits. When it comes to feeding baby solids, however, it’s important that they’re exposed to vegetables frequently and from the start which helps to foster a love for these foods and can go a long way in helping kids to be healthy, adventurous eaters now and throughout their lives. 
    Rates of childhood obesity, type-2 diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are on the rise, and although there are many factors at play, diet is one of the best ways to prevent these conditions. 
    In this episode, I sat down with Betsy Fore and Sofia Laurell, co-founders of Tiny Organics, an early childhood nutrition company on a mission to build a healthier generation of adventurous eaters with vegetable-first foods for babies and toddlers.
    Betsy, Sofia, and I talk about their backstories, why they started Tiny Organics, and their journey to launch a food business in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also talk about their veggie-first approach, their focus on real, whole foods and the flavor window of 4 to 7 months, and why comfort food can actually be savory. They also talk about what makes them different from other baby food solutions, how they are building valuable relationships with their customers and engaging them in their brand, and how they’re changing the conversation around feeding baby solids without making moms feel any guilt or shame.
    Welcome 
    3:15 Let’s talk about your stories!
    10:00 Have you always been passionate about healthy eating and food?
    11:56 Why did you start Tiny Organics?
    21:55 What was one challenge that you think was a great learning lesson?
    25:25 What can people expect when they become customers?
    28:54 What is your direct-to-community approach?
    32:57 What are your favorite tips for feeding little ones?
    35:33 What is your and your children’s favorite Tiny Organics meal?

    LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
    Sofia mentions Human Ventures.
    Sofia explains that Tiny Organics partners with the Food Bank for NYC.
    Betsy mentions that Brooklyn Decker is one of their investors.
    Betsy talks about the Tufts School Of Nutrition Science and Policy.
    Betsy mentions Michelle Obama and Partnership For a Healthier America.
    Learn more about Tiny Organics on their website.
    Follow Tiny Organics on Instagram and Facebook.

    FROM OUR PARTNERS

    Kids Cook Real Food eCourse
    The Kids Cook Real Food eCourse, created by a mom of 4 and a former elementary school teacher, is designed to build connection, confidence, and creativity in the kitchen. The course includes 30 basic cooking skills, 45 videos including several bonuses, printable supply and grocery shopping lists, and kid-friendly recipes. The course is designed for all kids ages 2 to teen and has three different skill levels. More than 18,000 families have taken the course and The Wall Street Journal named it the #1 cooking class for kids. Sign up now for the Kids Cook Real Food ecourse and get a free lesson for being a “Food Issues” listener.

    Thrive Market
    Thrive Market is an online membership-based market that has the highest quality, organic, non-GMO, healthy, and sustainable products. From groceries, clean beauty, safe supplements, and non-toxic home products to ethical meat, sustainable seafood, clean wine, and more, Thrive Market is where members save an average of $32 on every order! Through Thrive Gives, every paid membership sponsors a free one for a low-income family. Join Thrive Market today and get 25% off your first order and a free gift.
    39 min
  • S6:E3: How to Prevent Food Allergy w/ Meenal Lele, Founder & CEO, Lil Mixins
    One of the most common questions for parents of newborns is how can you prevent a food allergy? A whopping 5.6 million kids in the U.S. have food allergies, and for their parents, keeping them safe is no easy feat. They spend so much of their time preventing accidental exposures and allergic reactions. They avoid foods, read food labels, ask questions, talk to people who care for their child, have care plans, and carry epinephrine. 
    Although the guidance for preventing a food allergy was to avoid allergenic foods for a period of time after starting solids, in recent years, research shows that early introduction of allergenic foods is actually effective. 
    In this episode, I sat down with Meenal Lele, founder and CEO of Lil Mixins and a mom to a child with a food allergy. As a busy working mom, Meenal knew there had to be a better way to make early introduction easy, so she took the research, and her knowledge of food science, and developed infant powders that are protein supplements which make early introduction of peanut, tree nut, and egg protein simple and easy. 
    Meenal and I talk about a baby’s microbiome, gut health, and what it has to do with food allergies. She also talks about her ah-ah moment when she knew, without a doubt, that she had a solution that parents needed and pediatricians would recommend, her journey to launch and grow her company, challenges she encountered, and what the future holds. We also talk about her new book,“The Baby and the Biome: How the Tiny World Inside Your Child Holds the Secret to Their Health," and new research that is likely to identify a cure for food allergy.
    Welcome 
    4:00 Let’s talk about your story!
    4:46 We hear a lot about the gut microbiome, but why is it something that new parents need to know about?
    6:28 What do you think about infant probiotics?
    8:35 What are the causes of infant gut disruption?
    10:32 What has changed in recent years and what do new parents need to know about introducing allergens to babies? 
    13:20 The protein in peanuts can trigger food allergies—explain!
    16:30 Can food allergies and other immune conditions be prevented? 
    17:48 Is early introduction effective for all allergens?
    19:34 Are there babies for which early introduction isn’t a good idea?
    21:33 Can food allergies be cured?
    26:26 Why did you start Lil Mixins?
    28:27 What is Lil Mixins?
    28:56 Did you conduct market research to determine that parents would buy the product?
    30:39 What were the steps you took to get it off the ground?
    31:55 What were the challenges you encountered that were also big learning lessons?
    34:05 What advice do you have for other parents who may want to start this type of business?
    35:09 What is the future for the company?
    36:00 Your new book, “The Baby and The Biome” is coming out in September—what can readers expect?
    LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
    Julie mentions her interview with Dr. Tracy Shafizadeh from Evivo about infant gut health. 

    Meenal mentions this 2021 study that found that gut microbes trigger inflammation that exacerbates brain injury in extremely premature infants. 

    Meenal talks about this 2016 study that found babies from Russia had different gut microbes than babies in Finland and Estonia, and a higher incidence rate of e.coli. 

    Meenal talks about the LEAP study, which found early introduction of peanuts can reduce the risk of peanut allergy. 

    Meenal talks about her new book, “The Baby and the Biome: How the Tiny World Inside Your Child Holds the Secret to Their Health.”

    Learn more about Lil Mixins on their website.

    Follow Lil Mixins on Instagram and Facebook. 
    FROM OUR PARTNERS

    Kids Cook Real Food eCourse
    The Kids Cook Real Food eCourse,
    39 min
  • S6:E2: Healthy Meals for Picky Eaters w/ Jennifer Chow, Co-Founder, Nurture Life
    Whether your kid won’t eat fruits and vegetables, refuses to try new foods, resists certain tastes or textures, or won’t eat much of anything at all, you’re not alone. A recent survey out of C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital found that 35% of parents say they deal with picky eating behaviors. As a result, finding healthy meals for picky eaters, that are kid-friendly and easy and convenient for parents is no easy feat. 
    In this episode, I sat down with Jennifer Chow, co-founder of Nurture Life, a kids’ meal delivery service that provides freshly-made, nutritious, and ready-to-eat meals for babies, toddlers, and kids. 
    As a lifelong foodie and the daughter of a registered dietitian, Jennifer already knew the importance of fresh, healthy food, and home-cooked meals when she had her first child. Yet when her son became a toddler, she realized that most of the options for kids his age were heavily-processed meals, frozen foods, and convenience options that made life easier for parents but lacked the key nutrients kids need. Foods like chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and puff snacks. She decided to make all of her son’s meals from scratch, but as a busy working mom, she knew there had to be an easier way—and Nurture Life was born.
    Jennifer and I talk about how she knew other parents needed a service like Nurture Life, her journey to start and grow the company, the biggest lessons she learned, and new products she recently rolled out. She and I also talk about the reasons why babies go from starting solids with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and real food, to a diet made up mostly of highly-processed, convenience foods. She shares her best tips for parents who want their kids to eat their vegetables, try new foods, and eat better overall, and how to get healthy meals for picky eaters on the table every day. 
    Welcome 
    2:52 Let’s talk about your story!
    3:29 Have you always been passionate about healthy eating and food?
    4:40 Throughout your career journey, did you ever think about becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist or doing something with food? 
    6:12 How did the company come about—was the pain point picky eating? 
    9:49 Why do you think feeding kids falls apart around the toddler years?
    16:07 How did you know other parents wanted this service?
    20:13 What is Nurture Life and what can people expect?
    25:47 What makes Nurture Life different from its competitors?
    28:12 How did you figure out how to launch and grow the business?
    29:36 What was one of the biggest challenges that ended up being a good learning experience?
    32:00 What advice do you have for other parents who may want to start this type of business? 
    32:59 What is the future for the company?
    34:05 What are your best tips for parents who want their kids to eat better but don’t have the time? 

    LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
    Julie mentions the USDA’s universal school meal waivers that are set to expire June 30.
    To get 50% off your first order and 20% off your next three orders at Nurture Life, use code FOODISSUES. 
    Follow NurtureLife on Instagram and Facebook.

    FROM OUR PARTNERS

    Kids Cook Real Food eCourse
    The Kids Cook Real Food eCourse, created by a mom of 4 and a former elementary school teacher, is designed to build connection, confidence, and creativity in the kitchen. The course includes 30 basic cooking skills, 45 videos including several bonuses, printable supply and grocery shopping lists, and kid-friendly recipes. The course is designed for all kids ages 2 to teen and has three different skill levels. More than 18,000 families have taken the course and The Wall Street Journal named it the #1 cooking class for kids. Sign up now for the Kids Cook Real Food ecourse and get a free lesson for being a “Food Issues” listener.

    Thrive Market
    38 min
  • S6:E1: Healthy First Birthday Cake Alternatives w/ Smash Cake Founder Lauren Rockteacher
    Welcome to season 6 of the podcast, which is focused entirely on mompreneurs who are solving for the issues around feeding kids. In this episode, I sat down with Lauren Rockteacher, founder of Smash Cake, to talk about healthy first birthday cake alternatives and added sugars in baby and toddler foods. 
    When Lauren’s son was about to turn one, she wanted to have a smash cake for his birthday—and all the adorable photos that went along with it. Yet all of the cake mixes she found in the grocery store were filled with added sugars or non-nutritive sweeteners, added salt, artificial flavors and colors, hydrogenated oils, and other unhealthy ingredients. A quick Google search pulled up a ton of healthy smash cake recipes, but as a busy working mom, she didn’t have the time to make the cake from scratch. 
    Lauren couldn’t believe that with all the new products hitting store shelves every day, there weren’t any healthy first birthday cake alternatives available to parents. As a seasoned food scientist with experience in USDA and FDA labeling, nutrition, quality control, and research and development, she knew the ins and outs of how products are formulated and brought to market, and she quickly realized she could make the smash cake mix herself. 
    Within just a few weeks, she developed the original Smash Cake, and moved on to new flavors and a healthy frosting mix. Smash Cake’s healthy first birthday cake alternatives use a handful of real, simple ingredients, including fruit, and none of the artificial, unhealthy ingredients.  
    Lauren and I talked about why she knew she needed to bring Smash Cake to market, and her journey to launch and grow the company with no business background to speak of. She talks about the challenges she encountered and the lessons she learned, what the future holds for Smash Cake, and the new products she plans to develop. Hint: it includes healthy gummy bears.  We also talk about how you can limit added sugar in your kid’s diet and why “no added sugar” is actually a misnomer. 
    Welcome

    2:30 Let’s talk about your story!
    5:51 What does a food scientist do and what kinds of projects have you worked on?
    7:57 What is something that happens behind the scenes that maybe we don’t realize as consumers? 
    9:12 Why do you think babies and toddlers are consuming so much added sugar?
    14:07 Why did you start Smash Cake?
    17:28 What makes Smash Cake different from other cake mixes on the market?
    18:51 Smash Cake can be for any occasion, right?
    19:42 Let’s talk about your journey to launching the company—what were the steps you took to get it off the ground?
    28:30 What were the lessons you learned?

    30:21 What advice do you have for other parents who may want to start a food business? 
    31:01 What is the future for the company?
    33:26 How do you think your company can change the conversation around added sugars for babies and toddlers? 
    33:58 What are your best tips for limiting and avoiding added sugars?

    LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
    Julie mentions that the 2020-25 USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend babies under 2 avoid added sugars. 
    Julie talks about how studies show nearly 85 percent of babies and toddlers are eating foods that have added sugars and artificial sweeteners on any given day. 
    To get 15% off Smash Cake products, use code FoodIssues15.
    Follow Smash Cake on Instagram and Facebook.

    FROM OUR PARTNERS

    Kids Cook Real Food eCourse
    The Kids Cook Real Food eCourse, created by a mom of 4 and a former elementary school teacher, is designed to build connection, confidence, and creativity in the kitchen. The course includes 30 basic cooking skills, 45 videos including several bonuses, printable supply and grocery shopping lists, and kid-friendly recipes.
    38 min
  • S5:E12: What To Eat While You’re Pregnant
    During pregnancy, we get information about what to expect, what tests we need, and what’s safe and what’s not. Yet when it comes to what to eat while you’re pregnant, healthcare providers usually don’t have much information to provide and what women do get is often confusing, and may even be misguided. 
    In this episode, I sat down with Aimee Aristotelous, a certified nutritionist specializing in prenatal, gluten-free, and ketogenic nutrition, and author The Whole Food Pregnancy Plan, among several other books. Aimee is also a go-to media expert and has been featured in a variety of outlets including Health, People, and HuffPost. 
    We talk about why the information about what to eat while you’re pregnant isn’t necessarily rooted in science and how that may be contributing to pregnancy risks and complications. 
    We also chat about everything nutrition during pregnancy, including the nutrients and superfoods to focus on, how many extra calories you actually need, and how to deal with food cravings and morning sickness. 
    Welcome 
    3:15 Why is it important to eat healthy when you’re pregnant?
    5:06 Can your diet affect your propensity for developing postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety?
    5:48 In your book, The Whole Food Pregnancy Plan, you say that nutrition guidelines that are often delivered by doctors and dietitians may actually be contributing to obesity and gestational diabetes rates—explain!
    9:23 How many extra calories do pregnant women need in each trimester?
    10:03 What are the key nutrients women need? 
    14:10 What should women limit or avoid?
    20:20 What are the best pregnancy superfoods? 
    22:14 How can women cope with nausea and morning sickness?
    24:25 How can women deal with food cravings and food aversions?
    26:48 What are the best foods to eat or avoid for heartburn, constipation, and gas?
    28:05 What are some guidelines for pregnancy nutrition?
    29:43 What are your favorite recipes from your book, The Whole Food Pregnancy Plan?

    LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
    Aimee mentions that the U.S. is the only developed country where maternal mortality is on the rise, this 2020 study found.
    Aimee talks about the book “Sugarproof” and Julie mentions that Drs. Goran and Ventura were on an episode of “Food Issues”
    Aimee mentions MyPlate.
    Julie mentions that vitamin B6 was like “magic” for her morning sickness. 
    Learn more about and purchase books by Aimee Aristotelous on Amazon. 

    FROM OUR PARTNERS

    Kids Cook Real Food eCourse
    The Kids Cook Real Food eCourse, created by a mom of 4 and a former elementary school teacher, is designed to build connection, confidence, and creativity in the kitchen. The course includes 30 basic cooking skills, 45 videos including several bonuses, printable supply and grocery shopping lists, and kid-friendly recipes. The course is designed for all kids ages 2 to teen and has three different skill levels. More than 18,000 families have taken the course and The Wall Street Journal named it the #1 cooking class for kids. Sign up now for the Kids Cook Real Food ecourse and get a free lesson for being a “Food Issues” listener.

    Thrive Market
    Thrive Market is an online membership-based market that has the highest quality, organic, non-GMO, healthy, and sustainable products. From groceries, clean beauty, safe supplements, and non-toxic home products to ethical meat, sustainable seafood, clean wine, and more, Thrive Market is where members save an average of $32 on every order! Through Thrive Gives, every paid membership sponsors a free one for a low-income family. Join Thrive Market today and get 25% off your first order and a free gift.
    33 min
  • S5:E11: New Ways to Raise Healthy Eaters You’ve Never Heard Of
    Like anything else in parenting, when it comes to feeding our kids, sometimes we bring in ideas and pre-conceived notions about food, meals, and eating habits and the right way to raise healthy eaters. 
    Some of it comes from our own experiences in childhood, or from family, friends, or social media and we quickly realize what we think should work, isn’t working. 
    Therefore, if we want to raise healthy eaters, we need to be flexible, make small adjustments, and re-think our approach.
    In this episode, I sat down with Polina Shkadron, MA, CCC-SLP, MSNE, CFTP, ADHD-RSP, a trauma-informed speech-language pathologist who specializes in autism, ADHD, language, and literacy. Polina is also a parent coach, nutrition educator, and founder of Play to Learn. 
    Polina talks about the different types of pressure, how to “consume with intent,” and why the environment and the words we use matter. She also offers easy ways we can change our approach at mealtimes, her 5 food rules—which are really simple to follow, fun activities you can do to encourage healthy eating habits, and how she got 2-year-olds to eat Brussels sprouts for breakfast.
    Welcome
    2:06 Let’s talk about your story!
    2:57 What is a trauma-informed speech-language pathologist?
    4:45 We have a lot of influence on our kids’ food choices, but sometimes it can be in the form of pressure tactics. What are the 3 different types of pressure when it comes to feeding kids?
    8:48 You talk about the importance of “consuming with intent.” Explain!
    10:40 What are some mistakes we make when feeding our kids? 
    13:57 Do the words we use matter when we talk about foods and meals?
    15:30 What is our role as parents when we’re feeding our kids?
    21:58 What are some strategies you use to get kids to eat better and healthier?
    26:14 How do our food choices impact the ways in which our bodies move?
    28:57 How can we change our approach to feeding kids and focus on raising healthy eaters?
    31:81 What are your 5 food rules?

    36:00 What are some food family activities that we can do with your kids?

    LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
    Polina talks about Ellyn Satter and the Satter Division of Responsibility in Feeding (sDOR).
    Polina mentions the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT).
    Learn more about Polina at Play2LearnSLP.com and follow her on Instagram.

    FROM OUR PARTNERS

    Kids Cook Real Food eCourse
    The Kids Cook Real Food eCourse, created by a mom of 4 and a former elementary school teacher, is designed to build connection, confidence, and creativity in the kitchen. The course includes 30 basic cooking skills, 45 videos including several bonuses, printable supply and grocery shopping lists, and kid-friendly recipes. The course is designed for all kids ages 2 to teen and has three different skill levels. More than 18,000 families have taken the course and The Wall Street Journal named it the #1 cooking class for kids. Sign up now for the Kids Cook Real Food ecourse and get a free lesson for being a “Food Issues” listener.

    Thrive Market
    Thrive Market is an online membership-based market that has the highest quality, organic, non-GMO, healthy, and sustainable products. From groceries, clean beauty, safe supplements, and non-toxic home products to ethical meat, sustainable seafood, clean wine, and more, Thrive Market is where members save an average of $32 on every order! Through Thrive Gives, every paid membership sponsors a free one for a low-income family. Join Thrive Market today and get 25% off your first order and a free gift.
    41 min
  • S5:E10: Picky Eating Myths-Debunked!
    Between tons of websites, social media, and books, there’s a lot of information and advice available for parents of picky eaters. Unfortunately, a lot of it isn’t evidence-based or true, leaving parents to feel frustrated and think that getting their kids to eat better is a lost cause. 
    In this episode, I sat down with Jennifer Anderson, MSPH, a registered dietitian nutritionist and founder of Kids Eat in Color®, a public health company that helps parents reduce mealtime stress and help their kids eat better. 
    We talked about why there’s so much conflicting information about feeding kids, and Jennifer debunks many of the common picky eating myths such as “kids will eat when they’re hungry,” and “just keep serving the same foods and they’ll eventually try it.” You’ll walk away feeling reassured that you’re doing a great job as a parent and that there is hope no matter how picky your kid is.
    1:48 Let’s talk about your story!
    3:11 What exactly is “picky eating,” and how common is it?
    4:25 What are myths around picky eating severity?
    8:52 Why do you think there's so much conflicting information for parents about feeding kids?
    16:54 Let’s start debunking the myths. The first one is: all kids are picky eaters.
    17:44 “My child’s pediatrician said everything is fine, so I’m not going to worry.”
    20:43 A child needs a certain amount of exposures of the same food until they’re willing to try it. 
    23:40 Picky eating is a phase.
    25:14 Is there research that shows that if kids are picky eaters they’ll continue that way into young adulthood?
    27:27 Kids will eat when they’re hungry. 
    29:39 There’s so much shame and guilt put on parents today and they feel picky eating is their fault.
    32:56 Pureeing vegetables and sneaking them into meals will get kids out of their picky eating habits.
    34:57 Put your child in front of the TV so they’ll eat. 
    36:32 Talking about the health benefits of certain foods can encourage kids to eat them. 
    39:32 Bribing kids with dessert can get them to eat the food you want them to eat. 

    LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
    Julie mentions the scientific term for picky eating is food neophobia. 
    Jennifer mentions that between 40% and 60% of parents say they have a child who is a picky eater.
    Julie mentions pediatricians get about 24 hours of nutrition education in medical school. 
    Julie mentions the “dessert deal,” coined by Dr. Dina Rose in her book, “It’s Not About The Broccoli.”
    Learn more about Jennifer on KidsEatInColor.com.
    Follow Jennifer on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

    FROM OUR PARTNERS

    Kids Cook Real Food eCourse
    The Kids Cook Real Food eCourse, created by a mom of 4 and a former elementary school teacher, is designed to build connection, confidence, and creativity in the kitchen. The course includes 30 basic cooking skills, 45 videos including several bonuses, printable supply and grocery shopping lists, and kid-friendly recipes. The course is designed for all kids ages 2 to teen and has three different skill levels. More than 18,000 families have taken the course and The Wall Street Journal named it the #1 cooking class for kids. Sign up now for the Kids Cook Real Food ecourse and get a free lesson for being a “Food Issues” listener.

    Thrive Market
    Thrive Market is an online membership-based market that has the highest quality, organic, non-GMO, healthy, and sustainable products. From groceries, clean beauty, safe supplements, and non-toxic home products to ethical meat, sustainable seafood, clean wine, and more, Thrive Market is where members save an average of $32 on every order! Through Thrive Gives, every paid membership sponsors a free one for a low-income family. Join Thrive Market today and get 25% off your first order and a free gift.
    43 min
  • S5:E9: The Best Gestational Diabetes Diet
    During pregnancy, you’re more aware of your health, and what’s safe and what’s not, and you learn about certain conditions that can occur, like gestational diabetes. According to a 2021 study in JAMA, rates of gestational diabetes have increased 30% in the last decade. While there’s no denying that gestational diabetes can lead to complications, you may not be getting the whole story. 
    In this interview, I sat down with Lily Nichols, a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), certified diabetes educator, researcher, and author with a passion for evidence-based prenatal nutrition and exercise. Lily is also the author of two bestselling books, "Real Food for Gestational Diabetes" and "Real Food for Pregnancy."
    Lily talks about why rates of gestational diabetes are on the rise, how your own mother’s health can have an effect on your pregnancy, and which tests you should be asking for. She also talks about why a lot of guidance from providers about a gestational diabetes diet and what to eat during pregnancy may be contributing to the problem and what to do instead.
    1:26 Let’s talk about your story!
    3:34 What is gestational diabetes? 
    7:00 Is there research that shows how many women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes have pre-diabetes or type-2 diabetes before becoming pregnant?
    9:38 How common is gestational diabetes and what are the causes and risk factors?
    11:59 Are there certain risk factors that you think are driving up rates of gestational diabetes?
    14:17 How should women talk to their providers about which screening tools are right for them? 
    18:19 If you’re diagnosed with gestational diabetes, what are the risks to you and your baby? 
    22:35 What is the conventional nutritional approach to treating gestational diabetes?
    26:16 What is the gestational diabetes diet you think is best? 
    28:19 What are the best pregnancy superfoods to focus on to manage blood sugar?
    33:38 Is keto safe during pregnancy?
    37:25 How should women with gestational diabetes approach exercise?
    39:03 Studies show gestational diabetes increases your risk for type-2 diabetes. What should women do after pregnancy to reduce their risk? 
    LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
    Lily mentions that the California Diabetes and Pregnancy Program (CDAPP) Sweet Success recommends using HbA1c as a first trimester screening tool for gestational diabetes.
    Lily talks about this 2015 study in JAMA which found that between 49% and 52% of the population have either type-2 diabetes or prediabetes.
    Lily mentions the Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes (HAPO) study.
    Lily mentions this 2015 study in the Journal of Nutrition that shows protein requirements in late pregnancy (32-28 weeks) are 73% higher than the current recommendations.
    Julie mentions that the recommendations for exercise during pregnancy are 150 minutes a week yet research shows women aren’t meeting them.
    Purchase a copy of Lily Nichols’ books, "Real Food for Gestational Diabetes" and "Real Food for Pregnancy."
    Learn more about Lily Nichols’ online course, “Real Food For Gestational Diabetes.”
    Learn more about Lily Nichols on her website, LilyNicholsRDN.com, and follow her on Instagram.

    FROM OUR PARTNERS

    Kids Cook Real Food eCourse
    The Kids Cook Real Food eCourse, created by a mom of 4 and a former elementary school teacher, is designed to build connection, confidence, and creativity in the kitchen. The course includes 30 basic cooking skills, 45 videos including several bonuses, printable supply and grocery shopping lists, and kid-friendly recipes. The course is designed for all kids ages 2 to teen and has three different skill levels. More than 18,000 families have taken the course and The Wall Street Journal named it the #1 cooking class for kids. Sign up now for the Kids Cook Real Food ecourse and...
    43 min
  • S5:E8: The Real Reason Your Kids Are Picky Eaters
    Picky eating is super-frustrating and it’s one of the most common challenges we have as parents. Yet when you look for solutions online, a lot are focused on recipes, sneaking vegetables, and new meal ideas. Although those ideas can certainly help, it’s important to first figure out what is causing picky eating in the first place. 
    In this episode, I sat down with Katie Kimball, founder of KitchenStewardship.com, and the Kids Cook Real Food ecourse. Katie says food and eating are two different things and that kids can be labeled as picky eaters when there’s actually something else going on such as food allergies, constipation, or sensory processing disorder. She talks about what she calls the “5Ps of picky eating,” how to figure out why your kid won’t eat certain foods —or eat enough— and how to encourage your kids to be healthy eaters. 
    1:49 Let’s talk about your story!
    5:18 Studies show about 50% of kids are “picky eaters” but so much of the solutions for parents are recipes, meals ideas, and fun ways to turn food into art projects. But you say food and eating are two different ideas—explain!
    8:05 What have you discovered from your research and training in the SOS feeding approach to feeding?
    10:58 Do you think our perspective about feeding kids in the U.S. is doing our kids a disservice?
    13:30 Can kids be incorrectly labeled as picky eaters?
    17:18 What are your 5Ps of picky eating?
    22:40 What are your best tips to investigate these issues and get help?
    24:57 Regardless of what is going on with your kid, what are your best tips for getting picky eating kids to eat healthy?
    29:00 What are ways to instill a healthy relationship with food?
    32:00 Although it’s not about the food, can new recipes, meal ideas, and food art projects encourage kids to eat healthy?

    LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
    Julie mentions that Katie Kimball was on season #1 of “Food Issues” in the episode, “Cooking With Kids Through COVID-19.”
    Katie talks about the SOS Approach To Feeding and Kay A. Toomey, Ph.D.
    Katie mentions that approximately 15% of children have sensory processing issues.
    Julie mentions Katie’s TEDx Talk, “Picky Eating Isn’t About the Food.”
    Learn more about Katie Kimball on KitchenStewardship.com and her Kids Cook Real Food ecourse.

    FROM OUR PARTNERS

    Kids Cook Real Food eCourse
    The Kids Cook Real Food eCourse, created by a mom of 4 and a former elementary school teacher, is designed to build connection, confidence, and creativity in the kitchen. The course includes 30 basic cooking skills, 45 videos including several bonuses, printable supply and grocery shopping lists, and kid-friendly recipes. The course is designed for all kids ages 2 to teen and has three different skill levels. More than 18,000 families have taken the course and The Wall Street Journal named it the #1 cooking class for kids. Sign up now for the Kids Cook Real Food ecourse and get a free lesson for being a “Food Issues” listener.

    Thrive Market
    Thrive Market is an online membership-based market that has the highest quality, organic, non-GMO, healthy, and sustainable products. From groceries, clean beauty, safe supplements, and non-toxic home products to ethical meat, sustainable seafood, clean wine, and more, Thrive Market is where members save an average of $32 on every order! Through Thrive Gives, every paid membership sponsors a free one for a low-income family. Join Thrive Market today and get 25% off your first order and a free gift.
    36 min
  • S5:E7: Best Meal Planning Ideas
    There’s no getting around the fact that we all have to eat and feed our kids, but when dinner time rolls around, you’ve had a busy day, you’re exhausted, and hangry, figuring out what you’re going to cook—and what everyone will eat—can feel impossible. Yet with some easy, stress-free meal planning ideas, you can get dinner on the table in no time and bring back the joy in cooking.
    In this episode, I sat down with Laura Fuentes, founder of the popular site, MOMables. Laura has helped thousands of families improve their health and wellness by establishing healthier eating habits as a family with her Family KickStart Program and weekly meal plans. Laura is also the author of 5 cookbooks, including her most recent title, Clean Treats for Everyone: Healthy Desserts and Snacks Made with Simple, Real Food Ingredients, an entrepreneur, public speaker, and spokesperson. 
    Laura explains how to make meal planning easy and enjoyable, how you can save 5 hours of cooking and cleaning in just one hour a week, and how to make cooking enjoyable even if your kids don’t eat what you make. Her realistic meal planning ideas will give you a ton of inspiration in the kitchen and make mealtimes pleasurable again. 
    Welcome
    2:34 Let’s talk about your story!
    7:02 More people took up home cooking during the pandemic and it seems it’s a trend that has stuck, but parents are too busy and stressed to cook. How do we bring back the joy to cooking?
    10:00 Why is it not a good idea to become a short-order cook?
    12:10 When we hear meal planning, we think it's time-consuming, complicated, and overwhelming. True? 
    22:39 What's the easiest way to get started with meal planning?
    26:11 You say people can save 5 hours of cooking and cleaning in one hour a week. How is that possible?

    30:14 What are some ways to find healthy, delicious recipes that everyone will enjoy?
    35:00 What are your favorite tips for making the most of your meals?
    38:54 What do you think about the meal kit subscriptions?

    LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
    Julie mentions this 2022 survey which found 39% of people are cooking 3 to 5 times a week and this 2021 survey which shows parents are too busy and stressed to cook.
    Laura mentions her popular chili recipe. 
    Laura talks about her experience with Blue Apron. 
    Learn more about Laura Fuentes on MOMables.com, and follow her on YouTube and Instagram. 

    FROM OUR PARTNERS

    Kids Cook Real Food eCourse
    The Kids Cook Real Food eCourse, created by a mom of 4 and a former elementary school teacher, is designed to build connection, confidence, and creativity in the kitchen. The course includes 30 basic cooking skills, 45 videos including several bonuses, printable supply and grocery shopping lists, and kid-friendly recipes. The course is designed for all kids ages 2 to teen and has three different skill levels. More than 18,000 families have taken the course and The Wall Street Journal named it the #1 cooking class for kids. Sign up now for the Kids Cook Real Food ecourse and get a free lesson for being a “Food Issues” listener.

    Thrive Market
    Thrive Market is an online membership-based market that has the highest quality, organic, non-GMO, healthy, and sustainable products. From groceries, clean beauty, safe supplements, and non-toxic home products to ethical meat, sustainable seafood, clean wine, and more, Thrive Market is where members save an average of $32 on every order! Through Thrive Gives, every paid membership sponsors a free one for a low-income family. Join Thrive Market today and get 25% off your first order and a free gift.
    44 min

About Food Issues

From the publisher's feed

With hundreds of thousands of Americans dying each year from obesity, type-2 diabetes, and a slew of chronic health conditions—all a direct result of food inequities, a broken food culture, and food…