“Why would they say that?” “Should I say something to the school?” “What if it changes how my child sees themselves?” In this episode, Christine and Chanel unpack one of the most painful (and common) experiences for families navigating disordered eating and body image issues: body bullying. Whether it’s teasing about weight, comments about a lunchbox, or exclusion from sports—body-based bullying leaves lasting scars. This conversation offers validation, practical scripts, and expert-backed tools to help you respond with calm, compassion, and confidence. 🔍 In this episode: What counts as body bullying (hint: it’s not just “teasing”) How body shaming shows up in school, sports, and even within families The long-term impact on self-esteem, social participation, and disordered eating risks How to listen without rushing to fix—and why that matters Modeling body respect at home (even when you’re still healing your own) What to say when your child is body shamed: empowering scripts that stick When to get schools or professionals involved 🧠 Resources Mentioned: National Eating Disorders Association – Bullying & Eating Disorders The Trevor Project – Youth Mental Health Beauty Redefined / More Than a Body StopBullying.gov – Body-Based Bullying Guide ARFID Collaborative 👋 Connect with Us: Follow the podcast on Instagram: @plateful.parenting.podcast Follow Chanel on Instagram: @chanel.kenner.nutrition Share your story, question, or feedback: [email protected] 📝 Explore more resources and parent support at: platefulparenting.com  🎧 Subscribe on your favorite platform and leave a review to help more families find this work. 💬 Let’s keep the conversation going—your voice matters, and your kids are lucky to have you in their corner.

We're back! Season 2 of Plateful Parenting kicks off with a real-time deep dive into the whirlwind of back-to-school season—a time full of new routines, big feelings, and (you guessed it) confusing food and body messages. In this episode, Christine and Chanel reflect on key moments from Season 1 and set the tone for what's ahead: even deeper dives into feeding challenges, eating disorders, ARFID, body image, and how modern culture—including tech and TikTok—is shaping our kids’ relationships with food. 👀 In this episode: How to decode school flyers, “healthy eating” newsletters, BMI reports, and well-meaning (but harmful) nutrition assignments Why school-year body comments hit differently—and how to respond with calm, neutral language Scripts for validating your child’s concerns about food, body, or peer messages Practical ways to create space for open conversation (even during carpool!) Whether your child is returning to school, starting a new grade, or navigating big developmental shifts—this conversation is here to support you. 🧠 Resources Mentioned: The Body Positive’s Parent Toolkit More Than a Body – Book by Lindsay & Lexie Kite National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Parent Resources Feeding Littles – Picky Eating Resources ARFID Collaborative ✨ Coming Up This Season: Conversations on ARFID, orthorexia in kids, GLP-1s in the household, “SkinnyTok,” body image, food freedom, and how AI and social media are reshaping the family food environment. 👋 Connect with Us: Follow the podcast on Instagram: @plateful.parenting.podcast Follow Chanel on Instagram: @chanel.kenner.nutrition Explore parent resources & guest episodes at: platefulparenting.com 🎧 Subscribe, rate, and share with a friend navigating the back-to-school transition. 💬 Have a question or story? Email us: [email protected]

🎙️ Season 1 Finale with Dr. Jackie Shiels In the final episode of Season 1, Christine Santucci and Chanel Kenner, RD, welcome back clinical psychologist and fan-favorite Dr. Jackie Shiels for an honest, compassionate, and laughter-filled conversation about something we all grapple with: the words we use around food and bodies. Together, we unpack the everyday language that can shape a child’s relationship with food—for better or worse. From common “harmless” phrases like “You’ve lost weight!” or “Do you really need more?” to more subtle messaging around “healthy” vs “unhealthy” food, this episode offers real-life, non-judgmental guidance on how to model body-neutral, weight-neutral language at home. We also tackle: 🍽️ How to unpair food from morality 📱 What to say (and not say) when your kid brings up weight/food/body topics or questions 🧠 The difference between “head hunger” and “stomach hunger” 👚 Red flags to look out for 💬 What repair looks like when parents slip up—and how to course correct with love With real-world examples, easy swaps, and some humor as always, this episode is your gentle reminder that parenting in a body-obsessed world is hard—and language matters. Resources Mentioned: • Dr. Jackie Shiels • Hunger & Craving Rating Tools • Season 1 Episodes 1–33 available on Spotify & Apple Thank you for listening to Season 1 of Plateful Parenting! We’re honored to be in your ears. Stay tuned for updates on Season 2. Follow along: @plateful.parenting.podcast Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help us reach more families 💛

Episode 33: GLP-1s, Body Shame, and Family Conversations: A Candid Talk with Samantha with Christine Santucci and Chanel Kenner, RD In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Christine and Chanel sit down with Christine’s cousin, Samantha, for a vulnerable conversation about GLP-1 agonist medications—like Ozempic and Wegovy—and the emotional terrain surrounding them. As someone currently taking a GLP-1, Samantha shares her real-life experience, reflecting on the social stigma, family dynamics, and internalized shame that can come with body changes, food messaging, and weight. Together, we explore how language and environment shape a child’s relationship with food, the role of medical interventions, and how these complex topics show up in families—especially when eating disorders or disordered eating history is part of the picture. Chanel offers scientific insight into how GLP-1s work, while keeping a weight-inclusive, non-diet lens at the center of the conversation. This episode is not about promoting or rejecting these medications—it’s about sitting in the nuance. Tune in for a reflective, respectful dialogue that holds space for complexity, body autonomy, and healing. Disclaimer: This episode reflects the personal experience of one individual and does not represent the views or recommendations of the Plateful Parenting podcast or its cohosts. The content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for decisions related to medication or treatment. Resources & Links: GLP-1 basics from Mayo Clinic National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Health at Every Size (HAES) Chanel Kenner Nutrition Connect with us on Instagram

In this episode of Plateful Parenting, co-hosts Chanel Kenner, RD and Christine Santucci sit down with Jenn Benson, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, and founder of 360 Nutrition Consulting. With years of experience supporting kids, teens, and families through eating disorder recovery, Jenn brings a compassionate, weight-inclusive approach to healing relationships with food and body image. Together, we explore how to support children through early recovery, what collaboration with parents can look like, and how to rebuild trust at the table. Jenn also shares practical ways families can challenge diet culture at home while nurturing a positive body image—especially when caregivers are working through their own food relationships. Whether you’re navigating ARFID, intuitive eating misconceptions, or those everyday “I’m not hungry” moments, Jenn offers grounded, real-world advice that helps families shift from fear to connection. 🔗 Resources Mentioned: Jenn Benson, RDN – 360 Nutrition Consulting The Intuitive Eating Book by Evelyn Tribole & Elyse Resch More than a Body by Lindsay & Lexie Kite National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Body Trust® Approach – Center for Body Trust ⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for medical or mental health advice. If you or your child are struggling with an eating disorder, please seek support from a qualified healthcare professional. Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @plateful.parenting.podcast for more tips, expert interviews, and compassionate support. And don’t forget to subscribe and share this episode with someone who might need it 💛  

In this special episode, co-hosts Chanel Kenner, RD and Christine Santucci sit down with Jennifer Anderson, MSPH, RDN, founder of Kids Eat in Color, to talk about picky eating, mealtime stress, and how to build a positive food relationship with your child—without pressure or power struggles. Jennifer shares how her own experiences as a parent and dietitian led to creating one of the most trusted resources for feeding kids with compassion and flexibility. We dive into the difference between “normal” picky eating and more serious feeding issues like ARFID, how to use no-pressure food exposure, and what to say when your child shows disinterest in a food (or eating in general)—or people comment on their weight.  We also explore how to navigate cultural traditions, family dynamics, and your own upbringing in diet culture while creating a more peaceful mealtime environment. Whether your child eats everything or only goldfish, this episode is filled with realistic advice and supportive strategies for any parent trying to raise intuitive eaters. Resources Mentioned: Kids Eat in Color website: https://kidseatincolor.com Instagram: @kids.eat.in.color Meal & snack guides, picky eating support, and family resources available at kidseatincolor.com/shop Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical or mental health advice. Please consult your treatment team or a trusted provider for support tailored to your family.

In this episode, co-hosts Christine Santucci and Chanel Kenner, RD, sit down with Dawn Smith-Theodore—former professional ballerina, licensed therapist, and host of the Tutu Thin podcast—to explore the often-overlooked relationship between dance culture, body image, and eating disorders. Dawn shares her personal journey through the pressures of ballet, her own recovery from disordered eating, and how she now supports dancers and their families as a therapist and advocate. Together, we discuss the culture of body control in dance, red flags for parents, and how to foster resilience and body trust in high-pressure performance environments. Whether your child is in ballet, gymnastics, or competitive sports, this episode offers vital insights on how to support a healthy relationship with food and body in achievement-driven settings. Resources Mentioned: Dawn Theodore's website: www.dawntheodore.com Tutu Thin Podcast: Listen on Apple Podcasts National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA): www.nationaleatingdisorders.org F.E.A.S.T (Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment): www.feast-ed.org Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individual medical or mental health advice. If you or your child are struggling with an eating disorder, please consult your treatment team or seek professional support.

In this enlightening episode of Plateful Parenting, we’re joined by Keira Oseroff Lambert, a licensed therapist and faculty member at the Ellyn Satter Institute, whose work focuses on feeding dynamics, eating disorder recovery, and trauma-informed care. Keira shares her journey into the field of eating disorder treatment and how she became involved with Ellyn Satter’s approach to competent eating. Together, we unpack the Division of Responsibility in Feeding (sDOR)—a foundational concept in Satter’s model—and how it supports autonomy, trust, and long-term healing in families navigating disordered eating and restrictive intake. Whether you're supporting a child with ARFID, anorexia, or lingering fears around food, Keira offers practical guidance for shifting from control-based feeding to trust-based care. We also explore common myths around feeding, how parental anxiety influences mealtimes, and how to support recovery even when parents have their own complex history with food. This episode is filled with compassionate, actionable insight for parents looking to create a more connected, respectful feeding environment—while still supporting structure, boundaries, and recovery. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: The Ellyn Satter Institute – Learn more about the Division of Responsibility and eating competence Keira Oseroff’s Website – Explore Keira’s therapy offerings, blog, and parent resources Feeding with Love and Good Sense – A practical guide for building trust and structure in feeding Eating Competence Model – A weight-neutral, evidence-based approach to healthy eating habits Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical, therapeutic, or nutritional advice. Always consult with your child’s treatment team for individualized support. The opinions shared are those of the hosts and guests and do not reflect the views of all affiliated organizations.

In this powerful episode of Plateful Parenting, cohosts Chanel Kenner RD and Christine Santucci are joined by Kelsey Gilchriest, a peer mentor with Equip and an inspiring voice in the eating disorder recovery space. Kelsey shares her personal recovery story, her work supporting families as part of Equip’s care team, and her insights on what makes peer mentorship such a unique and vital piece of the treatment process. Together, we explore how lived experience can complement clinical care, what families need to hear during the hardest moments, and how Kelsey helps parents navigate their fears, frustrations, and hope throughout their child’s healing journey. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to work with a peer mentor—or how connecting with someone who’s “been there” can change the course of recovery—this is a must-listen. Kelsey also offers encouragement for parents feeling isolated or overwhelmed, reminding us that recovery is not only possible—it’s powerful. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Equip Health – Virtual eating disorder treatment that includes peer and family mentorship alongside medical and therapeutic support Kelsey Gilchriest’s Contributor Page on Equip – Read Kelsey’s articles and personal insights from recovery Peer Mentorship at Equip – Learn more about the role of mentors in Equip’s treatment model National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) – Education and support resources for families navigating eating disorders Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice. Always consult your care team for individualized guidance. The opinions shared by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Plateful Parenting or its hosts.  

In this week’s episode of Plateful Parenting, we’re joined by parent coach Oona Hanson, a nationally recognized expert in helping families navigate diet culture, body image concerns, and disordered eating. With a background in education and a deep understanding of the emotional landscape families face, Oona offers compassionate, practical guidance for raising body-confident kids in a world steeped in food rules and appearance pressure. Together, we discuss how diet culture shows up in parenting, schools, media, and even healthcare—and how parents can reframe their language and actions to support their child’s well-being. Oona shares advice for responding to body image concerns, handling unsolicited comments from relatives, creating a peaceful food environment at home, and helping kids develop resilience against diet culture messaging. Whether your child is in recovery from an eating disorder or you’re simply seeking tools to foster a healthier relationship with food and body image, this episode is packed with insight, encouragement, and expert strategies. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Oona Hanson, Parent Coach – Learn more about Oona’s services, blog, and parent support resources National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) The Ellyn Satter Institute – Resources for feeding competence and family mealtimes Beauty Redefined – Tools to challenge appearance-based worth and promote body image resilience Be Real USA – Body confidence education for schools and communities Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or nutritional advice. Always consult with qualified professionals regarding your child’s specific needs. The views shared by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Plateful Parenting team.