8: Rethinking Mealtimes: Helping Kids Build a Healthy Relationship with Food with Ali Bandier

In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend Ali Bandier, a child and family dietitian and founder of Senta Health. Ali and I first connected during COVID in a virtual moms’ group, bonding over our shared philosophies on working with children. With an extensive background in pediatric nutrition, Ali has worked at some of the world’s most renowned clinics, including the feeding clinic at LA Children’s Hospital. Her firsthand experience has given her deep insight into how we can support children in developing healthy, happy relationships with food. Our conversation starts with a breakdown of common phrases and approaches parents use to encourage eating—some of which can backfire. Ali explains why certain tactics may do more harm than good and how too much pressure around food can lead to long-term challenges, including disordered eating and a negative relationship with food in adulthood. Her advice is warm, judgment-free, and full of practical wisdom. We also discuss some of our frustrations with school food policies and when we have (or haven’t) spoken up about issues that didn’t sit right with us. Ali shares her own experiences, reminding us that even the experts face struggles too. Another key topic we cover is sibling dynamics at mealtimes. As a new mom of two, Ali opens up about the challenges she’s navigating with her son and how she’s handling tricky moments around food. The two biggest takeaways from this episode: 1. Pressuring kids to eat—no matter the form—can be counterproductive. 2. A child’s eating behaviors are often a reflection of their internal emotions. Due to a last-minute scheduling mix-up, we had to cut this episode short, but consider this a “Scratching the Surface” conversation with Ali. It’s an easy, insightful listen packed with valuable takeaways for any parent navigating mealtimes with their kids. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices