Mom Genes The Podcast

The “Bite Sized Education” Series   In part one of this week’s topic about postpartum depression we discuss the statistics of postpartum depression and anxiety and the warning signs that may indicate you are struggling with this extremely common diagnosis. We share red flags, explain the science behind why perinatal mood disorders are so prevalent, and offer resources if you need support.    Our amazing listeners also wrote in and in this episode we will answer the following question: Dear Mom Genes, I have struggled with being overwhelmed, exhausted, and feeling stuck in my new phase as a mom with two young children. I feel like the world is passing me by and each day I am just trying to survive. I want to learn to thrive, but the things that will make me feel alive are the self care hobbies (I miss my book club), activities (I miss yoga), and behaviors (I just want to sleep and cook a decent meal!) just don’t feel feasible. How can I practice self care even while I am struggling with what is probably postpartum depression? Love, Exhausted Mama   For full episode information and links discussed in the episode, please go to www.momgenesthepodcast.com. To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram @momgenesthepodcast or Facebook group: Mom Genes The Podcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at momgenesthepodcast@gmail.com If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to take a screenshot and share it out on Instagram and tag @momgenesthepodcast. We will be sure to share your comments and re-posts in our Instagram stories! In order to not miss a single episode, SUBSCRIBE and please give us a RATING and REVIEW on iTunes! The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.

The “Bite Sized Education” Series This week we are chatting about life after chronic dieting. When we let go of the routine, rules, and structure that diet culture offers as a safety net for eating, we are often faced with the unknown of how to be a mindful eater. We know that diet culture is toxic and the rules ignored our body attunement, but how do we switch gears? Especially when dieting has offered us reliability in an unreliable life. We share tips for mindful eating, offer journal prompts to explore the fears of letting go of dieting, and how to let go of control over our bodies to find body trust.   Our amazing listeners also wrote in and in this episode we will answer the following question:   Dear Mom Genes,  I am over it!  I have dieted for, literally, my entire life. I was put on a diet by my parents as a kid and have just continued that cycle throughout my entire adult hood.  Now that I have given up on dieting I feel lost and very scared about the unknown as well as what my future holds.  Am I capable of doing life without dieting?  One of the main reasons that I am rejecting dieting is for my kids, because I don’t want them to grow up with the same lifestyle that I had, but I feel pretty lost.  What is next?  HELP! Wandering Parent For full episode information and links discussed in the episode, please go to www.momgenesthepodcast.com. To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram @momgenesthepodcast or Facebook group: Mom Genes The Podcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at momgenesthepodcast@gmail.com If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to take a screenshot and share it out on Instagram and tag @momgenesthepodcast. We will be sure to share your comments and re-posts in our Instagram stories! In order to not miss a single episode, SUBSCRIBE and please give us a RATING and REVIEW on iTunes! The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.

The “Bite Sized Education” Series In this week’s episode we elaborate on the type of hunger that is labeled “emotional eating” and help you define your understanding of what this entails and how to increase your awareness around emotional urges to eat. We give tips on how to separate out food and feelings and when using food as a coping skill is normal versus problematic. We explore the beauty that food offers through pleasure and connection and why emotional eating has increased during the pandemic. We believe that emotional hunger is a biologically normal hunger and that food is a beautiful gift, and we hope that the education surrounding this topic in this episode helps you find peace and enjoy food freedom. Our amazing listeners also wrote in and in this episode we will answer the following question:   Dear Mom Genes, I am really confused on the definition of emotional eating. I feel like people demonize this term, but I also don’t want to be doing it wrong. If I am eating because I am sad or lonely, is that wrong?  Or what about if I am celebrating a holiday or birthday with my kids? Can I eat the cake even if I am not hungry?  I feel like there is a lot of negativity around emotional eating and that we shouldn’t be doing it or else we are not doing intuitive eating correctly.  Can you elaborate? Thanks for your help, Emotional Mama. For full episode information and links discussed in the episode, please go to www.momgenesthepodcast.com. To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram @momgenesthepodcast or Facebook group: Mom Genes The Podcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at momgenesthepodcast@gmail.com If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to take a screenshot and share it out on Instagram and tag @momgenesthepodcast. We will be sure to share your comments and re-posts in our Instagram stories! In order to not miss a single episode, SUBSCRIBE and please give us a RATING and REVIEW on iTunes! The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.

The “Bite Sized Education” Series Did you know there is more than just one simple “hunger” that we experience? In this episode we explore three types of hunger: physical, logical, and emotional. We explain each type, give examples of how this may appear, and give you tips on how to be more in attunement with the type of hunger you may be experiencing. We encourage curiosity and mindfulness as you navigate understanding your bodies cues and give education on how to increase your non judgemental stance towards your hunger. Our amazing listeners also wrote in and in this episode we will answer the following question:   Dear Mom Genes, I am learning so much about how to listen to my body’s signals to finally break the diet cycle. I’m more in touch with my hunger cues, learning to understand when I feel full, and even aware when I’m wanting a snack when I’m feeling bored or sad instead of hungry. But I still have times when I get a little confused if what I’m feeling is physical hunger, if I’m just in the mood for a certain food, or if it’s emotional eating. Can you give more details on the types of hunger so I can keep learning to differentiate? Love, Hungry Parent For full episode information and links discussed in the episode, please go to www.momgenesthepodcast.com. To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram @momgenesthepodcast or Facebook group: Mom Genes The Podcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at momgenesthepodcast@gmail.com If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to take a screenshot and share it out on Instagram and tag @momgenesthepodcast. We will be sure to share your comments and re-posts in our Instagram stories! In order to not miss a single episode, SUBSCRIBE and please give us a RATING and REVIEW on iTunes! The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.

The “Bite Sized Education” Series In part 2 of exploring “what is healthy eating?” we dive deep into the systemic roots of diet culture and the inequality around health that perpetuates binary definitions of health. We explore how privilege unfairly defines health standards and determines healthy lifestyles while not being inclusive to various cultures, socio economic statuses, and access to resources. We interview Deanna Belleny Lewis, MPH RDN about how her work in public health and her passion about diversifying the field of nutrition has led her to debunking myths about healthy eating. Deanna shares her definition of health and how she helps clients navigate finding a relationship with nutrition that works for them, regardless of resources and finances. Deanna also shares her favorite resources and ways to support food desert communities.    LINKS: https://www.deannabellenylewis.com https://www.diversifydietetics.org https://gritsinc.org https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html Food Heaven podcast: “When Healthy Eating Becomes an Obsession” episode  https://foodheavenmadeeasy.com/when-healthy-eating-becomes-an-obsession-w-christy-harrison/ For full episode information and links discussed in the episode, please go to www.momgenesthepodcast.com. To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram @momgenesthepodcast or Facebook group: Mom Genes The Podcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at momgenesthepodcast@gmail.com If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to take a screenshot and share it out on Instagram and tag @momgenesthepodcast. We will be sure to share your comments and re-posts in our Instagram stories! In order to not miss a single episode, SUBSCRIBE and please give us a RATING and REVIEW on iTunes! The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.

The “Bite Sized Education” Series In part one of this week’s episodes, we are covering the multiple layers of health, nutrition, and the privilege that defines health in our society. We discuss how health is physical and includes nutrition elements but if mental health is suffering because of strict rules about healthy eating, then it is not true health. We chat about the mental health component of enjoying food and finding a relationship with food that works for our bodies and our livelihood.   Our amazing listeners also wrote in and in this episode we will answer the following question:   Dear Mom Genes, Thank you for all you are doing and for providing the information and education you have thus far. Though I feel inspired by your mom bod messaging I am conflicted about some of the food information you are providing.  I do believe in ‘providing variety for my family’ and having ‘everything in moderation’ however; I do want to eat healthy and take care of my body.  That being said, the information that is available out there about healthy eating is so confusing. I’m worried that if I follow what the internet is saying my family will be super limited.  But I also don’t always trust what is in all foods.  Can you provide some insight into what healthy eating actually is?  Thanks for your help!  Mama Greenie For full episode information and links discussed in the episode, please go to www.momgenesthepodcast.com. To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram @momgenesthepodcast or Facebook group: Mom Genes The Podcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at momgenesthepodcast@gmail.com If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to take a screenshot and share it out on Instagram and tag @momgenesthepodcast. We will be sure to share your comments and re-posts in our Instagram stories! In order to not miss a single episode, SUBSCRIBE and please give us a RATING and REVIEW on iTunes! The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.

The “Bite Sized Education” Series In this episode we discuss the hot topic of people’s proposed “weight loss success stories” and the confusion that occurs within these stories and messaging. We unpack the layers of thin privilege and societal body hierarchies that diet culture is built on. We give tips and tricks on how to respond to comments and conversations about weight loss or changed bodies. Finally, we help listeners look beyond the external body change and identify how making peace with internal conflicts or focusing on emotional and mental self care is the true success. Our amazing listeners also wrote in and in this episode we will answer the following question: Dear Mom Genes, I gained a lot of weight during my pregnancies and recently I dedicated myself to self care to lose the weight. I feel so much better and can now run around the backyard with my kids without getting winded. You preach a lot about being anti diet and body acceptance, but weight loss did help me. Is that wrong? Should I feel guilty? Love, Weight Loss Mom   For full episode information and links discussed in the episode, please go to www.momgenesthepodcast.com. To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram @momgenesthepodcast or Facebook group: Mom Genes The Podcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at momgenesthepodcast@gmail.com If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to take a screenshot and share it out on Instagram and tag @momgenesthepodcast. We will be sure to share your comments and re-posts in our Instagram stories! In order to not miss a single episode, SUBSCRIBE and please give us a RATING and REVIEW on iTunes! The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.

The “Bite Sized Education” Series In part two of our episode series on gut health we interview the fabulous Tammy Beasley, MS, RDN, CEDRD-S, CSSD on how she explains a healthy gut to her clients. Tammy discusses the importance of a nourished gut first and foremost and gives a powerful analogy, famously referred to in her professional circle as the “sponge analogy,” that we hope helps our listeners understand how the gut works most effectively!  Tammy answers questions about myths around gut health and the importance of the psychological component of finding peace in one’s relationship with food in order to maintain a healthy digestive system. Tammy is generous enough to verbally explain her sponge analogy on this episode and give you amazing listeners a VIDEO demonstration, which is linked in the show notes on our website, so check it out!   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1knTIDg7ygmlOXvfb3DcvG3by6GI4VfuA/view?usp=sharing   For full episode information and links discussed in the episode, please go to www.momgenesthepodcast.com. To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram @momgenesthepodcast or Facebook group: Mom Genes The Podcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at momgenesthepodcast@gmail.com If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to take a screenshot and share it out on Instagram and tag @momgenesthepodcast. We will be sure to share your comments and re-posts in our Instagram stories! In order to not miss a single episode, SUBSCRIBE and please give us a RATING and REVIEW on iTunes! The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.

The “Bite Sized Education” Series In this week’s two part episode we are unpacking the confusion surrounding “gut health” and defining the various buzz words associated with this concept such as food intolerance, food sensitivities, and food allergies. We are exploring how diet culture has hijacked this term and the glorification of restriction in our culture makes it easy to jump on the elimination band wagon without doing the proper medical or psychological evaluation needed to determine what is best for your body. We give you reflection questions to ask yourself before experimenting with elimination diets or testing out gut health myths from both a dietary and psychological angle.   Our amazing listeners also wrote in and in this episode we will answer the following question:   Dear Mom Genes, I have a few friends who transitioned to a gluten free diet and claim they feel so much better. How do I know if this is actually healthy? I am so confused by the information out there that is telling me gluten free or dairy free is healthier and are unsure if I should try an elimination diet to see if I would actually feel better without these foods.  Should my kids become gluten free if it will help them with hyperactivity? Should I cut out dairy if I have breakouts on my face?  So many questions!! Help!  Love, Confused Gluten Mama For full episode information and links discussed in the episode, please go to www.momgenesthepodcast.com. To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram @momgenesthepodcast or Facebook group: Mom Genes The Podcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at momgenesthepodcast@gmail.com If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to take a screenshot and share it out on Instagram and tag @momgenesthepodcast. We will be sure to share your comments and re-posts in our Instagram stories! In order to not miss a single episode, SUBSCRIBE and please give us a RATING and REVIEW on iTunes! The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.

The “Bite Sized Education” Series In part 2 of “Does My Child Have an Eating Disorder?” we interviewed Dr Maria Monge, MD, a pediatric eating disorder specialist, who offers our listeners a medical perspective on signs and symptoms of eating patterns in children and teens that could be worrisome for the child’s health and development. Dr Monge identifies what is concerning vs average weight changes, appetite fluctuations, and body image in growing children. Dr Monge gives concrete examples of concerning behavioral changes around food for parents to be aware of as they navigate the challenges of raising children in a culture that is hyper focused on health and bodies. We share our favorite resources for parents who want to learn more and need to connect with professionals in their area for additional support.   LINKS: www.neda.com IG link for ED related books and resources on our highlights page: https://www.instagram.com/momgenesthepodcast/ AED Medical Standards Guide: https://www.aedweb.org/publications/medical-care-standards FEAST: https://www.feast-ed.org/register-now-for-our-30-day-educational-service/   For full episode information and links discussed in the episode, please go to www.momgenesthepodcast.com. To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram @momgenesthepodcast or Facebook group: Mom Genes The Podcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at momgenesthepodcast@gmail.com If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to take a screenshot and share it out on Instagram and tag @momgenesthepodcast. We will be sure to share your comments and re-posts in our Instagram stories! In order to not miss a single episode, SUBSCRIBE and please give us a RATING and REVIEW on iTunes! The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.

The “Bite Sized Education” Series In this week’s part 1 episode of “Does My Child Have an Eating Disorder?,” we discuss the nature vs nurture of the development of eating disorders or a disorder relationship with food and bodies. We explore how food can be a coping skill that is learned and genetic, the pressures that we receive from the world that can impact our relationship with food, and we discuss why eating disorders have increased during the pandemic. We offer tangible ways of breaking the diet legacy in the home and how parents can provide a safe home that is preventative to the nurturance of an eating disorder. We give parents tools on how to connect with their child by understanding their underlying emotional needs through reflective questioning and listening.   Our amazing listeners also wrote in and in this episode we will answer the following question: Dear Mom Genes, My daughter is not even a teenager yet but is already starting to ask questions about why her body is shaped the way it is compared to her friends bodies. She is worried about how her body looks in her bathing suit, will suddenly stop eating certain foods if she hears a commercial or message that those foods are unhealthy, and asked me if she can start weighing herself. I try so hard to be positive even though I don’t love my body either….should I be concerned she has developed an ED? Love, Concerned Mom   LINKS: Book resources:  “The Eating Disorders Sourcebook” by Carolyn Costin “Parents Guide to Eating Disorders” by Marcia Herrin “When Your Teen Has an Eating Disorder” by Lauren Mulheim   Racist roots of diet culture: https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/racism-diet-culture https://thewellful.com/editorial/racism-diet-culture-podcasts https://www.amazon.com/Fearing-Black-Body-Racial-Origins/dp/1479886750   For full episode information and links discussed in the episode, please go to www.momgenesthepodcast.com. To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram @momgenesthepodcast or Facebook group: Mom Genes The Podcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at momgenesthepodcast@gmail.com If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to take a screenshot and share it out on Instagram and tag @momgenesthepodcast. We will be sure to share your comments and re-posts in our Instagram stories! In order to not miss a single episode, SUBSCRIBE and please give us a RATING and REVIEW on iTunes! The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.

The “Bite Sized Education” Series Sugar is a commonly feared, and confusing, nutrient. In this episode, we dive into how you can develop a neutral, intuitive relationship with sugar by debunking diet culture messages and increasing body attunement. We explore how to manage sugar in your house and with your kids according to the various feeding models and give practical examples of how to implement these models when dessert time rolls around.  Our amazing listeners also wrote in and in this episode we will answer the following question:   Dear Mom Genes, My kid came home with a handout that says “sugar is bad” and I kind of believe it. I think the sugar in foods does impact people’s health and body size, so I don’t believe that limiting it and teaching how much hidden sugar is in items is harmful. But I don’t want my child to become obsessed or develop an ED, so what do I do? Love, Sugar Dada   For full episode information and links discussed in the episode, please go to www.momgenesthepodcast.com. To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram @momgenesthepodcast or Facebook group: Mom Genes The Podcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at momgenesthepodcast@gmail.com If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to take a screenshot and share it out on Instagram and tag @momgenesthepodcast. We will be sure to share your comments and re-posts in our Instagram stories! In order to not miss a single episode, SUBSCRIBE and please give us a RATING and REVIEW on iTunes! The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.

The “Bite Sized Education” Series In part 2 of “What is Picky Eating?” we interview Keira Oseroff, LMFT CEDS from the Ellyn Satter Institute on how parents can navigate feeding their children.   Keira discusses the Division of Responsibility feeding modality of how families can have meals together where they are sharing food and conversation while also providing opportunities for children to practice trusting their bodies. In the Division of Responsibility a parents chooses: the “what,” the “when, and the “where” while the child chooses the “if” and “how much.” Keira identifies how this can look in real life settings and the challenges that occur in the division.    This episode is full of wisdom on how parents can have a calm and confident approach to feeding their family while navigating diet culture messaging.   LINKS: https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/product-category/books-videos/ https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/From-the-cook-western.pdf For full episode information and links discussed in the episode, please go to www.momgenesthepodcast.com. To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram @momgenesthepodcast or Facebook group: Mom Genes The Podcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at momgenesthepodcast@gmail.com If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to take a screenshot and share it out on Instagram and tag @momgenesthepodcast. We will be sure to share your comments and re-posts in our Instagram stories! In order to not miss a single episode, SUBSCRIBE and please give us a RATING and REVIEW on iTunes! The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.

The “Bite Sized Education” Series   In this week’s part 1 episode of “What is Picky Eating,” we explore the multiple complex layers of developing a trusting feeding relationship in our children and between parents and children. We define what the difference is between “picky eating” vs average “childhood preferences” and how parents can realistically navigate these feeding challenges while still modeling intuitive eating and practicing the Ellyn Satter Institute model of Division of Responsibility. Our amazing listeners also wrote in and in this episode we will answer the following question: Dear Mom Genes, I am writing, because my kid REFUSES to eat their fruits and veggies and I am going crazy!  I am worried that I am creating a person that is not going to be able to eat a salad when they are older, but also am exhausted and cannot fight with my child anymore.  I am tired of watching my friend’s kids chow down on all the fruits and veggies and my kid is only eating goldfish and chips.  Please help!!! Yours truly, Goldfish Mama   For full episode information and links discussed in the episode, please go to www.momgenesthepodcast.com. To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram @momgenesthepodcast or Facebook group: Mom Genes The Podcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at momgenesthepodcast@gmail.com If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to take a screenshot and share it out on Instagram and tag @momgenesthepodcast. We will be sure to share your comments and re-posts in our Instagram stories! In order to not miss a single episode, SUBSCRIBE and please give us a RATING and REVIEW on iTunes! The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.

The “Myth Busters” Series In this week’s episode we are chatting all about kids and nutrition by busting the myth that “kids today aren’t eating enough healthy foods.” As Mom’s ourselves, we know that one of the biggest stressors on parents today is how to feed their children so we are explaining the psychology behind this fear and pressure and interviewing the RD’s of Sunny Side Up Nutrition, Anna Lutz, MPH, RDN, LD and Elizabeth Davenport, MPH, RDN, LD @sunnysideupnutrition.   Feeding our children becomes our primary goal as soon as the child is born, so it is natural that parenting begins with this obsession of how, what, and how much our children are eating. Feeding our baby is also a form of attachment bonding for both the child and parent and a parental instinct absolutely takes over when we suddenly become insanely preoccupied with our children’s input and output (remember having to track number of wet diapers in the hospital??) This natural, survival instinct ignited in parents combined with a culture obsessed with health and beauty and longevity, makes the perfect recipe for wanting to be perfect in how we feed our children. We find that this fear is mostly from the parents worried that they are not doing a good job or are projecting their own insecurities about food or their body onto their kids. So as a result, they pressure their child to eat a certain amount, eat specific foods, disregard their internal cues and preferences and monitor their bodies.  What we are hoping for parents to get out of this episode today is trust.  Trust in yourselves as parents, but mainly trust in your children.   Connect with Anna and Elizabeth: https://sunnysideupnutrition.com https://lutzandalexander.com https://www.pinneydavenport.com Social media: @sunnysideupnutrition For full episode information and links discussed in the episode, please go to www.momgenesthepodcast.com. To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram @momgenesthepodcast or Facebook group: Mom Genes The Podcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at momgenesthepodcast@gmail.com If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to take a screenshot and share it out on Instagram and tag @momgenesthepodcast. We will be sure to share your comments and re-posts in our Instagram stories! In order to not miss a single episode, SUBSCRIBE and please give us a RATING and REVIEW on iTunes! The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.