Love Eat Thrive
Claim This Podcastby Spectrum Pediatrics
Podcast Overview
<p><span>Love Eat Thrive is a podcast for parents about how to feed kids, not just what to feed them. While parents are flooded with nutrition advice, they’re given far less guidance on the feeding dynamics that shape how kids eat now and feel about food long term. Love Eat Thrive focuses on the everyday choices that help set kids up for a healthy, trusting relationship with food for life. The podcast is hosted by Heidi and Jeni, child development experts and pediatric feeding specialists, who translate child development and feeding science into realistic, everyday support for parents.</span></p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
12/12/2025
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Recent Episodes
April 17, 2026
Kids and New Foods: From Exposure to Opportunity
You keep offering new foods… and your child keeps refusing them. So is it just about more exposure? Is there a better way? We know there’s a lot around us about exposing kids to new foods and what that means. While that’s important, “exposure” can sometimes feel like something happening to your child instead of with them. Feeding is a relationship. It’s back-and-forth, not one-sided. When the goal becomes “just take a bite,” kids often feel pressure, even if we don’t mean it that way. That pressure can lead to more refusal, or kids eating just to please you… not because they’re actually interested. Instead of trying to get your child to eat something, focus on creating opportunities to engage. That might look like: Seeing a food on the plate Touching or playing with it Smelling it… or eventually tasting it An opportunity isn’t about eating necessarily. It’s about experiencing. When kids feel involved instead of pressured: They build autonomy (“I get to decide”) They stay curious about food Mealtimes feel more connected and relaxed And over time, this supports something big: their ability to self-regulate, to listen to their own body and develop a healthy relationship with food. You don’t have to offer new foods constantly. Small, consistent opportunities at home, at the store, on weekends are enough. Pair new foods with familiar ones, and let learning happen over time. When you shift from exposure to opportunity, you’re not forcing the outcome. Think about it instead as you’re creating the space for it. That’s where kids start to explore, learn, and eventually try new foods… on their own terms. ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.** Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com
April 10, 2026
Feeding Your Kids with the Future in Mind
Most parents share the same goal: raising a child who’s healthy and has a positive relationship with food. But in the day-to-day of meals, it can start to feel like it’s all about bites, battles, and what’s on the plate. It’s easy to focus on the food itself. Things like what they’re eating and how much. What truly shapes your child’s relationship with food long-term is often how feeding feels, not just what’s served. Your child is always watching, even when you’re not talking directly to them. The way you speak about food, your body, and eating in general matters more than we often realize. Keeping things neutral and avoiding diet talk or negative body comments helps create a safe, positive environment. And if that feels hard, getting support for yourself is part of supporting your child too. At the same time, kids are naturally good at listening to their hunger and fullness if we give them the chance. When we reduce pressure and step back a bit, we allow them to build that internal awareness. A few ways to support that: Avoid pressure like “just one more bite” Skip rewards or punishments tied to eating Trust that intake balances out over time, not just in one meal Keep a predictable structure with meals and snacks Rather than controlling what or how much your child eats, think about creating space. You provide the food and the opportunity, and your child decides what and how much to eat. That sense of autonomy helps them stay open and flexible with food over time. This also goes beyond the plate. The messages your child hears about bodies and identity matter. Focus on what their body can do Celebrate who they are, not how they look Build trust in their body, not control over it And through all of this, enjoyment matters more than we think. Mealtimes don’t have to be perfect. Connection, comfort, and ease go a long way It’s okay if meals look different! Enjoy eating at the table, at the park, or on the couch Positive experiences now help build variety and confidence later Feeding your child isn’t just about today’s meal. It’s about building trust, confidence, and a relationship with food that lasts. When you focus on connection, autonomy, and enjoyment, the rest can follow. ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.** Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com
March 27, 2026
Why is My Toddler Suddenly A Picky Eater?
One day your child eats everything… and the next, they’re refusing foods they used to love. It can feel sudden, confusing, and honestly a little alarming. So what’s actually going on? Jeni and Heidi are here this week to explain and provide some tips and tricks! Picky eating in toddlers is incredibly common, and for most kids, it’s a normal part of development. What can feel like a personality shift (“my child is a picky eater”) is often more about where they are than who they are. Between about 18–30 months, many children: Start rejecting familiar foods Show strong preferences Seem less adventurous than they were as babies And while that can feel frustrating, there are some very real reasons behind it. This is happening because toddlers are in a phase of rapid change physically, emotionally, and developmentally. Autonomy: They’re learning they have opinions and control (“I can say no!”) Neophobia: A natural caution around new or unfamiliar foods Slower growth: Appetite decreases compared to infancy Busy brains: They’re focused on exploring the world, not sitting still to eat Put it all together, and it’s the perfect setup for selective eating. When kids start refusing foods, it’s natural to want to fix it. But some strategies can actually make picky eating stick around longer: Pressure: Even gentle “just try it” can backfire over time Rewards: Can shift eating to external motivation instead of internal cues Over-relying on favorite foods: Can lead to burnout and less variety overall A helpful gut check: Is my goal just to get the food into their mouth right now? If yes, it might be worth rethinking the approach. Instead of focusing on how much your child eats, shift toward the experience: Keep offering a variety of foods without forcing Change things up (different shapes, plates, or settings) Eat together when you can! Kids learn by watching you Balance structure and autonomy: You decide what and when They decide if and how much And remember: many toddlers lean into carbs like pasta, crackers, and rice for a reason. Their bodies and brains need that energy. For many kids, variety slowly increases again around school age as: Social influences grow Exposure increases Pressure decreases Trying to rush this process can backfire. It’s important to remember that progress tends to come more naturally over time. Sometimes that doesn’t happen as quickly or naturally as you’d hope and that’s okay too. Consider reaching out if: Growth or nutrition is a concern Mealtimes feel consistently stressful or combative Your gut is telling you something isn’t right The right support should help you focus on the big picture, not just what your child eats today, but how they relate to food long-term. If your toddler is suddenly picky, you’re not alone and it doesn’t mean something is wrong. This phase is messy, normal, and full of learning. Stay steady, stay flexible, and know that with time and the right approach, things can shift again. ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.** Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com
15 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Love Eat Thrive?
<p><span>Love Eat Thrive is a podcast for parents about how to feed kids, not just what to feed them. While parents are flooded with nutrition advice, they’re given far less guidance on the feeding dynamics that shape how kids eat now and feel about food long term. Love Eat Thrive focuses on the everyday choices that help set kids up for a healthy, trusting relationship with food for life. The podcast is hosted by Heidi and Jeni, child development experts and pediatric feeding specialists, who translate child development and feeding science into realistic, everyday support for parents.</span></p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
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