Healthy Habits Happy Homes Podcast

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Our podcast, Healthy Habits Happy Homes, provides evidence-based advice, tips, tools, and interviews with experts to help your family develop healthy home routines!

Episode 63: Feeding our Future; Social Media’s Impact on Family Nutrition with Nicole Osinga

March 6, 2024

In this week’s episode, we are delighted to feature Nicole Osinga, a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator. Nicole joins us in discussing the influence of social media on family diets and the significant responsibility of online influencers in disseminating health information. Transcription:   Healthy Habits, Happy Homes Podcast Season 6, Episode 9 Guest: Nicole Osinga…

Episode 62: Nutrition Education Student Podcasts Winter 2024

February 21, 2024

This week, we have a special and unique Healthy Habits Happy Homes podcast episode featuring the excellent work of three groups of fourth year Applied Human Nutrition students. These students were given the opportunity to conceptualize and develop a podcast episode as part of their fourth year Nutrition Education course. In today’s lineup, we feature…

Episode 61: Fathers’ Involvement in Mealtimes with Dr. Amar Laila

February 7, 2024

In this week’s episode, we are joined by Dr. Amar Laila, a post-doctoral fellow with the EAT-Lancet 2.0 Commission and the Guelph Family Health Study. Dr. Laila shares insights on the role of fathers in mealtimes, discussing their influence on children’s development, their unique contributions to family dynamics, and offering strategies for fathers to become…

Episode 60: Navigating the Canadian Food Environment with Dr. Lana Vanderlee

January 24, 2024

In this week’s episode, Dr. Lana Vanderlee, an Assistant Professor of Nutrition at Laval University joins us to to talk about nutrition food labels, especially front-of-package labelling in Canada, and how they influence consumer choices and public health. She compares Canada’s labelling strategies with global practices and discusses the impact of food marketing on children.…

Episode 59: How to Talk to Your Kids When They Don’t Want to Talk to You with Shannon Rolph

December 6, 2023

In the latest episode of our podcast, we’re excited to welcome Shannon Rolph, an Occupational Therapist that specializes in nurturing the parent-child bond through personalized child-focused therapy, parenting coaching, and her innovative “Kids in the Woods” program. Shannon shares her insights on why it’s crucial for kids to have time to decompress before reconnecting with…

Episode 58: The Impact of Parental Self-Regulation on Children’s Growth and Development

November 16, 2023

In this week’s episode, we welcome Dr. Kate Bauer, an Associate Professor of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and currently serves as the Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Food Security at the University of Guelph. Dr. Bauer discusses the impact of parental regulation on a child’s development from early…

Episode 57: Sugar Intake During Spooky Season with Alyssa Ramuscak

November 1, 2023

In this week’s episode, we are delighted to have Alyssa Ramuscak, a research Registered Dietitian at SickKids Research Institute and a PhD student in Applied Human Nutrition join us to discuss sugar intake during Halloween. Alyssa shares helpful tips in managing sugar intake during Halloween, while ensuring children are having an enjoyable and healthier experience. Tune…

Episode 56: Nurturing Healthy Relationships with Food with Olivia Brooks

October 17, 2023

In this week’s episode of Healthy Habits Happy Homes, we are joined by Olivia Brooks, a Certified Fitness Instructor and Registered Dietitian specializing in pediatric/family nutrition, sports nutrition, and eating disorders. Olivia shares tips on how parents can promote mindful eating in children, foster a positive body image, and create shared meals that are enjoyable…

Episode 55: Starting the School Year off Right: School Lunches Made Easy with Tamara Petresin

September 19, 2023

Welcome back to Season 6 of Healthy Habits Happy Homes. We are excited to start this season with a special back-to-school episode. Joining us is Tamara Petresin, a registered dietitian and PhD candidate in Applied Human Nutrition. Tamara shares insights and tips on how to make school lunches easy! Listen on our website or your favourite…

Episode 54: Podcast Team Spotlight

March 16, 2023

In the season finale of the podcast, we are excited to feature our podcast team, including our co-hosts Tamara Petresin, a Registered Dietitian and second-year PhD candidate in Applied Human Nutrition and Marciane Any, a second-year Master’s student in Applied Human Nutrition. We also have Patricia Acosta, our podcast coordinator, who recently completed her Master’s…

Episode 53: Nutrition Education Student Podcasts

February 27, 2023

This week, we have a special and unique Healthy Habits Happy Homes podcast episode featuring the excellent work of three groups of fourth year Applied Human Nutrition students. These students were given the opportunity to conceptualize and develop a podcast episode as part of their fourth year Nutrition Education course. Today’s episode features the work…

Episode 52: Physical Activity and Sleep

February 8, 2023

In this week’s episode, Dr. Lori Ann Vallis, Professor in Human Health and Nutritional Sciences (HHNS) and Hannah Coyle-Asbil, a PhD student in HHNS, join us to discuss physical activity and sleep. They share the latest research highlights from the Guelph Family Healthy Study and tips to promote attainable and manageable habits. 

Episode 51: Sugar Intake in Pregnancy

January 25, 2023

In this week’s episode, we dive into the topic of sugar intake during pregnancy with a very special guest, Dr. Laura Forbes. Dr. Forbes, a professor in Family Relations and Applied Nutrition at the University of Guelph, shares her insights on the relationship between sugar intake and nutrient intakes during pregnancy. She also talks about…

Episode 50: Eye Health in Children

December 14, 2022

To celebrate our 50th episode, we have two special guests, Dr. Jessica Tran and Dr. Cassandra Chung. Dr. Tran and Dr. Chung are optometrists passionate about eye health topics including myopia control, contact lenses, and disease management. In this episode they answer commonly asked questions regarding eye health and discuss how parents can support vision…

Episode 49: All About Celiac Disease

November 29, 2022

In today’s episode, we have Alyssa Ramuscak, a Registered Dietitian at SickKids Research Institute. Alyssa discusses all about Celiac disease and provides insight on a current health trend- eating a gluten free diet.    Resources Mentioned: AboutKidsHealth Celiac Disease Learning Hub: https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/celiacdisease  Canadian Celiac Disease Association: https://www.celiac.ca SickKids Pediatric Celiac Clinic: https://www.sickkids.ca/en/care-services/clinical-departments/gastroenterology-hepatology-nutrition/ Hamilton Health Science’s Pediatric Celiac Clinic: https://www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/healthcare-providers/information-about-pediatrics/pediatric-celiac-diseases-clinic/…

Episode 48: Tackling Feeding Challenges

November 15, 2022

We are excited to have Dr. Kathryn Walton back on the podcast! Dr. Walton is a Registered Dietitian and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Relations & Applied Nutrition. In this episode, Dr. Walton talks about navigating feeding challenges in children. She provides helpful tips to foster a positive environment, support the development,…

Episode 47: Nurturing Food Literacy in Children

November 1, 2022

We are excited to have Alicia Martin, a PhD candidate in Geography on our podcast to share her expertise in food literacy. Alicia highlights the importance of food as a vehicle for learning and how food skills contribute to different outcomes. Don’t forget to check out our cookbook for easy-to-follow recipes that are delicious and…

Episode 46: The Scoop on Supplements

October 18, 2022

For this week’s episode Dr. Dalia El Khoury, an Associate Professor in Applied Nutrition and a Registered Dietitian, joins the podcast to chat all about supplements. In this episode, Dr. El Khoury highlights the importance of professional guidance of supplement use in children and adults to promote health. 

Episode 45: How to Support Aging Parents with Nutrition and Health

October 4, 2022

For our first episode of the season, we are excited to welcome Brooklyn Seal, a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator who has been closely working with seniors in long-term facilities. In this episode, Brooklyn discusses and shares tips on how parents of young children can help support their own aging parents with nutrition and…

Episode 44: Alcohol & Sodium Intake

April 19, 2022

This week we are bringing you part 2 of the student interviews from Lisa’s Nutrition Communication course! In this class students had the opportunity to create a podcast on a nutrition topic. Four of the podcasts were chosen to be aired on the Healthy Habits Happy Homes Podcast! Today’s episode will feature two student-led podcasts:…

Episode 43: So Sweet! Sugar Intake among Kids and Teens

April 5, 2022

This week we are bringing you part 1 of 2 very fun Healthy Habits Happy Homes episodes. Lisa taught a Nutrition and Communication course this past fall and the students had the opportunity to create a podcast on a nutrition topic. Four of the podcasts were chosen to be aired on the Healthy Habits Happy…

Episode 42: How to Talk to Kids about Failure with Victoria Fritz

March 15, 2022

Joining us on this episode of the Healthy Habits Happy Homes podcast is PhD Candidate, Victoria Fritz. Victoria is studying failure for her PhD and answers our questions on how to manage feelings of failure as a parent, and also strategies for talking to kids after they experience different kinds of failure. We hope you…

Episode 41: Our new plant-based proteins cookbook is here! Interview with Katherine Eckert

March 1, 2022

To introduce you to the cookbook, we have a great interview with Katherine Eckert on the Healthy Habits Happy Homes podcast. Kat is a PhD Candidate with the GFHS and was involved in the development of the cookbook. Tune in to hear more details about the approach to plant-based foods in the cookbook, some of…

Episode 40: Stress Management with Dr. Valerie Hruska

February 15, 2022

We’re excited to have Dr. Valerie Hruska joining us on this episode of the Healthy Habits Happy Homes podcast! Valerie was a Masters and PhD student with the GFHS where she researched how stress can affect families. Tune in to hear Valerie’s top tips for managing stress in your family, and how to help kids…

Episode 39: Food Skills and Food Waste Research with Amar Laila

January 12, 2022

This week on the podcast we’re excited to welcome Amar Laila, a PhD Candidate at the University of Guelph. Amar joins the podcast to chat all about his research on food skills, food waste, and family-based health interventions.

Episode 38: Parenting Teenagers and Coordinating the GFHS with Angela Annis

December 14, 2021

We are so excited to finally bring you an episode with Angela Annis, Study Coordinator for the Guelph Family Health Study. In this episode Angela shares a bit about what it’s like to be involved in a large scale study, and then we dive into a conversation all about what it’s like to be a…

Episode 37: Speech and Language with Elizabeth McFadden

November 30, 2021

This week we are welcoming to the podcast Elizabeth McFadden, a registered speech and language pathologist. Tune in to learn about when is the right time to visit an SLP with your child, what you can expect at your visit, and how to practice pronunciation at home with kids.

Episode 36: Family-Based Research with Dr. David Ma

November 16, 2021

This week we’re excited to welcome Dr. David Ma to the podcast. Dr. Ma is the Director of the Guelph Family Health Study and a Professor at the University of Guelph. In this episode we cover a lot of ground, including the significance of the GFHS and animal-based research, and how to navigate nutrition and…

Episode 35: The Importance of Children’s Play with Kim Squires

November 2, 2021

This week we welcome Kim Squires to the podcast! Kim is a PhD Candidate and the pedagogical leader at the Child Care and Learning Centre at the University of Guelph. In this episode Kim shares her expertise about the importance of children’s play and why play is important to children’s learning in their early years.…

Episode 34: Childhood Constipation with Registered Dietitian Laura Wilson

October 19, 2021

On this episode we’re excited to welcome Registered Dietitian, Laura Wilson, on the podcast to chat all about childhood constipation. Tune in to hear tips on how to detect when your child is constipated, how to get things moving, and what foods or life events can contribute to healthy bowels.       Transcript:  Lisa…

Episode 33: Helping kids develop positive relationships with food, with Janet Nezon from Rainbow Plate

October 5, 2021

Welcome back to the Healthy Habits Happy Homes podcast! To kick of season 4 we are bringing you a fun conversation with Janet Nezon from Rainbow Plate. Janet is the Founder and Executive Director of Rainbow Plate, a social enterprise which aims to develop resources for children and parents to help them cultivate positive relationships…

Episode 32: Guelph Family Health Study Research Spotlight

March 23, 2021

To close out season 3 of the Healthy Habits Happy Homes podcast we recorded an extra special episode! We asked GFHS team members to record a short clip about themselves and their research and we put them together to make this research spotlight episode. We have been hearing that families are are interested in learning…

Episode 31: “Picky Eating” and Feeding Kids During a Pandemic, with Maude and Sarthak

March 10, 2021

This week on the podcast we’re joined by Maude and Sarthak who share their insight on “picky eating” and tips on how to get children involved in the kitchen. Don’t Forget to check out more tips on their social media – www.instagram.com/picky.eating.kids/

Episode 30: Fostering Positive Body Image with Angela Underhill

February 23, 2021

In this episode hosts Lisa and Sabrina interview Angela Underhill, a PhD candidate at the University of Guelph. Tune in to hear Angela’s tips on how to foster positive body image at home for parents and for children. Notes: Instagram: @drjoshuawolrich and @kids.eat.in.color Poodle science video: youtu.be/H89QQfXtc-k

Episode 29: How to Talk to Children About Death

February 9, 2021

  This week on the podcast we are bringing you an interview that might seem slightly off topic for the Healthy Habits Happy Homes podcast, but we thought it would be relevant and timely given the current circumstances. Dr. Kathy Kortes-Miller joined us to have a discussion about how to talk to children about death…

Episode 28: Staying Active as a Family with Maddy Nixon, Kinesiologist

January 26, 2021

This week on the Healthy Habits Happy Homes we have an interview with Maddy Nixon, a Registered Kinesiologist and Lead Research Assistant with the Guelph Family Health Study. Tune in to hear Maddy’s practical tips on how to get the whole family moving during the long winter months, even when you can’t leave the house!…

Episode 27: Debunking Myths About Fad Diets, with Registered Dietitian Lindzie O’Reilly

January 12, 2021

Happy New Year and welcome back to the Healthy Habits Happy Homes podcast! To start off the year we’re bringing you an episode with the University of Guelph’s on campus Dietitian, Lindzie O’Reilly. Lindzie shares evidence-based information about fad diets and debunks common myths about dieting that are commonly heard in the media today. Thank…

Episode 26: Coping with COVID with Shannon & James

December 8, 2020

This week we have another “Coping with Covid” episode. Co-hosts Lisa and Sabrina check in with their colleague, Shannon, and her husband, James, about how they are doing as a family during the pandemic. Tune in for tips on staying active as a family, limiting screen time and our usual chat about what our guests…

Episode 25: Sustainable Habits at Home with Samantha Casey

November 25, 2020

This episode, we are joined with Samantha Casey who works at the Sustainability Office at the University of Guelph. She is a recent graduate from the Environmental Governance program here at the university. She is a passionate advocate for climate change. She is also a co-founder of an organization that seeks to empower change in…

Episode 24: Nutrition Connections and Eating Well as a Family During COVID-19, with Candace Aqui

November 10, 2020

Joining us on the podcast this week is Candace Aqui. Candace is a Registered Dietitian, mom, and foodie and in this episode she tells us about her role in knowledge mobilization with Nutrition Connections. Candace also shares a few tips on shopping for a family during COVID-19 as food prices are increasing. Find Nutrition Connections…

Episode 23: Coping with COVID Part 2 with Anisha and Sumeet

October 27, 2020

On this episode Lisa and Sabrina interview their fellow PhD student colleague, Anisha, and her husband, Sumeet, about how they are handling life at home with two young kids during the pandemic. Tune in to hear suggestions for staying active as a family, exploring your own city and creating helpful routines at home.

Episode 22: Coping with COVID with Lisa and Lester

October 13, 2020

In this episode Sabrina interviews co-host, Lisa, and her husband, Lester about how they are balancing work, grad school and family life during the COVID19 pandemic. Stay tuned for some helpful tips on creating healthy routines at home!

Episode 21: Balancing Family & Work during Quarantine with Angela Wallace

September 29, 2020

Welcome back to the Healthy Habits Happy Homes Podcast! In the first episode of season 3 co-hosts Lisa and Sabrina interview Angela Wallace, a Registered Dietitian and Personal Trainer, about how she is balancing having a new baby and working from home during the Pandemic. We hope you enjoy the episode and we look forward…

Episode 20: Creating Healthy Snacks with Kathryn Walton

May 2, 2019

This week’s episode features Dr. Kathryn Walton, a dietitian and researcher from SickKids Hospital. Kathryn was also the host of the last season of Healthy Habits, Happy Homes. Kathryn shares tips for incorporating snacks in healthy ways and choosing the best snacks for your family!

Episode 19: Accepting the Stress of Parenting with Jess Vanderwier

April 16, 2019

This week our hosts are joined by Jess Vanderweir, founder of the online community Our Mama Village and a therapist who specializes in postpartum depression. In this week’s episode we’ll learn about managing everyday family stress, as well as recognizing when you may need some expert help.

Episode 18: Busting Dairy Myths with Andrea Buchholz and Gen Newton

April 2, 2019

In this week’s episode, co-hosts Lisa and Tory discuss myths surrounding dairy with expert guests Dr. Gen Newton and Dr. Andrea Buchholz. The two researchers share evidence on benefits of dairy consumption, what makes a good dairy alternative, and what the recent changes to Canada’s Food Guide could mean for dairy consumption trends.

Episode 17: Teaching Kids to Like Seafood with Jessie Burns

March 19, 2019

In this week’s episode we’re talking about seafood and increasing Omega-3’s in young kids. Jessie shares her research on Omega-3’s and how to encourage kids (and their parents) to try eating them more!

Episode 16: Exploring Gender Roles and Health with Julia Gruson-Wood

March 5, 2019

In this episode we use a new format to explore the connection of gender and health. Our expert guest, Julia Gruson-Wood, shares her perspective on how these two concepts are related and how they can impact your family.

Episode 15: Eating Plant-based as a Family with Nicole Osinga

February 19, 2019

In this week’s episode our hosts discuss plant-based eating with Registered Dietitian, Nicole Osinga. Nicole shares her perspective on plant-based eating and easy ways to switch family meals to include more plants.

Episode 14: Protecting your Relationship with Robin Milhausen

February 7, 2019

In this week’s episode, we interview Dr. Milhausen from the University of Guelph. Robin and our hosts discuss ways to protect your relationship with your partner and create time for each other when life with young children is busy.

Episode 13: Surviving the Winter with Nurse Practitioner Rae Delafranier

January 22, 2019

This week’s episode debuts a new co-host to interview Nurse Practitioner Rae Delafranier. We talk with Rae about surviving the winter and ways to keep families healthy during flu season.

Episode 12 – Embracing The Imperfection with new co-hosts Lisa Tang & Angela Wallace

January 9, 2019

In the first episode of Season 2, we learn more about new co-hosts Lisa and Angela. The two Registered Dietitians working for the Guelph Family Health Study share tips for being okay with a less than “picture perfect” daily routine and how you and your family can embrace the imperfection.

Episode 11: Bringing Healthy Food Home with Tirtha Dhar

November 6, 2018

In the last episode of Season 1, Kathryn and Elie talk with Dr. Tirtha Dhar from the University of Guelph. Dr. Dhar talks about marketing to children and how parents can avoid marketing tricks to make bringing healthy food into the home easier.

Episode 10: Trick or Treating and Healthy Eating with Dr. Jess Haines

October 24, 2018

On this weeks episode, we share tips for maintaining health around Halloween. Dr. Jess Haines from the Guelph Family Health Study, shares tips for limiting treat intake in kids and why we should care about the amount of sugar we eat!

Episode 9: Kids in the Kitchen – Lottie from the “Little Cookery”

October 9, 2018

In this week’s episode, listen to Lottie Aldarwish, author of “Little Cookery: Teaching young kids to cook”, share about her experience teaching young kids to cook. This episode will give you advice on how to teach your kids to enjoy cooking as a family!

Episode 8: Catching more Zzzzz’s with Justine Tishinsky and Jean-Phillipe Chaput

September 25, 2018

In this week’s episode, Kathryn & Elie chat with Dr. Justine Tishinsky from the University of Guelph and Dr. Jean-Phillipe Chaput from the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) about the importance of getting to bed and sleeping! Listen to hear about the newest sleep research and helpful tips for sleeping better!

Episode 7: Feeding your Good Bugs with Dr. Emma Allen Vercoe

September 11, 2018

This week’s episode features an interview with Dr. Emma Allen Vercoe from the Guelph Family Health Study. Emma tells Kathryn and Elie about the importance of the bugs in your gut and how to keep them healthy!

Episode 6: Making Back to School Easier with the Guelph Family Health Study

August 29, 2018

This week’s episode is all about heading back to school and getting back into routines. Kathryn and Elie talk routines and healthy snacks, and members of the Guelph Family Health Study share tips on getting kids ready for back to school!

Episode 5: Reducing Screen Time with Lisa Tang

August 14, 2018

In this week’s episode we discuss ways to reduce screen time with Lisa Tang. As a busy mom of three, Lisa shares her tried and tested methods for limiting family screen time!

Episode 4: Talking Food Waste with Mike Von Massow

July 31, 2018

In this week’s episode Kathryn and Elie talk food waste with Dr. Mike Von Massow. Learn how your family can save money on groceries by wasting less food each week!

Episode 3: Eating Local with Dan Tukendorf from the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association

July 24, 2018

In this episode Dan Tukendorf explains what eating local really means and how families get can the most out of eating local.

Episode 2: Getting Physically Active with Becky Breau

July 17, 2018

This week’s episode features an interview with Becky Breau, a PhD student with the Guelph Family Health Study. Becky provides us with tips to get the whole family active and ways to incorporate movement throughout the day!

Episode 1: Creating Healthy Routines at Home with Jess Haines

July 10, 2018

Our first episode is all about the importance of family routines and features an interview with Dr. Jess Haines. Dr. Haines is the Associate Director of the Guelph Family Health Study and a professor in the Department of Family Relations & Applied Nutrition at the University of Guelph. In this episode she shares practical tips from the research and her own experiences as a mom of two!