Nutrition for the Early Years

Dr. Liz Daniels, DO, FAAP
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Nutrition

Nutrition for the Early Years – Guilt-Free Guidance for Feeding Your Family Nutrition for the Early Years is a pediatric nutrition podcast for parents seeking evidence-based guidance on infant feeding, toddler nutrition, and child health. Hosted by dual pediatrician + registered dietitian Dr. Liz Daniels, this show explores newborn and infant nutrition, introducing solids, baby-led weaning, complementary feeding, formula feeding, multivitamins for kids, growth and development, and picky eating solutions—all through the lens of real pediatric nutrition science. From feeding anxiety and selective eating to questions about appetite, supplements, and healthy eating habits, this podcast helps parents build a confident, guilt-free feeding mindset. You’ll learn how to support your child’s relationship with food in ways that nourish growth, protect early childhood nutrition, and align with your values—without fear-based messaging or all-or-none thinking. Food goes deep. It’s often not until we begin feeding our own children that we revisit our childhood nutrition experiences—comments that shaped us, arbitrary rules, pressure around healthy eating, and the quiet guilt many of us carry. Feeding kids has a way of surfacing old narratives and challenging us to rethink what child nutrition really means. This is where the conversation begins—supporting families through toddler feeding, early childhood feeding, and raising children with a strong, positive relationship with food. Because nourishing your family isn’t about perfection. It’s about clarity, confidence, and understanding what truly matters in the early years. You are in the right place if you are asking questions like:     -How do I get my child to eat vegetables?     -Why does my toddler suddenly refuse to eat (or only eat one thing)?     -Is my child eating enough to grow properly?     -How much protein does my child actually need?     -What are the best healthy snacks for kids?     -How much milk should my child drink, and what kind?     -How can I improve my child's immune system through food?     -How can I help my child have a healthy relationship with food?

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 23: Stronger After Baby: Postpartum Recovery, Pelvic Floor, and Fueling Well with Val Warner

    Send us Fan Mail Is postpartum healing less about “bouncing back” and more about building strength for the long run? In this episode, Dr. Liz talks with postpartum fitness and nutrition expert Val Warner about what moms really need after birth and beyond. Val explains why moms are technically forever postpartum, and why healing takes more than a six-week checkup. You’ll learn how breathwork, pelvic floor care, core rebuilding, strength training, and enough food all work together to support recovery. Val also clears up common myths, including the idea that every mom needs more Kegels or should eat less to lose weight. This episode is a warm reminder that your body deserves care, fuel, and patience in every stage of motherhood. What You’ll Learn: Why postpartum care matters long after birthWhat “forever postpartum” really meansWhy the fourth trimester is so importantHow breathwork supports the core and pelvic floorWhy more Kegels are not always the answerHow to rebuild strength safely after having a babyWhy eating less can hurt energy, hormones, and metabolismHow under-eating can lead to cravings later in the dayWhy gut health and daily bowel movements matterHow plant foods support the microbiomeSimple ways to add more variety to family mealsWhy food should feel flexible, not stressful Episode highlights: (0:00) Why moms are technically forever postpartum (1:45) Val Warner’s story and passion for postpartum care (4:20) The fourth trimester and pelvic floor support (7:17) The biggest myth about Kegels (10:25) Building a strong foundation with breath and core work (13:09) Why eating less is not the answer (16:14) Cravings, caffeine, and not eating enough during the day (18:23) Dr. Liz shares her own postpartum food struggles (20:51) Gut health, probiotics, and constipation (23:05) Dysbiosis and the microbiome explained simply (25:59) How many plant foods to aim for each day or week (27:42) How to add more plant foods to a basic family dinner (33:11) Simple exercise and nutrition shifts moms can start today (35:02) Where to find Val Warner and her resources   Grab my free 5 Protein-Packed Snacks Every Tired Mom Needs guide — simple, satisfying snack ideas to boost your energy, support your body, and keep you full (without overthinking it). https://wellnessbyval.kit.com/proteinsnackguide Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/strong-nourished-momma-quick-healthy-meals-postpartum/id1778776628 Join the list for early bird pricing! "Read the Pattern" A Pediatrician's Guide to Feeding 0-4 Months- Without the Spiral is going live Mother's Day 5/11/2026, and you can sign up here to hold your early bird price! NEW COURSE! "Read the Pattern: Feeding Your Baby 0–4 Months" — because a healthy relationship with food starts earlier than most people think. Course Link!

    37 min

  2. May 25

    Episode 22: Your Toddler Needs More Carbs Than Protein: What Parents Need to Know

    Send us Fan Mail Is your toddler refusing meat and reaching for carbs and fruit instead? In this episode, Dr. Liz helps parents breathe easier about toddler protein needs. She explains why young kids usually need far less protein than many parents think, and why carbohydrates play such an important role in growth, brain development, and energy. You’ll learn how toddlers can meet their protein needs through simple foods like milk, yogurt, cheese, eggs, beans, nut butters, grains, and seeds. Dr. Liz also shares what to do when kids refuse meat, why protein shakes are rarely needed, and how to keep offering new foods without pressure. This episode is a caring reminder that variety, practice, and a calm table matter more than chasing big protein numbers. What You’ll Learn: Why toddlers need less protein than many parents thinkHow much protein kids aged 1 to 3 usually needWhy carbs are important for growth, energy, and brain developmentHow milk and dairy can help meet protein, calcium, and vitamin D needsWhat to do when your toddler refuses meatWhy repeated exposure still matters, even when food gets spit outHow plant-based protein pairings can support growthWhy protein shakes are rarely needed for toddlersHow snacks, hunger, and meal structure affect picky eatingSimple ways to add protein with beans, seeds, nut butters, and grains Episode highlights: (0:00) The common toddler protein worry (1:33) What this episode will cover (2:01) Why toddlers often start refusing meat (3:16) Why adult protein goals do not apply to young kids (5:32) How much protein toddlers really need (7:32) Milk, dairy, and complete protein (9:03) Why offering meat still counts, even if they do not eat it (10:32) What to consider if your child does not drink milk (12:00) Plant-based protein pairings like beans and rice (14:25) Snacks, hunger, and toddler behavior (16:07) Why kids need more carbs than protein (17:06) Why protein supplements are rarely needed (18:28) How to reduce pressure at the dinner table (20:30) Easy protein ideas with beans and seeds (23:06) The bigger goal: variety, practice, and less stress NEW COURSE! "Read the Pattern: Feeding Your Baby 0–4 Months" — because a healthy relationship with food starts earlier than most people think. Course Link!

    24 min

  3. May 18

    Episode 21: How to Stop All-Day Snack Battles Without Being Restrictive

    Send us Fan Mail If snack time feels like it has taken over your whole day, what if the problem is not your toddler, but the lack of a clear rhythm? In this episode, Dr. Liz Daniels explains why toddlers ask for snacks so often, why their hunger can feel unpredictable, and how parents can bring calm structure back to the day. She shares how to create a simple snack rhythm, build balanced toddler plates, and offer food in a way that supports hunger cues without turning every request into a battle. You’ll also learn how to hold kind, clear boundaries when your toddler pushes back, without bribing, bargaining, or feeling like the snack police. This episode is a caring reminder that structure is not the same as restriction, and your child can feel loved, safe, and well-fed while learning when food is offered. What You’ll Learn: Why your toddler is not the problemWhy constant snack requests often come from a lack of rhythmHow toddler hunger cues change with growth and developmentWhy parents can stay predictable when eating feels unpredictableHow to build toddler meals and snacks with simple portion guidesWhy snacks should include both protein and carbohydratesHow to respond when your toddler says they are hungry againWhy boundaries around snacks do not have to feel restrictiveWhat to say when your toddler pushes back at snack or mealtime Episode highlights: (0:51) Why snack requests become all-day negotiations (1:33) What this episode will cover (2:21) Why your toddler is not the problem (3:11) Toddler development, autonomy, and feeding behavior (4:14) Why toddler hunger and fullness cues can feel unpredictable (5:55) The key shift: stay predictable when your child is not (6:32) Why snack boundaries can feel hard for parents (8:27) Toddler meal and snack portion sizes (9:47) Using variety and smaller portions to support better eating (11:08) How to build a balanced snack (12:15) What it may mean when your child refuses a snack option (13:15) What to say when toddlers push back (14:16) Why toddlers do not need food every 20 minutes (15:50) How to hold snack boundaries with kindness (17:12) Feeding support and course information 📩 Loved this episode? Join the newsletter for weekly support straight  from me — completely different content from the podcast. 👉 newstorynutrition.com ⭐ If this episode helped you, please share with a friend! Join the list for early bird pricing! "Read the Pattern" A Pediatrician's Guide to Feeding 0-4 Months- Without the Spiral is going live Mother's Day 5/11/2026, and you can sign up here to hold your early bird price! NEW COURSE! "Read the Pattern: Feeding Your Baby 0–4 Months" — because a healthy relationship with food starts earlier than most people think. Course Link!

    18 min

  4. May 11

    Episode 20: Finding the Right Fit: What Your Pediatrician Wants You to Know About Goat Milk Formula for Your Baby

    Send us Fan Mail If you have ever wondered whether goat milk formula is only a backup plan, or if it can be a safe first choice, this episode is for you. Goat milk infant formula is newer to many parents in the U.S., but it is not a “last resort” option. In this episode, Dr. Liz Daniels sits down with Dr. Ari Brown, a board-certified pediatrician and Baby 411 author, to talk through how goat milk formula compares to cow milk formula and breast milk. They cover safety, FDA standards, digestion, protein structure, constipation, fussiness, and when a baby may need something more specialized. Most importantly, they offer calm, guilt-free guidance for parents who are trying to feed their baby well, whether breastfeeding, formula feeding, or doing both. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: Why goat milk formula can be a first-line option from day oneHow goat milk formula compares to cow milk formula and breast milkWhy protein structure matters for digestion, gas, and fussinessWhy most fussy babies do not have a true cow milk protein allergyWhat the FDA approval process means for infant formula safetyWhy Clean Label certification matters to some familiesHow formula can affect poop, constipation, and stool changesWhen to switch formulas cold turkey and when to transition slowlyWhen to talk with your pediatrician before moving to a specialty formula KEY TIMESTAMPS: (2:03) Who this episode is for and why formula decisions feel overwhelming (8:52) FDA approval, safety standards, and Clean Label certification (13:30) How goat milk formula compares to breast milk (17:24) Goat milk protein, curds and whey, and easier digestion (21:44) Using goat milk formula from day one (23:14) Fussiness, gas, and cow milk protein allergy (27:06) Constipation, stool changes, prebiotics, and formula (32:31) How to switch formulas safely (34:53) Where to find Kabrita and how to follow Dr. Ari Brown ABOUT DR. ARI BROWN: Dr. Ari Brown is a board-certified pediatrician, founder of 411 Pediatrics in Austin, Texas, and author of the award-winning Baby 411 book series. She has served as a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics for over 20 years and has been the chief medical advisor for Kabrita since 2023. CoMiSS Score for Cow Milk Protein Allergy: Vandenplas Y, Salvatore S, Ribes-Koninckx C, Carvajal E, Szajewska H, Huysentruyt K. The Cow Milk Symptom Score (CoMiSSTM) in presumed healthy infants. PLoS One. 2018 Jul 18;13(7):e0200603. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200603. PMID: 30020980; PMCID: PMC6051613. 🔗 Learn more about Kabrita: www.kabrita.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBv5dhcS7XHhAjEczA0i_xA https://www.instagram.com/hellokabrita/ https://www.tiktok.com/@hellokabrita https://www.facebook.com/hellokabrita 🔗 Connect with Dr. Ari Brown: https://www.draribrown.com/ https://www.instagram.com/aribrownmd https://www.tiktok.com/@aribrownmd https://www.youtube.com/@AriBrownMD/shorts 📩 Loved this episode? Join the newsletter for weekly support straight  from me — completely different content from the podcast. 👉 newstorynutrition.com ⭐ If this episode helped you, please share with a friend! Join the list for early bird pricing! "Read the Pattern" A Pediatrician's Guide to Feeding 0-4 Months- Without the Spiral is going live Mother's Day 5/11/2026, and you can sign up here to hold your early bird price! NEW COURSE! "Read the Pattern: Feeding Your Baby 0–4 Months" — because a healthy relationship with food starts earlier than most people think. Course Link!

    38 min

  5. May 4

    Episode 19: ARFID in Young Athletes: The Picky Eating Red Flags Every Sports Parent Should Know with Katie Syvarth, RD, CSSD

    Send us Fan Mail If your kid plays a sport and is also a picky eater — this episode is  for you. ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) is showing up more  and more in young athletes, and the patterns almost always start years  before anyone names them. The 14-year-old recovering from her second  stress fracture? Her food restriction started at age three or four. In this episode, I sit down with Katie Syvarth, RD, CSSD — a board- certified sports dietitian based in Kentucky — to walk through what  ARFID actually looks like in young athletes, why under-fueling and  stress fractures so often travel with it, and what parents of young  picky kids should be paying attention to right now — long before  anyone is talking about diagnoses. We trace Katie's case study of a teen athlete recovering from her  second stress fracture all the way back to age three. The signs were  there. They're often there for the kids in YOUR home too — they just  look small at the time. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: - How ARFID is different from typical picky eating in athletes - The "food funnel" — when the list of safe foods gets shorter, not longer - Why under-fueling and stress fractures often travel together - Why ~90% of young athletes are under-fueled (and what to do about it) - How sensory issues, ADHD, autism, anxiety, and OCD overlap with ARFID - What to do at the table TODAY with your young, picky athlete - Why pressure tactics backfire (and what works instead) - How to advocate for your young athlete if you're not being heard - How to find an ARFID-informed dietitian or therapist ABOUT KATIE SYVARTH, RD, CSSD: Katie is a board-certified sports dietitian and the founder of Nutrition  at Play, based in Kentucky. She works with athletes of all levels — from  high school competitors to endurance athletes — on under-fueling,  disordered eating, body image, and ARFID. She blends performance nutrition  with an all-foods-fit, intuitive approach. 🔗 Connect with Katie: Website: nutritionatplay.com Instagram: @nutritionatplay Get Katie's FREE Download! 📩 Loved this episode? Join the newsletter for weekly support straight  from me — completely different content from the podcast. 👉 newstorynutrition.com ⭐ If this episode helped you, please leave a rating and review on Apple  Podcasts or Spotify. It helps other parents find the show. NEW COURSE! "Read the Pattern: Feeding Your Baby 0–4 Months" — because a healthy relationship with food starts earlier than most people think. Course Link!

    39 min

  6. Apr 27

    EP 18: Allergen Introduction for Babies: What the Science Says About Timing Prevention

    Send us Fan Mail If the idea of introducing peanut butter to your baby sends your heart rate up — this episode is for you. As a pediatrician and registered dietitian, I've sat across from families who are genuinely terrified of allergen introduction. Their fear makes complete sense. But fear doesn't get the final vote. A plan does. In this episode, I walk you through two real families from my practice, the landmark science that completely changed how we introduce allergens, and exactly what to do based on your baby's individual risk — so you can move forward with confidence instead of anxiety. In this episode: ✔ Why the old "delay allergens" advice tripled peanut allergy rates — and how the science did a full 180 ✔ The LEAP trial: what it found, why it matters, and what 86% risk reduction actually means for your family ✔ The dual allergen exposure hypothesis — why your baby's skin is the real risk factor (not family history alone) ✔ Eczema and food allergy: what the connection is and why I treat eczema aggressively from the very first weeks ✔ Exactly how and when to introduce peanut butter and egg at home — by risk category ✔ Myths I hear every week that have no evidence behind them — including breastfeeding, hypoallergenic formula, and pregnancy diet ✔ What to do if YOU have a food allergy and you're terrified of passing it to your baby Risk categories covered: → No eczema / no family history: introduce at home around 6 months, no testing needed → Mild to moderate eczema: introduce early at 4–6 months, no testing needed, focus on skin care first → Severe eczema: consult your pediatrician and/or allergist before introducing; testing may come first Roberts G, Bahnson HT, Du Toit G, et al.  J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2023;151(5):1329-1336. Logan K, Bahnson HT, Ylescupidez A, et al.  Allergy. 2023;78(5):1307-1318. Greer FR, Sicherer SH, Burks AW.  Pediatrics. 2019;143(4):e20190281. Islam N, Chu AWL, Sheriff F, et al.  JAMA Pediatrics. 2026 (published online Feb 9, 2026) Wang HZ, Hayles EH, Fiander M, Sinn JK, Osborn DA. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2025;6:CD006475. Du Toit G, et al.  New England Journal of Medicine. 2015;372(9):803–813. PreventAll Trial Horimukai K, Morita K, Narita M, et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014;134(4):824–830. Dual Allergen Exposure Hypothesis Lack G.  J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012;129(5):1187–1197. Early Skin Moisturization & Eczema Prevention Simpson EL, Chalmers JR, Hanifin JM, et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014;134(4):818–823.  For education purposes only- consult your medical care provider for personalized recommendations. NEW COURSE! "Read the Pattern: Feeding Your Baby 0–4 Months" — because a healthy relationship with food starts earlier than most people think. Course Link!

    33 min

  7. Apr 21

    Episode 17 | Body Image Issues Start at Age 5 — What Parents Can Do Right Now

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 17 | Body Image Issues Start at Age 5 — What Parents Can Do Right Now Here's something that stops parents in their tracks when I say it in clinic: body image concerns can show up as early as age 5. Not 13. Not even 10. Five. That means by the time most of us think we need to start "the conversation," our kids have already been building a relationship with their bodies for years — shaped by what they hear, what they see, and what happens around food at home. This episode isn't about fear. It's about getting ahead of it — with science, not pressure. I'm a pediatrician and dietitian with 30 years of asking questions about how kids relate to food and their bodies. Body image is not a topic I can leave to chance, and I don't think you should either. The good news? The research on prevention is actually really hopeful. Small, consistent shifts in language and environment make a meaningful difference — and you don't need to be a therapist to make them. In this episode we cover: When body image awareness actually starts (the research will surprise you)What puts kids at higher risk — and it's not what most people assumeSpecific language shifts to make at the table and in front of the mirrorHow to talk about bodies, food, and movement in ways that build respect, not fearThe signs that tell you it's time to ask your pediatrician for a referralBook Recommendation: Your Body is Awesome by Sigrun Danielsdottir, Illustrated by Bjork Bjarkadottir → Save this episode. Share it with the parents in your life who have kids under 10. This is the one to get to them before they need it. NEW COURSE! "Read the Pattern: Feeding Your Baby 0–4 Months" — because a healthy relationship with food starts earlier than most people think. Course Link!

    21 min

  8. Apr 14

    EP 16: Why Kids Have Big Feelings They Can't Explain: Understanding Interoception

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 16 | Why Kids Have Big Feelings They Can't Explain: Understanding Interoception Have you ever watched your child completely fall apart — hungry, overwhelmed, or just off — and they couldn't tell you why? They weren't being dramatic. Their nervous system literally didn't have the language yet. That's interoception. And in this episode, I'm breaking it all the way down. Interoception is your body's ability to sense what's happening inside — hunger, fullness, a racing heart, a tight chest, the need to move. It's the sixth sense nobody talks about, and it turns out it has everything to do with how our kids eat, regulate emotions, and eventually learn to trust their own bodies. This one is close to my heart. As a pediatrician and dietitian, I see the downstream effects of poor interoceptive awareness every single week in clinic — and most of the time, no one has ever named it for these families. In this episode we cover: What interoception actually is (and why it's not woo — it's neuroscience)How hunger and emotional signals share the same internal wiringWhy kids who struggle to "calm down" often also struggle at the tableThe low-pressure ways you can support this at home without a therapy degree→ If this episode landed for you, share it with another parent or save it for the next time your kid has a meltdown you can't explain. That moment is exactly when you'll want this. Book Recommendations:  Listening To My Body by Gabi Garcia A Little Spot: Emotional Regulation Box Set by Diane Alber NEW COURSE! "Read the Pattern: Feeding Your Baby 0–4 Months" — because a healthy relationship with food starts earlier than most people think. Course Link!

    23 min
See All (23)

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Nutrition for the Early Years – Guilt-Free Guidance for Feeding Your Family Nutrition for the Early Years is a pediatric nutrition podcast for parents seeking evidence-based guidance on infant feeding, toddler nutrition, and child health. Hosted by dual pediatrician + registered dietitian Dr. Liz Daniels, this show explores newborn and infant nutrition, introducing solids, baby-led weaning, complementary feeding, formula feeding, multivitamins for kids, growth and development, and picky eating solutions—all through the lens of real pediatric nutrition science. From feeding anxiety and selective eating to questions about appetite, supplements, and healthy eating habits, this podcast helps parents build a confident, guilt-free feeding mindset. You’ll learn how to support your child’s relationship with food in ways that nourish growth, protect early childhood nutrition, and align with your values—without fear-based messaging or all-or-none thinking. Food goes deep. It’s often not until we begin feeding our own children that we revisit our childhood nutrition experiences—comments that shaped us, arbitrary rules, pressure around healthy eating, and the quiet guilt many of us carry. Feeding kids has a way of surfacing old narratives and challenging us to rethink what child nutrition really means. This is where the conversation begins—supporting families through toddler feeding, early childhood feeding, and raising children with a strong, positive relationship with food. Because nourishing your family isn’t about perfection. It’s about clarity, confidence, and understanding what truly matters in the early years. You are in the right place if you are asking questions like:     -How do I get my child to eat vegetables?     -Why does my toddler suddenly refuse to eat (or only eat one thing)?     -Is my child eating enough to grow properly?     -How much protein does my child actually need?     -What are the best healthy snacks for kids?     -How much milk should my child drink, and what kind?     -How can I improve my child's immune system through food?     -How can I help my child have a healthy relationship with food?

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Liz Daniels, DO, FAAP
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Nutrition for the Early Years
  • Show Website
    Nutrition for the Early Years

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