Managing Mealtime Madness

In this episode, Sarah recounts the birth of her 4th baby at home, and how the homebirth turned into a hospital stay for Sarah. She also discusses postpartum and adjusting to four kids, what's been helpful and what the new normal looks like now. 

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I’ve learned a lot about feeding four kids while life feels a little chaotic at 7 weeks postpartum! I’m sharing some of the shortcuts that are working for us right now, including our emergency dinner plan, plus some nutrition tips as we head into cold and flu season.

We’ll talk about easy meals, convenience foods, and giving yourself permission to repeat dinners (because fed is better than not fed!). Then, I’m sharing some of my go-to tips for supporting your family’s immune health as we head into cold and flu season.

In this ep...

Having a baby changes pretty much everything, including how you think about food, cooking, and meal prep. In this episode, Sarah chats with fellow dietitian and new mom Caroline Thomason Bunn about what happens when the meals that used to feel relaxing suddenly feel like one more thing you have to figure out.

Caroline shares what she’s learned during her first five and a half months of motherhood, from surviving those early days of breastfeeding hunger and mental overload to finding a new groove with meal prep. They talk about letting go of the “perfect” balanced meal...

Back-to-school season can feel like a fresh start, and if meal planning has gone by the wayside over the summer, you’re not alone! In this fan-favorite episode, Sarah revisits her conversation with registered dietitian Beth Stark about getting back into a meal-planning routine without making it feel overwhelming. The goal? Progress over perfection and finding what works for your family.

In this episode you’ll hear about:

In this episode, Sarah shares an update on pregnancy and the 3rd trimester, including managing nutrition, energy levels, and postpartum prep. If you're navigating pregnancy or planning ahead for postpartum, she shares some ideas that can help you, too!

Main Topics Discussed: 

Resources Mentioned: 

If you’ve ever stood in your kitchen at 5:30 p.m. wondering how feeding kids somehow became your full-time mental load, this episode will make you feel very seen. Sarah is joined by Amy Palanjian from Yummy Toddler Food for a refreshingly honest conversation about what feeding toddlers and kids actually looks like in real life - not on Pinterest, not in a 17-second Instagram reel, but in actual busy family life.

Sarah and Amy talk about lowering the pressure around meals, why your child refusing dinner might be completely normal, and how a silly ice cream sc...

Today we’re diving into a topic so many of you are thinking about: picky eating.  And honestly, if you’ve ever found yourself saying “my kid is SO picky,” this episode is going to give you a totally new perspective.

I’m joined by pediatric PA and dietitian Colleen Sloan, who works with kids from birth through the teen years, and hears about picky eating in almost every visit. We’re unpacking what picky eating actually means (because it’s not as straightforward as you might think), why it happens, and how parents can shift their...

In this episode, Sarah sits down with Kim Kornegay of Kornegay Family Farms & Produce for a behind-the-scenes look at life on a modern family farm. Kim shares her unique perspective as both a mom of three and a fourth-generation farmer, offering insight into how agriculture connects directly to the meals we serve our families every day. From growing sweet potatoes to getting dinner on the table during busy seasons, this conversation bridges the gap between farm and family life in a meaningful (and practical) way.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

In this episode, Sarah interviews Whitney Stewart, a Registered Dietitian and celiac disease advocate. Whitney shares her personal and professional insights on managing gluten-free diets for families and kids. From diagnosis stories to navigating restaurant options, this conversation offers practical advice for parents and individuals alike.

In this episode, you’ll hear about: 

Navigating spring sports season can be overwhelming for parents, especially juggling multiple kids, hectic schedules, and dinner logistics. In this episode, dietitian and mom Sarah Schlichter shares practical tips to streamline meal planning, embrace flexibility, and keep nutrition on track amidst the chaos.

In this episode she discusses:

In today's episode, Tony Castillo shares his inspiring journey from childhood struggles with body image and dieting to becoming a sports performance dietitian. He discusses how cultural foods have shaped his family traditions and offers practical tips for parents to introduce and normalize these foods for children. Plus, insights on fostering intuitive eating, reducing meal-time stress, and encouraging dads to get involved in feeding their families with easy and actionable tips. 

In this episode you'll hear about: 

In this solo episode, Sarah discusses: 

Past episodes referred to:

Have a listener question or feedback? S...

In today's episode, Sarah talks with Allegra Gast, a registered dietitian and IBCLC. Allegra shares evidence-based tips to fuel new moms and optimize milk supply, as well as strategies for postpartum recovery, nutrition, and breastfeeding success.

In this episode, you'll learn:

In this episode, Sarah delves into the complexities surrounding sugar consumption in children, particularly in light of the new dietary guidelines. She addresses the common stress parents feel regarding sugar intake and how to aim for "balance." While sugar is not inherently bad, it serves as a source of energy and can be included in a child's diet without creating an unhealthy obsession with it. Sarah also discusses the emotional weight of sugar-related conversations and encourages parents to adopt a neutral language when talking about food with their children, fostering a healthy relationship with food.

Episode 8: Division...

In this episode, Sarah shares a very relatable wish list in terms of things moms actually want, and ideal feeding scenarios with kids. 

She also discusses tips to nourish yourself as a mom during holiday stress, encompassing physical, emotional, and nutritional well-being. 

Recipes mentioned:

Overnight Oats

Sheet Pan Eggs

Puori Protein Powder (use code BUCKETLISTTUMMY)

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In this episode, Sarah and Katie discuss the challenges and strategies of feeding an active family. They discuss meal planning, dealing with selective eaters, and the importance of balancing nutrition with the realities of busy family life (including the challenges of feeding a child with cystic fibrosis). 

Katie shares her insights on increasing caloric intake for children, the emotional aspects of feeding kids, and the support available for caregivers of children with chronic illnesses. 

Key topics discussed:

In this solo episode, Sarah shares some of the best mom hacks she's come across for handling the holidays and ALL that comes with them! From tips for entertaining and bulk preparing, to shortcuts in the kitchen, wrapping stations and more, this is one episode that will send you into the holidays with a plan to protect your time and work smarter, not harder. 

Check out these Thanksgiving snacks for kids. 

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Sarah's back for another quick solo episode sharing the family meals her family enjoyed last week with reminders to embrace imperfection. From some planned meals, to some off the cusp, here's how she and her family made it work. Don't forget about frozen foods for those busy weeks ahead!

Try these recipes:

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Edwina is a Registered Dietitian, dually credentialed in the U.S. and Australia, and a mother of toddler twin girls. She specializes in translating complex science into consumer-friendly messages and is a sought-after nutrition expert, brand advisor, and media spokesperson. A long-time advocate for pediatric nutrition, Edwina founded Baby Led Basics and wrote 'The Busy Parents Guide to Baby-Led Weaning', to help busy parents like herself introduce solids and raise healthy eaters calmly and confidently.

In this episode, Sarah and Edwina discuss the challenges and joys of feeding toddlers, including baby-led weaning, handling picky eating, and creating...

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...

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:

Resources...

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...

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...

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:

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...

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:

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:

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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:

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...

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:

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...

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:

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

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: 

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...

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...

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:

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:

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:

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: