Mealtimes with Dr Kyla

This week, I’m joined by A/Prof Debbie Palmer — a leading dietitian and researcher in early life nutrition — to talk about all things food allergy prevention in babies. We cover the latest evidence on eczema care, when (and how) to introduce allergenic foods, and what’s new in the research world. Debbie also shares fascinating insights into why Australia has such high allergy rates and what’s giving researchers hope for the future. Whether you’re a new parent, a curious health professional, or just fascinated by how our bodies develop food tolerance, this episode is a must-listen.
Listen in and discover:
● Why treating eczema early and properly is key to preventing allergies
● The safest way to introduce allergenic foods like egg and peanut (and when to do it)
● How to know if your baby is developmentally ready for these foods
● Why smearing food on skin is risky — and what to do instead
● What’s behind the rise in cashew and pistachio allergies
● The surprising links between early formula use, breastfeeding, and allergy risk
● How oral immunotherapy is changing the future for kids with nut allergies
● What new studies like Nuts for Babies are discovering about allergy prevention

This podcast is for general information only and doesn’t replace personalised medical advice. Please speak with your GP, paediatrician or allergist for guidance specific to your child.
Associate Professor Debbie Palmer is an experienced dietitian and mid-career researcher. She leads a research team which has the primary focus of investigating nutritional strategies for allergic disease prevention. The research team conducts clinical trials, mechanistic studies, and translation activities, all with the goal of reducing the burden of allergies within our community.
Debbie is:
Team leader of the Nutrition in Early Life Research Team at The Kids Research Institute Australia.
Co-Director of the Centre for Human Lactation Research and Translation at the University of Western Australia.
Co-chair of the Food Allergy Stream of the National Allergy Centre of Excellence, and a Chief Investigator on the NHMRC funded Centre of Research Excellence in Food Allergy Research (CFAR3).

Mentioned in this episode:
Website mentioned by Debbie for research participation and allergy studies: National Allergy Centre of Excellence (NACE) / Kids Research Australia ( contains the Allergy Study Directory, where families can search for studies across Australia)
Nipbu / Allergy and Immunology Website: Nipbu – National Allergy Strategy’s allergy prevention hub, run by the National Allergy Centre of Excellence and the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) (Evidence-based information on Eczema care and treatment, introducing allergenic foods, videos and infographics for parents)
Kids Research (Australia) (Debbie’s research institute, where she leads the Nutrition and Early Life Research team, info on studies like The Pregnant Study and Nuts for Babies)
The PrEggNut Study:

This week, I’m diving into Halloween for families — the excitement, the lollies, and all the mixed feelings in between. From managing sugar fears to handling trick-or-treat chaos, I’m sharing a practical, evidence-based approach to help you enjoy the night without stress.
Whether you’re a Halloween enthusiast or a self-confessed Halloween Grinch, this episode will help you find balance between fun and food — and teach your kids to do the same.
Listen in and discover:
● Why sugar highs aren’t real (and what’s really happening)
● How to help kids enjoy lollies without guilt or restriction
● What to do before trick-or-treating to avoid overwhelm
● The difference between managing food and managing fear
● How to ditch “Switch Witch” thinking and build food trust instead
● Why letting go of control helps kids self-regulate better
● Practical tips for handling safety, choking hazards, and boundaries
● How to make Halloween fun — even if you don’t love it yourself

Mentioned in this episode:
Mealtimes Membership – live Q&A sessions, personalised support and access to all content
Wender EH, Solanto MV. Effects of sugar on aggressive and inattentive behavior in children with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity and normal children. (1991). Pediatrics, 88(5), 960-6.
Kanarek RB. Does sucrose or aspartame cause hyperactivity in children? (1994). Nutrition Reviews, 52(5), 173-5. DOI: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.1994.tb01415.x.
Farsad-Naeimi A, Asjodi F, Omidian M, Askari M, Nouri M, Pizarro AB, Daneshzad E. (2020). Sugar consumption, sugar sweetened beverages and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 53, 102512. DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102512.

Connect with me (Dr Kyla) on Instagram and Facebook!
Do you want to easily understand what’s in the food you buy without any fear mongering or misinformation? Check out my weekly Chewsday Reviews.
Join my online membership programs today! Baby Mealtimes for parents introducing solids, Toddler Mealtimes to navigate fussy eating, Family Mealtimes for guidance when packing school lunches and feeding the whole family, or School Mealtimes to change the way we talk about food in schools.

This week, I’m sharing all the details from our most recent family holiday to Bali – the highs, the lows, and everything in between. From hotel choice and flights to food, service, kids’ activities, and even avoiding Bali belly, I break down exactly what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d do differently next time. If you’ve been considering Bali for your next family trip (or you’re just curious about how an all-inclusive stacks up), this episode is packed with first-hand tips and honest reflections.
Listen in and discover:
● Why we chose Bali (again!) for our family holiday
● The flights, visa process, and airport tips that made travel smoother
● Honest thoughts on our stay at the Grand Mirage Hotel – pros and cons
● Pool, slides, splash park & kids’ activity highlights
● The reality of all-inclusive packages (and hidden extra costs)
● Food and drink quality – what impressed us and what fell flat
● Service and communication challenges at the hotel
● Why the kids’ club didn’t work for us
● How we avoided Bali belly (and the new product people are talking about)
● Our go-to nanny and how she made the holiday easier
● Fiji vs Bali – my take for Perth-based families
Previous episodes mentioned:
14. Bali Family Holiday Part One: Why All-Inclusive Deals Are a Game-Changer
15. Bali Family Holiday Part Two: Packing the Essentials

Connect with me (Dr Kyla) on Instagram and Facebook!
Do you want to easily understand what’s in the food you buy without any fear mongering or misinformation? Check out my weekly Chewsday Reviews.
Join my online membership programs today! Baby Mealtimes for parents introducing solids, Toddler Mealtimes to navigate fussy eating, Family Mealtimes for guidance when packing school lunches and feeding the whole family, or School Mealtimes to change the way we talk about food in schools.

This week, I’m joined by Ingrid Roche, an Accredited Practising Dietitian and co-director at Advanced Dietitians Group in Perth, to chat about food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) in babies. With over 20 years of experience, Ingrid specialises in paediatrics and food allergies, and is passionate about helping families find practical nutrition solutions. In this episode, we unpack everything parents need to know about FPIES, from recognising the signs to navigating food introductions with confidence.
Listen in and discover:
● What FPIES is
● How it differs from other allergies
● Signs and symptoms
● Risk factors for developing FPIES
● Foods that commonly trigger reactions
● How FPIES is diagnosed
● Treatments for hospital presentations
● Foods to be cautious of if your baby has FPIES
● Introducing common triggers to your baby
● Whether FPIES trigger foods affect breastfeeding mothers
● Food labelling that says ‘may contain’
Find out more about Advanced Dietitians Group on their website, follow them on Instagram, or book an appointment.
Connect with me (Dr Kyla) on Instagram and Facebook!
Do you want to easily understand what’s in the food you buy without any fear mongering or misinformation? Check out my weekly Chewsday Reviews.
Join my online membership programs today! Baby Mealtimes for parents introducing solids, Toddler Mealtimes to navigate fussy eating, Family Mealtimes for guidance when packing school lunches and feeding the whole family, or School Mealtimes to change the way we talk about food in schools.

In this powerful episode, I’m chatting with Sabine, an eating disorder recovery coach who brings a unique perspective to her work, having recovered from an eating disorder herself.
Sabine offers hope and confidence, in a judgment-free space, to support her clients in their journeys toward recovery. From coffee chats and grocery shopping to meal support and parent guidance, her focus on prevention and early intervention is a game-changer in creating a lasting impact.
Listen in and discover:
Sabine’s journey with an eating disorder and body image struggles
How the support from her mum was imperative to her recovery
Common challenges among Sabine’s clients
Red flags and warning signs that may indicate disordered eating
How to approach the situation if you notice warning signs in a loved one
Why having a food and body neutral approach in the early years is never used in vain
What a client’s journey can look like when working with Sabine
The message behind Sabine’s Grey Space hats

Connect with me (Dr Kyla) on Instagram and Facebook!
Do you want to easily understand what’s in the food you buy without any fear mongering or misinformation? Check out my weekly Chewsday Reviews.
Join my online membership programs today! Baby Mealtimes for parents introducing solids, Toddler Mealtimes to navigate fussy eating, Family Mealtimes for guidance when packing school lunches and feeding the whole family, or School Mealtimes to change the way we talk about food in schools.
Learn more about Sabine’s support and services at www.worthbeyond.com.au or follow her on Instagram @sabine.mckenzie. Want to join the Grey Space movement? Get your Grey Space hat here
Find the resources Sabine mentioned:
Butterfly Foundation
Feed Your Instinct