16. Keeping Your Cool with Guilt-Free Mealtimes

In this episode, I'm joined by Belinda Martin from Advanced Dietitians Group. Belinda has more than 20 years of experience in paediatrics and six years of teaching in Curtin University's Master of Dietetics program. She's also a mum whose son has ADHD, so she brings both clinical and personal insight to the topic of ADHD in children. Today's episode was sparked by a recently published article that raised more than a few red flags, so we sat down to talk through the evidence. Listen in and discover: Common food and nutrition challenges for kids with ADHD How using a stimulant medication can look for your child Managing medication-induced appetite changes Constipation issues associated with ADHD Monitoring your child’s growth when using ADHD medication Nutrient deficiencies and supplementation Gut microbiome research The risks around replacing medication with adding or removing foods in the diet Finding a reputable source of information and advice

In this episode, I'm talking about why labelling food as good vs bad, or healthy vs unhealthy (and all those "guilt-free" and "earn your cheat-day" sayings) doesn't actually work the way we think it does when it comes to teaching children about nutrition. I challenge the thinking around whether certain foods are really "bad" if you enjoy eating them, and I suggest other approaches in the classroom when it comes to nutrition education for kids instead of reaching for those labelled sorting boxes. Listen in and discover: Why labelling food doesn’t lead to children eating less or more of it Are hot chips really “bad” if you feel good while eating them? New changes around BMI measurements How labelling food confuses children’s thinking My problem with ‘healthy lunchbox competitions’ Why ‘simple swaps’ aren’t always the answer The different influences on food decisions

Every year, our family heads to Bali, and every year, I learn something new about what actually makes a holiday feel restful. This time around, we mixed things up and swapped resorts halfway through, so I have some comparing to do! In this episode, I share the fine details, honest highlights and lowlights, what I'd book again, and my kids' thoughts too. Listen in and discover: What I look for when booking accommodation How we spent our time in Bali The questionable all-inclusive package rules Changing resorts during our trip My likes and dislikes across both resorts Pool suitability for kids and families Sun lounge availability (IYKYK!) My thoughts on the kids' clubs, day spas and amenities Overall thoughts and feelings on my experiences Hiring our lovely nanny

In this episode, I’m chatting about one of the most important nutrients in childhood: iron. With fresh research showing low iron is far more common than most of us realise, this is a timely topic! Listen in and discover: What iron is and why it matters so much in the early years How prevalent low iron really is in toddlers and preschoolers Common causes of low iron The confusing symptoms that make low iron hard to spot Why a blood test is the only reliable way to check iron What to expect from the testing process Why dosage and retesting matter so much

This episode was sparked by an Instagram Q&A that was forwarded to me: "Are we doing kids a huge disservice by adopting a snack culture?" It's a question so many parents are quietly wondering. I chat about the real importance of snacks in childhood, how to use them to support mealtimes, snack ideas, and so much more. Listen in and discover: The purpose of snacks Why are snacks important in childhood Supporting meals with snacks How to manage snack associations Snacking vs. all-day grazing Whether snacking affects oral health Why feeling hungry plays an important role Using snacks as distractions