You Are Not Your Struggle

So many women are trying to eat better, lose weight, meal plan, feed their families, manage busy schedules, and somehow not feel guilty about every food choice along the way. In this episode, I’m joined by Kelsey Wickenhauser, PA, homeschooling mom of four, Christian health coach, and founder of Kingdom Fit Moms, for a conversation about what it really looks like to pursue health in the middle of real life.

Key Takeaways:

• Why shame keeps so many women stuck in the diet cycle
• How to help patients separate their identity from emotional eating or weight struggles
• Why “real food” messaging should not demonize frozen meals, packaged foods, or convenience options
• How to shift patients from an “I have to” mindset to an “I get to care for my body” mindset
• How accountability and community can support consistency
• Practical meal planning strategies for busy moms and families
• Simple lunch and snack ideas for summer when kids are home
• How faith, values, and identity can shape a woman’s health journey

Resources Mentioned:

Episode 157: I Hate Meal Plans

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Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

CKD Food Rules That Need an Update

Kidney nutrition has a reputation for being restrictive, confusing, and honestly… a little intimidating. But for many patients with chronic kidney disease, the biggest problem isn’t that they’re eating a banana or adding tomatoes to dinner. It’s that they’ve been handed outdated food rules that leave them scared to eat.

In this episode, I’m joined by renal dietitian Lauren Budd Levy, MS, RDN, CSR, to talk about what clinicians need to know about kidney nutrition, especially if you don’t work in nephrology.

We cover the CKD diet rules that need an update, including potassium restriction, phosphorus additives, protein needs, sodium, hydration, electrolyte powders, and how to help patients enjoy summer cookouts, travel, and real life without feeling like their kidney diagnosis means they have to avoid everything.

Key Takeaways:

• Why “avoid bananas, potatoes, tomatoes, oranges, and avocados” is often too simplistic
• The easy label-reading tip patients can use to spot phosphorus additives
• How to talk about protein needs in CKD without fueling confusion from high-protein diet culture
• Why sodium reduction does not mean a no-salt, flavorless diet
• What to tell patients about electrolyte powders, hydration, cookouts, and kidney-friendly travel snacks

If your patient with CKD has ever asked, “Can I eat tomatoes?” “Do I need to avoid phosphorus?” or “Are electrolyte drinks safe for me?” this episode will help you answer with more confidence, nuance, and compassion.

Resources Mentioned:

Episode 43 | Nutrition and Kidney Disease: What's a Renal Diet?

Episode 32 | How to Read a Nutrition Facts Label - with a Focus on Kidney Health

Connect with Lauren

Any Questions? Send Me a Message

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Connect with Colleen:
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Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

Give Nutrition Advice Without Making Patients Feel Punished

Have you ever asked, “Do you have any other questions?” at the end of a visit and immediately regretted it?

Same.

Because of course they have more questions. Important questions. Questions that probably should have been asked 15 minutes ago, except now you’re already behind, the next patient is waiting, and you’re trying to be compassionate without completely derailing the visit.

In this episode, I’m talking with Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN, registered dietitian, author of Eating From Our Roots, and founder of Maya Feller Nutrition, about the art of inviting patients into treatment instead of simply telling them what to do.

We talk about cultural humility, implicit bias, why foods like rice, tortillas, noodles, plantains, and traditional starches get unfairly blamed for chronic disease, and how clinicians can help patients improve blood sugar, blood pressure, and lipids without stripping away the foods that feel like home. Maya also shares a brilliant framework for setting the agenda with patients, asking permission, and keeping the visit patient-centered without losing control of the clock.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why “healthy” food is often viewed through an Anglo-American lens, and how that can unintentionally shame patients’ cultural foods
• How to be curious before corrective when talking about nutrition, weight, chronic disease, and food traditions
• How to use the plate method more flexibly
• What to say when patients want to improve blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, or inflammation without giving up familiar foods
• Why frozen meals, canned foods, jarred foods, dried beans, frozen vegetables, and center-aisle foods absolutely belong in realistic nutrition counseling
• How to help patients reduce added sugar without making it feel like punishment
• Maya’s strategy for “sugar interactions” and helping patients create a beginning, middle, and end around sweets
• How to start the visit by asking what is on the patient’s mind, while still addressing your clinical priorities

Resources Mentioned:

Episode 146: When Culture is Erased from Guidelines

Connect with Maya

Any Questions? Send Me a Message

Support the show

Connect with Colleen:
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Sign up for my FREE Newsletter - Nutrition hot-topics delivered to your inbox each week.

Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.