Mama Knows Nutrition: Feeding toddlers made easy

I am pausing the Mama Knows Nutrition podcast. We have recorded so many podcasts with amazing guests and heart-to-hearts giving you all of the insight. I love creating content, it brings me great joy. This pause is allowing me to shift my focus to prioritize some other exciting projects for Mama Knows. I hope to see you on my website and social media! Resources:WebsiteInstagramYouTubeTikTokNewsletter signup

I LOVE this question, because I can answer this question for you from a registered dietitian's perspective to ease your concerns. Spoiler: you don't always have to eat the same things as your kids. I'll talk about what that can look like and what to keep in mind. Resources:Picky Eater Starter Guide with Safe Food SheetEp. 19 How to Stop Dieting and Gain Food Freedom with Colleen Christensen, RD and intuitive eating expert, @no.food.rulesYou could be eating differently because of your kids because of food rules. Find out with this quiz.

I found the best pediatric Registered Dietitians to join Mama Knows, and I want you to meet them! If you're anything like me, you like to vet people before you work with them. Do they share similar values? Do they seem likable? Are they normal?? So I wanted you to meet our RDs if you're curious about our virtual nutrition consults. Listen to this episode to meet Dana Wallace and Bianca Anderson to learn about them, their philosophies and why they love being part of the Mama Knows family! Resources:MKN Nutrition Consults

Whether you're new to postpartum life or you're years into your postpartum journey, it's not too late for you to feel better. In this episode, Ashley Nowe of Get Mom Strong shares her personal journey and gives advice to help new moms find the right journey for their core and pelvic floor recovery. Resources:​​Get Mom Strong Website Get Mom Strong AppGet Mom Strong InstagramMy coupon code MAMAKNOWS14 will give users two weeks free to try the SLAM programs.

Hannah Hall, known on social media as Hannah Bower, is a mom of two, wife, and owner of Twenty2Nutrition. I had so much fun talking to Hannah about the benefits of exercise and nutrition, and in her words, why exercise makes her a “better human.” Check out her tips for how to move beyond fitness culture and get moving in a way that works for you in your own journey. This advice is amazing for postpartum moms, but really is beneficial for anyone! Resources:Hannah Bower InstagramTwenty2 Nutrition InstagramTwenty2 Nutrition WebsiteWorkout AppKacie's Code: kacie22 for free domestic shipping on any order from Twenty2Nutrition

Liesel Teen, founder of Mommy Labor Nurse, loves birth and loves helping people…she's just the best. Listen to our conversation to gain confidence as you prepare for baby, and feel OK about the weird/unexpected things that can happen in labor. You don't want to miss Liesel's top hacks for reducing nausea, making labor in the hospital feel more calming, managing pain, and making pumping less awful.Resources:Mommy Labor Nurse InstagramMommy Labor Nurse Website ​Mommy Labor Nurse TikTokBirth Plan Template

Most parents of picky eaters that I work with have something in common - they blame themselves, at least in part, for their kid's eating. But what if a lot of the causes of picky eating are actually not in your control? Listen to this episode to find out why your little one may be picky, and which things you actually can control. Resources:MKN Picky Eater QuizResearch data:The sweetness and bitterness of childhood: Insights from basic research on taste preferencesFood neophobia across the life course: Pooling data from five national cross-sectional surveys in IrelandAssociations between emotionality, sensory reactivity and food fussiness in young childrenDevelopmental and Environmental Influences on Young Children's Vegetable Preferences and Consumption

There's a good chance your kid is eating pretzels and Cheerios quite often…but are they healthy? I am NOT one to make you afraid of what you feed your kids so before you even listen I don't want you to freak out about this! Listen in to find out how to include these kid favorites in a healthy diet, and what my response is to the people who think Cheerios are harmful to eat.Resources:Ep. 40 Are Goldfish Crackers Actually Healthy? Ask a Dietitian! MKN Meal and Snack GuidesMilk for Toddlers: Answering All Your Questions on Cow's Milk, Non-Dairy Alternatives & HormonesFREE Cereal GuideFREE Healthy Toddler Snack Guide

Kristen Cook describes herself as a plus size mom creator, speaking facts about the hectic lovable chaos of raising kids, dealing with body issues and anxiety, and just overall big sister vibes for all the ladies stumbling trying to make sense of having our sh*t together. This is one of my favorite conversations on the podcast, because it's raw, honest, fun, and just so incredibly relatable. If you're not following Kristen already, you will be after you listen to this episode! ResourcesSign up for MKN Newsletter Kristen Cook TikTok Kristen Cook Instagram 

If you're pregnant or have a baby at home, you don't want to miss this episode! Mallory Whitmore of @theformulamom joins me to discuss formula feeding. We chat about the breastmilk vs formula divide and she educates us on common myths and concerns about formula feeding to help parents feel comfortable and confident when formula feeding their little ones. ResourcesThe Formula Mom Instagram The Formula Mom TikTokThe Formula Mom Formula GuideThe Formula Mom Formula FinderThe Formula Mom All Access Formula Index

Have you ever wondered how new food products actually get into stores when they're not made by a big corporation? Ali Bonar, CEO and co-founder of Oat Haus, talks about the hurdles she's overcome to leave her previous career behind and start a food company. The Oat Haus flagship product, Granola Butter, is the world's first oat-based spread and was born out of Ali's eating disorder recovery. Oat Haus is available at over 1,200 stores, including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Harris Teeter, The Fresh Market & more. I personally am obsessed with the new Brownie Batter flavor! Granola Butter is nut-free so it's a great sub for peanut butter at nut-free schools.Resources:Oat HausPressed JuiceryPressed Juicery Chalkboard MagazineWhole FoodsDidn't I Just Feed YouAli Bonar InstagramOat Haus InstagramOat Haus Store Locator

How do you do it all alone? I chat with Lauren “Lola” Garcia from @whatlolalikes about trying to do it all when you are the primary or only parent at home, and why she found it crucial to ask for help. We talk about what that help can actually look like, and what it feels like to be the parent who shoulders the mental load of all the day to day parenting. Resources:Melissa Wood Health Didn't I Just Feed You Podcast Eat Clean Meal Delivery in Arizona Flex Pro Meals Days With Grey - Breakfast Invitations What Lola Likes Instagram What Lola Likes TikTok

There are so many misconceptions about Diabetes, like you just get it if you eat a lot of sugar, or you can't eat any carbs if you have Diabetes. I talked to Mary Ellen Phipps, who is a Registered Dietitian, mom, and has been living with Type 1 Diabetes since she was 5 years old. She shares what it's REALLY like to live with diabetes (the ups and the downs), what it's like for parents when they receive this diagnosis for their child, and she shares the truth about the common misconceptions. Resources:Milk and Honey NutritionThe Easy Diabetes CookbookThe Easy Diabetes Desserts Cookbook

If you feel like you can't even attempt to put a new food on your picky eater's plate because you know they're going to be upset, you have to listen to this episode. This topic was a listener request and it's something I hear often from picky eater parents. But I don't want you to be scared to introduce new foods. Use these tips and you're going to feel immediately better about dinner time with your picky eater.Resources: Free Picky Eater Starter GuideSimple Steps to Picky Wins 

It can be so frustrating when what feels like a simple request is completely ignored! If you're feeling stuck with grandma or grandpa going overboard on treats when they're watching your kids, listen to this episode for what you can do to handle the situation (and hopefully get them to listen to you!).Resources: https://mamaknowsnutrition.com/shop/ 

It can feel like you get stuck when you and your partner or co-parent have different approaches or beliefs, especially when it comes to feeding your kids. Dr. Cassidy is a therapist who specializes in marriage and family therapy, and in this episode she provides a framework to use when you need help working through this in your own home. I personally am taking her tips for the next time I need to approach a tricky topic where my husband and I are not seeing eye to eye!

It's so frustrating when your little one drops foods they used to love! And for some of you, like me and my oldest kiddo, they drop A LOT of foods in the toddler stage. This episode gives you practical tips on how you can get them eating meat again, and how to introduce it in a way that's more enticing to picky toddlers!Check in this recipe for pineapple chicken for an easy way to introduce meat using flavors your toddler is already familiar with.This is the sous vide mentioned in this episode.

Personal update…we moved to a new house! Since it has absolutely consumed my life for several weeks, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share the tips that saved my sanity and the things I'd absolutely repeat if we had to move again. This is my 3rd move as a mom, and it was by far the smoothest one yet!

Learn what to avoid to reduce the risk of choking for your toddler from Brandon Doersken, co-founder and CPR instructor of Thrive Training Institute. Brandon is also a dad of 3 so he understands how hard it is to keep your eyes on them at all times! He helps empower you to have the knowledge and tools to help your little one, and you'll love how he does NOT make it sound scary or overwhelming!Thrive Training - https://courses.thrivetraininginstitute.com/courses/cpr-aed?ref=9ba80d$10 off code Kacie10 

Should you have a snack drawer for your young kids and should they be able to access snacks freely on their own? Pantry and cabinet organization is awesome, and the idea of your kids not bothering you every time they want a snack is definitely appealing. But the kids' snack drawer can lead to even bigger problems that you don't want to deal with (ugh, no more problems please!). Listen in to hear why I don't love this solution, and what I'd recommend you do instead.RESOURCES:Breakfast CardsSnack Guide48 Healthy Snack Ideas

Have you ever wondered the truth about additives in your food (what are they? Are they safe?), whether certain cooking oils are inflammatory and possibly toxic, or if your kids will be harmed by eating non-organic produce? These topics are ones that keep making the rounds on social media, and as a parent who wants to do the best for your kids, it can be really hard to know what's right! It can make you want to give up altogether.Erin, the Food Science Babe (@foodsciencebabe) is an actual food scientist who uses high quality research-backed information to cut through the BS and share the truth. She explains the real answers to these questions, and tells you what red flags to look out for when you see people making bold health/nutrition claims online.

This week I picked the brain of Kate Strickler from Nap Time Kitchen, mom of 4 and cooking lover. She and I have bonded over working smarter not harder, and finding joy in your home no matter its size or decor (or lack thereof). In this episode, you'll be inspired to let go of unrealistic expectations for yourself and lean into the season of life you are in. Kate's insight and passion for reducing the burden on moms will leave you feeling more supported in your home life. And, you'll get actionable tips on how to make your kitchen work better for you (without having to buy a thing). Check out her Home Reset, the first episode is free!Chase Your Dreams with Brayden ChaseThis podcast is for kids, features kids, and is hosted by a kid, Brayden Chase! Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

If you have a picky eater and ever wondered, “is there any future in which I don't feel like I'm failing at mealtimes? Will I ever be free from stressing over everything they refuse to eat?”Sarah and Ryan, parents of 2 kiddos, one being a very picky eater, talk about all the improvements they've experienced in their home after taking the Simple Steps to Picky Wins course. Listen in to hear what has changed for them!& HappinessJoin & Happiness on our quest to explore the bold question "what makes us happy?" Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Becoming a parent changes you. Your day to day life looks COMPLETELY different than before, and the demands on your time are unparalleled. If you've ever found yourself thinking that you don't feel like yourself, things feel too hard, or you're experiencing feelings you never had before (like rage, anxiety, and depression), you might wonder if therapy is right for you.Mental health is one of my #1 priorities because I've gone through my own journey that has freed me to live life the way I want to. Today's special guest is the founder of an extremely popular social media account, Dr. Ashurina Ream of Psyched Mommy. Regardless of whether you became a mom yesterday or 10 years ago, today's episode is for all moms who are curious to hear about:How do you know if you need therapy?What are common reasons that moms seek out therapyIs there a certain type of therapy to look for? Or a certain level of credentials in a therapist?How do you find a therapist?What if you don't like your therapist? How do you tell them?How do you know if therapy is going to work?What resources are out there for people who can't afford therapy or their insurance doesn't cover it?Follow Dr. Ream @psychedmommy on Instagram!& HappinessJoin & Happiness on our quest to explore the bold question "what makes us happy?" Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Growth charts from the pediatrician may leave you with some questions or concerns, so I talked with pediatrician Dr. Mona Amin from @pedsdoctalk all about toddler weight and what you actually need to know about their percentile.Disclaimer: this is for educational purposes only, please consult your child's healthcare provider for any concerns related to their health.Here is what we will cover:What is a growth chart and why does it matter?All the things you might hear at your doctors office What it means if they are high or low on the chartProblems with labeling kids based on their percentilesHigher percentile versus being overweightLower percentile versus being underweightShould you be weighing your child at home?Should I be worried if my child is above 100% or a very low percentile?Dr. Mona Amin is a practicing Board Certified Pediatrician and mom who you can find at @pedsdoctalk on instagram or at pedsdoctalk.com. She's a first-generation Indian American with an undergrad degree in Psychobiology from UCLA, and attended medical school at ATSU-SOMA in Arizona.

Food allergies scared the poop out of me when I was a first time mom with a baby, and it's one of those things that the more you know about it, the less afraid you will be, and honestly it'll be less likely your baby develops severe food allergies when you know more about it because early introduction is hugely important. Today we're talking to Meghan McMillin, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), she's also a mom to kids with food allergies so I could not think of a better person to talk to about all of this.In this episode we cover…What are the signs and symptoms of food allergies in babies?Could the symptoms be caused by something else besides food, too?If they are breastfeed, what foods in your diet could cause symptoms?How do you successfully do an elimination diet when breastfeeding a baby with potential food allergies?This episode was sponsored by Skout Organic. Create your own box of delicious snack bars for your kids here and use code KACIE for 20% off.

Since beef is something people often think they need to restrict or avoid, I asked special guest & nutrition expert Keli Hawthorne, MS, RD to share what the research says about beef, specifically for young kids!Keli Hawthorne is a Registered Dietitian and the Director for Clinical Research for the Department of Pediatrics at the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin. In this episode, I asked Keli about:the health benefits of beef and which cuts she recommends the differences between organic and grass-fed beefhow much beef is appropriate for babies and young children, and how to serve beef to your littlesView the research that supported Keli's answers here.This episode was sponsored by Beef Loving Texans, but all opinions expressed are our own! I love beeflovingtexans.com for family-friendly recipes, like this Baby Friendly Meatloaf,  Slow Cooker Beef Ragu and this Beefy Taco Casserole. Make picky eating and stressful feeding a thing of the past with Simple Steps to Picky Wins! Get it now!

Does your child actually need a multivitamin? Today I'll walk you through why your little one may or may not need to take a daily multivitamin, and what common nutritional gaps I see in kids' diets (and how to address them). Plus, I talk about why you need to be careful with the supplement industry, and have your guard up when you hear influencers promoting vitamins & supplements!To read more about vitamin recommendations for kids, go to: The Best Multivitamins For Toddlers (And Does Your Kid Really Need One?) blog post or here for more about vitamin D  Best Vitamin D Drops for Baby – Dietitian's Top PicksIf you're new here, welcome! I'm Kacie Barnes, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist & mom of 2 with a Master of Clinical Nutrition. On my podcast you'll get realistic tips to make feeding your little ones easier, from a down to earth mom who gets that feeding kids well is easier said than done! But it's not all food here, we also chat with guests on parenting & mom life, too. I hope you'll stick around!Grab your free seat for May 18th's picky eater workshop at https://bit.ly/mknworkshop

Dinnertime with toddlers is like herding cats – except worse, because you also probably had to field a tantrum 5 minutes ago and you have zero chill left in you. And then they don't even EAT anything you made and you want to say, as my son does, “WHAT THE FLIP?!”  Believe it or not, there are 5 very common reasons why I see littles not eating at dinner. Listen to today's episode to see which of these might be the culprit in your house! 

Carbs! They just might be your toddler or preschoolers love language and today I'm talking about what too much carbs actually looks like, when carbs are a problem, and how to feel about your little one's obsession with all things carbohydrates.In this episode, I'll answer: How much of their diet should be carbohydrates?Should you limit grains or starchy carbs?Should you limit sweets?Protein and fiber boosting alternatives to traditional carbsWhy are kids obsessed with carbsWhen is their carb intake a problemResources from the Blog:Foods to Help With Constipation in ToddlersHigh Fiber Foods for ToddlersHow Much Sugar is Okay for Toddlers?Picky Eater Starter GuideEpisode 11: If your child is obsessed with sugar: How to fix it. 

Jessica has 12 years of experience in education and 22 years of experience working with children. She was recently named school counselor of the year in 2021-2022 for the Richardson School Division, a large school district in Dallas/Fort Worth. Currently, she works with children from Pre-K to sixth grade or four to twelve-year-olds. Her passion is teaching students coping tools for anxiety and helping them better understand how their brains work. In addition to counseling, Jessica also shares lifestyle and wellness tips through her Instagram and blog at Love You More Too.In This Episode, We Discuss…Defining Anxiety For Kids (02:40)Signs And Symptoms Of Anxiety In Children (04:10)When To Seek Help For Your Child's Anxiety (06:20)How to Help Your Anxious Child (08:45)Should You Talk About Your Child's Anxiety In Front Of Them? (09:06)Techniques To Help Your Kids Manage Their Anxiety (10:15)The F-E-E-L Technique (14:45)The Laddering Technique (16:25)The Mindfulness Technique (17:39)Anxiety Tools For Kids (19:30)Activities For Children With Anxiety (23:25)

Once your little one hits the 12-month mark, they become a full-on toddler. And when they become toddlers, we want to start weaning them off formula. (Side note: Isn't that wild? We get one baby year. Like who gave them permission to stop being the baby I brought home?!) Anyway…stopping formula sounds nice and simple, right? But it brings up SO many questions. Can you move them off formula early? Do you jump straight into milk? Cow's milk? Soy milk? Bottles? Sippy cups? Straw cups?! It's a lot to figure out. If you're here, don't worry, mama. Because, in this episode, we go through it ALL!In This Episode, We Discuss…When Should Your Baby Stop Drinking Formula (01:22)Making the Switch From Formula to Milk (02:05)Why You Shouldn't Take Them Off Formula Early (05:00)How To Wean A Baby Off Of Formula (08:30)Baby Formula: The Cliffs Notes (10:09)

Mama, but I've had so many moms asking me about popular ‘kid snacks' wondering if they are actually healthy. Sometimes it's nice to give your kids a quick and easy snack you know they'll love and will actually eat (Oof!) But then we can start to spiral “Should I be letting them eat that? Is this bad for them? Am I a bad mama?” to make things even harder (as if being a mom isn't hard enough) the internet is full of people claiming things like vegetable oil is the WORST thing you can put in your body. Or other moms saying, “I would never let my kid eat that!” Cue the unavoidable parent guilt. The worst part is that trying to figure out if something is healthy isn't always easy.  Today, we are talking about the popular snack, Goldfish. We'll look to answer the question–are Goldfish healthy–by diving into what they're actually made of. We'll also discuss how I would recommend serving them and why some of the other similar options aren't all that different. So grab a bowl of goldfish or your favorite snack, and let's dive in!In This Episode, We Discuss…Are Goldfish A Healthy Snack? (01:15)What's Actually In Goldfish?  (03:51)What Ingredients Should We Avoid In Our Diets? (06:00)Are Whole Grain Goldfish Any Better For Us? (10:07)Are Annie's Cheddar Bunnies Healthier Than Goldfish? (11:27)Processing The Idea Of Allowing Processed Foods (11:45)

Today, I invited Myriam Sandler to this podcast to dive into easy sensory play ideas you can do today that are TOTALLY mess-free. She'll talk about how sensory play got her toddler eating solid foods (For real!). And finally, we'll get into why creating a setup routine and boundaries with your little one is so important for keeping the mess off the floors and in the bins. So if you're a momma who's done with finding slim or paint all over your house, grab a coffee and let's dive in! Meet Myriam Sandler, Creator Of Mothercould!Myriam Sandler is a Miami-based mother who shares unique short video tutorials of sensory play-at-home activities, food recipes, and parenting hacks on her Instagram page, Mothercould (@mothercould). Mothercould's visual content is quick and easy to follow, offering a global community of parents and educators, accessible play solutions. Before creating Mothercould, Myriam worked for The Salvation Army homeless shelter of Miami in the women and children's division where she assisted families navigating out of homelessness.  In This Episode, We Discuss…How Sensory Play Can Help Your Little One (03:08)Sensory Play And Picky Eaters  (04:25)How To Keep A One-Year-Old Busy  (11:35)Mess-Free Ideas To Keep Toddlers Busy Indoors (16:15)How To Keep Sensory Play Affordable–Hello Dollar Tree  (19:09)More Activities To Keep Toddlers Busy (Card-Board, More Like Card-Fun!)  (20:41)Put A Little Prep In Your Step  (25:10)Creating A Toddler Play Area At Home And Setting Boundaries  (29:20)

Is your toddler obsessed with carbs?! Like, to the point where their idea of a balanced meal is crackers with white bread, a few cheddar puffs for color, and a side of fruit that may or may not get eaten? And, is that making you panic or second-guess yourself just a little? If so, this episode is for you! This week on Feeding Toddlers Made Easy, I'm spilling the soybeans on protein for toddlers and answering super-common parent FAQs like, “How much protein does a toddler need?” My goal(s): Reduce your mom-guilt intake, let you know when you should worry (so you can stop worrying when you shouldn't), and give you some gentle ideas for ways to work more protein into their diets—because even though we're not gonna panic over protein, nutrition and protein intake for toddlers is important.In This Episode, We Discuss…How important protein really is for toddlers (02:23)Why iron might actually matter more than protein (03:30)Daily toddler protein and iron requirements (04:50)Ideas for how to meet those requirements 06:25)Whether or not breastmilk has enough protein and iron (09:15)If a vegan diet has enough protein for toddlers (10:10)

Heather Staller is a mom, cooking instructor, and recipe developer dedicated to getting kids into the kitchen. After culinary school, she worked for many years at a recreational cooking school teaching kids camps and workshops for ages 3 to 16. Currently, Heather runs her own business and online platform where she shares recipes, lunch box ideas, and cooking knowledge on her website HappyKidsKitchen.com and her Instagram page @heather.happykidskitchen. In 2019, she published a cookbook, Little Helpers Toddler Kitchen, with over 40 healthy recipes written with specific instructions for toddlers to help make, but for everyone to enjoy. Currently Heather lives north of Boston by the beach with her two elementary school-aged boys and her husband.In This Episode, We Discuss…How to cook with toddlers without adding to your to-do list (02:00)How using language keeps kids interested in food. (Ooh la la!) (05:45)Fun ways to easily get kids involved in the kitchen (07:00)Cooking activities for toddlers (13:30)When to start teaching your kids about food (15:45)

This week's podcast episode, I called up Erica Campbell: mom, wife, nurse, and breastfeeding consultant. We talk through the most common problems that come up around weaning. Things like what to do when you want to wean when they don't (ugh), what to do when they want to wean but you don't (gaaaah), the hormones, pain, and side effects of weaning (yayyy more mom fun!), and allllllll the feels that come with weaning. If weaning is a topic that's been on your mind, then mama, you are in the right place today!Erica Campbell is a mother, wife, a registered nurse, an international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), and the face behind The Milk Manual. She was born, raised, and currently lives in the Houston area. Erica became a lactation consultant after going through her own personal feeding experience, and she strives to inspire families along their feeding journeys.In This Episode, We Discuss…How To Wean Off Breastfeeding At (Or Before) 12 Months (06:00)Breastfeeding & Weaning: The Symptoms and allll the Feelings  (12:00)Side Effects of Weaning from Breastfeeding: Hormones & Physical Pain (16:00)How Long It Takes To Wean Off Breastfeeding (18:00)How To Wean A Toddler From Breastfeeding  (19:15)Signs Your Baby Is Ready For Weaning  (22:49)Is It A Nursing Strike? How To Know If Baby Is Really Ready  (24:55)

Katie and Carly are licensed pediatric speech-language pathologists specializing in early intervention and the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of speech and language disorders in children ages birth to five. Together, they run Wee Talkers, where they teach parents of babies and toddlers how to support their child's language and communication development.  Through online education, courses, and memberships, they offer connection-driven language resources that help families and children of all abilities learn to communicate to their fullest potential. Katie and Carly are also parents of 6 kids between them, so they get what life with littles is like! The tips they share are simple, doable, and fit easily into busy family life.In This Episode, We Discuss…Why you should stop asking so many questions (And what to do instead) (02:12)Why mealtimes are great for encouraging communication (06:02)How being face-to-face helps toddlers talk more (07:46)How using your 5 senses can keep the conversation rollin' (08:47)Why you don't need to talk alllll day long (10:35)Using visuals, toys & books during mealtimes (12:32)How Wee Talkers can help you help your little one talk and communicate more (16:55)

Short-Order Cooks: Parents who: ask their child what they want for each meal, then make it; give LOTS of meal alternatives; get their child something else when they deny a meal; sometimes feel like failures for giving in when they WANT their child to eat what they made.Short-Order Kitchens: Frustrating places where alternative meals are always on-deck, pantry favorites are forever available in place of meals, and exhausted parents automatically make kid-approved meals alongside their own.Feeling seen? Triggered? Attacked?

I recently had a mom tell me she wanted to help her child gain weight, and when she spoke with her pediatrician, they told her to “just feed ice cream and cookies and not worry about it.” And while technically this advice might work, she didn't feel great about it. It puts her in the position of choosing between her child's nutrition OR their weight, which made her second guess. And I'm glad she did!In this week's podcast episode, I want to set the record straight, because you do not have to choose between healthy foods and helping your child gain weight! There's a third option, which is to add healthy, high-calorie foods into your child's days. (While still serving treats, sweets, and desserts when it's appropriate!)If you'd love to help your child put on weight by eating more calorie-dense foods—or if it's not about weight, but you're worried they're not getting enough calories in the day—this episode will give you ideas, recipes, and tips for adding calories and nutrition to their days.In This Episode, We Discuss…Why certain foods are better than others for weight gain (03:50)Healthy, high-calorie foods that can help kids gain weight (08:15)Reasons other than weight gain to prioritize high-calorie foods (19:50)When the doctor's recommendation of “let them eat ice cream and cookies” makes sense (21:00)Go to bit.ly/pickywins to join the Picky Wins Community now before doors close!

If your toddler wants snacks all the time, you might be at a total loss—or feeling like you're about to lose it.

Easy strategies for getting kids to eat veggies, what happens if they DON'T eat veggies & 5 toddler-friendly veggie recipes. From a mom & pediatric RD! Welcome back to Feeding Toddlers Made Easy with Registered Dietitian Nutritionist host, Kacie Barnes of Mama Knows Nutrition! For notes from this episode and links to the recipes I mention, go to the link for this episode's post at mamaknowsnutrition.com/podcast/how-to-get-your-kids-to-eat-vegetables/

I thought that once we passed the baby stage, sleep would be a given. Nope, nope, nope. If you have a toddler or preschooler who is waking in the night or waking at the crack of dawn, listen to this episode with my favorite sleep expert, Becca Campbell of Little Z's Sleep, who has helped thousands of families resolve exhausting sleep habits.

Today's episode is all about the first tool you need for your picky eater to get them moving in the right direction. If there aren't many foods that they willingly eat, and you don't know how to branch them out from where they are now, this episode is a must listen! The tool we talk about in today's episode is available free here in my Picky Eater Starter Guide. Grab it now here!I'm Kacie Barnes, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a Master of Clinical Nutrition and picky eating expert. I've worked with hundreds of families to improve picky eating in their house, and I can help you, too.

Get helpful strategies to manage when your toddler has tantrums, doesn't like your “no” answer, or gets upset because you set a boundary. I chatted with special guest Jessica VanderWier, Registered Psychotherapist and founder of Our Mama Village, to learn about parenting your toddler – especially when you identify as a people pleaser or just really have a hard time when your decisions make your little one unhappy.I'm Kacie Barnes, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist of Mama Knows Nutrition. Most of our episodes focus on toddler nutrition and mealtime struggles, but as we all know, tantrums and unhappiness frequently occur at mealtime! So today you'll get some of Jess's best tips about appropriately setting boundaries with your toddler, and how to handle it when your toddler gets upset or throws a tantrum because of those boundaries. 

Maybe your child seems to be growing fine, and the pediatrician says they're fine, but you still worry about their picky eating and don't know what to do to overcome it. Or you wonder if you're stressing about nothing! This episode with Kacie Barnes, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and picky eater expert talks you through what to do if they're not eating foods they used to eat, what is in your control (and what's not) with your picky eater, and what you should do to help overcome picky eating.

 In-depth interview with Solid Starts founder Jenny Best on starting solids and moving past purees. If you've ever worried about your baby choking, gagging, or just generally moving past purees, you are going to feel so much more knowledgeable after this episode. I'm Kacie Barnes, and this is Feeding Toddlers Made Easy. I'm your host, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and mama of two, and creator of mamaknowsnutrition.com. Feeding Toddlers Made Easy is all about solving nutrition and picky eating struggles, but today we're talking babies with my special guest, Jenny Best. Jenny is the founder of Solid Starts, a team of pediatric food + feeding experts, doctors, nutritionists, and dietitians and the world's first comprehensive platform for starting babies on solid food. Solid Starts features the First Foods® database a free food database and app complete with instructions and how-to videos for introducing real food to babies. Solid Starts serves more than one million people from 175 countries worldwide, offering complimentary resources to those facing economic hardship and parenting solo.

Serving dessert probably doesn't seem that complicated until you have kids. Then you start to wonder, how often should they be having this? When do I offer it? Do they need to finish their dinner in order to get it? Do I want to handle dessert the same way my parents did, or does something feel off about that approach? Note: this episode is geared towards kids over 2, as I recommend avoiding/limiting treats for babies and 1 year olds.Welcome back to Feeding Toddlers Made Easy, I'm Kacie Barnes from Mama Knows Nutrition, a RD with MCN and 2 kids and this is your place to ask your unfiltered questions about feeding your toddlers.Hit the “follow” button on the podcast so that you will always have the mom support you need cuz feeding kids can bring up so many questions and challenges. My website is a fantastic resource to search through for any questions you have, too. Or you want recipes? There's recipes. We've got it all.No Sugar Still Sweet

Here's how to solve two common mealtime problems! 1. Toddlers who only want to eat off their parent's plate (and not their own, even if the food is the same), and 2. Toddlers who will NOT stay seated at a meal.I'm Kacie Barnes, MCN, RDN, this is Feeding Toddlers Made Easy, where we demystify your toddler's wacky and frustrating mealtime behaviors, and talk about how to get them good nutrition, too. Please follow the podcast if you find it helpful and you like hanging out while you're driving, or walking, or cleaning up dinner, whatever you are doing I am glad you're here. Get your free PDF printable cheat sheet to get them to stay seated at mealtimes here:Sign up here to receive the seated at the table guide

If you're wondering what's causing your toddler's picky eating, grazing may be one of the problems. Luckily, it has a quick fix! This episode gives you the tools to easily cut out your toddler's grazing habits so they can have a better appetite at meals.I'm Kacie Barnes, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and mom of 2. You can submit a question to be answered on a future episode at mamaknowsnutrition.com/podcast or leave a voice message at 469-552-5527!Connect with me!www.instagram.com/mamaknowsnutritionwww.facebook.com/mamaknowsnutritionwww.tiktok.com/@mamaknowsnutrition www.youtube.com/mamaknowsnutritionResources mentioned in today's episode: Visual ScheduleFoods to Help with ConstipationSelf-laminating sheets 12 Month Old Feeding Schedule podcast1 Year Old Feeding Schedule blog postToddler Refuses to Eat podcast

I don't know about you but some nights or honestly some weeks or even months it's nearly impossible for me to get a healthy homemade dinner on the table, and I'm always looking for more shortcuts to make it easier.Today I'm chatting with guest Cassy Joy Garcia, bestselling author of Cook Once Dinner Fix, Cook Once Eat All Week, and Fed and Fit, as well as the creator behind the food blog Fed + Fit. Cook Once Dinner Fix JUST came out so I'm excited to hear more about that as well as her tips on simplifying weeknight cooking for your family. Cassy Joy is a mom, too, so she totally gets the utter chaos that can be happening below your feet while you're trying to make things happen in the kitchen. This is Feeding Toddlers Made Easy and I'm your host, Kacie Barnes, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a Master of Clinical Nutrition and a mom of two. This is where we solve all your struggles with feeding your little ones, and make healthy eating easy.Resources: Find Cook Once Dinner Fix at https://cookonce.com/dinner-fix/