Nutrition Diva

Helping kids of every size thrive

Episode Summary

In this special episode, host of the QDT podcast, Project Parenthood Chelsea Dorcich talks with pediatric nutritionist Jill Castle about her new book "Kids Thrive at Every Size."

Episode Notes

In this special episode, host of the QDT podcast, Project Parenthood Chelsea Dorcich talks with pediatric nutritionist Jill Castle about her new book "Kids Thrive at Every Size."

Check out more great parenting content from Chelsea Dorcich on the Project Parenthood podcast!

To learn more about Jill Castle, including how to purchase her new book "Kids Thrive at Every Size", visit JillCastle.com

Episode Transcription

Hello, this is Monica Reinagel and you’re listening to the Nutrition Diva podcast and today I have something special to share with you. First off, I want to introduce you to Chelsea Dorcich. Chelsea is the brand new host of the Project Parenthood podcast, which is also part of the Quick and Dirty Tips Network.

Chelsea has worked with kids and families for over 25 years as a therapist, developmental specialist and special education teacher. She does a lot of work with ADHD, Autism, and anxiety in kids and adolescents and has a particular passion for working with parents in need of additional support. I really can’t think of anyone better to take over as the new host of the Project Parenthood podcast.

In this episode, you’re also going to meet my good friend and registered dietitian, Jill Castle. Jill is a specialist in children’s nutrition and has recently published an important new book called "Kids Thrive at Every Size." Even if you don’t have children yourself, I bet you know someone who needs to hear about this.

Today’s parents face an increasingly fraught challenge. We're bombarded with media messages about the dangers of childhood obesity, while simultaneously living in a society rife with weight bias and stigma. It's a tightrope walk – how do we promote health without fixating on numbers on a scale? How do we protect our kids from the very real health consequences of excess weight, while also shielding them from the equally dangerous territory of eating disorders. How do we raise kids that are healthy not just in body but in mind and spirit?

And these are exactly the questions that Jill tackles so artfully in her book. When I got the advanced copy of the book, I knew Chelsea would want to interview Jill on her Project Parenthood podcast–and she jumped at the chance. Today, I am sharing excerpts from that interview

Highlights from the conversation include:

The importance of a "whole child" approach, considering a child’s physical health, emotional wellbeing, cognitive development, and social-emotional growth when addressing nutrition and wellness.
The eight pillars of wellness, including family culture, sleep, movement, feeding, eating habits, food choices, screen time management, and cultivating self-love.
A discussion of the “diplomatic feeding style, balancing structure and boundaries with love and consideration, empowering parents to set limits while maintaining a positive food environment.
Helping children develop a good relationship with food by understanding their appetites and addressing non-hunger eating cues (BLAS: Boredom, Loneliness, Avoidance, Habit, and Situation).
Fostering autonomy and self-esteem with strategies like "YOYO" nights and involving children in meal preparation to build important developmental skills and a positive relationship with food and nutrition.

As this discussion so aptly illustrates, raising healthy children in today's world is no small feat. It's not just about what's on our plates or the number on the scale. It's about fostering a positive relationship with food, promoting self-love, and building resilience against harmful societal messages.

For those of us without children, this information is still incredibly relevant. We all play a role in shaping the environment in which children grow up, whether as aunts, uncles, teachers, or community members. Understanding these concepts can help us create a more supportive, health-promoting world for all.

If you'd like to dig deeper into these topics, I highly recommend picking up a copy of Jill's book, "Kids Thrive at Every Size." You can find it anywhere books are sold. The link is also in the show notes.

I also encourage you to check out Chelsea's Project Parenthood podcast for more insightful conversations on raising healthy, happy children. And don't miss Jill's own podcast, The Nourished Child, where she regularly shares her expertise on children's nutrition and wellness.

Links to all of these fantastic resources are in the show notes as well!

I’ll be back next week with with a regular episode of the Nutrition Diva podcast If you have a question you'd like me to answer, you can email me at nutrition@quickanddirtytips.com You can also leave me a message at 443-961-6206

Nutrition Diva is a Quick and Dirty Tips podcast. Our team includes Brannan Goetschius, Nathan Semes, Davina Tomlin, Holly Hutchings, and Morgan Christianson.

Thanks for listening! I'll see you next week.