Why Your Feeding Strategies Aren't Working (and How to Fix It)
Send us a textIf you’ve tried all the things... read the books, followed the advice on social media, tried recommendations from your pediatrician or best friend - yet mealtimes still feel tense or unpredictable, or you're concerned about what or how your child's eating...You’re not necessarily doing it wrong - you’re likely just missing a few key pieces.In this episode, we're bringing everything together to show you why the feeding strategies you’ve been trying might not be working - and what’s missing to make them click.You’ll learn about the three essential elements every child needs for a healthy, confident relationship with food and how they come together to create an empowered eating environment so your child can eat well and feel good about food.If you’ve ever wondered:“Why won't my child try anything new?”“Why do sweets feel so out of control?”“What boundaries do I hold without creating power struggles?”…then this episode is for you.You’ll walk away with a clear picture of what makes feeding work and how to build the environment your child needs to eat in a balanced way without creating guilt or shame.CONNECT with Nicole: - Instagram: @nicolecruzRD- Book a FREE Eating Alignment Call with Nicole to learn more about our approach and how we can work together: Eating Alignment Call SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW: If you loved this episode, it would mean so much for you to follow, subscribe, share, or leave a review. Your support helps us reach more conscious and loving parents who need these insight! Thank you for tuning in and see you next week!
--------
20:02
--------
20:02
What's Really Behind Power Struggles with Food
Send us a textDoes your child eat in a way that feels out of balance?Maybe they don't want to try anything new and stick to the same few safe foods.Or they would eat and eat and eat if you let them. Or maybe they seem obsessed with sweets - like that's all they want.Chances are - they're eating reactively.It's not on purpose. They're not trying to be difficult. Reactive eating is often subconscious and literally, a reaction. But it can create a lot of power struggles and stress around food.So today we're diving into what that actually means, why it happens, and what kids really need to be able to eat a variety, listen to their body cues, and eat the amount they need.And the best part is - this isn't JUST about feeding our kids to eat in a balanced way now. It truly lays the foundation for lifelong healthy habits and behaviors with food. Because remember: we're feeding for the future!CONNECT with Nicole: - Instagram: @nicolecruzRD- Book a FREE Eating Alignment Call with Nicole to learn more about our approach and how we can work together: Eating Alignment Call SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW: If you loved this episode, it would mean so much for you to follow, subscribe, share, or leave a review. Your support helps us reach more conscious and loving parents who need these insight! Thank you for tuning in and see you next week!
--------
15:41
--------
15:41
All food is not equal
Send us a textWhen you’re raising kids, it feels natural to want to teach them about “healthy" or "better" choices or to guide them with categories like sometimes foods, growing foods, or good vs. bad foods.While those labels are well-intentioned, they can create worry, guilt, or even rebellion around food... and that disrupts our kids’ ability to trust themselves and eat in balance.In this episode of The Intentional Table, I’m breaking down the concept of neutrality when it comes to food. I’ll share how our words shape the way kids see food and themselves, why judgment backfires, and what to do instead.You’ll hear:Why kids are especially vulnerable to black-and-white food labelsThe real consequences of calling foods “good” or “bad” (fear, guilt, rebellion, restriction)A personal story about my son in kindergarten and how a “pizza is unhealthy” lesson created unnecessary stressThe kinds of language that create judgment (and why it doesn’t work)Practical ways to talk about food neutrally - using food names, groups, and qualities instead of arbitrary categoriesThe three key areas where neutrality matters most in everyday lifeBy the end of this conversation, you’ll see how shifting your language builds trust, reduces food anxiety, and lays the foundation for your child to enjoy a variety of foods without shame or fear.CONNECT with Nicole: - Instagram: @nicolecruzRD- Book a FREE Eating Alignment Call with Nicole to learn more about our approach and how we can work together: Eating Alignment Call SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW: If you loved this episode, it would mean so much for you to follow, subscribe, share, or leave a review. Your support helps us reach more conscious and loving parents who need these insight! Thank you for tuning in and see you next week!
--------
16:49
--------
16:49
It's not a food free-for-all
Send us a textWhat does it really mean to give kids structure with food… without controlling them?In this episode of The Intentional Table Podcast, we’re unpacking one of the biggest misconceptions parents have about feeding kids: if you remove pressure and 'getting' them to eat a certain way, it’s a free-for-all.But the truth is, kids thrive when they feel both supported and like they have autonomy and control... and that comes from structure, not pressure.We’ll talk about what structure actually looks like (hint: it’s not a rigid meal schedule), why it’s so important for kids to have comfort and trust with food, and how parents can provide leadership without slipping into control. You’ll also hear how the right kind of boundaries benefit you as a parent, bringing more ease and predictability to meals.By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer picture of how to create a framework that works for your family, builds your child’s confidence with food, and makes mealtimes feel more peaceful.What you’ll hear in this episode:Why “no control” doesn’t mean “no structure”The difference between supporting and controlling kids with foodReal-life examples of how kids act without structure (and why it’s normal)What structure actually looks likeHow flexibility and responsiveness fit into the bigger pictureWhy unlimited choices can create anxiety and overwhelm instead of freedomHow structure builds safety, trust, and comfort with food... and makes mealtimes easier for the whole familyCONNECT with Nicole: - Instagram: @nicolecruzRD- Book a FREE Eating Alignment Call with Nicole to learn more about our approach and how we can work together: Eating Alignment Call SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW: If you loved this episode, it would mean so much for you to follow, subscribe, share, or leave a review. Your support helps us reach more conscious and loving parents who need these insight! Thank you for tuning in and see you next week!
--------
18:35
--------
18:35
It's not a food free-for-all
What does it really mean to give kids structure with food… without controlling them?In this episode of The Intentional Table Podcast, we’re unpacking one of the biggest misconceptions parents have about feeding kids: if you remove pressure and 'getting' them to eat a certain way, it’s a free-for-all.But the truth is, kids thrive when they feel both supported and like they have autonomy and control... and that comes from structure, not pressure.We’ll talk about what structure actually looks like (hint: it’s not a rigid meal schedule), why it’s so important for kids to have comfort and trust with food, and how parents can provide leadership without slipping into control. You’ll also hear how the right kind of boundaries benefit you as a parent, bringing more ease and predictability to meals.By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer picture of how to create a framework that works for your family, builds your child’s confidence with food, and makes mealtimes feel more peaceful.What you’ll hear in this episode:Why “no control” doesn’t mean “no structure”The difference between supporting and controlling kids with foodReal-life examples of how kids act without structure (and why it’s normal)What structure actually looks likeHow flexibility and responsiveness fit into the bigger pictureWhy unlimited choices can create anxiety and overwhelm instead of freedomHow structure builds safety, trust, and comfort with food... and makes mealtimes easier for the whole familyJOIN US: 👉 FREE parent training: Stress-Free Family Eating >> Join HERE! Or DM me (@nicolecruzrd) 'TRAINING' and I'll send you the link to join! CONNECT with Nicole: - Instagram: @nicolecruzRD- Book a FREE Eating Alignment Call with Nicole to learn more about our approach and how we can work together: Eating Alignment Call SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW: If you loved this episode, it would mean so much for you to follow, subscribe, share, or leave a review. Your support helps us reach more conscious and loving parents who need these insight! Thank you for tuning in and see you next week!
Feeding kids isn’t just about what’s on the plate - it’s about raising them to feel confident, capable, and at peace with food and their bodies.The Intentional Table Podcast is here to help you break the cycles of guilt, shame, and mealtime stress so you can raise kids who eat well and feel good about it.Hosted by Nicole Cruz, a registered dietitian and mom of three who has coached thousands of parents, this podcast gives you the tools, structure, and mindset shifts to create a positive, empowered eating environment at home.With guidance, compassion, and strategies that really work, you’ll feel more confident and less stressed while supporting your kids through 'picky' eating, 'overeating', struggles with sweets, and everything in between.
Ireland