Mealtimes with Dr Kyla

In this episode, I'm joined by Belinda Martin from Advanced Dietitians Group. Belinda has more than 20 years of experience in paediatrics and six years of teaching in Curtin University's Master of Dietetics program. She's also a mum whose son has ADHD, so she brings both clinical and personal insight to the topic of ADHD in children. Today's episode was sparked by a recently published article that raised more than a few red flags, so we sat down to talk through the evidence.

Listen in and discover:

• Common food and nutrition challenges for kids with ADHD
• How using a stimulant medication can look for your child
• Managing medication-induced appetite changes
• Constipation issues associated with ADHD
• Monitoring your child’s growth when using ADHD medication
• Nutrient deficiencies and supplementation
• Gut microbiome research
• The risks around replacing medication with adding or removing foods in the diet
• Finding a reputable source of information and advice

If you’re looking for more information on iron levels in your child, you can have a listen to Episode 30: Does my child need their iron levels tested?.

Connect with me (Dr Kyla) on Instagram and Facebook!

Do you want to easily understand what’s in the food you buy without any fear mongering or misinformation? Check out my weekly Chewsday Reviews.

Join my online membership programs today! Baby Mealtimes for parents introducing solids, Toddler Mealtimes to navigate fussy eating, Family Mealtimes for guidance when packing school lunches and feeding the whole family, or School Mealtimes to change the way we talk about food in schools.

In this episode, I'm talking about why labelling food as good vs bad, or healthy vs unhealthy (and all those "guilt-free" and "earn your cheat-day" sayings) doesn't actually work the way we think it does when it comes to teaching children about nutrition. I challenge the thinking around whether certain foods are really "bad" if you enjoy eating them, and I suggest other approaches in the classroom when it comes to nutrition education for kids instead of reaching for those labelled sorting boxes.

Listen in and discover:

• Why labelling food doesn’t lead to children eating less or more of it
• Are hot chips really “bad” if you feel good while eating them?
• New changes around BMI measurements
• How labelling food confuses children’s thinking
• My problem with ‘healthy lunchbox competitions’
• Why ‘simple swaps’ aren’t always the answer
• The different influences on food decisions

Find out more about my masterclass 'Beyond Good and Bad Foods: A guide for early educators who want to confidently teach healthy eating'.

Connect with me (Dr Kyla) on Instagram and Facebook!

Do you want to easily understand what’s in the food you buy without any fear mongering or misinformation? Check out my weekly Chewsday Reviews.

Join my online membership programs today! Baby Mealtimes for parents introducing solids, Toddler Mealtimes to navigate fussy eating, Family Mealtimes for guidance when packing school lunches and feeding the whole family, or School Mealtimes to change the way we talk about food in schools.

Every year, our family heads to Bali, and every year, I learn something new about what actually makes a holiday feel restful. This time around, we mixed things up and swapped resorts halfway through, so I have some comparing to do! In this episode, I share the fine details, honest highlights and lowlights, what I'd book again, and my kids' thoughts too.

Listen in and discover:

• What I look for when booking accommodation
• How we spent our time in Bali
• The questionable all-inclusive package rules
• Changing resorts during our trip
• My likes and dislikes across both resorts
• Pool suitability for kids and families
• Sun lounge availability (IYKYK!)
• My thoughts on the kids' clubs, day spas and amenities
• Overall thoughts and feelings on my experiences
• Hiring our lovely nanny

You can contact our Balinese nanny, Ayu, on Facebook Messenger.

Connect with me (Dr Kyla) on Instagram and Facebook!

Do you want to easily understand what’s in the food you buy without any fear mongering or misinformation? Check out my weekly Chewsday Reviews.

Join my online membership programs today! Baby Mealtimes for parents introducing solids, Toddler Mealtimes to navigate fussy eating, Family Mealtimes for guidance when packing school lunches and feeding the whole family, or School Mealtimes to change the way we talk about food in schools.

In this episode, I’m chatting about one of the most important nutrients in childhood: iron. With fresh research showing low iron is far more common than most of us realise, this is a timely topic!

Listen in and discover:

• What iron is and why it matters so much in the early years
• How prevalent low iron really is in toddlers and preschoolers
• Common causes of low iron
• The confusing symptoms that make low iron hard to spot
• Why a blood test is the only reliable way to check iron
• What to expect from the testing process
• Why dosage and retesting matter so much

Connect with me (Dr Kyla) on Instagram and Facebook!

Do you want to easily understand what’s in the food you buy without any fear mongering or misinformation? Check out my weekly Chewsday Reviews.

Join my online membership programs today! Baby Mealtimes for parents introducing solids, Toddler Mealtimes to navigate fussy eating, Family Mealtimes for guidance when packing school lunches and feeding the whole family, or School Mealtimes to change the way we talk about food in schools.

This episode was sparked by an Instagram Q&A that was forwarded to me: "Are we doing kids a huge disservice by adopting a snack culture?" It's a question so many parents are quietly wondering. I chat about the real importance of snacks in childhood, how to use them to support mealtimes, snack ideas, and so much more.

Listen in and discover:

• The purpose of snacks
• Why are snacks important in childhood
• Supporting meals with snacks
• How to manage snack associations
• Snacking vs. all-day grazing
• Whether snacking affects oral health
• Why feeling hungry plays an important role
• Using snacks as distractions

Connect with me (Dr Kyla) on Instagram and Facebook!

Do you want to easily understand what’s in the food you buy without any fear mongering or misinformation? Check out my weekly Chewsday Reviews.

Join my online membership programs today! Baby Mealtimes for parents introducing solids, Toddler Mealtimes to navigate fussy eating, Family Mealtimes for guidance when packing school lunches and feeding the whole family, or School Mealtimes to change the way we talk about food in schools.

We're back with a new episode! This one came straight out of a lunchtime chat with my team, and honestly, I think it's going to hit close to home for a lot of parents. We spend so much of our time and energy making sure our kids' needs are met, but when it comes to ourselves? We're usually last on the list. Sound familiar? In this episode, I'm sharing some of the real-life examples that came up within our team and talking about ways to care for yourself in the same way you do for your kids.

Listen in and discover:

• Examples that came up within our team
• How we fall into habits amongst our daily routines
• My answer to a member’s question
• Recognising our own thought patterns
• Ways you can look after yourself the same way you look after your child
• How #samefoodsametime relates to this topic

Listen to Episode 9: Food Freedom, with Claire Gasper from Diet-Free Me

Connect with me (Dr Kyla) on Instagram and Facebook!

Do you want to easily understand what’s in the food you buy without any fear mongering or misinformation? Check out my weekly Chewsday Reviews.

Join my online membership programs today! Baby Mealtimes for parents introducing solids, Toddler Mealtimes to navigate fussy eating, Family Mealtimes for guidance when packing school lunches and feeding the whole family, or School Mealtimes to change the way we talk about food in schools.

This week, I’m joined by A/Prof Debbie Palmer — a leading dietitian and researcher in early life nutrition — to talk about all things food allergy prevention in babies. We cover the latest evidence on eczema care, when (and how) to introduce allergenic foods, and what’s new in the research world. Debbie also shares fascinating insights into why Australia has such high allergy rates and what’s giving researchers hope for the future. Whether you’re a new parent, a curious health professional, or just fascinated by how our bodies develop food tolerance, this episode is a must-listen.

Listen in and discover:

●    Why treating eczema early and properly is key to preventing allergies

●      The safest way to introduce allergenic foods like egg and peanut (and when to do it)

●      How to know if your baby is developmentally ready for these foods

●      Why smearing food on skin is risky — and what to do instead

●      What’s behind the rise in cashew and pistachio allergies

●      The surprising links between early formula use, breastfeeding, and allergy risk

●      How oral immunotherapy is changing the future for kids with nut allergies

●      What new studies like Nuts for Babies are discovering about allergy prevention



This podcast is for general information only and doesn’t replace personalised medical advice. Please speak with your GP, paediatrician or allergist for guidance specific to your child.

Associate Professor Debbie Palmer is an experienced dietitian and mid-career researcher. She leads a research team which has the primary focus of investigating nutritional strategies for allergic disease prevention. The research team conducts clinical trials, mechanistic studies, and translation activities, all with the goal of reducing the burden of allergies within our community.

Debbie is:

• Team leader of the Nutrition in Early Life Research Team at The Kids Research Institute Australia.
• Co-Director of the Centre for Human Lactation Research and Translation at the University of Western Australia.
• Co-chair of the Food Allergy Stream of the National Allergy Centre of Excellence, and a Chief Investigator on the NHMRC funded Centre of Research Excellence in Food Allergy Research (CFAR3).

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Website mentioned by Debbie for research participation and allergy studies: National Allergy Centre of Excellence (NACE) / Kids Research Australia ( contains the Allergy Study Directory, where families can search for studies across Australia)
• Nipbu / Allergy and Immunology Website: Nipbu – National Allergy Strategy’s allergy prevention hub, run by the National Allergy Centre of Excellence and the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) (Evidence-based information on Eczema care and treatment, introducing allergenic foods, videos and infographics for parents)
• Kids Research (Australia) (Debbie’s research institute, where she leads the Nutrition and Early Life Research team, info on studies like The Pregnant Study and Nuts for Babies)
• The PrEggNut Study: https://originsproject.thekids.org.au/sub-projects/nutrition-metabolism/the-preggnut-study/
• The Nuts for Babies Study: Large study involving 4,000 mums and babies in WA and VIC. Examines peanut and cashew exposure through breastmilk and its link to allergy prevention. Registration info: https://www.thekids.org.au/be-involved/participate-in-research/nuts-for-babies/
• Eczema Education with Jemma Weidinger: https://mealtimes.com.au/product/eczema-workshop-with-jemma-weidinger-replay/
• Mealtimes Membership – live Q&A sessions, personalised support and access to all content

Connect with me (Dr Kyla) on Instagram and Facebook! 

Do you want to easily understand what’s in the food you buy without any fear mongering or misinformation? Check out my weekly Chewsday Reviews.

Join my online membership programs today! Baby Mealtimes for parents introducing solids, Toddler Mealtimes to navigate fussy eating, Family Mealtimes for guidance when packing school lunches and feeding the whole family, or School Mealtimes to change the way we talk about food in schools.

This week, I’m diving into Halloween for families — the excitement, the lollies, and all the mixed feelings in between. From managing sugar fears to handling trick-or-treat chaos, I’m sharing a practical, evidence-based approach to help you enjoy the night without stress.

Whether you’re a Halloween enthusiast or a self-confessed Halloween Grinch, this episode will help you find balance between fun and food — and teach your kids to do the same.

Listen in and discover:

●    Why sugar highs aren’t real (and what’s really happening)

●      How to help kids enjoy lollies without guilt or restriction

●      What to do before trick-or-treating to avoid overwhelm

●      The difference between managing food and managing fear

●      How to ditch “Switch Witch” thinking and build food trust instead

●      Why letting go of control helps kids self-regulate better

●      Practical tips for handling safety, choking hazards, and boundaries

●      How to make Halloween fun — even if you don’t love it yourself



Mentioned in this episode: 

• Mealtimes Membership – live Q&A sessions, personalised support and access to all content
• Wender EH, Solanto MV. Effects of sugar on aggressive and inattentive behavior in children with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity and normal children. (1991). Pediatrics, 88(5), 960-6. 
• Kanarek RB. Does sucrose or aspartame cause hyperactivity in children? (1994). Nutrition Reviews, 52(5), 173-5. DOI: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.1994.tb01415.x.
• Farsad-Naeimi A, Asjodi F, Omidian M, Askari M, Nouri M, Pizarro AB, Daneshzad E. (2020). Sugar consumption, sugar sweetened beverages and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 53, 102512. DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102512.

Connect with me (Dr Kyla) on Instagram and Facebook! 

Do you want to easily understand what’s in the food you buy without any fear mongering or misinformation? Check out my weekly Chewsday Reviews.

Join my online membership programs today! Baby Mealtimes for parents introducing solids, Toddler Mealtimes to navigate fussy eating, Family Mealtimes for guidance when packing school lunches and feeding the whole family, or School Mealtimes to change the way we talk about food in schools.

This week, I’m sharing all the details from our most recent family holiday to Bali – the highs, the lows, and everything in between. From hotel choice and flights to food, service, kids’ activities, and even avoiding Bali belly, I break down exactly what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d do differently next time. If you’ve been considering Bali for your next family trip (or you’re just curious about how an all-inclusive stacks up), this episode is packed with first-hand tips and honest reflections.

Listen in and discover:

●    Why we chose Bali (again!) for our family holiday

●      The flights, visa process, and airport tips that made travel smoother

●      Honest thoughts on our stay at the Grand Mirage Hotel – pros and cons

●      Pool, slides, splash park & kids’ activity highlights

●      The reality of all-inclusive packages (and hidden extra costs)

●      Food and drink quality – what impressed us and what fell flat

●      Service and communication challenges at the hotel

●      Why the kids’ club didn’t work for us

●      How we avoided Bali belly (and the new product people are talking about)

●      Our go-to nanny and how she made the holiday easier

●      Fiji vs Bali – my take for Perth-based families

Previous episodes mentioned: 

• 14. Bali Family Holiday Part One: Why All-Inclusive Deals Are a Game-Changer
• 15. Bali Family Holiday Part Two: Packing the Essentials

Connect with me (Dr Kyla) on Instagram and Facebook! 

Do you want to easily understand what’s in the food you buy without any fear mongering or misinformation? Check out my weekly Chewsday Reviews.

Join my online membership programs today! Baby Mealtimes for parents introducing solids, Toddler Mealtimes to navigate fussy eating, Family Mealtimes for guidance when packing school lunches and feeding the whole family, or School Mealtimes to change the way we talk about food in schools.

This week, I’m joined by Ingrid Roche, an Accredited Practising Dietitian and co-director at Advanced Dietitians Group in Perth, to chat about food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) in babies. With over 20 years of experience, Ingrid specialises in paediatrics and food allergies, and is passionate about helping families find practical nutrition solutions. In this episode, we unpack everything parents need to know about FPIES, from recognising the signs to navigating food introductions with confidence.

Listen in and discover:

●      What FPIES is

●      How it differs from other allergies

●      Signs and symptoms

●      Risk factors for developing FPIES

●      Foods that commonly trigger reactions

●      How FPIES is diagnosed

●      Treatments for hospital presentations

●      Foods to be cautious of if your baby has FPIES

●      Introducing common triggers to your baby

●      Whether FPIES trigger foods affect breastfeeding mothers

●      Food labelling that says ‘may contain’

Find out more about Advanced Dietitians Group on their website, follow them on Instagram, or book an appointment.

Connect with me (Dr Kyla) on Instagram and Facebook! 

Do you want to easily understand what’s in the food you buy without any fear mongering or misinformation? Check out my weekly Chewsday Reviews.

Join my online membership programs today! Baby Mealtimes for parents introducing solids, Toddler Mealtimes to navigate fussy eating, Family Mealtimes for guidance when packing school lunches and feeding the whole family, or School Mealtimes to change the way we talk about food in schools.