Nourished with Dr. Anikó

In this inspiring episode of Nourished with Dr. Anikó, host Dr. Anikó Gréger welcomes Dr. Reshma Shah, pediatrician, parent coach, and award-winning co-author of Nourish: The Definitive Plant-Based Nutrition Guide for Families. Together, they explore what it truly means to feed your family in a way that supports both health and happiness without rigidity, guilt, or overwhelm.

Dr. Shah shares her personal and professional journey from a traditional vegetarian upbringing to becoming a leading voice in plant-based nutrition, family wellness, and climate-informed pediatrics. She offers practical, compassionate guidance for families who are plant-curious and want to make more sustainable choices while still keeping mealtime joyful, flexible, and nourishing for everyone.

Learn how to start simple, overcome picky eating, and make plant-based meals that meet your family’s nutritional needs. From understanding key nutrients like vitamin B12, calcium, and protein, to embracing family dinners as a time for connection and cultural tradition. This episode offers a blend of science, emotional intelligence, and real-life strategies every parent can use.

Episode Highlights:

4:00 Dr. Shah’s journey from a vegetarian upbringing to discovering the power of plant-based nutrition as a mother and physician.

7:00 How plant-based diets support health, the planet, and compassion understanding the holistic benefits for families.

10:00 Key nutrients for kids: how to ensure proper B12, calcium, and iron intake on a plant-based diet.

15:00 Fiber and digestion: why most children need more plants, and tips for making beans easier to tolerate.

25:00 Creating family mealtime harmony: Dr. Shah’s story of shifting from multiple meals to one nourishing family table.

35:00 How food impacts the planet and the connection between diet, sustainability, and children’s long-term health.

43:00 First steps for plant-curious families and how to make plant-based eating simple, flexible, and joyful.

About Dr. Reshma Shah (Reshma Shah, MD MPH): Dr. Reshma Shah is a board certified pediatrician, award-winning author, mother, and passionate home-cook. Through her private coaching practice, she helps families find confidence and joy in feeding their children with compassion, evidence-based nutrition, and cultural awareness.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reshmashah
Parent Coaching: https://www.reshmashahmdparentcoaching.com/

Book: Nourish: The Definitive Plant-Based Nutrition Guide for Families by Reshma Shah, MD, MPH: https://a.co/d/d36IMMT

Free Resources:

• Family Meals Reimagined Guide https://reshma-shah-md.kit.com/251e5edca9
• Plant-Based Starter Guide https://reshma-shah-md.ck.page/bbdba29203

Connect with Dr. Anikó:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.aniko/

Website: https://www.draniko.com/

Thank you for listening to Nourished with Dr. Anikó! 

It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love! 

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Disclaimer:
The content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views expressed are those of the host and guests and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

In this week’s episode of Nourished with Dr. Anikó, Dr. Anikó concludes her powerful three-part vaccine series with an in-depth look at the devastating diseases vaccines were designed to prevent: polio, pertussis, and measles and why remembering their true impact is essential to protecting future generations.

With her signature blend of medical expertise and heartfelt storytelling, Dr. Anikó brings these illnesses to life through vivid history, global context, and real patient stories. From the paralyzing grip of polio that confined President FDR to a wheelchair, to the heartbreaking realities of whooping cough in infants, and the staggering global toll of measles, this episode exposes how far we’ve come and what’s at risk if we forget.

Dr. Anikó also shares a deeply personal story from her medical training that reshaped her own view on vaccine-preventable diseases, reminding listeners that even “common” childhood illnesses like chickenpox can lead to devastating complications.

You’ll learn why measles remains one of the most contagious and deadly diseases in the world, how vaccine refusal has led to dangerous resurgences, and why community protection, herd immunity, matters now more than ever.

If you’ve ever wondered how diseases like polio or measles could still threaten our modern world, or why vaccines are given at specific ages, this episode will shift your perspective and deepen your understanding of public health’s most important tool: preventative vaccines.

Episode Highlights:
02:00 Polio and President FDR’s story: how paralysis changed the world
05:00 The lasting effects of post-polio syndrome
08:00 The reality of pertussis (whooping cough) and why early treatment matters
12:00 Measles and the origins of vaccine misinformation
15:00 The truth about chickenpox and its hidden dangers
17:00 Measles’ staggering global death toll and why complacency is dangerous
20:00 Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis: delayed, fatal measles complication
23:00 The resurgence of measles and the cost of vaccine refusal
25:00 Understanding shared responsibility: how community immunity protects all

Through science, compassion, and perspective, Dr. Anikó reminds us that forgetting the lessons of history is one of the greatest risks to our collective health. Vaccines are not just about individual choice they’re about protecting those who can’t protect themselves.

Tune in now to learn, reflect, and remember what’s truly at stake when we choose not to vaccinate.

Connect with Dr. Anikó:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.aniko/

Website: https://www.draniko.com/

Thank you for listening to Nourished with Dr. Anikó! 

It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love! 

Your presence is truly felt and deeply appreciated.

Disclaimer:
The content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views expressed are those of the host and guests and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

In this week’s episode of Nourished with Dr. Anikó, Dr. Anikó continues her powerful three-part series on vaccines, autism, and misinformation this time turning the focus to the diseases themselves.

Building on last week’s exploration of scientific truth and the spread of misinformation, this episode dives deep into the devastating illnesses vaccines were created to prevent and why so many in modern society have forgotten their true impact.

With her signature mix of compassion, medical expertise, and storytelling, Dr. Anikó brings you into the heart of public health: what these diseases actually look like, how they affect the body, and why vaccine schedules are designed the way they are. From diphtheria’s strangling membrane to tetanus’ horrifying muscle spasms and the lifesaving protection against meningitis and hepatitis B, this episode is both sobering and empowering.

You’ll also learn why vaccine recommendations can feel rigid, how they’re designed to protect every child especially the most vulnerable and how forgetting history can endanger our collective health.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s behind those initials on a vaccine chart DTaP, Hib, Hep B this episode will change how you see them forever.

Episode Highlights:

02:00 The reality gap: why healthcare workers and the public see risk differently
03:00 Vaccines and collective memory: how success made us forget disease severity
05:00 Diphtheria: the “throat lizard” and the horror of a preventable death
09:00 Tetanus: when muscle spasms are so strong they can break bones
12:00 The vaccine that stopped infant meningitis
17:00 Why newborns receive the Hepatitis B vaccine at birth
22:00 Preview of Part 3: completing the series with the remaining diseases and big-picture truths

Whether you’re a parent seeking clarity, a healthcare professional looking to deepen communication, or someone curious about the efficacy behind vaccines, this episode offers a grounded, eye-opening perspective.

Tune in now to remember what’s at stake, rebuild trust in science, and understand why protecting one another starts with knowledge.

Connect with Dr. Anikó:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.aniko/

Website: https://www.draniko.com/

Thank you for listening to Nourished with Dr. Anikó! 

It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love! 

Your presence is truly felt and deeply appreciated.

Disclaimer:
The content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views expressed are those of the host and guests and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

In this episode of Nourished with Dr. Anikó, Dr. Anikó tackles one of the most heated and misunderstood topics in modern medicine: vaccines, autism, and the machinery of misinformation. With honesty and depth, she unpacks how one falsified study in the 1990s fueled decades of fear, why misinformation continues to spread, and what the science actually shows about vaccines and autism.

Through clear examples, compassionate perspective, and a call for deeper conversations, Dr. Anikó explores the difference between correlation and causation, the power of placebo, and how fear can be manipulated by those in power. She also raises critical questions about recent CDC contracts, the politics, and how we can meet each other in our shared fear to find truth and unity.

Episode Highlights:

02:00 The Wakefield study: how falsified data linked MMR vaccines to autism and ignited global fear

 05:00 Why correlation is not causation: clear explanation of the differences and why it is so important to understand

11:00 The heartbreak of misinformation: how families searching for answers were misled

 13:00 Measles, tetanus, and the life-saving power of vaccines compared to disease outcomes

 16:00 How fear on both sides of the vaccine debate can unite us in conversation

 18:00 Why the CDC’s new contract to study vaccines and autism raises alarm bells

 22:00 Building trust through science literacy, compassion, and shared truth

 23:00 Tylenol in pregnancy: what observational studies do and don’t prove

 26:00 The cruelty of guilt-based misinformation targeting mothers and parents

 27:00 Why healthcare is not political, it is humane, sacred work to care for one another

Whether you’ve felt vaccine hesitant, overwhelmed by conflicting narratives, or simply want clarity, this episode offers both scientific grounding and compassionate truth-telling.

Tune in now to uncover the lies, reclaim the facts, and open space for conversations that matter.

Connect with Dr. Anikó:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.aniko/

Website: https://www.draniko.com/

Thank you for listening to Nourished with Dr. Anikó! 

It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love! 

Your presence is truly felt and deeply appreciated.

Disclaimer:
The content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views expressed are those of the host and guests and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

In this episode of Nourished with Dr. Anikó, Dr. Anikó steps away from her planned topic to dive into one of the most powerful and often misunderstood tools for self-discovery and healing: shadow work. Drawing from Carl Jung’s teachings, the wisdom of psychotherapist Terry Cole, and her own reflections, she unpacks how the parts of ourselves we resist, deny, or even despise hold the keys to our freedom and wholeness.

Through honest conversation and practical practices, Dr. Anikó explains why ignoring our “shadow” only gives it more power and how consciously facing it can help us build resilience, compassion, and true self-acceptance. From meditation and journaling to sitting in the discomfort of stillness, this episode offers grounded tools for navigating the messy, complicated truths within ourselves and in our world.

Episode Highlights:

02:00 Why the aspects of others that trigger us often mirror unacknowledged parts of ourselves

05:00 The danger of glorifying unhealed behaviors versus truly integrating our shadow

04:00How “the shame monster” grows when we refuse to face uncomfortable truths

10:00 Simple practices—like seated meditation and early morning journaling—that help build emotional resilience

14:00 How shadow work can transform relationships, reduce shame, and reconnect us with our full humanity

Whether you’re new to shadow work or deep in the process of self-discovery, this episode will help you cultivate courage, compassion, and clarity on your journey toward wholeness.

Tune in now and discover how embracing your shadow can set you free.

Connect with Dr. Anikó:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.aniko/

Website: https://www.draniko.com/

Thank you for listening to Nourished with Dr. Anikó! 

It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love! 

Your presence is truly felt and deeply appreciated.

Disclaimer:
The content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views expressed are those of the host and guests and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

In this episode of Nourished with Dr. Anikó, Dr. Anikó invites you into the power of simple rituals that connect us more deeply to ourselves, to nature, and to one another. Inspired by a recent talk blending shamanic traditions with Western medicine, she explores how practices like welcoming the sun, grounding through the earth, and gentle movements such as Qigong can shift the way we carry ourselves through hard and uncertain times.

Through personal stories, dreams that crossed into waking life, and reflections on trauma-informed healing, Dr. Anikó shares why these rituals aren’t just spiritual or mystical—they’re biologically supportive and emotionally essential. These practices help us stay grounded in the present moment, resource ourselves with joy and calm, and open to wisdom that goes beyond words.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why morning rituals like greeting the sun and grounding through the earth help regulate your body and mind
• How Qigong and breathwork support aging bodies, stress relief, and emotional well-being
• The connection between dreams, intuition, and the deeper wisdom we often overlook
• Practical ways to release trauma that go beyond talk therapy and into body-based healing
• How to create your own simple daily ritual to stay resourced during life’s hardest moments

Whether you’re navigating uncertainty, looking for calm in the chaos, or simply curious about integrating more meaning into your mornings, this episode will inspire you to create a ritual that supports your body, mind, and spirit.

Tune in now and discover how small daily practices can open the door to resilience, healing, and a deeper connection to life itself.

Connect with Dr. Anikó:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.aniko/

Website: https://www.draniko.com/

Thank you for listening to Nourished with Dr. Anikó! 

It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love! 

Your presence is truly felt and deeply appreciated.

Disclaimer:
The content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views expressed are those of the host and guests and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

When most of us hear the words PMS or menopause, we think of struggle, discomfort, or even loss. But what if these phases of life were actually sacred transitions, times of heightened perception, honesty, and wisdom?

In this episode of Nourished, Dr. Anikó invites you to see PMS and menopause through a radically different lens. Drawing from cultural traditions, ancestral wisdom, and her own integrative practice, she reframes these experiences not as deficits but as doorways into deeper truth and power.

Key Takeaways

• Why PMS can be seen as a time of heightened sensitivity and honesty rather than weakness.
• How cultures around the world valued women in their cycle as truth-tellers and leaders.
• The transition into menopause as a sacred shift into wisdom, authority, and spiritual power.
• The “wise blood” and why many traditions see menopause as an opening to new levels of healing and leadership.
• Practical encouragement for seeing every life stage from menstruation to perimenopause to menopause as valuable and necessary.

Episode Highlights

 1:00 The surprising story that reframed PMS as perceptiveness instead of “too emotional.”

 2:00 Why cultures once invited women in their cycle to lead councils and speak truth.

 4:00 Menopause as a powerful transition into clarity and confidence.

 7:00 Indigenous traditions that honor menopause as the gateway to becoming a spiritual elder.

 10:00 How reclaiming these narratives nourishes both individuals and communities.

Whether you’re navigating PMS, perimenopause, or menopause yourself, or walking alongside someone you love, this episode will help you shift the narrative.

Come back next week for another in-depth episode as Dr. Anikó continues to explore this sacred topic and offers practical ways to integrate these insights into your own life.

Connect with Dr. Anikó:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.aniko/

Website: https://www.draniko.com/

Thank you for listening to Nourished with Dr. Anikó! 

It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love! 

Your presence is truly felt and deeply appreciated.

Disclaimer:
The content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views expressed are those of the host and guests and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

Adolescence is one of the sacred stages of development. In this episode of Nourished with Dr. Anikó, integrative pediatrician and postpartum consultant Dr. Anikó Gréger explores how parents can best support tween and teen girls as they transition from childhood to adulthood.

Dr. Anikó explains why adolescence should be viewed as a sacred window, similar to the postpartum period where young people are “birthing” a new sense of self. 

She dives into the importance of individuation, the normalcy of rejection, and how trusted adults beyond parents can provide crucial support. With her unique integrative perspective, she also highlights why modeling emotional regulation is one of the most powerful tools parents have for guiding their children through these transformative years.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why the tween and teen years are a sacred transition like postpartum
• How individuation and even rejection are necessary for healthy identity development
• The role of parents and trusted adults in guiding adolescents with compassion
• Parenting strategies to strengthen emotional resilience in girls 
• Practical tools for modeling emotional regulation and creating a safe, steady environment
• How to reframe the challenges of adolescence as opportunities for connection and growth

This episode is especially meaningful as Dr. Anikó gets emotional while recording, underscoring just how deeply she cares about this stage of life. Her authenticity reminds us that parenting is not only about guidance, but also about vulnerability and connection.

If you’re raising a tween or teen girl or supporting a young person in your life this conversation offers practical parenting tips, emotional insights, and compassionate strategies for helping them thrive during adolescence.

Connect with Dr. Anikó:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.aniko/

Website: https://www.draniko.com/

Thank you for listening to Nourished with Dr. Anikó! 

It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love! 

Your presence is truly felt and deeply appreciated.

Disclaimer:
The content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views expressed are those of the host and guests and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

In this final part (for now) of the anti-inflammatory diet series, Dr. Anikó brings everything together and shows how an anti-inflammatory lifestyle is more than just what’s on your plate; it’s about how you live, connect, and nourish yourself and your family. Instead of focusing on restriction, Dr. Anikó encourages us to start by adding: more whole foods, more vegetables, more community, more rest, and more joy. By adding these elements first, the less supportive foods and habits naturally take up less space in your life.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why eliminating ultra-processed foods is key and how to do it realistically.
• How movement, sleep, and community act as anti-inflammatory practices.
• Practical tips for involving kids and family 
• The truth about organic vs. conventional produce
• How cooking simple meals and choosing seasonal foods  create lasting health shifts.
• The importance of eating together 

Resource mentioned:

Thrive Market: https://thrivemarket.com and Thrive Gives™ - Every annual membership sponsors a free membership for a family in need.

If you missed the earlier episodes in this Anti-Inflammatory series, you can catch up here:

Episode 14. The Anti-Inflammatory Diet Part 1: Understanding the Benefits of Inflammation in your Body:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/14-the-anti-inflammatory-diet-part-1-understanding/id1812511962?i=1000721790312

Episode 15. The Anti-Inflammatory Diet Part 2: Small Lifestyle Changes with Big Health Benefits: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/15-the-anti-inflammatory-diet-part-2-small-lifestyle/id1812511962?i=1000722770814

Connect with Dr. Anikó:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.aniko/

Website: https://www.draniko.com/

Thank you for listening to Nourished with Dr. Anikó! 

It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love! 

Your presence is truly felt and deeply appreciated.

Disclaimer:
The content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views expressed are those of the host and guests and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet Part 2: Real Food, Lifestyle Shifts, and Lasting Health

When it comes to inflammation, last week’s episode showed us that it isn’t always the enemy it’s actually one of your body’s greatest tools for healing. But when inflammation becomes chronic, it drives disease and drains vitality.

In this second part of Dr. Anikó’s anti-inflammatory series, she explores what the anti-inflammatory diet really looks like in practice and how cultures around the world have been living this way for centuries. From Blue Zones to Mediterranean traditions, Dr. Anikó shows how food, community, sleep, and stress management all come together to create a lifestyle that nourishes body and mind.

Key Takeaways

• Why the anti-inflammatory diet is more than just food - it’s a lifestyle that improves mood, energy, and long-term health.
• How eating patterns in Blue Zones (Okinawa, Sardinia, Greece, and more) reveal secrets to longevity and lower disease risk.
• Why stress and poor food choices fuel inflammation and how small, sustainable changes can make a big difference.
• The role of herbs, spices, and whole foods (like turmeric, legumes, and leafy greens) in fighting inflammation naturally.
• Why the anti-inflammatory approach is flexible, customizable, and rooted in joy rather than restriction.

Episode Highlights

• 1:00 The big picture: why an anti-inflammatory lifestyle benefits kids, adults, and even future generations.
• 2:00 The opportunity in poor nutrition statistics among teens and why change matters now.
• 5:00 How stress influences food choices and inflammation levels in the body.
• 7:00 Exploring global anti-inflammatory traditions: Mediterranean, Okinawa, Nordic, and more.
• 9:00 Eating less, eating communally, and why mealtime connection matters.
• 13:00 Practical food pyramid and food table guides to simplify anti-inflammatory eating.
• 18:00 Herbs and spices, turmeric, garlic, cinnamon are powerful inflammation fighters.
• 20:00 Sweets, teas, and mindful indulgence the anti-inflammatory way.

Whether you’re navigating autoimmune conditions, looking to prevent chronic illness, or simply ready to feel more vibrant every day, this episode gives you the tools you need to feel nourished.

✨ Don’t miss Part 3 coming next week where Dr. Anikó shares the practical steps to implement the anti-inflammatory diet in your own life.

Connect with Dr. Anikó:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.aniko/

Website: https://www.draniko.com/

Thank you for listening to Nourished with Dr. Anikó! 

It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love! 

Your presence is truly felt and deeply appreciated.

Disclaimer:
The content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views expressed are those of the host and guests and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.