Managing Mealtime Madness

Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RDN
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Nutrition
  • Updated Biweekly

Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RD is a Registered Dietitian and mom of 3. Managing Mealtime Madness is a podcast about feeding kids and families (from babies and toddlers through older kids), to help you manage the stress and raise competent eaters. With expert tips from Registered Dietitians and parents, you'll walk away feeling inspired and empowered with new meal prep tips, easy kid-friendly recipes, meal ideas and new ways to feed your family. 

  1. Oct 14

    43. Why you want an emergency dinner plan + immune tips for cold season

    I’ve learned a lot about feeding four kids while life feels a little chaotic at 7 weeks postpartum! I’m sharing some of the shortcuts that are working for us right now, including our emergency dinner plan, plus some nutrition tips as we head into cold and flu season. We’ll talk about easy meals, convenience foods, and giving yourself permission to repeat dinners (because fed is better than not fed!). Then, I’m sharing some of my go-to tips for supporting your family’s immune health as we head into cold and flu season. In this episode you’ll hear about: My go-to emergency dinnerEasy meal shortcuts, freezer meals, and dinners on repeatSimple ways to support immune health during cold and flu seasonKid-friendly foods and drinks to offer when everyone’s feeling under the weatherThis Episode Is Sponsored by Lovebug Probiotics Feeding your family doesn't have to be perfect — and supporting your family's health doesn't have to make your already-busy routine more complicated. This episode of Managing Mealtime Madness is brought to you by Lovebug Probiotics, a mom-founded probiotic brand offering thoughtfully formulated options for kids and adults. For kids, Lovebug makes it easy to find a format that works for your family, with Chewables, Powders, Gummies, and Pearls, plus probiotic options for babies and toddlers. And because parents deserve to take care of themselves, too, Lovebug also offers a range of adult probiotics. Lovebug probiotics are designed to support digestive and immune health as one simple part of your family's everyday wellness routine. Shop Lovebug Probiotics - Use code MEALTIME20 for 20% off your first order. Learn more about kids probiotics here. Use code MEALTIME20 for 20% off your first order! Learn more about probiotics for mom here. Use code MEALTIME20 for 20% off your first order! LINKS My favorite Solly wrap: Use code SARAHS10 for 10% off My favorite new fruit stand! Vitamin D for infants Vitamin D for kids Podcast episode 24 where we talk probiotics! Quick Dinner Recipes: One Pan Cheesy Ground Beef & Rice Skillet Cheesy Beef Taco Pasta Simple Veggie Sheet Pan Eggs Kid Friendly Fall Recipes: 5 Ingredient Sweetpotato Tater Tots Sheet Pan Sweet Potato Nachos with Black Beans Sweetpotato Apple Muffins Apple Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats Easy No Bake Pumpkin Cookies Cheesy Pumpkin Spaghetti Squash Apple Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal Have a listener question or feedback? Send me a text! Support the show Join the email list to get a list of easy popular family recipes and meal prep tips! Instagram | Blog Recipes

  2. Sep 23

    42. Feeding Yourself as a New Mom: Simple Meal Prep That Actually Works (with dietitian Caroline Thomason Bunn)

    Having a baby changes pretty much everything, including how you think about food, cooking, and meal prep. In this episode, Sarah chats with fellow dietitian and new mom Caroline Thomason Bunn about what happens when the meals that used to feel relaxing suddenly feel like one more thing you have to figure out. Caroline shares what she’s learned during her first five and a half months of motherhood, from surviving those early days of breastfeeding hunger and mental overload to finding a new groove with meal prep. They talk about letting go of the “perfect” balanced meal, leaning on convenience foods, making big batches of protein, and why sometimes a protein and a carb is good enough.  In this episode you’ll hear about: The “survival mode” phase of postpartum eatingBreastfeeding hunger and the mental load of constantly needing to eatWhy doubling recipes and prepping bulk protein can be a lifesaverLetting go of the perfectly balanced mealPostpartum produce shortcutsStarting with just one meal, and why breakfast might be the best place to begin LINKS Find Caroline at CarolineThomason.com Follow Caroline on Instagram: @dietitiancaroline_ Have a listener question or feedback? Send me a text! Support the show Join the email list to get a list of easy popular family recipes and meal prep tips! Instagram | Blog Recipes

  3. Aug 25

    41. Back to School Meal Prep Tips for Busy Families - from the archives

    Back-to-school season can feel like a fresh start, and if meal planning has gone by the wayside over the summer, you’re not alone! In this fan-favorite episode, Sarah revisits her conversation with registered dietitian Beth Stark about getting back into a meal-planning routine without making it feel overwhelming. The goal? Progress over perfection and finding what works for your family. In this episode you’ll hear about: Batch cooking, leftovers, and reusing proteinsThe “capsule menu” approach to meal planningEasy, mix-and-match school lunch ideasGetting kids involved in meal planningIntroducing new foods alongside familiar favoritesRedefining meal prep and letting go of perfection Links & Resources Beth Stark Nutrition: BethStarkNutrition.com PA Beef Council: pabeef.org Have a listener question or feedback? Send me a text! Support the show Join the email list to get a list of easy popular family recipes and meal prep tips! Instagram | Blog Recipes

  4. Jul 27

    40: Third Trimester Check In + What We've Been Eating This Summer

    In this episode, Sarah shares an update on pregnancy and the 3rd trimester, including managing nutrition, energy levels, and postpartum prep. If you're navigating pregnancy or planning ahead for postpartum, she shares some ideas that can help you, too! Main Topics Discussed:  Meal ideas and snacking strategies to boost energy and protein intakeHydration, electrolyte drinks, and staying nourished with simple, manageable foodsFocus on nutrient priorities: protein, fiber, omega-3s, iron, calcium, and vitamin DFitness adjustments and pelvic floor exercises during pregnancyPostpartum preparation and freezer meal ideasResources Mentioned:  Blog Post - How My 4th Pregnancy is Different From My First 3Blackberry Baked Oatmeal Strawberry Baked Oatmeal Tuna quesadilla recipe Banana bread bars (great for snacks + easy to freeze!) Watermelon slushie Costco Postpartum NecessitiesHave a listener question or feedback? Send me a text! Support the show Join the email list to get a list of easy popular family recipes and meal prep tips! Instagram | Blog Recipes

  5. May 27

    39. Let's Make Feeding Kids Simpler with Amy Palanjian of Yummy Toddler Food

    If you’ve ever stood in your kitchen at 5:30 p.m. wondering how feeding kids somehow became your full-time mental load, this episode will make you feel very seen. Sarah is joined by Amy Palanjian from Yummy Toddler Food for a refreshingly honest conversation about what feeding toddlers and kids actually looks like in real life - not on Pinterest, not in a 17-second Instagram reel, but in actual busy family life. Sarah and Amy talk about lowering the pressure around meals, why your child refusing dinner might be completely normal, and how a silly ice cream scoop or baby fork can sometimes change the entire mood at the table. This episode feels like a giant exhale for parents who are tired of chasing perfect meals and just want practical ideas that actually work. In this episode you’ll hear about:  • Why feeding kids feels so mentally exhausting for parents  • The hidden pressure social media adds to family meals  • Flexible dinner ideas using freezer staples and shortcuts  • Why “picky eating” is often more normal than we think  • Family-style meals and giving kids autonomy with food  • Fun little tricks that make meals feel less stressful  • The truth about hiding veggies in food  • Amy’s go-to convenience foods for busy nights LINKS & RESOURCES Check out the Yummy Toddler Food blog Follow Amy on Instagram and TikTok Check out Amy’s cookbook, Dinnertime SOS Have a listener question or feedback? Send me a text! Support the show Join the email list to get a list of easy popular family recipes and meal prep tips! Instagram | Blog Recipes

  6. May 5

    38. Rethinking Picky Eating: What’s Normal, What’s Not, and What Actually Helps

    Today we’re diving into a topic so many of you are thinking about: picky eating.  And honestly, if you’ve ever found yourself saying “my kid is SO picky,” this episode is going to give you a totally new perspective. I’m joined by pediatric PA and dietitian Colleen Sloan, who works with kids from birth through the teen years, and hears about picky eating in almost every visit. We’re unpacking what picky eating actually means (because it’s not as straightforward as you might think), why it happens, and how parents can shift their approach in a way that actually helps long-term.  In this episode you’ll hear about:  • Why “picky eating” means something different for every family  • Common nutrient concerns (and why protein usually isn’t one of them)  • How pressure, bribing, and labeling can backfire  • Simple ways to create a more positive mealtime environment  • Creative, low-pressure strategies to help kids explore new foods  • What a “successful” meal can look like (hint: it might be smaller than you think) Links & Resources: Follow Colleen on Instagram at @examroomnutrition Listen to Colleen's podcast: Exam Room Nutrition Listen to Gather 'Round: How to Make Family Meals Doable for Busy Parents With Picky Kids - an episode from Colleen’s podcast that featured Sarah! Want more content on picky eating? Listen to Sarah’s podcast episode with dietitian Sally Kuzemchak, Tips on Feeding Picky Eaters from a Former Picky Eater & Dietitian Have a listener question or feedback? Send me a text! Support the show Join the email list to get a list of easy popular family recipes and meal prep tips! Instagram | Blog Recipes

  7. Apr 21

    37: From Farm to Family Table: A Farmer’s Perspective on Feeding Your Kids

    In this episode, Sarah sits down with Kim Kornegay of Kornegay Family Farms & Produce for a behind-the-scenes look at life on a modern family farm. Kim shares her unique perspective as both a mom of three and a fourth-generation farmer, offering insight into how agriculture connects directly to the meals we serve our families every day. From growing sweet potatoes to getting dinner on the table during busy seasons, this conversation bridges the gap between farm and family life in a meaningful (and practical) way. In this episode, you'll hear about:  What it’s really like to work on a multi-generational family farm  How growing food impacts the way Kim feeds her family  Why family meals matter at every stage of life (and how that perspective shifts over time) A behind-the-scenes look at how sweet potatoes are grown, harvested, and stored  Common misconceptions about farming, food production, and modern agriculture  How science and technology are improving farming practices and food quality  Follow Kornegay Family Farms & Produce on Instagram: @KornegayFFP Follow Kornegay Family Farms & Produce on Facebook Visit their website Check out Sarah's turkey sweetpotato meatball recipe here! Have a listener question or feedback? Send me a text! Support the show Join the email list to get a list of easy popular family recipes and meal prep tips! Instagram | Blog Recipes

  8. Mar 31

    36. Understanding Gluten-Free Diets For Kids with Whitney Stewart: Navigating Family Needs and Food Safety

    In this episode, Sarah interviews Whitney Stewart, a Registered Dietitian and celiac disease advocate. Whitney shares her personal and professional insights on managing gluten-free diets for families and kids. From diagnosis stories to navigating restaurant options, this conversation offers practical advice for parents and individuals alike. In this episode, you’ll hear about:  Whitney’s journey with celiac disease and her background in clinical nutritionRecognizing symptoms and getting diagnosed with celiac diseaseKey sources of gluten and how to read labels effectivelyGluten-free eating tips for restaurants and social situationsThe importance of a diverse, nutrient-rich diet and adding rather than restrictingSupporting children with gluten intolerance - from snacks to birthday partiesAddressing the gluten-free craze and misconceptions about healthQuick, healthy gluten-free meal ideas for busy familiesTips for overwhelmed parents facing new diagnoses and the importance of advocacy Follow Whitney on Instagram @whitnessnutrition. Visit whitnessnutrition.com for more information.  Have a listener question or feedback? Send me a text! Support the show Join the email list to get a list of easy popular family recipes and meal prep tips! Instagram | Blog Recipes

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5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RD is a Registered Dietitian and mom of 3. Managing Mealtime Madness is a podcast about feeding kids and families (from babies and toddlers through older kids), to help you manage the stress and raise competent eaters. With expert tips from Registered Dietitians and parents, you'll walk away feeling inspired and empowered with new meal prep tips, easy kid-friendly recipes, meal ideas and new ways to feed your family. 

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RDN
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Managing Mealtime Madness
  • Show Website
    Managing Mealtime Madness