The Livin’Sky Podcast, Season 3 Episode 1

If you’ve ever sat at the dinner table wondering why won’t she just take one bite? — you’re not alone.

In this episode of The Livin’Sky Podcast, I break down why feeding kids in today’s world feels so hard — and why it’s not your fault.

Modern kids are growing up in a world filled with sensory overload, toxins, disrupted sleep, and nutrient-depleted foods. Add to that the emotional pressure parents feel to “just get them to eat,” and you’ve got the perfect recipe for mealtime stress.

SPOTIFY | A PPLE

The truth is: picky eating isn’t a behavior problem — it’s a signal.

Your child’s body and nervous system are communicating that something deeper is off, whether it’s:

Gut imbalance or constipation
Nutrient deficiencies (especially zinc)
Oral motor delays that make chewing hard
Anxiety and pressure around eating
Poor sleep or sensory overwhelm

That’s why I created my B.L.O.O.M.™ Framework, which looks at the whole child:

B – Balanced Health (gut, sleep, mineral status)

L – Learned Oral Skills (chewing, swallowing, motor control)

O – Optimal Microbiome (gut bacteria + digestion)

🍎O – Open Exploration (play and curiosity with food)

M – Mealtime Boundaries (structure, routine, safety)

Instead of adding more rules or pressure, we can start by creating an environment where your child’s nervous system feels safe enough to eat.

Try the 5-Step Mealtime Reset Routine

Before your next meal, try these small but powerful shifts to help your child’s body move from chaos to calm:

Stretch – Loosen muscles and release tension.
Breathe – Take deep belly breaths together (pretend to blow up a balloon!).
Dim the Lights – Reduce stimulation; try candlelight or warm lamps instead of LEDs.
Give a Calm Cue – A gentle hug or soothing touch can help your child’s body feel safe.
Set an Intention – Keep goals simple: “Tonight we’ll just tolerate broccoli being on the table.”

These steps help your child’s nervous system relax — and eating can only happen when the body feels safe.

Remember:

Progress doesn’t happen overnight. But even 1% better is still progress.

When you lead with connection and calm, your child’s body learns to trust food, the table, and you.

If this episode resonated with you, grab my Calm Mealtime Toolkit, filled with scripts, routines, and connection-based strategies to make feeding easier for your family.

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If your gut says your child’s picky eating is more than a phase, explore my BLOOM-aligned resources and support options—gentle, root-cause, and connection-first.