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In this episode of Eat Your Greens, I’m joined by April Jones, a pediatric nurse practitioner and the creator of HealthQuest, a gamified, evidence-based wellness platform designed to help kids and families build healthy habits together—without shame, pressure, or perfectionism.

We talk about why so many wellness programs fail families, how HealthQuest uses barrier assessments instead of guesswork, and why teaching mindfulness—especially around hunger, fullness, and emotions—is one of the most overlooked skills in pediatric health.

April also shares the story behind her children’s book, Mia and the HealthQuest Dragon, and how storytelling and play can completely change the way kids relate to food, movement, and their bodies.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why healthy habits are harder to learn as adults—and why starting earlier matters
• How HealthQuest personalizes learning for both parents and kids
• The role of mindful eating in helping kids recognize hunger, fullness, and emotions
• Why pressure and “just do better” messaging backfires
• How families can practice healthy habits together instead of going it alone
• Ways HealthQuest improves access to health education through schools and free resources

This is a great listen for parents, clinicians, educators, and anyone who wants to support kids in building a healthier relationship with food and their bodies—without turning meals into a power struggle.

Where to find April Jones and HealthQuest:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/apriljones5/

https://www.instagram.com/healthquestapp

https://www.facebook.com/DiscoverHealthQuest/

https://www.discoverhealthquest.com

Buy Mia and the HealthQuest Dragon

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For resources related to a plant-based diet or if you struggle to afford healthy food for your family, please go to eatgreenswithdrblack.com/resources.

For questions and comments, please shoot me an email at dr.black@eatgreenswithdrblack.com.

I am happy to answer general questions related to the information presented on this podcast. Be advised that I will never offer specific medical advice via this website, even if your child is an established patient in my practice. If you have concerns about your child’s health or growth, please contact their doctor.

Thanks for listening and don't forget to Eat Your Greens!