Sunny Side Up Nutrition

In this episode: Anna and Elizabeth unpack one of the most common parent worries, how much kids eat. We explore how diet culture fuels fear, why restriction and pressure backfire, and how to use structure (not restriction or control) to support kids’ self-regulation. We discuss: * Why social media “perfect plates” and lunchboxes fuel worry and fear * The research on restriction * Providing structu...

In our latest podcast episode, Anna and I talk about how parents can navigate a conversation, when a child says, “I’m fat.” In Episode 109, we unpack why this moment feels so charged, and how to respond with curiosity and care. We talk about the baggage our culture places on the word “fat,” why a one-size-fits-all script doesn’t exist, and how parents can validate their child’s feelings. You’ll he...

We have another episode for you where I’m joined by Anna Mackay, an original co-host of the podcast with Anna Lutz and me. Anna lives on the other side of the world these days, but she and I were able to catch up and record a few episodes this summer while she was visiting the US. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed talking with Anna Mackay! Podcast Episode 108: Nourishing Teen...

We’re back with our latest episode of the Sunny Side Up Nutrition Podcast. In this week’s episode of the podcast Anna and I dive into the roles parents don’t need to take on (like controlling weight or forcing kids to clean their plates) and the roles that necessary for raising confident eaters. We talk about Ellyn Satter’s Division of Responsibility, how to adapt it with responsive feeding, and o...

Greetings! You’re likely in the thick of it with back-to-school activities. But back-to-school isn’t just about packing lunches and adjusting to new schedules. It’s also a time when kids begin to hear harmful messages about food and bodies. In this episode of Sunny Side Up Nutrition Podcast, we’re joined by Denise Hamburger, JD, founder and executive director of BE REAL USA , and Selena Salfen, MP...

Hi Friends, It’s that time of year again - Back to School! We’ll be sharing plenty of back-to-school content over the coming weeks to help you feel ready to start the school year. If you’re dreading school lunch packing, then this podcast episode is for you. Anna and I offer realistic advice to simplify packing lunches. Key Points * Why lunch packing feels overwhelming * The pros and cons of bento...

HI Friends, Elizabeth here. I was so excited to have a chance to chat with Anna Mackay for our latest Sunny Side Up Nutrition Podcast Episode. In this episode, we offer supportive, non-diet guidance for students transitioning to college life or boarding school. Our conversation draws from both personal and clinical experience working with teens about to leave home. Transitioning from home to colle...

Hi Friends, In our latest podcast episode, we’re doing something we don’t often do. We’re actually talking about nutrition. We’re dietitians after all and we do enjoy the science of nutrition, but we also know that the child nutrition information out there can be overwhelming and stressful for parents. So, we’re all about keeping nutrition information simple. If you’ve ever found yourself worrying...

Hi Friends, In our latest episode, Anna and I get into a topic that brings up a lot of emotions for parents: How to navigate sweets with kids? We talk about into: * Why sugar has been demonized in our culture. * Diet culture and beliefs about sugar and “good parenting.” * What sugar is and why our bodies need it. * Myths about sugar. * The link between restriction and kids’ interest in sweets. * R...

Hi friends, If restocking your pantry feels overwhelming, or it’s something you just don’t like doing, you’re not alone. In our latest podcast episode, Anna and I chat about what it means to stock your pantry in a way that supports you and your family, without the pressure for a picture perfect pantry. Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash We chat about: * Why restocking your pantry matters (and how i...

Episode 100: Reboot Your Meal Planning We made it to 100 episodes! Wow!! We’re grateful to you all for being here and supporting our work to challenge diet culture and make family nutrition less stressful. In our latest episode, we’re celebrating with a topic that comes up a lot —meal planning. But not the Pinterest-perfect kind (no judgement here if you love that kind of meal planning). Anna and...

Diet culture loves to tell parents exactly how to and how not to feed their kids. What happens often is well-intentioned parents abandon their parenting style(s) and find themselves swinging on a pendulum between permissive feeding practices and urging their kids to “take 3 more bites, or no dessert”! In this latest podcast episode, Anna and I explain how feeding is parenting, how diet-culture cre...

Anna and I are back with Podcast Episode 98! In this latest episode, we share our Sunny Side Up Nutrition Feeding Framework —our five-pillar framework at the heart of feeling more confident about feeding your kids. You’ll walk away with actionable steps you can take today to stress less about meal times. * Support Yourself : Simple ways to reduce your own mealtime stress. * Foster a Positive Envir...

Episode 97: Understanding Your Child’s Growth We're back! After a year-long break, Anna Lutz, MPH, RD/LDN, CEDRD-S, and Elizabeth Davenport, MPH, RD, LD, return to the Sunny Side Up Nutrition Podcast with an important conversation about how to support your child’s growth in a body-positive, evidence-based way. In this episode, we talk about: Tips to prepare for pediatrician visits and advocate for...

Anna, Anna, and Elizabeth discuss how setting a positive example of a healthy and balanced relationship with food can have a huge impact on our children’s body image and relationship with food, and helps prevent the development of eating disorders. We talk through some specific steps someone can take towards shifting behaviors when it comes to food, the way we view bodies, and the way we talk abou...

Anna Lutz chats with Livia Sara, an autism eating disorder recovery coach. They discuss why we often see people with autistic traits develop disordered eating behaviors, and why the way in which we talk about food is especially important among people with autism. They also discuss protective ways parents and teachers can talk to all children about food.   Links:  Livia’s Website Livia's Books Webs...

Anna L. and Elizabeth chat with Marsha Dunn Klein, a Pediatric Occupational Therapist and expert in the field of feeding children. They discuss how pressure and other factors such as the sensory aspects of eating affect our children's relationship and connection to food. They explore strategies parents and caregivers can use to feel supported in their efforts to feed their children, and ways to he...

Anna L. and Elizabeth chat with Jenna Werner, a Registered Dietitian (RD), who runs a virtual ​​nutrition coaching practice. They discuss the diet culture-fueled experiences people often face during the holidays, and tips for navigating these moments. They also explore some advice specifically for parents to help navigate scenarios such as feeling guilty about the foods we eat instead of focusing...

Anna L. and Elizabeth chat with Sammy Previte, a Registered Dietitian (RD), Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Certified Personal Trainer, and the Founder of Find Food Freedom®. Find Food Freedom® is a virtual private practice where Sammy and her team are dedicated to their mission of helping humans make peace with food and their body.  They discuss why Halloween can feel so stressful to parent...

Anna M. and Elizabeth chat with Dr. Mary Himmelstein a professor and researcher in psychological sciences at Kent State University. Mary is the director of the SWAG Lab, a social and health psychology lab where she examines biopsychosocial mechanisms which influence health and disease processes, and conducts research broadly on identity, stress, and coping processes in weight stigma and masculinit...

Anna L. and Elizabeth chat with Gwen Kostal, a Registered Dietitian who helps teachers and educators teach about food safely in the classroom. When Gwen first started out as a dietitian, she was trained to contribute to diet culture, encourage weight loss, recommend restrictions, and talk to kids about how to choose the “best” foods. When she realised that this is not appropriate or helpful for ki...

Anna M. chats with Dr. Georgie Buckley, a dietitian and postdoctoral researcher who currently works as an eating disorder and body image consultant. Georgie is also a queer, neurodivergent woman, and a trauma survivor with a history of an eating disorder. They discuss: The nature of disordered eating and body image issues are among pre-teen, teen and collegiate athletes. The things that need to ha...

Anna L. and Elizabeth chat with Diana Rice, a registered dietitian who works with both children and adults to put positive family feeding dynamics into practice, and heal food-related issues brought on by medical conditions or years of chronic dieting. They discuss: Why packing school lunches can feel like such a chore to parents. The problem with Bento boxes/insta-ready lunches. Managing packing...

Anna M. and Elizabeth chat with Amy Palanjian, a recipe developer, content creator, cookbook author and mom to three kids. Amy is the creator of Yummy Toddler Food, the go-to resource for busy parents to create meals families swear by. They discuss: How the Yummy Toddler Food blog and social media came about. What it’s been like for Amy to navigate the kids Wellness landscape, where many influence...

Anna L. and Elizabeth chat with Aerin Atinsky and Alexa Moses, two of the founders and directors of Dear Me, an affiliate program of the National Alliance for Eating Disorders.  They discuss: Why eating disorder rates have skyrocketed over the last several years, especially in the case of teens. What a teen or young adult can do if they are worried about a friend's eating behaviors, or know that t...