Hello and Welcome to the Redwood Wellbeing Podcast, where each week I am dedicated to supporting parents on the journey of nurturing their child's healthy relationship with food and their body image.

Through practical, everyday strategies and tips, I help you to become empowered to make a lasting difference in your child's wellbeing journey.

In this episode, we explore how to support your child with fussy or selective eating when you’re eating outside the homewhether at restaurants, friends’ houses, or family gatherings. The focus is on reducing pressure, building trust, and helping both parent and child feel more calm and confident in social food settings.

You’ll learn:

How to clarify realistic expectations before going out, and why nutrition isn’t the main goal of a single social meal
How to understand your child’s current needs, including safe foods, hunger timing, and sensory sensitivities
When (and why) it can be helpful to bring familiar foods—and how to do this without shame or stress
How to emotionally prepare your child by reducing uncertainty and increasing predictability
Practical preparation strategies such as checking menus, timing snacks, and planning for the environment
How to communicate with hosts or restaurants in a calm, neutral, and non-apologetic way
Why preparing yourself as a parent is just as important as preparing your child

While you’re at the meal, we explore:

How to set a calm, low-pressure tone from the moment you arrive
Ways to support your child without pressure, bribing, or negotiation
How to manage social comments and protect your child from food-related scrutiny
When it’s helpful to let go of expectations and prioritise connection over eating
How to respond to emotional overwhelm or distress in both your child and yourself
Simple, practical strategies like small portions, safe exposure, and backup snacks
Ways to stay neutral so food doesn’t become the centre of attention

After the meal, we cover:

How to gently check in with your child without judgment or pressure
Why effort matters more than outcome when reinforcing positives
How to repair moments of tension and rebuild trust if things felt stressful
Reflective questions to help you learn and adjust for next time
Why one meal does not define your child’s progress
The importance of letting go of comparison with other children or families
How to reconnect beyond food and end the experience on a warm relational note

If you'd like to be a part of the Redwood Wellbeing community, you can subscribe to my podcast, and follow me on Instagram @redwoodwellbeing

You can also book in a free 1:1 consult for your own or your child's body image/intuitive eating on my website www.redwoodwellbeing.com.au

To get in touch, please email info@redwoodwellbeing.com.au

If you like what you hear and you want to support me to keep this podcast going, you can give me a tip here https://redwood-wellbeing.captivate.fm/support

Happy listening!

Lyss :)