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How can we help our kids feel confident in their bodies when diet culture, social media, AI, and beauty messages are everywhere? Pediatrician and author Dr. Whitney Casares joins Dr. Liz Daniels to share practical ways parents can build healthier conversations around food, movement, appearance, and self-worth. Whitney opens up about her own history with diet culture, what she learned about food noise and GLP-1 medications, and why body confidence matters more than expecting kids to feel positive about their bodies every day. They also discuss what to say when a child criticizes their appearance, why parents should pause before trying to fix the problem, how to support neurodivergent children, and how pediatricians can talk about weight without creating shame. This conversation offers parents a realistic, research-based path toward raising confident, thoughtful kids.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why body confidence may be a more realistic and helpful goal than expecting kids to always feel body positive
• How parents can respond when a child says, “I’m fat,” dislikes their appearance, or experiences body-based bullying
• Why pausing, getting curious, and listening can be more helpful than immediately trying to fix a child’s feelings
• How diet culture, dopamine, food noise, and GLP-1 medications can affect a person’s relationship with food
• How to teach kids about nutrition, movement, social media, AI, and beauty messages without using fear, guilt, or shame

Learn more about Dr. Whitney:

Web: https://www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com/ and https://www.modernmommydoc.com/

IG: @modernmommydoc

Episode highlights:
(3:05) Why Whitney wrote Raising Body Confident Kids
(6:28) Diet culture, dopamine, food noise, and willpower
(11:28) Helpful scripts for body image conversations
(15:14) Supporting kids based on their individual needs
(17:51) What to do when your child criticizes their body
(21:01) Slowing down and managing parental urgency
(23:30) GLP-1 medications, dopamine, and food noise
(28:48) How Whitney talked to her daughters about GLP-1s
(33:55) Food pleasure, nutrition, and giving kids guidance
(37:09) How pediatricians can discuss food, weight, and health
(40:38) Raising kids with self-compassion and media awareness
(45:45) Why this is an anti-shame approach to parenting

NEW COURSE! "Read the Pattern: Feeding Your Baby 0–4 Months" — because a healthy relationship with food starts earlier than most people think. Course Link!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only, not medical advice.

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Could vitamin D be one of the few supplements your child actually needs? In this episode of Nutrition for the Early Years, Dr. Liz Daniels explains why vitamin D matters for growing bones, immune health, and long-term bone strength. She breaks down how much babies, toddlers, older kids, and adults typically need, why breastfed babies often require supplementation, and how fortified milk, fatty fish, and sunlight contribute. You’ll also learn why cheese and yogurt may not provide the vitamin D you expect, how D3 compares with D2, and why sunlight alone may not be enough depending on where you live. Dr. Liz also shares when testing may be useful, when it may not be necessary, and why your child’s diet, location, and health history should guide the conversation with your healthcare team.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why vitamin D is so important for your child’s bones, growth, and immune system
• How much vitamin D babies, toddlers, and older kids need each day
• Why breastfed babies may need supplementation and what options parents have
• Which foods actually provide vitamin D, and why milk, cheese, and yogurt aren’t all equal
• How sunlight, location, diet, and health history can affect whether your child is getting enough

Episode highlights:
(1:32) What vitamin D does in the body
(6:19) Vitamin D and immune system development
(8:21) Peak bone mass and long-term bone health
(13:13) When babies need vitamin D supplementation
(17:23) Maternal supplementation vs. infant vitamin D drops
(21:03) Vitamin D needs for toddlers and older kids
(24:19) Food sources of vitamin D and common misconceptions
(26:31) Vitamin D3 vs. vitamin D2
(28:03) Can kids get enough vitamin D from sunlight?
(32:26) Daily vitamin D recommendations and when to test

NEW COURSE! "Read the Pattern: Feeding Your Baby 0–4 Months" — because a healthy relationship with food starts earlier than most people think. Course Link!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only, not medical advice.

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What if one of the simplest ways to support your child’s gut, digestion, and long-term health is something most families are not getting enough of? In this episode, pediatrician Dr. Liz Daniels breaks down why fiber deserves more attention, not just when constipation becomes a problem, but as part of everyday prevention. She explains soluble and insoluble fiber, how fiber feeds healthy gut bacteria, and why whole foods often offer more benefits than gummies and powders. You’ll also learn easy ways to add more fiber through oats, beans, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and resistant starches without completely changing your family’s meals. Plus, Dr. Liz shares practical tips for slowly increasing fiber while helping kids stay comfortable and avoiding unnecessary pressure around food.

What You’ll Learn

• Why fiber plays an important role in digestion, gut health, and long-term wellness
• The difference between soluble and insoluble fiber and what each does in the body
• How much fiber kids need and which foods can help them reach their daily goal
• Why whole-food fiber sources may offer more benefits than fiber gummies and powders
• Simple ways to increase fiber gradually while reducing gas, bloating, and discomfort

Episode highlights:
(2:34) Why fiber matters beyond constipation
(3:40) Soluble vs. insoluble fiber explained
(8:31) How fiber supports gut bacteria and immune health
(12:47) How much fiber kids need
(14:25) High-fiber foods and simple serving ideas
(15:09) Fiber gummies, powders, and supplements
(17:47) Probiotics and the gut ecosystem
(19:40) Why beans and seeds are powerful fiber sources
(21:58) Resistant starch and kid-friendly food ideas
(23:27) How to reduce gas from beans
(24:24) How to safely increase fiber intake
(26:01) Small, realistic changes families can start today

NEW COURSE! "Read the Pattern: Feeding Your Baby 0–4 Months" — because a healthy relationship with food starts earlier than most people think. Course Link!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only, not medical advice.

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Could your child’s multivitamin be giving you peace of mind without actually fixing the nutrient gaps you’re worried about? In this episode of Nutrition for the Early Years, Dr. Liz Daniels explains why multivitamins are not “vegetable insurance” and what growing kids truly need for healthy development. She breaks down the role of carbs, fats, protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and key nutrients like vitamin D, vitamin E, iron, potassium, and omega-3s. You’ll also learn why food can offer nutrients in ways supplements often cannot, plus simple ways to improve your child’s nutrition without forcing vegetables or overhauling every meal. Most importantly, Dr. Daniels shares when picky eating is normal, when nutrient gaps may need extra attention, and when it’s time to talk with your pediatrician.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why a multivitamin is not a replacement for vegetables
• Which nutrients picky eaters are actually most likely to miss
• Why kids need carbs and fats for healthy growth, not just protein
• How foods can help the body absorb nutrients better than supplements
• Simple ways to fill common nutrition gaps without forcing veggies or overhauling meals

Related: Iron Deficiency in Babies episode:

Apple podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-31-iron-deficiency-in-babies-why-borderline-is-not/id1865258075?i=1000778509340
YouTube - https://youtu.be/FXVgNjIyrpE

Episode highlights:
(1:22) Why multivitamins are not vegetable insurance
(2:29) What “picky eating” really means
(4:49) The macronutrients kids need for growth
(7:27) Why micronutrients matter for development
(9:01) What is actually inside kids’ multivitamins
(12:10) Fat-soluble vitamins and why food pairing matters
(15:45) Where kids get B vitamins and vitamin C
(16:30) Important minerals kids need
(18:16) What vegetables really provide
(21:36) Potassium and a common nutrition gap
(23:58) Fiber needs and easy food swaps
(25:32) Vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids
(27:39) Vitamin D and when supplements may help
(28:24) Iron needs in growing children
(29:43) How to assess your child’s diet without panic
(31:07) Building comfort with fruits and vegetables over time
(32:43) The biggest takeaway for parents of picky eaters

NEW COURSE! "Read the Pattern: Feeding Your Baby 0–4 Months" — because a healthy relationship with food starts earlier than most people think. Course Link!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only, not medical advice.

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Will family dinner ever feel peaceful again? Dr. Liz Daniels explains how picky eating, parental worry, and pressure can create a stressful cycle at the table. The good news is that parents can help break that cycle without cooking separate meals or forcing one more bite. In this episode, Dr. Daniels shares four practical shifts: trust children to decide how much they eat, create a warm invitation to the table, release expectations about what they must eat, and use calm, objective language. She also offers simple ideas such as mealtime songs, fun table settings, family reading, and involving children in food preparation. These gentle changes can help children feel safe, listen to their hunger cues, and become more open to food over time, while helping parents build happier family memories.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why picky eating and parental pressure can create a stressful cycle
• How to let children decide how much food they need
• How predictable mealtime routines can help children feel safe
• Why lowering expectations can lead to more peaceful family meals
• How calm, objective language can reduce pressure around food

Make mealtime language more fun: Download the Food Mad Lib and practice simple, pressure-free words with your kids while sharing a few laughs at the table. Grab it here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qYerozEw_XC0y3OaGxoa9jKiLuglGs-D/view

Episode highlights:
(0:00) Why peaceful dinners can turn into daily battles
(3:39) How picky eating and parental pressure create a cycle
(9:41) Letting children decide how much to eat
(13:14) Creating a welcoming and predictable mealtime
(17:25) Reducing pressure by shifting your attention
(20:00) Involving children in shopping and food preparation
(24:38) Letting go of unrealistic dinner expectations
(28:20) Using calm, objective language around food
(30:49) Modeling hunger and fullness cues
(33:49) Using books and stories to support connection
(35:13) Rewriting difficult family food experiences

NEW COURSE! "Read the Pattern: Feeding Your Baby 0–4 Months" — because a healthy relationship with food starts earlier than most people think. Course Link!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only, not medical advice.

NEW COURSE! "Read the Pattern: Feeding Your Baby 0–4 Months" — because a healthy relationship with food starts earlier than most people think. Course Link!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only, not medical advice.

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Could your toddler have low iron even when you are offering healthy, iron-rich foods? Dr. Liz Daniels shares her personal experience with her son’s low hemoglobin and explains why iron deficiency is common, treatable, and never a sign that a parent has failed. You will learn why borderline hemoglobin should not be ignored, how iron supports brain development and growth, and why food alone may not correct an existing deficiency. Dr. Liz also explains the difference between ferritin and hemoglobin, when supplements may be needed, and why breastfed babies can face a higher risk. Plus, she clears up the common belief that protein and iron are the same. This caring, practical episode will help you speak with your child’s healthcare team and make informed feeding choices.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why iron deficiency can happen even when parents do everything right
• Why borderline hemoglobin should not be ignored
• How iron supports brain development, growth, and healthy red blood cells
• The difference between low ferritin and low hemoglobin
• Why iron-rich foods may not be enough to correct a deficiency
• When iron supplements may be needed for babies and toddlers
• Why breastfed babies may have a higher risk of low iron
• How vitamin C can help the body absorb iron from food
• Why protein and iron are not the same
• When follow-up testing can confirm that iron levels have improved

Episode highlights:
(0:00) A parent’s personal experience with low hemoglobin
(3:02) Why iron deficiency is not your fault
(3:44) How iron supports growth and brain development
(5:17) Infant iron stores and major risk factors
(9:19) Why borderline hemoglobin needs attention
(13:08) Iron-rich foods, absorption, and supplements
(16:51) Treating and retesting until the gap is closed
(19:27) Iron supplements for breastfed babies
(21:45) Why protein and iron are not the same
(26:04) Five key takeaways for parents

NEW COURSE! "Read the Pattern: Feeding Your Baby 0–4 Months" — because a healthy relationship with food starts earlier than most people think. Course Link!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only, not medical advice.

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Could your baby’s fussiness, spit-up, or unusual stools really be caused by cow milk protein allergy, or is dairy being blamed too quickly? In this episode, Dr. Liz Daniels explains what cow milk protein allergy, or CMPA, is, how it differs from a true IgE dairy allergy, and why normal newborn digestion can look like a food reaction. She shares the key signs parents should watch for, how CMPA is properly diagnosed through dairy removal and reintroduction, and why cutting dairy too soon may create more confusion. You’ll also learn about gentle, hydrolyzed, and amino acid formulas, when dairy may be safely reintroduced, the possible connection with soy, and what current research says about probiotics, gut health, and future food allergies. Most importantly, parents are reminded that babies with CMPA can heal, grow, and thrive.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to tell normal spit-up and fussiness from possible CMPA symptoms
• The difference between CMPA and a true IgE dairy allergy
• Why removing dairy too early may make diagnosis harder
• How dairy elimination and reintroduction help confirm CMPA
• Which formula options may be used for sensitive babies
• When parents may be able to try dairy again
• What CMPA may mean for gut health and future food allergies

Episode highlights:
(4:06) When spit-up is normal and when CMPA may be suspected
(6:52) IgE dairy allergy vs. cow milk protein allergy
(10:37) How cow milk proteins may affect an immature gut
(13:46) How CMPA is properly diagnosed
(16:16) Why parents should not remove dairy too early
(17:48) Dairy elimination while breastfeeding
(21:29) Gentle formulas vs. hydrolyzed formulas
(23:33) Formula options for diagnosed CMPA
(24:30) When to try reintroducing dairy
(25:19) Soy sensitivity and amino acid formulas
(26:21) Probiotics, prebiotics, and long-term gut health
(28:48) CMPA and the risk of future food allergies

NEW COURSE! "Read the Pattern: Feeding Your Baby 0–4 Months" — because a healthy relationship with food starts earlier than most people think. Course Link!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only, not medical advice.

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What if your baby’s constant spit-up is normal, even when it looks like a lot? In this episode of Nutrition for the Early Years, host Dr. Liz explains why babies spit up, how their growing digestive systems play a role, and why many cases are simply a messy laundry problem. She shares how to tell common reflux from warning signs such as poor growth, swallowing trouble, and true projectile vomiting. Dr. Liz also clears up fears about babies choking during sleep, explains why back sleeping remains safest, and discusses why antacids are not always helpful. With reassurance and practical guidance, this episode helps parents understand when to call the doctor, when to keep watching, and why they do not need to feel guilty for having a spitty baby.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why is spit-up common in young babies
• How infant anatomy and digestion affect reflux
• Why the amount of spit-up is not always important
• Why babies should still sleep on their backs
• Which symptoms may need medical attention
• Why reflux medicine is not always needed
• How to feel more confident caring for a spitty baby

Episode highlights:
(1:36) Why does frequent spit-up feel so overwhelming
(3:08) When spit-up commonly begins
(4:26) Why does spit-up often look like more than it is
(6:43) How baby anatomy causes mechanical spit up
(9:27) Safe sleep, choking fears, and back sleeping
(10:40) What normal reflux can look like
(12:29) Poor growth and other warning signs
(13:48) Projectile vomiting and pyloric stenosis
(15:15) Swallowing, airway, and stool concerns
(16:11) What studies say about reflux and antacids
(18:56) When reflux needs added support
(20:48) Final red flags and reassurance for parents

NEW COURSE! "Read the Pattern: Feeding Your Baby 0–4 Months" — because a healthy relationship with food starts earlier than most people think. Course Link!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only, not medical advice.