Podcast
The Nourished Child
Hosted by Jill Castle, MS, RDN — Pediatric Dietitian & Childhood Nutrition Expert · EN
Raising a healthy eater shouldn't feel confusing or overwhelming. The Nourished Child is your trusted guide for child nutrition, feeding kids with confidence, and navigating real-life parenting challenges — from picky eating and food-focused kids to teen appetites, nutrient needs, young athletes, and raising children in all body sizes.
Hosted by Jill Castle — pediatric dietitian, author, and mom of four — this podcast blends practical feeding strategies with body-positive parenting, holistic child wellness, and the latest research on children's physical health and emotional wellbeing. Each episode helps you build healthy habits, support your child's relationship with food, protect their self-esteem, and create a family culture where children thrive at every size.
Whether you're dealing with an overweight child, a selective eater, a child who's always hungry, or you simply want to nurture healthy habits and positive body image, The Nourished Child offers the compassionate, evidence-informed guidance you need to raise a well-nourished, confident, resilient child — inside and out.
30episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Truth About Omega-6 Fats and Kids, with Researcher Dr. Martha Belury
1w ago00:46:26Tap to summarizeYou 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
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Does Your Child Need More Protein? What the Research Actually Says
3w ago00:17:02Tap to summarizeProtein 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
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Puberty, Periods, and Your Daughter's Health: A Conversation with OB-GYN Dr. Melisa Holmes
Jun 1800:38:17Tap to summarizeIf 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.
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Why Summer is the Season Your Child's Health Quietly Slides
Jun 400:16:55Tap to summarizeSummer 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.
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The Future of Food Allergy Treatment for Kids Is Here
May 2100:41:30Tap to summarizeFood 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.
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Raising Healthy Eaters Without Food Fear or Food Rules
May 700:20:05Tap to summarizeNutrition 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.
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Raising Kids with a Healthy Body Image (Without Pressure or Shame)
Apr 2300:43:58Tap to summarizeWhat 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.
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Why Your Teen Won't Come to Dinner
Apr 900:21:13Tap to summarizeFamily 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.
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Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs): What Parents Need to Know About Under - Fueling in Teen Athletes
Mar 2600:39:07Tap to summarizeWhat 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.
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Low Appetite in Kids and Teens: What's Normal, What's Not, and When to Worry
Mar 1200:25:53Tap to summarizeLow 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.
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