Managing Mealtime Madness

Lily Nichols is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator, researcher, and author with a passion for evidence-based nutrition. Drawing from the current scientific literature and the wisdom of traditional cultures, her work is known for being research-focused, thorough, and sensible. 

We dive into what a nourishing prenatal diet looks like, how to support blood sugar balance during pregnancy, and what to know about gestational diabetes — from prevention to management. Lily also shares how nutrition can set the stage for future pregnancies, postpartum recovery, and long-term health for both mom and baby.

If you’re pregn...

Duration: 00:53:10

Welcome Samina Qureshi, a Registered Dietitian specializing in gut health and digestive disorders, to the podcast! Sarah and Samina discuss the importance of identifying common digestive issues in kids, and practical tips for managing GI distress and constipation. They discuss:

How to identify food sensitivities or digestive difficulties in kidsHigh fiber sources and ways to introduce them in kids' dietsFoods and lifestyle changes to help with constipationKid-friendly ways to help with GI distress and bathroom visitsWhen and how to take probiotics (this may surprise you!)How a varied diet can support gut health and microbiome diversity

Resources...

Duration: 00:43:38

In this quick solo episode, Sarah shares some of her meals that her family shared last week, including opportunities to improve upon for next week's meals to make things easier, and also highlights what worked well for busy weeks. She also shares some easy recipes for you to try!

Your meals don’t have to be Pinterest-worthy — simple, repeated, even imperfect meals still get the job done.

Don't forget to leave a review for the podcast. I’d love to hear what you all ate last week! Tag me or send me a messag...

Duration: 00:16:12

Gisela Bouvier is a media Registered Dietitian based on Florida. In this episode, Gisela shares how to be okay with using convenient and processed foods in her busy lifestyle, while still nourishing her family. She talks about how and why she came to embrace mindful eating after suffering from an eating disorder for many years prior to having her three kids. From that experience, cultivating a good relationship with food is very important to her, and she shares how she does that in her house to get meals on the table, while still working full time. 

We d...

Duration: 00:36:27

In this episode, Breana Killeen, Sarah speaks with Breana Killeen, a senior food editor at Food & Wine and a dedicated farmer and chef. Breana shares her insights on the unique experiences of raising children on a farm, lessons learned through farming, the importance of family meals, and how these experiences shape their relationship with food. Breana also offers practical tips for busy parents on meal planning and preparation. Her approach to cooking is both accessible and creative, making it easier for families to enjoy nutritious meals together.

Sarah and Breana also discuss:

How farming teaches children...

Duration: 00:56:45

In this episode, Sarah talks with Beth Stark, to discuss the challenges and strategies of meal prepping, especially during the back-to-school season. They explore:

- How parents can navigate the busy schedules to create balanced meals

- How to involve children in meal planning

- Redefining meal prep for busy families 

- Creative Lunchbox Ideas for Kids

- Encouraging Variety in Kids' Diets

- How to create a variety of meals that are both nutritious and appealing

Beth Stark, RDN, LDN is a...

Duration: 00:34:16

In this quick episode, Sarah shares a realistic approach to bedtime snacks — a common source of confusion (and negotiation) for many families. 

Should you offer them or not? Whether your child is genuinely hungry at night or using snacks as a stalling tactic, this episode explores how to approach bedtime snacks without guilt, pressure, or power struggles.

Sarah covers:

Why bedtime snacks can be totally normal (and sometimes needed!)How summer and school year routines change thingsWhat to watch for if your child is skipping dinnerPractical bedtime snack ideas that fill bellies without overcomplicating thi...

Duration: 00:20:46

In this episode, my seven year old, Camryn, joins me to talk about snacking habits, and how kids may see snacks. We talk about strategies to offer more fruits and veggies, let kids play a role in the snack process, and fun ideas that you can try at home. Camryn even shares some tips for enticing picky eaters to try new foods, and some fun summer-friendly options!

Snacks mentioned in this episode:

Edible cookie doughPumpkin spice cookie doughSweetpotato zucchini muffinsGreek yogurt banana bread

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

...

Duration: 00:26:08

If you've ever been worried about your child's weight, this is an episode you won't want to miss! Jill Castle, long-time childhood nutrition expert and founder of The Nourished Child and author of Kids Thrive at Every Size, joins Sarah on Managing Mealtime Madness. 

Together, Sarah and Jill explore:

Why traditional approaches to weight and BMI in children often miss the markHow parents and caregivers can shift the focus from weight to well-beingThe role of nutrition, growth patterns, and genetics in body diversityHow to build positive food and body relationships at homePractical, non-stigmatizing ways to support k...

Duration: 00:45:13

Chelsea LeBlanc is an award-winning registered dietitian, media personality, recipe developer, and nutrition expert in Nashville, TN. She runs a nutrition communications company and virtual private practice where she helps career-driven women plan and prep quick and easy meals on a budget. She frequently contributes to multiple media outlets––including Eat This, Not That!, Well + Good, MSN, and Eating Well.

Passionate about reducing food waste, she promotes sustainable meal planning and preparation, guiding her clients to make mindful decisions that save money, minimize waste, and simplify healthy eating. Through her virtual private practice and contributions to various medi...

Duration: 00:40:35

Amid rising controversy and misinformation on social media, this episode explains what seed oils are, how they’re processed, and whether they deserve the “toxic” label they’ve been given.

As a Registered Dietitian, Sarah dives into the science behind seed oils, their role in heart health, inflammation, and whether they’re safe for kids. 

In this episode, we discuss:

What seed oils are and how they differ from fruit oils How seed oils are processed and what that even meansThe truth about linoleic acid (omega-6 fat) and inflammationWhy omega-6 fats are misunderstood and how they com...

Duration: 00:19:44

In this episode, Sarah talks about her recent firsthand experience on cattle ranches in Nebraska and some of the main takeaways for families. She shares some of the myths about beef and misinformation about grass-fed vs. conventional beef, and talks about beef nutrition, especially for growing kids. 

From how cattle are raised to what happens before beef ends up in your grocery store or on your toddler’s plate, Sarah breaks down 5 key takeaways that every parent should know. If you’ve ever wondered about the nutrition, safety, sustainability, or ethical side of feeding your family beef, this...

Duration: 00:27:06

Childhood nutrition is a complex issue! In this episode,  Sarah and Alex Turnbull, RD discuss the challenges of child nutrition, particularly in the context of school food service. As a Registered Dietitian who used to work in school food service, Alex talks about many of the challenges that school nutrition programs face, including funding, food policies, offer vs. serve and more. 

In this episode:

How parents can reduce pressure when serving healthy meals to kidsHow school meals are often healthier than what we perceiveManaging expectations around what children should and will eat, and what pa...

Duration: 00:43:57

In this episode, Sarah shares practical tips for making mealtime more enjoyable for families, especially with young children. To make family meals more fun, we discuss the importance of predictability and allowing kids to serve themselves to foster autonomy. Sarah also touches on providing empathy when dealing with picky eaters, avoiding pressure, and creating rituals to enhance family bonding during meals. This is a great and quick episode to listen to for school pick up, while doing the dishes, or en route to soccer practice!

takeaways

Mealtime can still be enjoyable even when chaotic...

Duration: 00:20:18

Sally Kuzemchak is a registered dietitian and founder of Real Mom Nutrition, where she shares down-to-earth advice about feeding kids plus simple recipes--and since she's a former picky eater, they're all created with the finicky palate in mind. Her passion is helping moms feel more confident, and less guilt and confusion around feeding their families. She's the author of two books and has been published in numerous magazines and online outlets including Parents, Simply Recipes, and WebMD. 

In this episode, Sarah and Sally discuss: 

Sally's personal journey with picky eating as a child and adultThe challenges of...

Duration: 00:42:16

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...

Duration: 00:39:45

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 s...

Duration: 00:40:22

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 mealsThe parent’s role versus the child’s role at mealtimeHow to handle...

Duration: 00:25:02

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...

Duration: 00:39:02

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 soupAir fryer pizza bitesDeconstructed burger bowlsEasy sweetpotato nachosSous vide...

Duration: 00:13:39

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 athletesHow to handle dinners with after school sports/activities Should athletes take a multivitamin o...

Duration: 00:43:43

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 le...

Duration: 00:32:21

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...

Duration: 00:25:51

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 f...

Duration: 00:21:45

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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Duration: 00:07:31