Episode Details

Most parents know that eating a balanced diet is important for brain development...but making that happen is easier said than done. Especially when they have "picky eaters"  who are unsure about venturing out of their comfort zone. It's tempting to default to the popular method of using dessert as "positive reinforcement" for eating less enticing food...but often this does more harm than good in the long run. That's why in this episode, I share tips for getting kids to eat healthy food...without "rewards" and "punishment". And a quick disclaimer: I will NOT be promising a magical miracle diet that's going to "cure" ADHD or autism.

What I WILL promise is that this will help you make more sustainable changes AND help your kids think about food and eating in a healthy way.

I'll share:  
✅The #1 mistake people make when it comes to mealtime (plus a simple shift to fix it).
✅Why you don't need to issue rewards for eating "good" foods, and what to do instead.
✅How to help kids buy-in to the idea of trying new foods, without punishment or bribery.

In this episode, I mention my 6-week plan that helps families develop healthy eating habits that build brain development. I'll even show you how to encourage kids to eat vegetables! It's called the Simple Family Meals Guide, and it will walk you through, step-by-step, how to change your kids' eating habits for the better, one meal at a time. You can sign up for the Simple Family Meals Guide here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/mealguide (Disclaimer: This episode should not be considered medical or legal advice, and should not be used to diagnose or treat any specific medical condition). The De Facto Leaders podcast was formerly the “Are they 18 yet?®” podcast. As of November 2022, the name of the show has changed, and we’ve shifted from a focus on parenting to a focus on supporting clinicians and educators to design effective services for kids (but parents are still welcome to listen). Episodes published before November 24, 2022 will still contain some of our old branding. 

Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL and Renaissance:

Learn more about Renaissance:

As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.

We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.

If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. 

These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and atte