Real Mom Nutrition
A no-judgments zone about feeding a family.
Here’s what you should know about “ultra-processed foods”–how they affect your health and what that means for your family. I wrote a shorter version of this post for my column on WebMD’s Food and Fitness Blog. Talk about “processed food” can make me twitchy. That’s because so much of it smacks of privilege, particularly the …
Are food dyes harmful to kids? Does artificial coloring make kids hyperactive? Here are the facts you need to know! Has your kid ever had a blue-stained tongue from a lollipop or pink frosting-smeared lips? And have you ever felt a twinge of worry, wondering whether those bright, colorful dyes are harmless or harmful–especially after …
Should kids drink Gatorade and other sports drinks? Find out the facts! I walked out of the grocery store the other day holding something unexpected on my shoulder: A case of brightly colored bottles of Gatorade. Why unexpected? For years, I lobbied to replace sports drinks with water on our local pee-wee soccer fields and …
Wondering whether cereal is good for kids? Here are the facts about cereal and sugar, pesticides, and more! If you routinely dug into bowls of cereal as a child but have been wondering lately if it’s a good choice for your OWN kids, this post is for you. Because while cereal remains the most-eaten breakfast …
Coconut sugar is billed as a wholesome, healthy alternative to regular sugar. But is that true? Here are the facts! Coconut sugar is trendy right now, billed as a wholesome alternative to sugar and cropping up in recipes for “healthier” baked goods. It’s even been dubbed a “superfood”. It’s also a lot pricier than sugar. At …
What are healthy drinks for kids–and which ones should you limit or avoid? Here are some guidelines. Thanks to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own. There’s a lot of focus on what kids eat (or won’t eat!). But drinks deserve attention too– especially right now, because they’ve …
Wondering if MSG is safe and whether you should avoid it? Get the facts on how MSG got a bad reputation–and where things stand now. It’s a frustrating fact that certain foods, ingredients, and nutrients seem to fall in and out of favor among health experts, depending on what the latest science says. So what …
Chicory root, an ingredient found in many healthy foods, may be the cause of your bloating, gas, and belly pain. Here’s what you need to know! Several years ago, chocolate-drizzled, fiber-enriched Fiber One bars were something I’d pick up occasionally to satisfy my sweet tooth. Then one day, I was chatting with a friend. and …
Is whole milk healthy? Should you choose full-fat dairy? Here are the facts so you can make the best decision for your family. It’s a frustrating fact that certain foods and nutrients seem to fall in and out of favor among health experts, depending on what the latest science says. So what does it all …
Is there a special ADHD diet for kids that works? Here’s what you need to know! This is a guest post by pediatric dietitian Jill Castle, MS, RDN. She is offering a free training for parents called The ADHD Diet for Kids: Dodge the Most Common Nutrition Mistakes (so Your Child Can Help Your Child Focus, …
Is coconut oil healthy and worthy of its hype? Here are the facts you need to know about this trendy fat–and what YOU should do. It’s a frustrating fact that certain foods and nutrients seem to fall in and out of favor among health experts, depending on what the latest science says. So what does …
Is salt bad for you–or good for you? Get past the hype and find out what YOU should do about salt to keep your family healthy. When someone finds out that I’m a registered dietitian, they’re likely to do one of two things (and sometimes both): They shield their plate or grocery cart from my …
