The Nourished Child
Jill Castle, MS, RDN — Pediatric Dietitian & Childhood Nutrition Expert
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The Nourished Child is a podcast about child nutrition and feeding kids with confidence. Hosted by pediatric dietitian Jill Castle, it covers practical strategies for picky eating, food-focused kids, teen appetites, and raising children of all body sizes. The episodes blend evidence-informed advice with body-positive parenting and tips for supporting a child's relationship with food and self-esteem. The goal is to help families build healthy habits and create a positive food culture at home.
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The Back to School Eating Reset: Lunches, Schedules, and Sanity 06.08.2026 15хвThe 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 realistic, repeatable rhythm that holds up in a real family's week. -
The Truth About Omega-6 Fats and Kids, with Researcher Dr. Martha Belury 23.07.2026 46хвYou 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 settings, and her findings may surprise you. We cover: • What omega-6 fatty acids are and why they are considered essential nutrients • The only two fatty acids your body cannot make on its own and why children need them for healthy growth • Why the science does not support the idea that seed oils cause inflammation • The difference between acute and chronic inflammation, and why parents are often confused about what inflammation actually is • What decades of cardiovascular research tells us about vegetable oils and heart health • Why there is still no RDA for essential fatty acids and what that gap means for your family • How to think critically about nutrition claims on social media, especially ones that lead with fear Dr. Belury also shares what the adult research on linoleic acid and metabolic health may suggest for children with obesity, and why pediatric-specific studies in this area are so urgently needed. This is not a conversation about what oil to buy. It is a conversation about how to think clearly when you are surrounded by conflicting information and you just want to feed your kids well. Connect with Dr. Martha Belury: • LinkedIn: Martha Belury • Ohio State University, Department of Food Science and Technology: fst.osu.edu Resources mentioned in this episode: • The Nourished Child Blueprint: thenourishedchild.com/blueprint • Kids Thrive at Every Size by Jill Castle More from Jill: • The Nourished Child podcast: thenourishedchild.com • Jill's website: jillcastle.com • Instagram: @i.am.pediRD -
Does Your Child Need More Protein? What the Research Actually Says 09.07.2026 17хвProtein 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 real concern is too little protein, not too much. I'll share a story from my practice that shows exactly how this trend can backfire, and what I want you to know before you reach for another scoop. Get The Protein Guide here: www. thenourishedchild.com/product/protein -
Puberty, Periods, and Your Daughter's Health: A Conversation with OB-GYN Dr. Melisa Holmes 18.06.2026 38хвIf 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: What puberty actually involves beyond breasts and periods, and why the timeline matters Why puberty is starting earlier in girls, and what is driving that trend How earlier puberty affects body image, peer relationships, and emotional development Why a period is a vital sign, and what to watch for when it stops or never shows up What girls should know before their first period, and how to have that conversation The connection between nutrition, bone health, and the menstrual cycle What to do if your daughter has painful periods, and when to seek care The truth about hormones, mood, and the myths that keep circulating How to find an adolescent and pediatric gynecologist Dr. Holmes also addresses the impact of GLP-1 medications and the current cultural pressure around thinness, how to be your daughter's most trusted source of information, and three specific things parents can do right now to support a girl through puberty. Whether your daughter is nine or fifteen, this episode gives you the foundation to talk openly, stay calm, and show up as the steady presence she needs. Resources mentioned in this episode: Girlology website: girlology.com (includes the Dr. Momfidence AI resource) Book: Youology: A Puberty Guide for Everybody by Dr. Melisa Holmes Instagram: @girlology Find Jill's programs for parents at thenourishchild.com. -
Why Summer is the Season Your Child's Health Quietly Slides 04.06.2026 16хвSummer 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. If you want to go deeper, I'm also hosting a free live webinar in June where I walk parents through a complete summer health framework. The registration link is in the show notes. If this episode helped you, please like, subscribe, and leave a review. It helps more parents find reliable, research-based information. -
The Future of Food Allergy Treatment for Kids Is Here 21.05.2026 41хвFood 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: New treatment options for children How oral immunotherapy works The role of biologics in food allergy treatment What's on the horizon for safer allergy management For more resources, visit the Latitude website: www.latitudefoodallergy.com If this episode helped you, please like, subscribe, and leave a review. It helps more parents find reliable, research-based information. -
Raising Healthy Eaters Without Food Fear or Food Rules 07.05.2026 20хвNutrition 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. -
Raising Kids with a Healthy Body Image (Without Pressure or Shame) 23.04.2026 43хвWhat 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 Early signs your child may be struggling with body image Why some children are more vulnerable than others How parental "vibe" around food and bodies shapes kids more than words What to do if your child says, "I hate my body" When to seek professional support—and what therapy looks like We also explore a powerful idea: that supporting your child's body image often starts with your own awareness, beliefs, and healing. This episode will help you create a home where kids feel safe, respected, and supported in their bodies—no matter their size. -
Why Your Teen Won't Come to Dinner 09.04.2026 21хвFamily 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. -
Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs): What Parents Need to Know About Under - Fueling in Teen Athletes 26.03.2026 39хвWhat 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: What's Normal, What's Not, and When to Worry 12.03.2026 25хвLow 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. -
Creating Safety at the Table: Why It Matters More Than Getting Kids to Eat "Well" 19.02.2026 45хвIn 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. -
The Hidden Ways Parents Shame Kids About Food (And How to Stop) 05.02.2026 20хвMost 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. -
ARFID vs Picky Eating: Red Flags, Anxiety Signs, and What Helps 22.01.2026 38хвWhen 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. -
The Nutrition Shift That Changes Everything in 2026 08.01.2026 25хвA 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 for Kids Made Simple: How to Boost Gut Health and Regularity 18.12.2025 42хвFiber researcher, Joanne Slavin, discusses fiber for kids and why it's so important to their health. -
A Conversation about Obesity Meds for Kids 04.12.2025 40хвPediatrician and mom, Dr. Chrissie Ott, chats about the use of GLP-1 meds in kids and teens. -
Navigate Thanksgiving Food Dynamics like a Pro 20.11.2025 26хвLet'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. -
New Treatments for ARFID in Children 06.11.2025 33хвFeeding therapist, Kelly Komisaruk, chats about ARFID in kids and teens and the new treatment she's using to help them overcome anxiety about food. -
Beyond Salt and Water: Practical Nutrition Strategies for Families Navigating POTS in Children 23.10.2025 47хвRegistered dietitian Cheryl Harris teaches us about Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, or POTS, in children, including how to manage symptoms with nutrition.
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