The Nourished Child

Protein bars in the lunchbox. Protein powder in the smoothie. Protein added to everything from waffles to mac and cheese. If it feels like protein is suddenly everywhere! You're not imagining it. In this episode, I'm pushing back on the idea that more protein is automatically better for kids, walking through what the RDA actually recommends, what newer research on "optimal" protein intake really m...

If you have a daughter who is heading into puberty or is already in the middle of it, this episode is one you will want to save. Jill Castle sits down with Dr. Melisa Holmes, board-certified OB-GYN, co-founder of Girlology, and co-author of Youology: A Puberty Guide for Everybody. With more than 25 years of clinical experience in pediatric and adolescent gynecology, Dr. Holmes brings both the fact...

Summer should feel like a break. But for parents of kids between nine and fourteen, it often quietly unravels everything that kept their child healthy during the school year. Sleep shifts later. Breakfast gets skipped. Screens fill the hours. Movement drops off. And by August, you're wondering how things got so far off track. In this episode, I walk through what the research actually shows about w...

Food allergies in children are on the rise, but so are treatment options. In this episode, I interview Christopher Parrish, a leading food allergy expert and researcher, about the latest treatments for kids with food allergies, including oral immunotherapy, biologic medications, and emerging therapies that may change the future of allergy care. If you're a parent navigating food allergies, this co...

Nutrition advice for kids can feel overwhelming right now. In this episode, pediatric dietitian Jill Castle breaks down popular nutrition trends like seed oils, sugar, protein obsession, clean eating, and the Dirty Dozen list. She explains what parents actually need to know, what's worth paying attention to, and how to support a child's health without creating fear or rigid food rules.

What if the way we  feel  about our child's body matters more than anything we say?   In this powerful conversation,  I'm  joined by body image psychotherapist  Zoë Bisbing  to unpack what body image really is—and how it quietly develops in childhood.   We talk about the subtle, often unintentional ways parents influence their child's relationship with their body, and why even well-meaning efforts...

Family dinners can get complicated during the teen years. In this episode, pediatric dietitian Jill Castle explains why teens' appetite rhythms change, why they may resist family meals, and how parents can maintain healthy habits and strong connection without pressure or conflict.

What is REDs, and why are more teen athletes at risk? Jill Castle interviews sports dietitian Rebecca McConville about the warning signs and prevention of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport.

Low appetite in kids and teens can be completely normal, or a signal that something deeper is going on. In this episode, Jill Castle explains how to tell the difference and when under-fueling becomes a concern.

In this episode, I'm joined by Dani Lebovitz, co-author of Food Positivity, to explore why emotional safety at the table matters more than food rules—and what actually helps kids build trust with eating.

Most parents don't mean to shame their kids about food — but it happens more often than we realize. In this episode, Jill Castle breaks down the subtle ways food shame shows up at home, why it backfires, and how parents can shift toward supportive, emotionally safe feeding practices that help kids thrive.

When picky eating is extreme, it's rarely just about the food. Pediatric dietitian Katharine Jeffcoat explains how anxiety and sensory challenges impact eating, what helps beyond nutrition, and how to reduce pressure at the table—plus a simple "food science" approach to support progress.

A powerful reframe on child nutrition for 2026—why food alone isn't enough and how a whole-child approach supports lifelong health and well-being.

Fiber researcher, Joanne Slavin, discusses fiber for kids and why it's so important to their health.

Pediatrician and mom, Dr. Chrissie Ott, chats about the use of GLP-1 meds in kids and teens.

Let's talk turkey! Learn how to make Thanksgiving a positive experience to remember, especially if you have a picky eater or a child with high weight. 

Feeding therapist, Kelly Komisaruk, chats about ARFID in kids and teens and the new treatment she's using to help them overcome anxiety about food.

Registered dietitian Cheryl Harris teaches us about Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, or POTS, in children, including how to manage symptoms with nutrition.

Registered dietitian, Shannon Leatherman discusses PANS/PANDAS illness and how nutrition can help reduce inflammation and help your child heal.

Registered dietitian, Sarah Schlichter shares actionable, real-world strategies that help parents increase their child's intake of fruits and vegetables without turning mealtime into a battle.

Jessica Setnick helps parents heal their relationship with food, what she calls the "inner eater," so you can raise a competent eater.

Dietitian and Eating Disorder specialist, Sumner Brooks, shares insights about raising an intuitive eater in a diet- and body-focused culture.

Food scientist, John Hayes, discusses the research behind food preferences. Learn about our complicated food world and what you can (and cannot do) to influence your child's food preferences. 

Pediatric Dietitian, Malina Malkani, discusses the research behind, and benefits of, goat milk-based infant formula. 

Dr. Krupa Playforth and Cinthia Scott, RD discuss their new book, Baby Leads the Way. https://thenourishedchild.com/category/podcast/