Uncategorized

how to encourage teens to talk about food
balanced eating, balanced nutrition, balanced parenting strategies, body image, eating source of nourishment, emotionally neutral food, food choices, fuel for body, healthy eating, healthy kids, healthy mindset for teens, how to encourage teens to talk about food, nourishment, nutrient dense foods, nutrition, parent coach, prevent disordered eating, prevent eating disorders, teens and food, Uncategorized

How to Encourage Your Teen to Talk About Food

/

How to encourage your teen to talk about food-there are some helpful tips……..Talking to your teen about food can feel like walking on eggshells. You want to encourage healthy habits, but every time you bring it up, they shut down—or worse, the conversation turns into a battle. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many parents struggle with this, and the good news is, there are ways to foster open, productive discussions without making food a point of tension. I’ve Been There Too… I remember working with a mom who was deeply concerned about her teenage daughter’s eating habits. Every time she asked about what her daughter was eating, the conversation either ended in silence or frustration. “I just want to make sure she’s healthy,” she told me. “But the more I try to talk about it, the more she pulls away.” This is such a common struggle. Parents come from a place of love and concern, but teens often interpret these conversations differently. That’s why finding the right approach is key—it’s not just what you say, but how you say it. Why Teens Shut Down Around Food Conversations There are many reasons a teen might avoid talking about food and eating habits: How to Encourage Healthy Eating Without Pushing Them Away 1. Make Food a Neutral, Low-Pressure Topic Instead of asking, “Did you eat enough today?” or “Are you sure that’s a healthy choice?” try shifting the focus. Talk about food in a relaxed, everyday way—mention a new recipe you’re excited to try, ask if they want to help plan meals, or invite them to cook with you. 2. Lead by Example Teens watch what we do more than they listen to what we say. If they see you enjoying a variety of foods, eating without guilt, and focusing on overall well-being instead of weight, they’ll absorb those messages over time. 3. Give Them Autonomy Instead of micromanaging their food choices, offer guidance and let them take the lead. Try phrases like, “Would you rather have eggs or yogurt for breakfast?” instead of “You should eat more protein in the morning.” This gives them a sense of control while still encouraging balance. 4. Focus on the Bigger Picture Rather than emphasizing weight or specific foods, talk about how food supports their life. If they’re an athlete, discuss how good nutrition fuels performance. If they struggle with focus, mention how balanced meals can help with energy and concentration. Keep the conversation positive and relevant to their interests. 5. Create an Environment That Supports Healthy Choices Actions speak louder than words. Keep nutritious foods easily accessible, make family meals a positive experience, and normalize variety. If your teen sees these habits as part of everyday life rather than a “should” or “must,” they’re more likely to adopt them naturally. How to Encourage Your Teen to Talk about Food: When to Step Back If your teen continues to resist talking about food, forcing the issue can do more harm than good. Instead, focus on building trust and creating a safe environment where they feel comfortable opening up when they’re ready. If you’re concerned about their eating habits or suspect deeper issues, consider reaching out to a professional for guidance. How to Encourage Your Teen to Talk about Food: Final Thoughts & Next Steps Conversations about food don’t have to be stressful. By making small shifts in how and when you talk about eating, you can support your teen in developing a balanced, lifelong relationship with food—without the power struggles. Download my FREE guide here: 4 Step Guide: How to Talk to Your Teen about Their Eating Habits….without making it worse. If this is something you’re struggling with, you don’t have to navigate it alone. I work with parents to help them feel confident in supporting their teen’s health and well-being—without conflict or shame. Visit my website for expert guidance and resources to help families implement healthy habits for both mental and physical well-being 📆 Let’s chat! Book a free consultation to explore how I can support you and your teen. Click here to schedule a time.

Eating Disorder Awareness Week
diet culture and disordered eating, disordered eating, disordered eating vs eating disorders, eating disorder coaching, body dysmorphia coaching, diet culture and disordered eating, signs of disordered eating, mental health coaching, eating disorder, eating disorder awareness week, eating disorder coaching, Uncategorized

Raising Awareness about Eating Disorders is Important to Me

/

Raising awareness about eating disorders is important to me because various forms of eating disorders have impacted numerous people in my life. Seeing many loved ones struggle with different aspects of this disease has inspired me to support parents—both those who have faced it themselves and those guiding their child through it. An important aspect of my coaching is to guide my clients in recognizing that “eating disorder” is an umbrella term encompassing various conditions—such as disordered eating, ARFID, bulimia, anorexia, and binge eating. Understanding that eating disorders exist on a spectrum empowers my clients to approach recovery with clarity and self-compassion, paving the way for a healthier relationship with food and their bodies. Breaking the Silence: National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (Feb 24 – Mar 2) Every 52 minutes, 1 person dies due to direct causes of an eating disorder (NEDA). Eating disorders thrive in silence. Too often, those struggling feel alone, ashamed, or misunderstood. But no one should have to face an eating disorder in isolation. This National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (February 24th–March 2nd), we join the movement to break the stigma, raise awareness about eating disorders, and ensure that everyone impacted gets the support they need. Why Eating Disorder Awareness Matters to Me Eating disorders affect millions of individuals and families, yet misconceptions and lack of understanding can make it difficult for those suffering to reach out for help. Raising awareness helps: How You Can Help You Are Not Alone Recovery is possible, and support is available. Let’s work together to ensure that no one faces an eating disorder in silence. Join us and NEDA this week in spreading the message that everyone deserves help, healing, and hope. Learn more and get involved: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/edaw Coaching for Eating Disorders Raising awareness about eating disorders is deeply important to me. I’m grateful to do this through my coaching practice. I provide support for parents who have personally experienced or are currently struggling with an eating disorder. I also support parents’ navigating their child’s challenges with eating disorders or body image concerns. One of my clients chose me as her parent coach specifically because of my personal and professional experience in this area. Having battled an eating disorder as a teenager, she sought guidance to ensure she wouldn’t unintentionally pass down disordered habits or mindsets to her daughter. Together, we worked to foster a healthier approach to food and body image. As a result, we created a more positive foundation for her family’s well-being. Client testimonial, “I originally chose Siah because of her work and understanding of eating disorders which I had previously struggled with and didn’t want to pass on to my daughter. But our parent coaching quickly went beyond that to cover all sorts of topics, and I have been so grateful to have Siah as an objective resource and coach in a world where parenting for the first time can be so difficult. She has made me more confident as a mom and truly helped to transform my husband and my’s parenting approach for the better. I would recommend her to anyone!” Normalizing conversations about eating disorders is crucial to me I help my clients uncover the root causes of their eating disorder. We explore the biological, psychological, environmental, and social factors that contribute to their thoughts and behaviors. This deeper understanding reduces stigma and self-blame, fostering the healing mindset necessary to overcome this complex and debilitating illness. Click this link to book a free call and explore how I can support you! Find out more about my coaching programs at https://siahfriedcoach.com/.

Uncategorized

How to Raise Resilient Kids in an Uncertain World

/

Parenting today is tougher than ever. When I reached out to parents in various Facebook groups and asked about their biggest parenting concerns, the answers were eye-opening. Many parents shared their struggles, pointing to political and societal uncertainty as a major source of stress. For some in the United States, one word kept coming up: “Trump.” For others, it was the overwhelming news cycle, global conflicts, or an ever-changing world. This resonated deeply with me. Growing up in the 70s and 80s, I remember family gatherings filled with heated political debates. The raised voices, tension, and uncertainty left me feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Even as a child, I could sense how stress affected everyone around me. Now, as a parent and a coach, I understand the importance of calm leadership—especially during turbulent times. The truth is, we can’t control the world, but we can control how we show up for our kids. That’s how resilience begins. Why Resilience Matters for Our Kids The world our children are growing up in can feel unpredictable and chaotic. Whether it’s political division, social unrest, or economic challenges, kids notice far more than we think. If we don’t equip them with tools to handle adversity, they risk growing up anxious, fearful, and uncertain. Resilience is not about avoiding challenges. It’s about helping kids learn to navigate difficult situations with confidence, calm, and strength. How to Raise Resilient Kids: 5 Key Steps Here are five proven strategies to help your family build resilience during uncertain times: 1. Create a Safe Space for Calm Conversations Tip: Turn stressful conversations into opportunities for growth and understanding. 2. Focus on Shared Family Values 3. Build Positive Coping Strategies Resilient kids need tools to handle stress. Start with simple habits: Remember: You can’t shield your kids from the world, but you can teach them healthy ways to respond to it. 4. Strengthen Community Connections Inspiration: One of my clients from Ukraine faced unimaginable challenges during the war, yet her strength came from her family, community, and perspective. She inspires me every day. 5. Lead By Example Children are always watching. Your response to challenges teaches them how to handle their own. What We Can Learn From Resilient Communities Research on Blue Zones—regions where people live the longest and healthiest lives—offers valuable lessons in resilience. These communities have faced wars, famine, and hardships yet continue to thrive with far less anxiety than many of us experience today. What’s their secret? Resilience is not about avoiding hardship. It’s about finding strength through connection, perspective, and simple, healthy habits. Raising Kids Who Thrive, No Matter What The world will always have challenges, and uncertainty is part of life. But by fostering resilience, we can raise kids who: Resilience is the gift that will carry our children through any uncertain future. Take the First Step Toward Resilience Today Start small. Have an honest, calm conversation with your kids. Eat dinner together tonight. Take a family walk and talk about gratitude. By showing up for your kids—calmly and consistently—you’re teaching them to navigate life’s challenges with grace and strength. Let’s raise kids who don’t just survive, but thrive.

Uncategorized

The Message Behind the Weight Loss Craze: My Concerns About Ozempic and Similar Drugs

/

WHAT IS OZEMPIC? RISKS FOR NON-MEDICAl USE See the video below for my thoughts regarding Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro when used for non-medically advised weight loss . RISKS ON BODY IMAGE AND SOCIETY It seems to be a big trend and I worry about the message it’s sending. Here is a short video of my thoughts about the dangers as I see them. Please let me know your thoughts on this topic by joining my Eating Disorder, Nutrition and Body Image Parent Support Facebook Group by clicking here and ask to join. Here is a link to an article on Ozempic

Uncategorized

What is emotional regulation?

/

Emotional regulation is a buzz word among parent experts right now. Essentially, emotionally regulating oneself pertains to an individual’s capacity to refrain from immediate reactions. These skills manifest during the interval between impulse and action, as individuals evaluate their natural inclinations against their desired responses. In other words, find your own coping skill such as taking a deep breath or walk away before reacting to your child’s big emotion. If a parent can be grounded themself then they can be calm for their child. When calmness prevails between parent and child during a tough moment, a teaching moment can result and less angst is present between both. A phrase I learned from Jai Institute of Parenting certification program is, “Anchor yourself so you can be a safe harbor for your child.”

Uncategorized

Are you a lighthouse or helicopter parent?

/

We have all heard about helicopter parents. We have all seen them in action. We even may “helicopter” ourselves sometimes. Research shows that this style of parenting leads to kids being more fearful, anxious, dependent and self-conscious.

I found a parenting term that refers to a much healthier and more likable kind of parenting, “Lighthouse parenting,” by Alexandra, Founder of Big Life Journal.

©siahfriedcoach.com

Uncategorized

The Importance of Macro and Micronutrients

/

Macro and Micro Nutrients Macronutrients are the main nutrients our body needs to stay alive and functioning. They come from our three main nutrient sources: carbohydrates (which our body uses immediately to break down energy), protein, and fats. They are referred to as macro because we need a large amount of them for energy in the form of calories. They also maintain your body’s structure and functioning. This is why it is important to eat balanced diets with the suggested amount of each macro at every meal instead of favoring any one macronutrient per a weight loss diet or other reason (unless advised by your doctor per a health condition). There is scientific basis for the recommended amount of each macronutrient based on age and energy output. For more information, take a look at the American Dietary Guidelines. Micronutrients are referred to as micro NOT because they are less important than macronutrients, but because we need smaller or trace amounts of them for normal growth and development. Micronutrients, often referred to as vitamins and minerals, are vital to healthy development, disease prevention, and wellbeing. With the exception of vitamin D, micronutrients are not produced in the body and must be derived from the diet. Though we only need small amounts of micronutrients, consuming the recommended amount is important. Micronutrient deficiencies can have devastating consequences. At least half of children worldwide younger than 5 years of age suffer from vitamin and mineral deficiencies CDC/Nutrition/micornutrient For coaching appointments please reach out to me at: Siah_fried@yahoo.com  Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating, & Dietary Restriction Can Result In Macro & Micro Undernutrition According to the Cleveland Clinic, malnutrition is an imbalance between the nutrients your body needs to function and the nutrients it gets. It can mean undernutrition or overnutrition. You can be malnourished from an overall lack of calories, or you might have a protein, vitamin or mineral deficiency. You might also have more excess calories than your body knows what to do with. Macronutrient undernutrition Also called protein-energy undernutrition, this is a deficiency of macronutrients: proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Macronutrients are the main building blocks of your diet, the nutrients that your body relies on to produce energy to maintain itself. Without them — or even just one of them — your body soon begins to fall apart, breaking down tissues and shutting down nonessential functions to conserve its low energy. Micronutrient undernutrition Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals. Your body needs these in smaller amounts, but they are very necessary for our body, for all types of functions. Many people are mildly deficient in certain vitamins and minerals from a lack of variety in their diet. This is why the medical and nutrition community reminds us to vary our daily nutrient intake. You might not notice a mild vitamin deficiency affecting you, but as micronutrient undernutrition becomes more severe, it can begin to have serious and lasting effects on the body and brain. An increasing number of studies are revealing that diet and nutrition are critical not only for physiology and body composition, but also have significant effects on mood and mental well-being. In particular, Western dietary habits have been the object of several research studies focusing on the relationship between nutrition and mental health. Muscaritoli M. (2021). The Impact of Nutrients on Mental Health and Well-Being: Insights From the Literature. Frontiers in nutrition, 8, 656290. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.656290

Scroll to Top