Episode 82: A case study of a fussy eater with ADHD on medication
The Easy Feed
In today’s episode, I walk you through a real-life case I’ve recently worked on with a family navigating fussy eating alongside ADHD medication. This little boy’s food intake had been narrowing for years, his appetite was poor, and his parents were feeling stuck in an exhausting cycle of pressure, worry and frustration around mealtimes. I unpack how ADHD medication can significantly impact appetite, why expecting children to “eat better” during the school day is often unrealistic, and how shifting the focus to when children are naturally hungrier can completely change outcomes. We...
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Episode 81: 5 Ways You Can Make Lunchboxes Easier in 2026
The Easy Feed
Lunchboxes are coming. Whether you feel ready or not, the school year has a way of creeping up fast. In this episode, I’m walking you through five practical, realistic ways to make lunchboxes easier in 2026 — without aiming for perfection or adding more pressure to your already full plate. As a paediatric dietitian, I see how overwhelming lunchboxes can feel, especially if you’re navigating a picky eater or fussy eater. Social media noise, conflicting nutrition advice, and the relentless day-in, day-out nature of packing food can quickly drain your energy. This episode is about bringing...
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Episode 80: Navigating the Food Additive Maze
The Easy Feed
In this episode, I’m unpacking one of the most confusing and overwhelming parts of feeding kids today: food additives. This conversation comes straight off the back of my recent TV segments on Sunrise, where we talked about ice creams and ingredients lists. It sparked a lot of questions from parents, and honestly, it highlighted just how far our food supply has shifted over the years. Even foods we once thought were simple are now packed with additives, preservatives, sweeteners and colours that our grandparents wouldn’t recognise. In this episode, I walk you through what food additives...
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Episode 79: My wishes for 2026
The Easy Feed
In today’s episode, I’m doing things a bit differently. Rather than diving into a specific nutrition topic, I’m getting personal and sharing my five wishes for 2026—not all food-related, but all close to my heart as a parent and paediatric dietitian. I’m talking about the things that I'd love to see improve/change with our world. It's not all heavy, just honest and real, and hopefully makes you feel less alone in the chaos of feeding kids and managing life. Thank you for being part of this community. Whether you’re dealing with a picky eater, trying to navigate nutritious...
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Episode 78: An Interview with Amy Whiteford from Healthy Little Foodies
The Easy Feed
In today’s episode, I’m joined by Amy from Healthy Little Foodies—a recipe creator, food scientist and mum whose practical, flavour-packed ideas have helped millions of families feed their kids with more confidence. I first discovered Amy years ago and was instantly struck by how doable, nutritious and genuinely child-friendly her recipes were. So I wanted to sit her down, pick her brains, and uncover the thinking behind her incredible approach to children’s nutrition. We talk about how her global upbringing shaped her love of food, why feeding children feels harder than ever, and the...
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Episode 77 : 3 Ways To Improve the Way Your Child Eats - Today
The Easy Feed
Today we cover 3 simple, practical changes you can make today that will quickly improve the way your child eats. These are the strategies I use myself, and I teach them becuase they work because they’re realistic, gentle, and grounded in what children actually need to build trust with food. If you’re raising a picky eater or navigating the daily battles of a fussy eater, this episode will give you a clear, manageable starting point. Here’s what we cover: Challenging Without Overwhelming A calm way to expose children to new, nutritious foods without creating mealtime stress....
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Episode 76: Managing Underweight Children
The Easy Feed
In this episode of The Easy Feed Podcast, I’m diving into a topic that so many parents quietly worry about — children who are underweight or struggling to gain weight. Whether it’s a baby not feeding well, a toddler who’s suddenly lost interest in food, or a teenager skipping meals, understanding the “why” behind poor weight gain is key. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience as a paediatric dietitian, I’ll take you through the medical, nutritional, and behavioural factors that can affect growth, and what you can do about them. From gut health to sensory issues and...
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Episode 75: Feeding Kids in the Fast Lane – Three Simple Tips for Time-Poor Parents
The Easy Feed
Episode 75: Feeding Kids in the Fast Lane – Three Simple Tips for Time-Poor Parents Hi all! Karina here. This week on The Easy Feed Podcast, we’re talking about something I know so many of us struggle with — how to feed our kids well when life feels like a constant race. Between work, school runs, sport, and everything in between, family nutrition can quickly fall down the list. But it doesn’t have to. In this episode, I share three simple, practical tips to help you nourish your family with ease — no overhauls, no guilt, and no complicated plans. These are strategies I use...
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Episode 74: Realistic Ways to Reduce Kids’ Junk Snacks
The Easy Feed
As a Paediatric Dietician and mum, I know snacks can make or break the day. In this episode, I share three realistic, low-stress strategies to cut back on ultra-processed “sometimes foods” without going cold turkey. We look at why kids crave salty-sweet, crunchy packets, how “fast sugars” spike and crash energy and mood, and the simple swaps that stabilise blood sugars, support gut health, and keep children satisfied. If you’re juggling school runs, lunchboxes and picky or fussy eaters, this is your quick, easy food roadmap to more nutritious foods—minus the overwhelm. Five...
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Episode 73: What You Need to Know About Pesticides in Our Food
The Easy Feed
Welcome back to The Easy Feed. In this episode, I’m unpacking an issue that has sparked plenty of concern—pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables, and what that means for our children’s nutrition. This conversation follows my recent appearance on Sunrise Channel 7, where we explored the latest findings on blueberries and pesticide testing. The research revealed banned chemicals showing up in local samples and raised questions about outdated safety guidelines. As a paediatric dietitian, my focus is always on keeping food both safe and nourishing. Fruit and vegetables are essential for...
info_outlineThanks for the request for this important topic - feeding neurodivergent children. After 24 years as a paediatric dietitian, I've seen how challenging this can be for families, and honestly, the standard advice for a picky eater just doesn't work here because these brilliant little brains work differently.
This isn't about defiance or stubbornness. We're talking about genuine sensory processing differences, anxiety around food, and feeding challenges that go well beyond typical fussy eating. Whether your child has Autism, ADHD, or other Neurodivergent Conditions, their relationship with food will often need a completely different approach.
I'm breaking down “why” the white, crunchy diet is so popular with Neurodivergent children, how the gut-brain connection plays a massive role, and why those artificial colours and additives are particularly problematic for neurodivergent kids. Plus, I'm sharing which nutrients are most at risk and why supplements might be necessary - but only with proper professional guidance.
This is about understanding your child's unique needs, not comparing them to anyone else. It's a long game, but with the right support and approach, your child can absolutely expand their intake and thrive.
Episode Highlights:
Sensory Processing and Food Selectivity Understanding why neurodivergent children often stick to white, crunchy foods and how sensory overwhelm affects their eating
The Gut-Brain Connection How gut health directly impacts behaviour, mood, and concentration in children with autism and ADHD
Food Additives and Behaviour Why artificial colours and preservatives are particularly problematic for neurodivergent children.
Medication Impact on Appetite How ADHD medications affect eating patterns and strategies for managing nutrition throughout the day
Nutritional Deficiencies at Risk Which nutrients are most commonly deficient in neurodivergent children and why professional supplementation guidance is crucial
Book a Consultation: Visit nourishwithkarina.com to book a consultation. NDIS plan-managed consultations also available. https://calendly.com/karina-dietitian
Contact: karina@nourishwithkarina.com Instagram: @nourishwithkarina
This episode provides general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare providers for your child's specific needs.
Show Notes:
More about Karina and Nourishing Kids!
📒 Grab Karina’s Time Saving Healthy Supermarket Kids Snacks Guide now for the INTRO offer https://karina-savage.mykajabi.com/offers/GkPU49mj
