Food For Kids

In this episode of the Food for Kids podcast, Joanne shares simple, family-friendly meal ideas using seasonal produce available in September. The focus is on easy-to-make recipes that require minimal prep time, making them perfect for busy families. Joanne discusses three main meals, a dessert, and a quick snack, all utilizing fresh ingredients that are in season. She gives suggestions on adapting recipes to suit children's tastes and some swap ideas too.Links to the recipes:Main 1 - butternut and carrot soup: https://www.easypeasyfoodie.com/carrot-and-butternut-squash-soupMain 2 - traybake chicken version: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support/healthy-living/healthy-eating/recipe-finder/chicken-and-vegetable-traybakeMain 2 - traybake vegan version: https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/recipes/roasted-vegetable-and-tofu-traybake/Main 3 - boosted shop bought pasta sauce: https://itslivb.com/2020/09/07/roasted-vegetable-pasta/Dessert - crumble: https://www.thefoodies.org/apple-crumble-with-kids/Snack - pumpkin pie spice chickpeas: https://uglyducklingbakery.com/pumpkin-pie-spiced-chickpeasMusic "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

This episode explores why cookery and food teaching is not just teaching a basic life skill although that is also very important, but how it is a vehicle for teaching lots of other parts of the curriculum and lots of skills that you wouldn’t necessarily think of as being related to food. So whether you have a child in pre-school, in a school, if you’re homeschooling, or if you just want to help your child to learn some things at home, hopefully this will interest you.Back in July we had an episode with a food teacher called Chris Lord who has been teaching food and cookery for over twenty years in several different countries. I have another short interview with Chris today where he talks about how he has used food to deliver other parts of the curriculum in his schools, and then I run through some examples of other ways to use food in learning.Links in the episode:Food A Fact Of Life: https://www.foodafactoflife.org.uk/Let's Get Cooking: https://www.bda.uk.com/food-health/lets-get-cooking.htmlChris's website about food and travels: https://www.lordysguide.com Food for Life curriculum summary: https://www.foodforlife.org.uk/media/flzbu5ph/links-across-the-curriculum.pdfWhole school ideas: https://www.foodafactoflife.org.uk/whole-school/whole-school-approach/curriculum-qualifications-and-frameworks/Report from the school food plan: https://www.schoolfoodplan.com/report/cooking-in-the-curriculum/BBC ideas: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/learning_through_cookingFood a Fact of Life resources: https://www.foodafactoflife.org.uk/professional-development/ppd-toolkit/primary/Taste education resources: https://www.tasteeducation.com/primary/Homeschool resources: https://www.homeschoolnaturally.com/blog/homeschool-cooking-curriculum-kidsMusic "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

In this episode Joanne runs through some ideas for school and nursery lunchboxes. One of the things that comes up all the time with packed lunches is that they can get boring. Some children of course don't mind having similar things most days but if your child is getting bored with the same old sandwich or you want to try and change things up a bit to add some variety, especially if your child's fed up with sandwiches in general, then what do you do?There are loads of great ideas online for lunches, but sometimes they can make you feel bad and they can be a bit unrealistic when the creators who are making those blogs and videos are literally doing that for their side hustle or main income and they have lots of time to spend on it and you're juggling a job or several kids and after school activities. On the other hand, sometimes we do know that we've got into a rut and it's nice to get some extra inspiration because we forget that some things exist when we buy the same things at the store every week and also some people can be really creative and give us some really good ideas to tempt our kids.So in this episode Joanne gives some ideas for different lunch elements, including some non-sandwich items without any side servings of mom guilt.Links in this episode:NHS guidance and ideas: https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/recipes/healthier-lunchboxes/Episode with food safety guidance: https://thefoodies.org/safe-packed-lunchesEpisode with pick and mix ideas: https://thefoodies.org/summer-holiday-snacksJenna’s reel on food safety making packed lunches: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CTh3CdXDl8E/Jenna’s reel on how to freeze sandwiches: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjQt3sYjDTI/Mini frittata: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/easy-egg-muffinsSavoury muffins: https://realfood.tesco.com/recipes/tomato-and-bacon-muffins.htmlFruit kebabs: https://groceries.morrisons.com/recipes/rainbow-fruit-kebabs/95375Popcorn idea: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/chocolate-drizzled-popcornChocolate fruit: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/choco-dipped-tangerinesEnergy balls: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/choc-orange-energy-boostersPizza rolls / pinwheels: https://www.whatlisacooks.com/blog/pizza-rollscourgette fritters: https://www.thefoodies.org/cheesy-courgette-fritters/Blog series showing lots of great ideas for lunchbox components and combos:https://www.whatlisacooks.com/no-sandwich-lunches-1https://www.whatlisacooks.com/no-sandwich-lunches-2https://www.whatlisacooks.com/no-sandwich-lunches-3https://www.whatlisacooks.com/no-sandwich-lunches-4

In this episode, Joanne runs through a list of fruits and vegetables which are in season in the UK in September, and offers tips for getting children to try each of them. There is also a short list of imported foods that are currently in season.This will be useful if you want to increase your intake of seasonal fruits and vegetables, and want some ideas for helping to build your child's familiarity with them, whether they eat the end result or not!List of foods in season in ​September- www.thefoodies.org/seasonal/​september-food-ideas/Printables of summer seasonal foods: https://thefoodiesbooks.com/product/summer-seasonal-food-printables ​Kate Hall's "Can I Freeze It?" reel on blackberries https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/Cpn2Oh7oDAK/Blog post for young children to learn how to pick blackberries safely and what to do with them: https://www.thefoodies.org/how-to-pick-blackberries-with-kids/Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

In this episode, one of a regular monthly series, Joanne runs through some ideas to reduce food waste and save money by storing foods well and using them up effectively.This episode is about courgettes and summer squashes so there are some ideas about how to store courgettes and thin skinned squash to make them last longer, and stop them going off. This includes how to store them in the kitchen, how to freeze them and how to dry them.And then there are a few good ideas on how to use up a glut of courgettes or any spares left over from a recipe.The episode includes our monthly Q&A with Kate Hall from The Full Freezer on how to freeze courgettes and summer squash.Links in this episode:Cheesy courgette fritters with instructions for children to make them: https://www.thefoodies.org/cheesy-courgette-fritters/Courgette, potato and cheddar soup: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/courgette-potato-cheddar-soupChocolate courgette muffins: https://www.healthylifetrainer.com/chocolate-courgette-muffins/Kate's Can I Freeze It? video on courgettes: https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/CSPhpTvI8MN/Kate's website: https://www.thefullfreezer.com/Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

Today’s fairly short episode is about packed lunches for the start of term next week, and specifically, about how to keep packed lunch foods safe until lunchtime.The main issue with lunchboxes is the storage of them between them being packed in the morning and them being eaten. If the hot weather in the last few weeks has made you think about how food will last in hot classrooms then this episode is for you.I interviewed Jenna Brown, an environmental health officer known as Food Safety Mum online, about how to keep lunchbox foods safe.Jenna is an experienced Environmental Health Officer with a first class degree in Environmental Health and over 14 years of experience in food safety and public health. She started the Food Safety Mum business when she became a mum herself. That understanding of how much you think differently when you have a little one to think about too meant that Jenna became passionate about promoting food safety in the home. She is on a mission to help parents to safely save time, money & food!Links from the episode:General food safety making packed lunches: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CTh3CdXDl8E/?igsh=Nnd2ZDZoeXNiazd1Tips for keeping lunches cold: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CiLNDDdDiM1/?igsh=MTd3b3JrMmMyZzRzOA%3D%3DHow to freeze sandwiches: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjQt3sYjDTI/?igsh=MXd2MnU0b3d2cjRuMg%3D%3DTips for food flasks: https://www.instagram.com/p/CTz8vSWsQ8b/?igsh=czFkZ2QxaXZ3NGR1&img_index=4Hot packed lunches and chicken nuggets trial: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAG8LmSsg9U/?igsh=cDh2d3B4cm1yajd2Jenna's website: https://www.foodsafetymum.co.ukMusic "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

In this episode I run through some child friendly barbecue ideas for these last few weeks of the summer holidays and into the warm September weekends.In the UK a barbecue can feel like such a treat. When you’re imagining it, it’s got a relaxed vibe, the sun’s out, friends or family are around, there’s the smell of the grill and some cold drinks and everyone is enjoying cooking and eating in the open air with some different food to the everyday grind.But if you’ve ever hosted with children in the mix, you’ll know that that dreamy barbecue vibe can quickly slip into stress if kids don’t want to eat what you’re making, but you don’t want to water down the fun for the grown ups. So if you’re the one organising the food, it’s easy to get caught up worrying about what the children will actually eat, how they will cope with waiting for food and how to make it feel special, without jumping through lots of hoops to please everyone and ending up hating it yourself.I share some ideas for making barbecues with kids more fun and relaxed, so you can make sure they are happy without needing to do a separate kids’ menu.For the lists of mains, sides and sauces mentioned in the episode, please go to the shownotes page on the website at thefoodies.org/child-friendly-bbqMusic "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat.

In today's episode I'm talking to Ailsa McHardy of Little Nutrition about the guidelines for when to wean your baby onto solid foods.There is a lot more understanding, flexibility and information out there now than when my kids were weaning and I wanted to ask Ailsa what the current best advice is for parents on how to know if their child is ready or not. We talk about why age is a guideline and not a hard and fast rule, and what developmental cues to look for in your own child to see if they are ready.Ailsa is an expert Paediatric Dietitian with 15 years of experience across NHS, academic and private settings. She is the founder of Little Nutrition, a freelance children's nutrition consultancy which supports families with weaning, fussy eating, food allergies and tummy symptoms. Ailsa has 2 little ones of her own and brings lots of real life experience to her practice.Links mentioned in this episode:Ailsa's weaning support programme: https://www.littlenutrition.co.uk/packages/pricingAilsa's FREE Ultimate Guide To Weaning Ebook: https://littlenutrition.kit.com/1cc84d30e0Ailsa's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlenutritionwithailsa/Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

In this episode of the Food for Kids podcast, Joanne shares simple, family-friendly meal ideas using seasonal produce available in August. The focus is on easy-to-make recipes that require minimal prep time, making them perfect for busy families. Joanne discusses three main meals, a dessert, and a quick snack, all utilizing fresh ingredients that are in season. She gives suggestions on adapting recipes to suit children's tastes and some swap ideas too.Links to the recipes:Lentil ragu: https://hillstart.me.uk/lentil-and-red-pepper-ragu/Courgette pancakes: https://www.thefoodies.org/cheesy-courgette-fritters/Stir fry veg rice: https://www.littlemonkeynutrition.com/blog/veg-stir-fry-riceMeringues for the fruit basket pick your own pudding: https://bakefromscratch.com/meringue-nests-berries/Popcorn topping ideas: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/popcorn-recipesFor more seasonal food ideas go to: https://www.thefoodies.org/seasonal/august-food-ideasMusic "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

In today’s episode I am going to give you seven incredibly easy two minute tasks that your children can do in the kitchen, for when you want them to learn some skills but don’t have time to cook with them.I meet a lot of parents at school events and when I am out and about selling my books and activity boxes and at basically every event one of them says something to the effect of how they know they should cook with their young kids, or teach their older kids to cook, but they never get to it and they find it super stressful, and they feel guilty about it.In the episode I talk about why you shouldn't feel guilty about not cooking every week with your children, two ways of tackling it in a different way, and seven key skills that children can learn in two minute no pressure shots of helping out.Blog post on what foods to use to teach knife skills: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/kids-basic-knife-skills/Video on how to teach your child the bridge technique: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXc8XvP6-ksVideo on how to teach your child the claw grip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJObOiRK4YwMy food familiarity course: https://thefoodiesbooks.com/food-familiarity-course/The seven skills are:StirringPeelingGratingChoppingSpreadingPicking up with tongsMeasuringMusic "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

n today’s episode I am talking to Kate Hall from the Full Freezer about how we can reduce food waste using our freezer, both to reduce our impact on the environment, and to save us some money and time.One of the things that can really be a stressor when you are racing around trying to keep everyone fed while not bankrupting yourselves is the knowledge that there are a couple of things in your fridge that need using up or are going off and the guilt of knowing that you’re wasting food as well as wasting the money you spent on it. Household food waste makes up 60% of the UK's wasted food so we really can make a difference.Kate's website - https://www.thefullfreezer.com/Kate's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefullfreezerKate's Can I Freeze It? page for individual ingredients WRAP report on food waste: https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-7552/CBP-7552.pdfMusic "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

In this episode, Joanne runs through a list of fruits and vegetables which are in season in the UK in August, and offers tips for getting children to try each of them. There is also a short list of imported foods that are currently in season.This will be useful if you want to increase your intake of seasonal fruits and vegetables, and want some ideas for helping to build your child's familiarity with them, whether they eat the end result or not!List of foods in season in ​August - www.thefoodies.org/seasonal/​august-food-ideas/Printables of summer seasonal foods: https://thefoodiesbooks.com/product/summer-seasonal-food-printables ​Kate Hall's "Can I Freeze It?" reel on blackberries https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/Cpn2Oh7oDAK/Kate Hall's "Can I Freeze It?" reel on raspberries https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/CFjVqdgAsUK/Kate Hall's reel on eating frozen fruit as a snack https://www.instagram.com/p/CYZC9nIBBt9/​Food For Kids episode about summer snacks including peppers: https://www.thefoodies.org/ffk17/ ​Food For Kids episode about tomatoes and how to use them: https://www.thefoodies.org/ffk18/Kate Hall's reel on freezing peppers: https://www.instagram.com/p/CDN_B9LgsgS/Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

In this episode Joanne talks to Emma Shafqat from Dietitian With A Difference about childhood milk allergy, what the two main types are, what the differences are between the two and how to find out if your child has one.Emma then talks through what will happen next if you get a diagnosis and what the "milk ladder" is.She also explains the difference between a milk allergy and a lactose intolerance.Emma's instagram feed: https://www.instagram.com/fussyeating.dietitianEmma's milk allergy course for parents: https://dietitianwithadifference.co.uk/milk-allergy-course/Emma's post on dairy free weaning: https://dietitianwithadifference.co.uk/dairy-free-weaning-with-a-cows-milk-allergy/Emma's milk ladder explainer: https://dietitianwithadifference.co.uk/milk-ladder/Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

In this episode, Joanne runs through some ideas to reduce food waste and save money by storing foods well and using them up effectively.This episode is about tomatoes so there some ideas about how to store tomatoes to make them last longer, and stop them going off. This includes how to store them in the kitchen, how to freeze them and how to dry them. There is also some information about why the fridge isn't the best place for tomatoes and how the compounds in tomatoes work for health.And then there are a few good ideas on how to use up tomatoes that have started to go overripe.The episode includes our monthly Q&A with Kate Hall from The Full Freezer on how to freeze tomatoes and different ways to use them.Kate's "Can I Freeze It?" reel on cherry tomatoes: https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/CDlEH80BiAD/Kate's "Can I Freeze It?" reel on salad tomatoes: https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/C5qttWkIFd_/Kate's "Can I Freeze It?" reel on tomato puree: https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/CTW3omuozGy/Kate's "Can I Freeze It?" reel on tinned tomatoes: https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/CsJss5GKuLe/Squeezy tomato pasta: https://www.thefoodies.org/squished-tomato-pasta/Thai tomato soup: https://simple-veganista.com/curry-tomato-soup-zucchini-noodlesRound up of ways to use up tomatoes: https://realfood.tesco.com/curatedlist/seven-ways-to-use-up-leftover-tomatoes.htmlRoasted tomato sauce: https://thebackyardlemontree.com/2016/04/13/autumn-roasted-tomato-sauce/

In this episode Joanne runs through some suggestions for making the endless summer holiday snack production line a little easier.Joanne outlines a pick and mix approach using items from three different food types to make it easier to have variety but put things together quickly during a long week of holiday snack demands.Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

This episode is about how to handle food if you use a home based childcare professional, so that’s a childminder caring in their home, or a nanny caring in yours and I have a short interview with one of each about how they divide the responsibility with families.Nannies and childminders work under quite different frameworks in the UK, and that affects both their legal responsibilities and how you, as a parent, can approach making agreements with them.The interviews are with:Claire Hassall, an Ofsted-registered childminder with over a decade of experience, known for her love of books, bookish play, nature adventures, and tasty bakes. When not in the kitchen, garden or allotment, she mentors other childminders.Jackie Cox started her childcare career in a nursery and then was a nanny in several family homes. I did this interview back in 2023 when I was originally planning the podcast and since then she has had a career change and is now a personal trainer but this was during her time as a nanny.Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat.

In this episode Joanne gives you three easy growing projects to choose from that can still be done at this time of year, work well with children helping, and don't need any special equipment or knowledge, literally just a cheap grow bag of compost.Idea one - windowsill pea shootsIdea two - rescuing supermarket herbsIdea three - Christmas potatoesLinks in the episode:Growing peashoots: https://www.thefoodies.org/how-to-grow-pea-shoots/Growing basil cuttings in water: https://youtu.be/y0f5yl2ZMqM?si=TlRgohFJQBMVyJ1qRescuing supermarket herbs: https://www.ruralsprout.com/keep-supermarket-herbs-thriving/Growing Christmas potatoes: https://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/potatoes/growing-for-festive-seasonVideo on growing potatoes in bags: https://youtu.be/Tu3Ob2KtLy8?si=aF0keQUmhYJHQvXN-Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

This interview with Chris Lord took place a couple of years ago, when we were discussing the changes in the UK secondary school food curriculum.Chris has taught food for over twenty years in both the UK and Hong Kong and has some thoughtful insights in to the changes of emphasis in the way food is taught.Our conversation explored the need to move away from teaching as food technology to a more integrated approach that emphasizes nutrition and cooking skills.In addition I go through the interesting results of a survey by the Food Teachers Centre about teachers' attitudes to how food should be taught in school.And there are some useful resources linked for educators and families alike with helpful nutrition and recipe sites.Links mentioned in the episode:The survey by The Food Teachers' Centre: https://foodteacherscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Food-Education-fit-for-the-future.pdfFood Teachers Centre Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/foodteacherscentreFood A Fact Of Life: https://www.foodafactoflife.org.uk/Let's Get Cooking: https://www.bda.uk.com/food-health/lets-get-cooking.htmlLicence to Cook: https://www.foodafactoflife.org.uk/11-14-years/cooking-11-14-years/licence-to-cook-11-14-years/licence-to-cook-recipes/Chris's website about food and travels: https://www.lordysguide.com Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

IIn this episode of the Food for Kids podcast, Joanne shares simple, family-friendly July seasonal meal ideas using seasonal produce available in July. The focus is on easy-to-make recipes that require minimal prep time, making them perfect for busy families.Joanne discusses three main meals, a dessert, and a quick snack, all utilizing fresh ingredients that are in season. She gives suggestions on adapting recipes to suit children's tastes and some swap ideas too.Links to the recipes:Veggie slice: https://recipepocket.com/zucchini-and-carrot-sliceSquished tomato pasta: https://www.thefoodies.org/squished-tomato-pasta/Fajitas or tostadas: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/summer-veg-tostadasSummer fruit traybake or cake: https://www.sewwhite.com/summer-fruit-cake-tray-bakeCreamy beetroot dip: https://www.eatsamazing.co.uk/family-friendly-recipes/party-food-ideas-recipes/3-ingredient-easy-beetroot-dip-recipeFor more seasonal food ideas go to: https://www.thefoodies.org/seasonal/july-food-ideas/Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

On today’s episode I am talking to Dr Kirsty Porter from Nutrition For Kids in Northern Ireland.Kirsty is a registered children’s dietitian with over 15 years of experience helping parents overcome mealtime and feeding challenges. She specialises in supporting fussy and sensory eaters, and offers evidence-based but practical advice that fits real family life.When we’re talking about why children can be hesitant around new foods or have a limited repertoire of foods, there are obviously a whole bunch of reasons that come up, and over time we are looking at lots of them here on the show in more depth and seeing how we can help our children, but one of the ones that comes up regularly is around sensory issues with food.Kirsty does a lot of work in her practice with sensory issues, and has a specialist programme about it in partnership with an Occupational Therapist, so I thought she’d be a great person to ask about sensory eating.Kirsty's website: www.nutrition4kidsni.comKirsty's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nutrition4kidsniKirsty's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nutrition4kidsniInstagram page for ​sensory issues ​advice: https://www.instagram.com/sensoryeatersThe Sensory Eaters course mentioned in the episode: ​​https://sensoryeaters.thinkific.com/courses/sensoryeatersprogrammeMusic "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

In this episode, Joanne runs through a list of fruits and vegetables which are in season in the UK in July, and offers tips for getting children to try each of them. There is also a short list of tropical imports that are currently in season.This will be useful if you want to increase your intake of seasonal fruits and vegetables, and want some ideas for helping to build your child's familiarity with them, whether they eat the end result or not!For a full list seasonal July foods, go to https://www.thefoodies.org/seasonal/july-food-ideas/Printables for summer seasonal foods: https://thefoodiesbooks.com/product/summer-seasonal-food-printables/lyMusic "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

Today is part of our series called “Help my child is bringing someone home for tea”. These episodes are intended to give families who don’t have a special diet themselves the basic information they need to be able to be inclusive for other people’s children who do have a special diet.This episode is about hosting children who need a gluten free diet either because they have coeliac disease or just because they react badly to gluten. I think this is one of the ones that frightens people a lot because, like dairy, gluten is in a LOT of foods that you wouldn’t immediately think of.So for this one I asked Nicky Chilvers from Gluten Free Little Cook to run through some of the basics of coeliac symptoms and some practical ways to make sure that everyone has a child friendly tea without the worries of anyone getting sick, including less obvious things about cleaning utensils and oven tray position. It's a quick and reassuring guide to having a coeliac child to tea and of course bring their parent in on the planning.Nicky is mum to two teens; one of whom has coeliac disease. It was a shock diagnosis in 2018. There seemed little support for parents; mums especially, to understand the disease & help their child adapt. The only way to help her child was to learn about a gluten free diet & fast. Nicky then wrote a book helping parents from her own experience so they didn’t have the same struggles. A kids book was written to celebrate 5yrs of diagnosis & one for teens in 2024. When not on Instagram, she can be found in the kitchen cooking, working on her latest DIY project or out eating!DISCLAIMER: I spoke to Nikki in 2025 and she mentions a couple of specific products. Those mentions were accurate at the time of recording, but because manufacturers change recipes over time and podcasts can of course be downloaded at any time, those products might have changed by the time you listen to this. The episode is for general information purposes only. Please do check any labels on the day that you purchase a product. Nicky's website: https://www.instagram.com/gluten_free_little_cook/Nicky's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glutenfreelittlecookMusic "Happy Days" by the fabulous Simon Falwar via UppbeathchiMentioned in this episode:DisclaimerI spoke to Nikki in 2025 and she mentions a couple of specific products. Those mentions were accurate at the time of recording, but because manufacturers change recipes over time and podcasts can of course be downloaded at any time, those products might have changed by the time you listen to this. The episode is for general information purposes only. Please do check any labels on the day that you purchase a product.

In this episode of the Food for Kids podcast, we're looking into the science behind why children can be fussy or anxious with food, especially with new foods.As parents we usually decide that it's our fault whenever our kids struggle and there are lots of messages in society and from family and friends that reinforces that guilt. But the science says that lots of other factors are involved, and hopefully by the end of this episode you will feel a bit better about your child's eating and that you do have the ability to help them.Links in this episode:The Foodies Food Familiarity workshop: https://thefoodiesbooks.com/resources/intro-food-familiarity/Episode on sensory issues: https://thefoodies.org/ffk12Episode on relaxed mealtimes: https://thefoodies.org/ffk34Episode on food chaining: https://thefoodies.org/ffk76Episodes on your own relationship with food: https://thefoodies.org/ffk60 and https://thefoodies.org/ffk84Episode on food games away from the table: https://thefoodies.org/ffk39Episode on how to talk to children about food: https://thefoodies.org/ffk71Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

In this episode we are talking about how to keep a toddler busy in a garden, with Susan Hodkin from Two Dots Garden.This conversation explores the joys and challenges of gardening with children. ​Susan ​is the person behind the Two Dots Garden instagram account, formerly Two Dots Allotment, which grew an enthusiatic following of her fun, laid back and joyful images of growing food with her daughter and having fun with gardening projects and wildlife.​​One of the things The Foodies has always been about is getting children more in touch with where their food comes from, and so gardening and growing your own has always been a big part of that. But the reality of gardening with a toddler in tow isn't always easy and smooth, keeping them amused while you get on with essential jobs can be tricky and so any ideas for extending their interest is always welcome.​Susan now has two children and grows food with them in their garden, but this interview took place a couple of years ago when her oldest was only three. She gives some tips for all of us on keeping a toddler amused in the garden for so many hours and what life skills she thinks can be learned in a garden. In particular the ​part around letting go of control is a useful conversation for us to have with ourselves as parents as well as gardeners.Links in this episode:Two Dots Garden Instagram feed: https://www.instagram.com/two_dots_gardenMusic "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

This episode is part of a monthly series where Joanne runs through some ideas to reduce food waste and save money by storing foods well and using them up effectively.This episode is about all kinds of summer berries so there are some ideas about how to store berries to make them last longer, and stop them going off. This includes how to store them in the kitchen, how to freeze them and how to dry them. There is also a suggestion for what to do if your berries have started to go mouldy, and how to rescue what you can.And then there are a few good ideas on how to use up excess berries before they go off - either some from the shops that are going a bit squishy or harvests coming out of the garden.The episode includes our monthly Q&A with Kate Hall from The Full Freezer on how to freeze berries and different ways to use them.Links in this episode:Inverting punnets to drain https://www.tiktok.com/@nickskitchen/video/7494069903494745375?q=storing%20berries&t=1750244714876Storing with a lemon wash https://www.tiktok.com/@parrisandhallie/video/7493077298581703958?q=storing%20berries%20uk&t=1750244906290Vinegar water wash to reduce mould https://www.tiktok.com/@irishbudgeting/video/7515151754334424342?q=storing%20berries%20uk&t=1750244906290Blogger who experimented with different storage methods https://coastalbend.momcollective.com/in-the-kitchen/do-strawberries-last-longer-in-glass/Kate's "Can I Freeze It?" reel on raspberries https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/CFjVqdgAsUK/Kate's "Can I Freeze It?" reel on blueberries https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/CQ0XmenIxGx/Kate's "Can I Freeze It?" reel on strawberries https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/CDDsYPmA4xy/Kate's "Can I Freeze It?" reel on blackberries https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/Cpn2Oh7oDAK/Kate's reel on eating frozen fruit as a snack https://www.instagram.com/p/CYZC9nIBBt9/Recipe links are all in the shownotes at https://thefoodies.org/storing-berriesMusic "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

In today’s show, I asked Jenna Brown, who goes online everywhere under the name Food Safety Mum, about how to make sure that we handle our leftovers safely so we can waste less food but not worry about anyone getting sick, especially little ones with their less established immune systems.Jenna is an experienced Environmental Health Officer with over 14 years of experience in food safety and public health. She started the Food Safety Mum business when she became a mum herself. That understanding of how much you think differently when you have a little one to think about too, Jenna became passionate about promoting food safety in the home. She is on a mission to help parents to safely save time, money & food!Links:Jenna's website: https://www.foodsafetymum.co.ukJenna's guides to baby food and party food: https://www.foodsafetymum.co.uk/shop Jenna's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodsafetymumGuide to keeping rice safely: https://www.foodsafetymum.co.uk/handling-leftover-riceMusic "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

In this episode of the Food for Kids podcast, Joanne shares simple, family-friendly June seasonal meal ideas using seasonal produce available in June. The focus is on easy-to-make recipes that require minimal prep time, making them perfect for busy families.Joanne discusses three main meals, a dessert, and a quick snack, all utilizing fresh ingredients that are in season. She gives suggestions on adapting recipes to suit children's tastes and some swap ideas too.Links to the recipes:New Potato & Asparagus Frittata - https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/asparagus-new-potato-frittataCreamy Courgette & Pea Pasta - https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/creamy-courgette-sweetcorn-pasta (with peas subbed for corn)Mild Chickpea & Spinach Curry - https://healthylivingjames.co.uk/10-min-chickpea-spinach-curryStrawberry & Rhubarb Crumble - https://weelicious.com/strawberry-rhubarb-crumbleStrawberries, cream cheese wraps - spread a quarter wrap with cream cheese and squash on some ripe sliced strawberries. Roll into a cone and eat! Or use a mini wrap and fold into a semi circle.For more seasonal food ideas go to: https://www.thefoodies.org/seasonal/june-food-ideas/Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

In this interview with ​Emma Shafqat from Dietitian With A Difference, we are talking about how to know if your child’s fussiness is just a ​"normal" level of developmental hesitancy around new foods, or whether you should consider asking for advice from a professional. I think a lot of us worry that we’re either making a mountain out of a molehill, or on the other hand, writing off actual eating issues as “just a stage”.​Emma is very helpful in this interview in flagging up what to look for and when to ask for help. She also helps us to understand where your child is coming from when they refuse a food and gives suggestions on how to make mealtimes less stressful.Emma Shafqat is a qualified paediatric dietitian and focuses primarily on fussy eating and allergy issues and has the handle @fussyeating.dietitian on social media. Since graduating with a first class honours degree in Dietetics and Nutrition, she has been working as a dietitian for over 10 years. She has worked for the NHS, in special needs schools and privately, focusing on children’s health, and is also a SOS Paediatric Feeding TherapistEmma helps children and their families overcome a broad range of dietary issues. She has a huge online following where she runs great free workshops, and has a popular fussy eaters group programme as well as one-to-one work. Emma's website - ​https://dietitianwithadifference.co.uk/​Emma's Instagram -​ https://www.instagram.com/dietitian.withadifference/​Emma's programme - https://dietitianwithadifference.co.uk/creating-confident-eaters-programme/Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

In this interview with Kate Hall of The Full Freezer, we explore how to use your freezer to store individual ingredients rather than whole batch cooked meals to make family life easier.Kate was a batch cooker before she had her second child, but found herself buying food to cook for the freezer and then failing to find time and wasting food while also buying convenience foods to make up the difference.Kate's solution was to find ways to freeze ingredients that might be about to go to waste, as well as leftover bits and pieces, to provide building blocks for meals later down the line.Kate teaches her system "The Full Freezer Method" through books and online challenges and has now been interviewed many times in national media, although this was one of her earliest interviews back when I first prepared to launch the podcast.This interview goes over the principles of her method and is a great listen if you are often beating yourself up for letting good ingredients - and good intentions - go to waste. Learn how to hit a "pause button" on a half tin of tomatoes or a few spoons of pesto and stop feeling guilty about wasting food.Kate's website - https://www.thefullfreezer.com/Kate's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefullfreezerKate's Can I Freeze It? page for individual ingredients Kate's children's books: https://www.thefullfreezer.com/the-booksMusic "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

In this episode, Joanne discusses the benefits of eating seasonal foods, and then runs through a list of foods in season in the UK in the month of June.Joanne runs through a list of June seasonal foods - fruits and vegetables which are in season in the UK in June, and offers tips for getting children to try each of them. There is also a short list of tropical imports that are currently in season.This will be useful if you want to increase your intake of seasonal fruits and vegetables, and want some ideas for helping to build your child's familiarity with them, whether they eat the end result or not!For a full list seasonal June foods, go to https://www.thefoodies.org/seasonal/june-food-ideas/Printables of summer seasonal foods: https://thefoodiesbooks.com/product/summer-seasonal-food-printables/Blackcurrant cordial recipe: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/blackcurrant_cordial_54693Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

Today is a very special episode because it marks the end of a whole year of the podcast and also the start of a new era. Joanne talks through the way the podcast is set up as a reference book and what that will look like going forward.Link to the webform for submitting any special episode ideas:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfRRoMTN_9OFwdgQb--5qurUvX6-w12ooBboKcG3uLdQ1OnXg/viewformMusic "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

Today’s episode is about school food and it’s a topic which is very close to Joanne's heart because she worked in school food for a number of years and knows first hand how incredibly important it is.There have been a lot of changes to school food over the years, and this episode walks through the history of school dinners and some of the negative and positive changes. The government has put out some proposals in 2026 for further changes and the episode talks through how to have your say about them. It also explains why school dinners matter even if your child takes a packed lunch and how we can all help to improve them. Every child is different and many children have difficulties with eating which make accommodations necessary but this episode looks at how school dinners matter even if your child takes a packed lunch and how we can all help to improve them for our children.Links in this episode:Research examples about the nutritional balance of school meals and packed lunches:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10271449/https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/1/e029688https://www.leeds.ac.uk/news-science/news/article/4522/children-s-packed-lunches-lack-nutritional-qualityArticle on the cost of living effect on packed lunch quality: https://foodfoundation.org.uk/publication/kids-food-guarantee-update-packed-lunches-may-2024Longitudinal study on the effect of school meals on reduction in fussiness: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jhn.70063Food for Life programme: https://www.foodforlife.org.uk/Government proposals for changes: https://consult.education.gov.uk/school-food-policy-team/school-food-standards-updating-the-leg-framework/supporting_documents/school-food-standards-updating-the-legislative-framework-government-consultation-large-print-verpdfDietitian Charlotte Stirling Reed's blog explaining the proposals: https://www.srnutrition.co.uk/2026/04/new-uk-school-food-standards/ Have your say on the proposals: https://consult.education.gov.uk/school-food-policy-team/school-food-standards-updating-the-leg-framework/consultation/intro/Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

This episode is part of a monthly series where Joanne runs through some ideas to reduce food waste and save money by storing foods well and using them up effectively.This episode is about lettuces and salad leaves so there are some ideas about how to store alliums to make them last longer, and stop them going off. This includes how to store them in the kitchen, how to freeze them and how to dry them.And then there are a few good ideas on how to use up leftover lettuce and salad leaves - either surplus from a recipe or coming out of the garden.The episode includes our monthly Q&A with Kate Hall from The Full Freezer on how to freeze lettuce and salad leaves and different ways to use them.Links in this episode:Kate’s Can I Freeze It? Video on ​lettuce: https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/CeozokxIwP6/Kate’s Can I Freeze It? Video on ​spinach: https://www.instagram.com/p/CEJVs7OgHbh/Kate's website: https://www.thefullfreezer.comDehydrating greens for powder: https://www.thepurposefulpantry.com/homemade-green-powder/Links to recipe suggestions mentioned in the episode are in the shownotes at https://www.thefoodies.org/ffk103/Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

Hello and welcome to the food for kids podcast, I’m Joanne from the foodies. Today’s episode is for the parents who have sporty kids in their house and want to know if they should be doing something special with their food to help them. You can’t scroll for more than a minute on social media now without seeing someone telling you to eat more protein, eat more fibre, eat your way to your exercise goals. Some of it is based in some nutritional science, lots of it is taken out of context and only really intended for professional athletes or serious weight trainers. And some of it is just plain inaccurate. But even if you manage to navigate which advice to listen to as an adult who does a lot of sport, how does any of it apply to child or teen athletes? Do you need to do anything different with food if your child is just sporty but not unusually so? If they’re in a serious team? If they train every day? Or if they perform at a high level? It’s easy to worry about whether you could be helping them more with their sport if you just knew what to do with their food.Because there is so much inappropriate information out there, I wanted some one properly qualified to answer this, with expertise in both sport nutrition and children’s nutrition. I invited Ellie King on to answer your questions. Ellie is a Registered Paediatric Dietitian, as well as an accredited Sports Nutritionist, and the founder of Fuel + Thrive Nutrition. Drawing from her background as a competitive swimmer, she helps adolescent athletes and sports families build practical, performance-focused nutrition habits that support health, wellbeing, and sporting success. Ellie combines her clinical expertise with that specialist sports nutrition knowledge and experience, to translate evidence-based nutrition into practical strategies that help young athletes thrive both in sport and in the rest of their life.Links in this episode:Ellie's website: https://sites.google.com/fuelandthrivenutrition.co.uk/unlockyourpotential/home Ellie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fuelandthrivenutrition/Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

Today’s episode is part of our series of how to get kids to eat more of something, and today it’s the turn of pulses or legumes, so beans, lentils and peas.I don’t think I need to explain in too much detail why it’s great to help kids to like legumes. So you want to have more pulses in your family’s food, but how to get your child to accept them? As with our other epsiodes on this, we’re not actually aiming to get our kids to do anything. We are finding ways to give children opportunities to build familiarity with a food and try it when they feel comfortable, or building foods into or alongside familiar foods so they feel comfortable to eat. In this episode Joanne gives some suggestions of dishes where the beans or lentils are obvious to see and taste, and some where they are mixed or blended in so their texture might be easier to cope with for some children. But as usual even when we are mixing things in together, the idea is not to hide them and pretend they are not there, if asked you can always tell the truth or allow them to help to prep them. Hiding and sneaking only builds distrust. But there is nothing wrong with blending or mixing things in to make foods easier to approach and just be honest if asked.The episode gives lots of ways to get more beans, lentils and peas into your family’s food. And there are lots of recipes in the shownotes.Links in this episode:Why beans are so good for us: https://foodfoundation.org.uk/sites/default/files/2025-10/TFF_Beans%20Facts_DIGITAL_0.pdf Food Foundation Bang In Some Beans campaign: https://foodfoundation.org.uk/initiatives/bang-in-some-beans Recipe ideas in the shownotes at: https://thefoodies.org/ffk101Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

In this episode of the Food for Kids podcast, Joanne shares simple, family-friendly meal ideas using seasonal produce available in May. The focus is on easy-to-make recipes that require minimal prep time, making them perfect for busy families. Joanne discusses three main meals, a dessert, and a quick snack, all utilizing fresh ingredients that are in season. She gives suggestions on adapting recipes to suit children's tastes and some swap ideas too.Links to all the recipe ideas are in the shownotes at https://thefoodies.org/ffk100Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

On today’s show we are talking about how to support other people’s children who have allergies. We have had a couple of episodes about what to do if your child invites a friend home who has a special diet, we looked at coeliac disease in episode 10 and plant based or vegan diets in episode 41.But today I wanted to look not only at inviting a child home for tea who has an allergy but also at the more specific topic of how to include a child with an allergy in a birthday party or event. It can be pretty nerve wracking entertaining other people’s children and especially if any of them have medical issues or allergies and you always want to do things safely and kindly.Sara is a highly specialist allergy dietitian with over 11 years’ experience, who has worked at two NHS UK allergy centres of excellence: St Thomas’ Hospital in London and Southampton. She helped establish the first adult allergy dietitian service in Southampton and now specialises in supporting children with allergies, both within the NHS and privately through her company, YNRD Ltd. She has taught and marked on the Southampton Allergy MSc and taught allergy on the Dietetics MSc at King’s College London. She has also worked in CAMHS with children and adolescents with eating disorders, and is passionate about children’s nutrition, accurate allergy diagnosis, safe avoidance and reintroduction where possible, and providing realistic nutrition advice that supports a healthy relationship with food.Links in this episode:Sara's website: https://www.ynrd.co.ukSara's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saradawsondietitian/Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

In this episode, Joanne runs through a list of fruits and vegetables which are in season in the UK in May, and offers tips for getting children to try each of them. There is also a short list of imported foods that are currently in season.This will be useful if you want to increase your intake of seasonal fruits and vegetables, and want some ideas for helping to build your child's familiarity with them, whether they eat the end result or not!Links in this episode:List of foods in season in ​May - www.thefoodies.org/seasonal/​may-food-ideas/Printables of spring seasonal foods: https://thefoodiesbooks.com/product/spring-seasonal-food-printablesMusic "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

Today is the second of our two parter about preparing a child to feed themselves if they go to university or another post 18 route that requires living in dorms or shared accommodation.The two episodes will run slightly long, to pack everything in without running to multiple episodes so please excuse the slightly longer run time than usual.Joanne covers two different aspects, the catered route where you pay in your accommodation fees to include some or all of your food, and then the self catering route where some cooking facilities are provided and you make your own meals. For these episodes Joanne talks to her two grown up children Jacob and Anna, who both finished university in the last couple of years.In this second episode it's an interview with Anna about her first two years in shared self catering flats living with strangers. We talk about the gap between students' ideas of how they think they are going to cook for themselves, and the reality when you have very little space, very little time and have to navigate other people and their cleanliness habits.Links in this episode:Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

Today is the first of a two parter about preparing a child to feed themselves if they go to university or another post 18 route that requires living in dorms or shared accommodation.The two episodes will run slightly long, to pack everything in without running to multiple episodes so please excuse the slightly longer run time than usual.Joanne is going to be talking about two different aspects, the catered route where you pay in your accommodation fees to include some or all of your food, and then the self catering route where some cooking facilities are provided and you make your own meals. For these episodes Joanne talks to her two grown up children Jacob and Anna, who both finished university in the last couple of years.In this first episode it's an interview with Jacob about his first year at uni when he lived on campus in a university where everyone who is on campus is fully catered. The brochure and the open days looked like a great set up, but for a bunch of reasons, he found the reality of it pretty tricky.Links in this episode:Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

On today’s episode we are going to be focusing on food for teenagers, with dietitian Jo Scott.We all have a general idea that when kids reach puberty and through their teens their eating might change, we know they will probably eat a lot more, they might be more independent and bolshy about their food choices, they might eat more socially and they might worry about their appearance and fitting in more and this might lead to them making different food choices.But how do we know what they need as they go through this incredibly demanding time and how do we help them sift through all the misinformation on social media and find a good relationship with food for the future as they get ready to look after themselves?Joanne is a paediatric dietitian with over 13 years of experience. She works in one of the largest children’s hospitals in UK and also has a busy private clinic. Outside of this she is a mother to 2 children and so understands first hand the complexities and practicalities of feeding a child. Although she works with lots of age groups, she posts primarily about teenage nutrition online, as she feels this area can be overlooked.Links in this episode:Jo's practice website: https://midlandhealth.co.uk/general-paediatrics/diet/Jo's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theteendietitianMusic "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

This episode is part of a monthly series where Joanne runs through some ideas to reduce food waste and save money by storing foods well and using them up effectively.This episode is about rhubarb so there some ideas about how to store rhubarb to make it last longer, and stop it going off. This includes how to store it in the kitchen, how to freeze it and how to dry it.And then there are a few good ideas on how to use up leftover rhubarb - either surplus from a recipe or coming out of the garden.The episode includes our monthly Q&A with Kate Hall from The Full Freezer on how to freeze rhubarb.Links in this episode:Kate’s Can I Freeze It? Video on rhubarb: https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/CeWw1OLIDDm/Kate's website: https://www.thefullfreezer.com Freezing rhubarb in syrup: https://rootsy.org/freezing-rhubarb/Links to recipe suggestions mentioned in the episode are in the shownotes at https://www.thefoodies.org/ffk94/Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

My microphone actually broke just before I started recording this episode. So I'm recording it on a smartphone microphone snd I do apologize if the sound isn't up to the normal standard. Hopefully it'll be back by the next episode.Many listeners will be growing food with kids this year, either with children at home or in an education setting. And if you sometimes find that sowing seeds can be a bit frustrating with children, this episode is for you. I'm going to run through five reasons that sowing seeds with kids can sometimes be a bit tricky and give some suggestions that will make your seed sowing with children easier and more successful and more fun for both you and the children. These tips are taken from a free guide that you can download at the end, so don't worry about taking notes, just think through the ideas as I talk them through and you can get that guide at the end to help with your planning. Link to the guide - https://www.thefoodies.org/guide-to-sowing-seeds-with-kids/Music - Happy Days by SImon Folwar via Uppbeat

Today is a slightly different episode because I am asking for your help, you the listener to this podcast.I want to share my ideas for the show with you and ask for your help to make sure I am giving you the show that you will find useful.I wanted to ask you if there are any topics you wish I had covered or are hoping that I will? If there is a food question you want to have answered I can then go out and find an expert who can answer it in an evidence based but realistic and kind way that will be more helpful than endless googling for answers. Shownotes at https://thefoodies.org/ffk92Google form for feedback at: https://forms.gle/8LhhJzPui2NgxtkB9DM me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodforkidspodcast/DM me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joanne.roach.author/Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

In this episode of the Food for Kids podcast, Joanne shares simple, family-friendly meal ideas using seasonal produce available in April. The focus is on easy-to-make recipes that require minimal prep time, making them perfect for busy families. Joanne discusses three main meals, a dessert, and a quick snack, all utilizing fresh ingredients that are in season. She gives suggestions on adapting recipes to suit children's tastes and some swap ideas too.Links to all the recipe ideas are in the shownotes at https://thefoodies.org/ffk91 Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

This episode is going out on Easter Monday, so this is just a quick episode to wish you a lovely bank holiday and to give you a quick reminder that you don't need to be stressed or feel bad or any kind of way if your child is eating more chocolate than usual over the next few days. Links in this episode:Episode about protecting kids from other people's food talk: https://www.thefoodies.org/ffk58/Episode about how to talk to children about food: https://www.thefoodies.org/ffk71Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

In this episode, Joanne runs through a list of fruits and vegetables which are in season in the UK in April, and offers tips for getting children to try each of them. There is also a short list of imported foods that are currently in season.This will be useful if you want to increase your intake of seasonal fruits and vegetables, and want some ideas for helping to build your child's familiarity with them, whether they eat the end result or not!Links in this episode:List of foods in season in ​April - www.thefoodies.org/seasonal/​april-food-ideas/Printables of spring seasonal foods: https://thefoodiesbooks.com/product/spring-seasonal-food-printablesMusic "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

These days you would have to live under a rock to have missed everyone trying to make you eat extra protein. There is protein added to everything. First it was just for athletes, then it was older people and menopausal women. Then it was sporty kids, and then inevitably it’s now just growing kids full stop.Meat and fish can be difficult textures for many kids and they will often go through a phase of not wanting to eat them, which can lead to worries that they are not getting enough protein. But how much protein do they actually need and how likely is it that your child is getting enough?When you’re in this phase you want reliable evidence based information so I asked Lucy Upton the Children’s Dietitian back to talk us through this topic.Lucy Upton, The Children’s Dietitian, is a leading UK paediatric Dietitian and author with over 15 years of experience. She’s dedicated to helping babies, children, and their families find joy and health through food, nutrition, and mealtimes while dispelling the overwhelming misinformation surrounding children’s feeding. Everything Lucy does is rooted in empathy, blending real-life mum experience with evidence-based advice.Links in this episode:Lucy's website: https://www.thechildrensdietitian.co.uk/Lucy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childrensdietitian/Lucy's recent post about protein for kids: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTQxei5DUto/Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

Over the year you will have picked up that the main focus of The Foodies products and content is on building children’s exposure to food without any pressure to eat, and we have had several episodes focussing on how to do that in your own home and with your own kids.But today we are exploring what happens when we take that work into a group setting. So Joanne was very happy to speak to Jason O’Rourke who is a primary headteacher and co-founder (along with food writer Bee Wilson) of a charity called TastEd that gets food education into schools with that same low pressure exploration approach.TastEd uses the Sapere method which helps children to use all of their senses to build familiarity with a food – Sapere literally means “to know” so it’s just about getting to know a wide range of foods, in TastEd they focus primarily on fruits and vegetables. TastEd has two main rules, no one has to like the foods and no one has to try them. It is all about exploration, confidence and trust. This episode discusses why a group setting like a school can be really helpful for children to build their confidence with food.Dr Jason O’Rourke is a nationally recognised expert in food education, school food policy, and children’s health and wellbeing. He advises universities, government bodies and NGOs, serving on the UK Government’s School Food Standards Advisory Board, as a Project Partner on The School Meals Service: Past, Present and Future, and as the UK representative on the European SAPERE Board. He is a member of the All‑Party Parliamentary Group on School Food, a Food for Life Ambassador, and co‑founder of TastEd. As headteacher of Washingborough Academy, Jason has led nationally acclaimed work placing food education at the heart of school life.LInks in this episode:The TasteEd website: www.tasteeducation.comParents' downloads: https://www.tasteeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/TastEd-Parent-Booklet.pdfJason's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasorourke/Jason's TastEd Co-founder - food writer Bee Wilson: https://www.beewilson.com/Washingborough Academy's Food Education work: https://www.washac.org/our-school/our-food-education/Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

This episode is part of a monthly series where Joanne runs through some ideas to reduce food waste and save money by storing foods well and using them up effectively.This episode is about brassicas alliums (leeks, onions and garlic) so there some ideas about how to store alliums to make them last longer, and stop them going off. This includes how to store them in the kitchen, how to freeze them and how to dry them.And then there are a few good ideas on how to use up leftover leeks, onions and garlic - either surplus from a recipe or coming out of the garden.The episode includes our monthly Q&A with Kate Hall from The Full Freezer on how to freeze alliums and different ways to use them.Links in this episode:Kate’s Can I Freeze It? Video on leeks: https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/CTFh7bPIE1b/Kate’s Can I Freeze It? Video on onions: https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/CQiWbl2gSI6/ and https://www.instagram.com/p/DHS77P_Irbp/Kate’s Can I Freeze It? Video on garlic: https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/CEtP1koAKXe/Kate's website: https://www.thefullfreezer.com Video on prepping garlic paste for the freezer: https://youtu.be/EXXWRAhweAc?si=EhB2_YJVlsnN7XZfRecipe suggestions on the shownotes page at https://www.thefoodies.org/ffk86Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat