63. Kids’ Gut Health 101: How to Build a Resilient Microbiome
A resilient gut sets the foundation for your child’s health, supporting everything from digestion and nutrient absorption to immunity and energy.In this episode, Georgia speaks with clinical nutritionist Michelle Hislop about how to build and protect the microbiome in kids.Michelle shares her beautiful “garden” analogy to help parents picture the trillions of bacteria that live in the gut and how diversity keeps that inner ecosystem strong. They explore why the first years of life are a golden window for gut health and how birth, breastfeeding, first foods, outdoor play and even contact with pets and soil shape resilience.The conversation also looks at what happens when antibiotics are needed, how probiotics and prebiotics can help the gut bounce back, and why simple, colourful whole foods are the best ongoing support.Other highlights include:How the microbiome influences 70% of immunitySigns that your child’s microbiome may need extra careWhen testing is useful and when it isn’t necessaryPractical tips for picky eaters and lunchbox inspirationThis is a warm and practical discussion for parents who want simple, natural strategies to support their child’s wellbeing through gut health.________________________________About Michelle Hislop:Michelle Hislop, a Clinical Nutritionist with over 13 years of experience in practice and the health industry. She’s the founder of TestWise Clinical Nutrition, where she specialises in functional testing, helping both clients and practitioners make sense of complex results and turn them into clear, practical programs. As a mother of two, Michelle knows just how important it is to build a healthy microbiome, and she’s passionate about empowering others to understand the crucial role it plays in gut health, hormones, energy, skin, and mood.You can Connect with Michelle Hislop:WebsiteInstagramFacebook
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62. The Truth About the Health Star Rating System and What Parents Need to Know
This week Georgia is joined once again by Belinda Smith from The Root Cause, a returning guest who is passionate about transforming children’s health and raising awareness about the role food plays in wellbeing.Together, they dive into the Health Star Rating System, the food labelling scheme that the Australian government plans to mandate by 2027. While it might sound like a helpful tool for parents, Belinda and Georgia share why the system in its current form is deeply flawed. They explore how it fails to consider additives, preservatives, and the level of food processing, and why that matters so much for kids’ health.Belinda brings powerful statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and her experience working with schools across the country, highlighting rising rates of chronic conditions, ADHD diagnoses, and childhood anxiety. Georgia and Belinda also unpack how ultra-processed foods end up with high star ratings, the hidden influence of food companies, and why this creates confusion for families.This conversation is about awareness and action.You’ll learn how to look past the stars on the front of the packet, what to focus on instead, and how to support efforts for an evidence-based system that truly reflects the science.Links mentioned in this episode:Petition to reform the Health Star Rating System HERE >>Connect with Belinda Smith at The Root Cause HERE >>
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61. Raising Kids with Strong Values: How to Nurture Their Moral Compass
Values shape the way we live, the decisions we make, and how we relate to others and they play a powerful role in how our children grow into confident, capable, and compassionate adults.In this episode of the Raising Well Nourished Kids podcast, Jane and Georgia explore why values matter, how they influence parenting, and how to bring more awareness to them in family life.You’ll learn:What values are and why they’re so important for children’s developmentHow being clear on your own values can make parenting decisions easierWhy values help with setting and holding boundariesPractical ways to start meaningful family conversations about valuesHow to navigate differences in values within a familyThe role values play in giving children a sense of purpose and belongingGeorgia and Jane share personal reflections from raising their own children, the values that have guided them, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. They also offer simple strategies for identifying your family’s core values and bringing them to life in everyday moments - from the dinner table to the playground.Whether you have toddlers, tweens, or teens, this conversation will inspire you to think about the principles you want to pass on and how to help your kids carry them confidently into the world.👉 Explore the Raising Well Nourished Kids online program - designed to help you raise confident, adventurous eaters using gentle, effective strategies.🥪 Looking for healthy lunchbox inspiration?Discover The Lunchbox Formula - Georgia’s simple, step-by-step method for creating nourishing lunchboxes quickly and without the overwhelm.💛 Follow us on Instagram for more tips on children’s nutrition, behaviour, and emotional wellbeing.
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60. How to Fuel Sporty Kids for Energy, Focus and Recovery
If you’ve got a sporty child, you’ll know the challenge of keeping up with their energy needs while still making sure they are eating in a way that supports growth, concentration, and long-term health.From endless training sessions to weekend carnivals and competitions, what kids eat and drink can make all the difference to both performance and recovery.In this episode, Georgia is joined by nutritionist Alethea Mills, who specialises in sports nutrition and has helped athletes of all ages fuel their bodies effectively. Together they explore the unique nutritional needs of active and growing kids, from pre-training snacks to post-game meals, hydration strategies, and when supplements may be necessary.You’ll hear about:The key macronutrients and micronutrients that matter most for active kidsPractical snack and meal ideas for before and after trainingWhy hydration and electrolytes are more individual than you thinkThe importance of bio-individuality, and why what works for one child may not work for anotherHow functional testing, such as sweat tests and iron panels, can uncover the root cause of fatigue, cramps, and underperformanceReal-life stories of young athletes whose performance and wellbeing improved through nutritional supportWhether your child swims, runs, plays footy, or simply loves being active, this conversation is filled with practical, evidence-based tips to help you fuel their body and mind while keeping things realistic for family life.You can connect with Alethea:WebsiteInstagramFacebook
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59. Bedtime Struggles Explained: Connection, Anxiety, and Nutrition
It’s a familiar scene for many parents - you’ve settled your child into bed, but minutes later they’re back with “I’m hungry,” “One more story,” or “Can I have a drink of water?”While genuine hunger can certainly play a role, there are often deeper factors at play. In this episode, naturopath Georgia Harding and psychotherapist Jane Little explore both the emotional and physiological reasons behind bedtime resistance, and share practical ways to support children in winding down for the night.Together, they discuss:How requests for food at bedtime can sometimes be a way of seeking emotional connectionThe role of anxiety in children and how it can be mistaken for hungerThe importance of co-regulation and presence in helping children settlePractical tools to support nervous system regulation, from breathing techniques to weighted blanketsWhy balanced meals - particularly adequate protein and fibre are essential for stable appetite and mood regulationGeorgia offers insights into how nutritional factors, especially blood sugar balance, can influence a child’s ability to settle at night. Jane brings her expertise in child psychology to unpack the emotional needs and developmental stages that can affect bedtime behaviour.This episode offers both perspective and practical strategies for parents wanting to respond to bedtime challenges with empathy, understanding, and confidence - helping children feel nourished both emotionally and physically.👉 Explore the Raising Well Nourished Kids online program - designed to help you raise confident, adventurous eaters using gentle, effective strategies.🥪 Looking for healthy lunchbox inspiration?Discover The Lunchbox Formula - Georgia’s simple, step-by-step method for creating nourishing lunchboxes quickly and without the overwhelm.💛 Follow us on Instagram for more tips on children’s nutrition, behaviour, and emotional wellbeing.
We all want to raise healthy, emotionally resilient, food-adventurous kids, but what does that actually look like and how do we do it? This podcast is a place for deep conversations and practical guidance about what it takes to raise well nourished kids, in every sense of the word. We tackle all the big topics from setting boundaries and creating healthy eating habits to instilling a good food culture in your household and fostering body positivity. There’s a lot of information out there, much of it contradictory and confusing. This leaves parents overwhelmed and anxious about the ‘right’ thing to do when it comes to their child’s health and wellbeing. It’s time to reimagine a way to parent in this modern world that supports health, connection and the relational wellbeing of our families and precious children. Every week we’ll bring you a new episode that draws on our combined 40 years of knowledge and experience in the fields of child psychology, behaviour and nutrition, as well as our own personal journey’s of raising healthy, thriving teenagers, in the hopes of bringing you some much needed clarity along with simple, proven strategies to help you raise well nourished kids. We’re here to support you to support your young people in developing healthy eating habits and positive relationships with and through food.
Ireland