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 such a challenging and ever-changing journey. Hilary is a mom to 2, dog mom to a sweet goldendoodle, and lives with her family in Pennsylvania. 

• The short- and long-term benefits of baby-led weaning
• How BLW supports the development of oral motor skills
• The ideal time to start BLW and signs your baby is ready
• Why BLW can actually reduce the risk of choking
• Understanding your baby’s gag reflex (and how to respond calmly!)
• The best first foods and how to get texture just right
• How and why to introduce allergens early
• The power of play at the table and how it builds positive mealtime experiences

👶 If you're feeling overwhelmed by starting solids, this episode is packed with reassurance, practical tips, and encouragement to make feeding a fun and safe journey for your little one.

Download your FREE Table talk scripts: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1do37uiY7vShzxVLbmZ7yWs-MU7Hac3HJ/view?usp=drive_link

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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 Division-I swimmer, a business owner, and busy, active mom. 
Kelly also founded Student Athlete Nutrition, which provides practical,
evidence-based nutrition programming and resources to student-athletes who lack access to in-house sports dietitians and performance nutrition programs.

In this episode we discuss:

• Kelly's journey to cutting out meat and becoming a flexible plant-based eater
• How she feeds her two boys in a flexible, "plant-based way" and how other parents can talk to kids about plant-based eating without it feeling restrictive
• Nutrients of concern and supplements needed on a plant-based diet
• Plant-based meal and snack ideas, and tips for packing school lunches
• Ways to add in nutrients and optimize absorption of key nutrients with a plant-based diet
• Key pantry staples to keep on hand
• How much protein kids really need, and how to get protein on a plant-based diet, for kids and adults
• How to start eating more plants and plant-based swaps families can make

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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 Responsibility is and why it’s a game-changer for family meals
• The parent’s role versus the child’s role at mealtime
• How to handle picky eating, food refusal, and higher/lower weight child eating habits
• Practical tips for making meals more enjoyable for everyone

Resources & Links:

• Learn more about Ellyn Satter’s work
• Post about Intuitive Eating For Kids
• Connect with us on Instagram

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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 you're struggling with feeding your toddlers or kids, this episode will be your saving grace! Here we discuss:

• How to handle feeding challenges away from and at the table
• Tips to get kids to sit at the table longer
• How to transition away from meal threats to a pleasant eating experience
• What the division of responsibility framework is and how to apply it to feeding your kids
• The importance of having a safe food at every meal
• Best foods/additions for boosting nutrition for toddlers
• Things to think about BEFORE you sit down at the dinner table to help kids eat better
• Fun kitchen gadgets - Handheld spiralizer, sandwich shapes, Bentgo Box, crinkle cutters

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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 soup
• Air fryer pizza bites
• Deconstructed burger bowls
• Easy sweetpotato nachos
• Sous vide steak

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Heather is an internationally recognized registered dietitian-nutritionist, a board-certified specialist in sports dietetics and author with a passion for helping athletes fuel and hydrate to maximize their health, development and athletic performance. Her expertise is in fueling young athletes, disordered eating in sports and nutrition communications. In 2008, she founded Heather Mangieri Nutrition where she provides nutrition counseling, consulting and communication services for organizations and companies focused on evidence-based health and wellness.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How to manage day-to-day nutrition for athletes
• How to handle dinners with after school sports/activities 
• Should athletes take a multivitamin or protein powder?
• Finding macronutrient balance in kids
• Breakfast ideas for active kids to start the day off strong
• Meal ideas that older kids and parents can prep in advance
• Making balanced snacks + On the go snack ideas
• How to make a balanced school lunch
• Teaching active kids to acknowledge hunger
• Being creative with prioritizing family meals with youth activity schedules 

Protein ideas for kids lunches 

Fueling Young Athletes book 

Third party tested protein powders: 

• Certified for Sport 
• Informed Choice 

Heather's Website | Instagram 

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In this episode, Sarah talks with Jessica Hammond, a Registered Dietitian and mom. We’re diving into the importance of teaching kids where their food comes from at a young age, and how that can cultivate a love, curiosity and appreciation for food. Whether understanding how fruits and veggies grow, taking kids to the grocery store, or getting hands-on with gardening, these lessons can foster curiosity and encourage healthy eating habits (more than you'd think!).

Jessica is a Registered Dietitian and food blogger based in New Mexico. Coming from a long line of farmers, Jessica grew up learning where food came from. Her family raised turkeys and chickens, and she began helping her dad with their garden from a young age. Jessica’s love and appreciation for food naturally led her to pursue a career in food and nutrition. Her main focus for her blog is on sourdough bread but she hopes to expand her content to include other whole food, made from scratch meals that can be enjoyed by the whole family. 

Website | Instagram

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Marita Radloff, MS, RDN, LD is a sports dietitian who believes in the no restriction approach for all. As a runner and triathlete herself, she knows how important it is to have nutrition dialed in for your training and racing. Marita believes that rigid diets don't work and she's dedicated to helping athletes at all levels hone in on their goals without having to count any calories. Marita is also a military spouse and lives in Omaha with her husband and three boys.

Website | Instagram

NOTES:

• How Marita handles serving meals and snacks to three boys 5 and under by herself
•  Her system of deciding what to make each night based on a theme
• How she simplifies meal planning/grocery shopping with apps and notes feature
• Save time and mental energy by creating a list of loved recipes to make again
• Similarities and differences in feeding 3 boys and each of their eating styles
• Tips for reducing power struggles with feeding kids
• Always serving a safe food
• Taking feeding recommendations and personalizing them to your family and needs

Resources discussed:

• Half baked harvest cookbook
• Solid starts app
• Rise and Run cookbook -    Crispy peanut butter bars and  Savory muffins  recipes

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Meal prepping doesn’t have to mean spending all of Sunday in the kitchen! In this episode, we dive into six key strategies to make meal planning work for your unique family, lifestyle, and schedule. Whether it’s prepping ingredients, cooking in batches, or choosing no-think theme meals, small steps can make a big difference. I share my personal approach as a busy mom of three, plus tips on finding the right time to prep, using the “components method,” and planning around your week’s activities. If you’re looking for realistic, stress-free ways to make mealtime easier, this episode is for you!

Key Takeaways:
✔️ Meal prep looks different for every family—find what works for you.
✔️ Prepping ingredients (rather than full meals) can save time and reduce stress.
✔️ Consider your current season of life, kids' ages, and weekly schedule when planning.
✔️ Start small—prepping just two meals a week can be a game-changer!
✔️ Think about food safety—most meals last 3-4 days in the fridge, at most.
✔️ Always have a backup meal (hello, breakfast for dinner!).

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The Managing Mealtime Madness podcast is dedicated to helping parents navigate the ups and downs of feeding their families with less stress. Learn what to expect in future episodes, why mealtimes can feel so overwhelming, and how simple strategies can make a big difference. Whether you're dealing with picky eaters, meal planning struggles, or just trying to make family dinners happen as well as make them more enjoyable, you’re in the right place! 

Have a listener question or feedback? Send me a text!

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