The Nourished Child

Headlines about children and GLP-1 medications have been coming fast this fall: more prescriptions for kids under 12, new trial results in children as young as 6, the World Health Organization's first guidelines on childhood obesity, and new concerns about nutrition and misuse. 
In this episode, pediatric dietitian Jill Castle walks parents through what the latest research is showing. 

You'll hear: 
•    where the AAP and WHO stand 
•    why many children on GLP-1s aren't getting nutrition support 
•    which nutrients matter most for a growing child
•    what to know about misuse and eating disorders 
•    the questions to ask your...

Halloween candy looks different this year. Dye-free M&M's, Skittles, and Starburst have arrived, low sugar and protein candy are cropping up everywhere, and parents are asking a new question: which candy is okay for my child?

In this episode, pediatric dietitian Jill Castle explains what has changed in the candy aisle, what the research says about food dyes and children's behavior, and why low sugar candy can lead to a stomachache. She also explains why sorting candy into good and bad can backfire, and shares a Halloween candy plan for kids that covers the weeks before...

If you've scrolled social media lately, chances are you've seen someone call seed oils toxic, and that has a lot of parents second guessing the infant formula sitting in their pantry.

In this episode, pediatric dietitian Jill Castle sits down with Dr. Corrie Whisner, an infant nutrition researcher at Arizona State University, to separate the science from the scare.

They cover why fat is foundational in the first year of life, why seed oils show up in formula to provide fatty acids a baby cannot make on its own, how the FDA regulates every product...

A cookie ban in one family's lunchbox turned into a school-wide group chat feud, complete with trading, secret stashes, and a full-on parent showdown. It's a funny story, but it's also a near-perfect real-world example of what happens when a food gets fully restricted.

In this episode, pediatric dietitian Jill Castle breaks down the research behind the forbidden fruit effect, why restriction tends to backfire and increase a child's preoccupation with a food, and what to do instead using the feeding and eating pillars of her Whole Child Healthy Model.

If you've ever wondered why...

Frozen food gets a bad reputation it hasn't earned. If you've ever felt a flicker of guilt tossing a bag of frozen peas into dinner, or wondered whether a frozen entree is really as nutritious as something made from scratch, this episode is for you.

I'm joined by Jennie Norka, MPH, Senior Director of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs at the American Frozen Food Institute, to walk through what's actually happening behind your freezer door. We take on five common myths, one at a time: that frozen food is less nutritious than fresh, that it's loaded with preservatives...

The first week of school, the lunchbox is packed the night before and everything feels manageable. By week two, most of us are scrambling at seven in the morning wondering how we lost the thread so fast.

In this episode, pediatric dietitian Jill Castle shares the simple lunch framework she used with her own four kids and still walks parents through in practice today, along with a practical approach to after-school snacks and dinner timing for school-aged kids ages five to fourteen.

No complicated meal plans, no pressure for variety every single day. Just a...

You have probably seen it in your feed: "Seed oils are toxic." "Omega-6 fats cause inflammation." "Never cook with vegetable oil."

But is any of that actually true? And more importantly, what does it mean for what you are feeding your children?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Martha Belury, a registered dietitian and professor at The Ohio State University who has spent more than 30 years studying fatty acid metabolism. She is one of the few researchers in the world who has actually tested the omega-6 theory in clinical...

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 means, and the research-backed downsides of overdoing it, especially for younger kids.

I also draw a clear line for families navigating severe picky eating, ARFID, or an eating disorder, where the...

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 facts and the warmth that parents need when navigating this major chapter of their daughter's development.

In this conversation, you will learn:

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 what happens to children's health over the summer break, why tweens are especially vulnerable, and what one structural change can make a meaningful difference before the drift sets in.<...

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 conversation will help you understand:

For more resources...

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 to "help" can sometimes backfire.

You'll learn:

What body image actually is (and why it's more than appearance)

The difference between body positivity and body neutrality

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.

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From the very first bites to mastering the self-feeding journey, feeding expert Barbara Coven-Ellis gives us tips for helping children develop skills with eating.

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Sara Dean, a former fitness professional and gym owner, shares her reasons for leaving the fitness world.

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Learn about celiac disease in kids from a pediatric dietitian and a mom living with it. We'll cover key symptoms, diagnosis, and how to successfully manage the gluten-free diet for your child's health.

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Do your kids need Omega-3 fish oil?

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Want to be more confident with feeding your kids? Understand the common reasons parents struggle with confident parenting and food.

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Lynn Fredericks, founder of FamilyCook Productions, shares her innovative work in nutrition education in the community and its impact on well-being.

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Food and agriculture thought leader, Charlie Arnot, explores the conflicting and confusing information about food and nutrition online and helps us find the truth.

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Body composition expert and obesity specialist, Dr. Robert Dubin, explains body composition and how too much body fat may affect health. 

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