How to Raise Intuitive Eaters With Sumner Brooks MPH, RDN, LD, CEDRD
Welcome to another episode of the Understanding Disordered Eating Podcast. In this segment, we speak with Sumner Brooks, a registered dietitian (RDN), mom, and eating disorder specialist who spent 15 years working in nutrition. Her involvement includes providing nutrition therapy for adolescents and adults, public speaking, and pursuing advanced training in trauma-informed, weight-inclusive healthcare.
Today, Sumner shares her knowledge working with clients at all levels of the eating disorder spectrum. Which includes the following: Why she decided to divert into intuitive eating, the journey of writing her book, as well as some tips on how to create a supportive environment that helps support children with their food relationships. I hope that this episode will shed light on your food journey and give you some ideas on how to raise intuitive eaters.
Listen to the Episode Now
Show Notes
[00:01-5:30] Opening Segments
Introducing our guest speaker
Sumner shares her experience with her first job
Why did she become interested in intuitive eating?
Why did she decide to specialize in eating disorders?
[5:31-11:46] How to Raise Intuitive Eaters
Co-writing a book and raising awareness
How did they structure their book?
Her take on weight stigma
Risks and consequences of eating disorders
Understanding the food problems within the status quo
[11:47-16:00] Creating a Supportive Environment that Supports Children
How to raise intuitive eaters
Helping kids fall in their natural ability
Supporting children as they follow their internal body cues
Allowing children to give opportunity to act out to their internally driven biology
[16:01-27:01] Consistent Feeding Structure
How do parents deal when their child is a picky eater?
Associating eating time that is calm and safe
Opinion on nutrition classes in schools
[27:02-35:36] How important is it to focus on your relationship with food?
Sumner’s take on public health and food accessibility
How important is it to educate parents on how to deal with their child’s eating habits?
Dealing with fat phobia as a parent
Pathological dieting
[35:37-42:30] Parenting styles that will help their kids find their place and development
Helping parents to think critically
Parents-children communication
There’s always opportunity for repair and healing
Encouraging parents to ask food inputs to their children
Giving children choice and opinion
[42:31-43-26] Outro
Where to find Sumner?
Resources Mentioned:
Division of Responsibility
Tweetable Quotes
“There’s not a right way to feed a child, everyone is coming from their own cultural heritage, their own traditions, their own preferences and differences due to economic situations.” - Sumner Brookes
More From Rachelle
Hey there! I’m Rachelle, the host of the Understanding Disordered Eating Podcast. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I work with clients to make sense of life’s messy emotional experiences.
I believe in the power of deep work and its positive impact on your life in the long term. Learn more about how we can work together here.
You can connect with me on Instagram, through my website or email me directly clicking the links below.
Subscribe & Leave A Review!
If you enjoyed this episode, you can show your support by leaving a review, subscribing, or sharing with someone who may need help. Click here to open this show in iTunes and leave a five star rating and review.
More Episodes
