You have probably seen it in your feed: "Seed oils are toxic." "Omega-6 fats cause inflammation." "Never cook with vegetable oil."

But is any of that actually true? And more importantly, what does it mean for what you are feeding your children?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Martha Belury, a registered dietitian and professor at The Ohio State University who has spent more than 30 years studying fatty acid metabolism. She is one of the few researchers in the world who has actually tested the omega-6 theory in clinical settings, and her findings may surprise you.

We cover:

• What omega-6 fatty acids are and why they are considered essential nutrients

• The only two fatty acids your body cannot make on its own and why children need them for healthy growth

• Why the science does not support the idea that seed oils cause inflammation

• The difference between acute and chronic inflammation, and why parents are often confused about what inflammation actually is

• What decades of cardiovascular research tells us about vegetable oils and heart health

• Why there is still no RDA for essential fatty acids and what that gap means for your family

• How to think critically about nutrition claims on social media, especially ones that lead with fear

Dr. Belury also shares what the adult research on linoleic acid and metabolic health may suggest for children with obesity, and why pediatric-specific studies in this area are so urgently needed.

This is not a conversation about what oil to buy. It is a conversation about how to think clearly when you are surrounded by conflicting information and you just want to feed your kids well.

Connect with Dr. Martha Belury:

• LinkedIn: Martha Belury

• Ohio State University, Department of Food Science and Technology: fst.osu.edu

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Nourished Child Blueprint: thenourishedchild.com/blueprint

• Kids Thrive at Every Size by Jill Castle

More from Jill:

• The Nourished Child podcast: thenourishedchild.com

• Jill's website: jillcastle.com

• Instagram: @i.am.pediRD

Protein bars in the lunchbox. Protein powder in the smoothie. Protein added to everything from waffles to mac and cheese. If it feels like protein is suddenly everywhere! You're not imagining it.

In this episode, I'm pushing back on the idea that more protein is automatically better for kids, walking through what the RDA actually recommends, what newer research on "optimal" protein intake really means, and the research-backed downsides of overdoing it, especially for younger kids.

I also draw a clear line for families navigating severe picky eating, ARFID, or an eating disorder, where the real concern is too little protein, not too much.

I'll share a story from my practice that shows exactly how this trend can backfire, and what I want you to know before you reach for another scoop.

Get The Protein Guide here: www. thenourishedchild.com/product/protein

If you have a daughter who is heading into puberty or is already in the middle of it, this episode is one you will want to save.

Jill Castle sits down with Dr. Melisa Holmes, board-certified OB-GYN, co-founder of Girlology, and co-author of Youology: A Puberty Guide for Everybody. With more than 25 years of clinical experience in pediatric and adolescent gynecology, Dr. Holmes brings both the facts and the warmth that parents need when navigating this major chapter of their daughter's development.

In this conversation, you will learn:

• What puberty actually involves beyond breasts and periods, and why the timeline matters
• Why puberty is starting earlier in girls, and what is driving that trend
• How earlier puberty affects body image, peer relationships, and emotional development
• Why a period is a vital sign, and what to watch for when it stops or never shows up
• What girls should know before their first period, and how to have that conversation
• The connection between nutrition, bone health, and the menstrual cycle
• What to do if your daughter has painful periods, and when to seek care
• The truth about hormones, mood, and the myths that keep circulating
• How to find an adolescent and pediatric gynecologist

Dr. Holmes also addresses the impact of GLP-1 medications and the current cultural pressure around thinness, how to be your daughter's most trusted source of information, and three specific things parents can do right now to support a girl through puberty.

Whether your daughter is nine or fifteen, this episode gives you the foundation to talk openly, stay calm, and show up as the steady presence she needs.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Girlology website: girlology.com (includes the Dr. Momfidence AI resource)
• Book: Youology: A Puberty Guide for Everybody by Dr. Melisa Holmes
• Instagram: @girlology
• Find Jill's programs for parents at thenourishchild.com.