Jen McLellan is a published author and founder of Plus Size Birth and the Plus Mommy blog. She helps women navigate the world of plus size pregnancy, shares tips for embracing your body, and laughs her way through the adventures of motherhood. Jen has grown a community of over 178,000 via the Plus Mommy Facebook page. Her work has been featured in major publications such as Yahoo Shine, Huffington Post, Everyday Feminism, and International Doula. She authored My Plus Size Pregnancy Guide and co-wrote the Amazon bestseller, The Peachie Moms Guide to Body Love for Moms. Jen is also a childbirth educator, skilled patient advocate, professional speaker, wife, and mother to a charismatic 7-year-old. Find her at :   https://plussizebirth.com https://plusmommy.com https://www.facebook.com/plusmommyblog https://www.instagram.com/plusmommy/ https://www.pinterest.com/plusmommy/ https://twitter.com/plusmommy https://plussizebirth.com/my-plus-size-pregnancy-bundle/  Want to continue the conversation? Join us over at the Nurtured Mama Community on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/groups/nurturedmamacommunity/  Learn more about The Nurtured Mama at www.thenurturedmama.club  

NMP 015 : Navigating Pregnancy and Diet Culture as a Plus Size Mommy with Jen McLellan

The Embodied & Well Mom Show is about living well while mommin' it up through connection to self and talking about the realities of motherhood, food and body image. Join me, your host Lindsay Stenovec, MS, RD, CEDRD, as I talk with other moms about their transitions into and throughout motherhood, their experiences with food and their bodies and how we can keep ourselves and our families nurtured. Topics will include body image in motherhood, physical healing post-baby, managing stress in parenthood, having a healthy relationship with food, feeding your family with confidence, infant feeding, perinatal mood disorders, eating disorders, intuitive eating, pregnancy nutrition and body changes, postpartum wellness and so much more!

Nutrition

Health & Fitness

We all want our kiddos to feel comfortable in their bodies, but we can’t always protect them from the cultural messaging and outside voices implying that there is a right and wrong way to eat. And for those of us who struggle with eating and body image disorders ourselves, there is the added worry that we might pass these issues on to our children. So, what can we do to raise body positive children with the confidence and autonomy to practice intuitive eating?   Karen Diaz is a registered dietitian certified in intuitive eating. She earned her BS in Dietetics from James Madison University in 2001 and completed her internship at the Cornell Campus of New York—Presbyterian Hospital in 2003. Karen spent several years working as a clinical dietician in the nutrition department at The Renfrew Center, one of the leading centers for eating disorder treatment on the East Coast, before creating The Free Life, a platform designed to support women in overcoming eating and body image disorders. She is also the author of  Within: Making Peace with Food and Body Image to Create a Healthy Family and Home.   On this episode of The Embodied & Well Mom Show, Karen joins us to discuss the challenges moms (and parents) face in judging ourselves when it comes to body image and food. She shares the two overarching themes from her book on confronting eating and body image disorders, building yourself up first—and then opening a dialogue with your children. Karen also describes the value in developing a Family Manifesto around food and learning to practice ‘appreciative looking.’ Listen in for Karen’s insight on talking to your kids about cultural messaging and learn her top strategies for raising body positive children!   Key Takeaways   What inspired Karen to specialize in eating disorders  Addiction issues in family, friend with eating disorder 8 years in nutrition department at eating disorder clinic    How we judge ourselves around body image + food  Rules make it hard to be active participant in relationship Remove mom-guilt that we caused child’s issues    The two overarching themes in Karen’s book Within  Build self up so strong that diet culture crumbles at feet Open dialogue in home to address struggles    Karen’s Family Manifesto around food  Set of beliefs, e.g.: food shouldn’t be reward Don’t judge other families for different values    The value in facilitating an open dialogue on body image  Ask questions to let kids be heard Avoid bringing own worries into conversation    The concept of appreciative looking  Look at photographs 3X, find something like Learn to see self in different way    Karen’s advice on shifting negative cultural messages  YOU determine your environment Choose foods that taste good, feel good for you    How to educate your kids on cultural messaging  Point out lack of size diversity Discuss shows with personality based on body size    Karen’s insight on talking to preteens about body image  Proactive strategies (i.e.: write letters to parts of body) Don’t panic about phases, doctor’s comments    Connect with Karen   The Free Life Karen on Facebook Karen on Twitter Karen on Pinterest  Within: Making Peace with Food and Body Image to Create a Healthy Family and Home by Karen Diaz RD   Connect with Lindsay   Intuitive Eating Moms Embodied & Well Mom Show on Facebook Lindsay on Instagram Lindsay on Pinterest Lindsay on Twitter Lindsay on LinkedIn   Resources   Wendy Yalom Photography

Raising Body Positive Children

Dr. Marianne Miller specializes in eating disorder treatment for adults and teens. Marianne has been a practicing therapist for more than 20 years, earning her master’s in marriage and family therapy from Abilene Christian University and her doctorate from Texas Tech. In addition to being a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California, she is a member of The International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals Foundation and the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Marianne is committed to helping clients with all types of food and body anxiety through her private practice in San Diego.   On this episode of The Embodied & Well Mom Show, Marianne joins us to share the definition of binge eating disorder and discuss its prevalence in the US. She walks us through her approach to working with a client with binge eating disorder, describing several of the coping strategies she teaches to manage emotions and anxiety. Marianne also explains the spiritual aspect of her work with the clients as well as her support of clients in the LGBTQ+ community. Listen in for Marianne’s insight around the impact of weight discrimination and learn why she is an advocate for Health at Every Size!   Key Takeaways   The definition of binge eating disorder  Eat excessive amount of food regularly Feel shame, regret + distress    The prevalence of binge eating disorder  Became official diagnosis on DSM-5 in 2013 Impacts 6% of population (more men than women) Common in pregnancy, postpartum    Marianne’s approach to supporting someone with binge eating disorder  Cognitive behavioral therapy Dialectical behavior therapy (emotion, anxiety management) Family of origin work Refer to dietician who specializes in eating disorders    The spiritual aspect of Marianne’s work with clients  Tap into client’s faith, spiritual beliefs as resource Address harmful beliefs (i.e.: body = shameful)    Marianne’s approach to working with LGBTQ clients  Validate experiences of discrimination Understand coming out journey, build chosen family    Why there’s a higher prevalence of eating disorders in the LGBTQ community  Gender dysphoria in trans individuals (effort to change body) Stress from discrimination triggers eating disorder    Marianne’s insight on the impact of weight discrimination  Some clients shamed by physician Work toward self-acceptance (Health at Every Size) Think critically about messages you receive    Connect with Marianne   Marianne’s Website Marianne’s Blog Marianne on Facebook Marianne on Instagram   Connect with Lindsay   Intuitive Eating Moms Embodied & Well Mom Show on Facebook Lindsay on Instagram Lindsay on Pinterest Lindsay on Twitter Lindsay on LinkedIn   Resources   Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Dr. Marsha Linehan Health at Every Size Linda Bacon Association for Size Diversity and Health  Health at Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight by Linda Bacon  Body Respect: What Conventional Health Books Get Wrong, Leave Out, and Just Plain Fail to Understand about Weight by Linda Bacon and Lucy Aphramor Center for Discovery

How to Get Help For Binge Eating Disorder

Parents receive conflicting messages about feeding. We’re told that getting the right nutrients is incredibly important to our child’s health and wellbeing. Then, we’re told that we should simply offer our kids food and let them decide whether and how much to eat. So, how do we follow both sets of advice? The fact is, nutrition is the result of a trusting feeding relationship, and if you can learn to appreciate your kiddo’s presentation and respond to their cues, you can achieve a stress-free mealtime.   Grace Wong is a certified eating disorder registered dietitian with 15 years of clinical experience in mental health and pediatric nutrition. Grace works with a diverse presentation of feeding and eating disorders and supports children with co-existing conditions like ADHD, autism, sensory processing challenges, anxiety, depression, addiction and trauma. She is committed to helping clients uncover their family feeding history and establish a comfortable environment at mealtime. Grace’s practice is based in Calgary, and she does online coaching through her Facebook business page.   Today, Grace joins us to explain how she supports parents whose kids have complex feeding presentations. She discusses the concept of food acceptance, sharing her aim to get children to a place where variety is not disruptive and her approach to establishing a peaceful mealtime. Listen in for Grace’s insight on the challenges of parenting neuro-diverse kiddos and learn how to appreciate your child’s feeding presentation and build a trusting feeding relationship!   Key Takeaways   How Grace supports parents whose kids eat differently  Don’t treat child as ‘problem’ Learn story, family feeding history Identify cause of current challenges Move child closer to natural trajectory    The tenets of division of responsibility in feeding  Parents responsible for when, what and where Children responsible for whether, how much    The concept of responsive eating  Relationship rather than set of rules Read child’s cues, respond appropriately    Grace’s insight on the idea of food acceptance  Limited diet grows with experience Get to a place where variety not disruptive    The conflicting message parents receive re: feeding  Nutrition important, necessary for wellbeing Offer children food and let them decide    How Grace works to establish a peaceful mealtime  Collect story and identify stressors Give child autonomy to choose or remove Address concerns (e.g.: anxiety, appetite) Make meals safe + comfortable    The challenges of parenting neuro-diverse children  Shaming or judgment from friends, family Kids employ masking to appear normal Increases anxiety, creates more aversion    Grace’s advice on appreciating your child’s presentation  Develop trusting feeding relationship Outcome = nutrition, peace with food    Connect with Grace   Grace on Facebook   Connect with Lindsay   Intuitive Eating Moms Embodied & Well Mom Show on Facebook Lindsay on Instagram Lindsay on Pinterest Lindsay on Twitter Lindsay on LinkedIn   Resources    Ellen Satter’s Division of Responsibility Dr. Katja Rowell

Responsive Feeding & "Picky eating"

If you have a child with a newly diagnosed food allergy, you are likely consumed with learning as much as you can to keep your kiddo safe and healthy. This may also mean that you are neglecting your own self-care in order to take on the extra responsibility of eliminating allergens from your home and meeting with daycare providers and school administrators to develop a plan for your child. What can you do to take care of yourself during this challenging time?   Diana Rice, RD, is a nationally recognized nutrition professional and family health expert. She is passionate about communicating effective and evidence-based strategies that incorporate good nutrition into the challenges of modern-day life. Prior to launching her consultancy, Diana served as the Associate Director of Nutrition Communications at The Monday Campaigns, where she spearheaded the Kids Cook Monday initiative. Now she focuses on perinatal, infant and child nutrition, and food allergies, working directly with families to implement practical strategies for improved health. Diana is also a frequent contributor to national media publications, including Parents, The Huffington Post, and Everyday Health, among many others.   Today, Diana joins us to describe how a child’s food allergy diagnosis impacts the entire family. She shares the professional advice around introducing allergens early and often, explaining the ‘mom guilt’ she felt for not doing everything she could to reduce her own child’s risk. Diana also walks us through the steps she took to manage her daughter’s allergy to peanuts and tree nuts and offers advice for parents on reaching out for the support you need. Listen in for Diana’s insight into why food allergies are so much more complex than simply eliminating a particular food from your diet—and learn how to advocate for your child AND take care of yourself as an allergy mom!   Key Takeaways   Diana’s transition to motherhood  Smooth process with first daughter (support network) Relocated when second daughter just 3 weeks old Started to slack on self-care, developed anxiety    Diana’s second daughter’s health issues  Introduced potential allergens ‘early and often’ Diagnosis of allergy to peanuts and tree nuts    How Diana responded to her daughter’s food allergies  Eliminate foods manufactured on shared lines Meetings with daycare providers, school Research around brands with dedicated facilities    The professional advice around introducing allergens  Prompted by study of Israeli kids in UK and Israel Introduce potential allergens early to reduce risk    Diana’s mom guilt around her daughter’s allergies  Couldn’t say ‘did everything I could’ Tell self that your best is enough    The responsibility of managing a child’s food allergies  Challenge usually falls to mom Focus on child’s needs AND own self-care    Diana’s insight on navigating your child’s food allergies  Recognize that diagnosis affects whole family Get support you need (e.g.: therapist, dietician)    Diana’s advice for parents of children with allergies  Identify anxiety triggers (i.e.: grocery shopping) Connect with other allergy parents Set aside time to dig through info Talk through concerns with partner    How parents of kids without allergies can provide support  Understand risks of cross-contamination Respect school policies re: outside food Cultivate empathy for families with food allergies Don’t give child food without parent permission Celebrate with non-food alternatives (e.g.: stickers)    Diana’s top tip for food allergy moms  There’s no shame in being ‘that mom’ You deserve to advocate for family’s health     Connect with Diana   Diana’s Website Diana on Instagram Diana on Twitter Diana on Pinterest Diana on Facebook   Connect with Lindsay   Intuitive Eating Moms Nutrition Instincts - San Diego Nutrition Therapy Embodied & Well Mom Show on Facebook Lindsay on Instagram Lindsay on Pinterest Lindsay on Twitter Lindsay on LinkedIn   Resources    Born to Eat: Whole, Healthy Foods from Baby’s First Bite by Wendy Jo Peterson and Leslie Schilling  Peanut Allergy Study in Israel vs. the UK Diana’s Halloween Food Allergy Article  https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Food-Allergies-in-Children.aspx  https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/aap-press-room-media-center/Pages/Food-Allergies-Babies-at-High-Risk.aspx  https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/Approximately-8-Percent-of-Children-are-Diagnosed-with-Food-Allergies.aspx  

My Kid Has a Food Allergy and I Need Support

  SIGN UP FOR LINDA'S FREE ONLINE SUMMIT TODAY! IT'S NOT ABOUT THE BABY WEIGHT - RECOVERY MAMA SUMMIT During pregnancy and postpartum, your relationship with food changes and your body transforms. This shift is challenging for nearly all new moms, but if you have a history of anxiety, depression, or an eating disorder, that adds another layer of complexity to an already difficult process. So, what kind of support do you need if you are in recovery as you transition into motherhood?   Dr. Linda Shanti is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in San Francisco. She specializes in recovery from eating disorders, body image challenges, anxiety, postpartum depression, and new mom support. Linda is also a well-known speaker and author of the book  The Recovery Mama Guide to Your Eating Disorder Recovery in Pregnancy and Postpartum. With 20 years of experience in the realm of compulsive eating, emotional eating, binge eating, bulimia, and anorexia, she is committed to helping women leverage expressive arts, mindfulness, and compassionate mirroring to support recovery in pregnancy and postpartum.   On this episode of The Embodied & Well Mom Show, Linda joins us to explain the proactive approach she took to get support during her own pregnancy, discussing the way her anxiety presented as irritability, anger and hypervigilance. She shares her experience with both food and body image during pregnancy and postpartum and describes how she supports women in decoding the myths around ‘getting your body back.’ Listen in to understand Linda’s approach to working with new moms in recovery—and learn to quiet your overdeveloped self-critic in favor of self-compassion!   Key Takeaways   Linda’s proactive approach to getting support during her own pregnancy  Brought up history of anxiety, eating disorder at first appointment Surprised by irritable depression, rage and hypervigilance    The challenge of supporting a partner with irritable depression  Looks like pushing away, want to be alone    Linda’s experience with food during pregnancy and postpartum  Disconcerting ravenous hunger Nausea in first trimester (calmed by eating)    Linda’s experience with body image during pregnancy  Drastic hormonal shifts led to BIG feelings Fun to have baby bump in middle of process Very rough at end, ‘carting around boulder’    How Linda supports clients around postpartum body image  Work through grief process Decode myths re: diet culture, getting body back    How Linda works with moms in recovery from eating disorders  Reframe independence as interdependence Address overdeveloped self-critic Reassess schedule, lower the bar on expectations    Linda’s advice for overachieving first-time moms  You will come back, have time to self again    Connect with Linda   Linda’s Website Recovery Mama on Instagram Recovery Mam on Facebook   Connect with Lindsay   Intuitive Eating Moms Embodied & Well Mom Show on Facebook Lindsay on Instagram Lindsay on Pinterest Lindsay on Twitter Lindsay on LinkedIn   Resources    The Recovery Mama Guide to Your Eating Disorder Recovery in Pregnancy and Postpartum by Linda Shanti McCabe  

NMP 015 : Navigating Pregnancy and Diet Culture as a Plus Size Mommy with Jen McLellan

Download our free app to listen on your phone