You Can't Fully Control Teens' Food Choices

We all want for our kids to build a healthy relationship with food, but it’s not always clear how to make that happen. Special guest Dr. Reshma Shah offers a grounded, practical approach to navigating the common challenges parents face at mealtime. If you’re trying to guide your tween or teen toward healthier eating without power struggles, guilt, or the nightly “just take one bite!” battle, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens, Lisa and Reena sit down with Dr. Shah to dig into what really works when it comes to helping kids eat well and feel good about food.

Whether your child is picky, stressed about food, obsessed with protein, avoiding vegetables, or simply eating most of their meals away from home, this conversation offers a grounded, judgment-free roadmap for calmer mealtimes and healthier habits.

💡 YOU’LL LEARN:

- Why modeling healthy eating matters far more than lecturing about it

- How to use low-stress dinner table dynamics to boost kids’ nutrition

- How to shift to neutral, non-judgmental language around food

- Why family meals carry long-term benefits for mental health, nutrition, and connection

If this conversation helps you rethink your family’s approach to food, tell us in the comments!

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens is the essential podcast for parents seeking expert guidance, tested strategies, and psychological insights on raising kids, especially tweens and teens. Join renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and former journalist and mom of two Reena Ninan as they explore real-life parenting challenges.  Looking to learn more about how to boost kids’ resilience, build their confidence, or support their emotional well-being? Dr. Lisa and Reena have got you covered! Together they address listener questions about stress, anxiety, social media concerns, school pressures, and challenges in peer relationships. Each episode provides practical advice and science-backed solutions to help parents raise resilient, confident, and emotionally healthy kids. Tune in every week for the latest topics in parenting, child psychology, and family wellness. Get answers to your most pressing parenting questions. New episodes drop every Tuesday.
healthy eating, picky eating, family meals, nutrition, food relationship, mindful eating
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