Raising Well Nourished Kids
We all want to raise healthy, emotionally resilient, food-adventurous kids, but what does that actually look like and how do we do it?
This podcast is a place for deep conversations and practical guidance about what it takes to raise well nourished kids, in every sense of the word. We tackle all the big topics from setting boundaries and creating healthy eating habits to instilling a good food culture in your household and fostering body positivity.
There’s a lot of information out there, much of it contradictory and confusing. This leaves parents overwhelmed and anxious about the ‘right’ thing to do when it comes to their child’s health and wellbeing. It’s time to reimagine a way to parent in this modern world that supports health, connection and the relational wellbeing of our families and precious children.
Every week we’ll bring you a new episode that draws on our combined 40 years of knowledge and experience in the fields of child psychology, behaviour and nutrition, as well as our own personal journey’s of raising healthy, thriving teenagers, in the hopes of bringing you some much needed clarity along with simple, proven strategies to help you raise well nourished kids.
We’re here to support you to support your young people in developing healthy eating habits and positive relationships with and through food.
Raising Well Nourished Kids
59. Bedtime Struggles Explained: Connection, Anxiety, and Nutrition
It’s a familiar scene for many parents - you’ve settled your child into bed, but minutes later they’re back with “I’m hungry,” “One more story,” or “Can I have a drink of water?”
While genuine hunger can certainly play a role, there are often deeper factors at play. In this episode, naturopath Georgia Harding and psychotherapist Jane Little explore both the emotional and physiological reasons behind bedtime resistance, and share practical ways to support children in winding down for the night.
Together, they discuss:
- How requests for food at bedtime can sometimes be a way of seeking emotional connection
- The role of anxiety in children and how it can be mistaken for hunger
- The importance of co-regulation and presence in helping children settle
- Practical tools to support nervous system regulation, from breathing techniques to weighted blankets
- Why balanced meals - particularly adequate protein and fibre are essential for stable appetite and mood regulation
Georgia offers insights into how nutritional factors, especially blood sugar balance, can influence a child’s ability to settle at night. Jane brings her expertise in child psychology to unpack the emotional needs and developmental stages that can affect bedtime behaviour.
This episode offers both perspective and practical strategies for parents wanting to respond to bedtime challenges with empathy, understanding, and confidence - helping children feel nourished both emotionally and physically.
👉 Explore the Raising Well Nourished Kids online program - designed to help you raise confident, adventurous eaters using gentle, effective strategies.
🥪 Looking for healthy lunchbox inspiration?
Discover The Lunchbox Formula - Georgia’s simple, step-by-step method for creating nourishing lunchboxes quickly and without the overwhelm.
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