Tyler and Virginia dive deep into one of their most requested topics—feeding your family! Virginia, a registered dietitian, shares her expertise on how the way we feed our children is actually a form of parenting that shapes their relationship with food for life.
From practical meal planning tips to the Division of Responsibility approach, this episode is packed with wisdom for creating peaceful mealtimes and raising competent eaters. Whether you're struggling with picky eaters, meal prep exhaustion, or food battles at the dinner table, this conversation offers hope and practical strategies.
Plus, you'll hear the funny story of how they found their exact couch pattern in a Hot Springs alley! 🛋️
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🧭 Episode Breakdown:
0:00 - 3:20 | The Hot Springs couch discovery story 🛋️
3:20 - 7:17 | Feeding is parenting: the foundational concept
7:17 - 16:56 | Setting the table: creating food security and consistent mealtimes
16:56 - 27:17 | Meal planning, exhaustion, and practical preparation tips
27:17 - 40:24 | Division of Responsibility: what parents control vs. what kids control
40:24 - 51:04 | No pressure approach: avoiding food battles and earning dessert
51:04 - 1:02:05 | Practical boundaries: kitchen closed, neutral language, and table manners
1:02:05 - 1:07:44 | Final thoughts: competent eating and family health
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🍽️ Key Takeaways:
- Parents control: What, when, and where food is served
- Children control: Whether and how much they eat
- Consistent meal times (every 3-5 hours) create food security
- Avoid both positive and negative pressure around eating
- Always provide at least one "safe" food your child can fill up on
- Serve treats with meals rather than as rewards
- Use neutral language about food—no "good job" for finishing plates
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💡 Virginia's Top Meal Planning Tips:- Take inventory of what your family actually eats regularly
- Shop with a grocery list based on your meal rotation
- Keep "safe" proteins like chicken tenders in the freezer
- Consider one-pot meals to reduce cleanup
- It's okay to have themed nights (Taco Tuesday, etc.)
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👨👩👧👦 For Parents:This episode is essential listening for anyone feeding a family, but the principles apply to adults working on their own relationship with food too. Remember: you're not just feeding bodies, you're shaping future adults' relationship with nourishment.
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📚 Resources Mentioned:⸻
💌 Need More Support? 👉 Virginia is accepting nutrition clients through
www.bolesoflife.comRemember: You're doing your best, and that's enough. Feeding your family doesn't have to be perfect—it just needs to be consistent and pressure-free! ❤️
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