Hello 2026!
Happy New Year - here’s to calmer mealtimes and a confident start to the year
Hello everyone, and a very Happy New Year! I do hope you and your families had a truly wonderful Christmas. I managed to take some precious time off with my little terrors this festive season, and I’m heading into January feeling both rested and excited to be back, ready to support you all on your family’s food journey.
If January has you worrying about feeding your children, please pause for a moment. You’re not failing. January is hard. Instead of pressure or perfection, let’s focus on building confidence, one small step at a time.
This month, we’re shining a spotlight on food refusal and fussy eating, something so many families experience, including my own. Rather than drastic changes, I’m a big believer in micro changes. Small, manageable shifts that add up over time and actually stick.
I’m also delighted to let you know that we’ll be building an SR Nutrition community over on Substack this year, where we can connect, share, and support each other even more closely. And on a personal note, I’m counting down to a brand-new kitchen next month – it feels like a real new chapter, and I can’t wait to bring you along for the ride.
Thank you so much for your ongoing support and for being part of this wonderful community. Here’s to a kinder, steadier start to 2026, full of encouragement, tiny steps, and growing confidence. Let’s make this our best (and most manageable) year yet…one day, one meal, one micro-change at a time.
In the news
Government response to infant formula market study - The government has responded to its review into infant formula pricing, recognising the pressure rising costs can place on families. While some headlines suggest prices are being cut, a recent article explains that the reality is more complex, and many families are unlikely to see immediate reductions.
Are vegan and vegetarian kids skinnier and shorter? A recent study reported that children following vegan diets were, on average, slightly leaner and slightly shorter than those eating mixed diets - but importantly, they still grew within healthy ranges. My blog covers advice on how to carefully plan a vegan or vegetarian diet.
Fussy eating chat - I’m kicking off my first Substack deep dive this month, focusing on fussy eating and how to navigate it with confidence. I’ll be answering your questions and sharing plenty of practical, reassuring support along the way. I can’t wait to chat with you.
From the blog
Plant-based eating for children - With Veganuary underway, I wanted to share my blog, which covers the key nutritional considerations for families following vegan or vegetarian diets and ties in closely with the recent study above, breaking down how to support your child’s nutrition with confidence.
Egg free breakfast ideas - Here I share my favourite easy egg-free breakfast ideas to add variety to babies’ and toddlers’ mornings, including overnight oats, pancakes, muffins and more.
Fruit juice vs whole fruit - This blog explains the difference between fruit juice and whole fruits (a question I am often asked by parents), and why whole fruits are recommended for babies and children.
Recipes
My green veggie egg muffins - this recipe is full of veggies, adaptable and makes a delicious snack or lunchbox filler.
Homemade baked beans with mini jackets - A speedy, tasty back-to-school dinner that’s easy to pull together on busy weeknights.
Oatie blueberry muffins - lots of you love this recipe, so I wanted to share it again. After all, who doesn’t love a blueberry muffin?
Brand Hero:
I wanted to spotlight Fisher & Paykel this month after having one of their fridges delivered for my new kitchen - I’m so excited for it to go in!!! If you follow me on social media, you’ll have seen all my kitchen updates, so keep an eye out for the new fridge in my upcoming posts.
Fisher & Paykel make a range of kitchen and laundry appliances, focusing on refined design and how they fit into everyday family routines. I also love Fisher & Paykel’s belief that the kitchen is about more than just cooking - it’s a place where families come together, chat about their day and spend time with one another.
You can take a look at their products here.
Factsheet: Baby and toddler ticklist
As we head into the new year, this handy checklist helps parents and carers keep track of their child’s daily nutrition needs - covering hydration, snacks, protein, vitamin supplements and more, in a simple tick-list format for the fridge or noticeboard.
Exclusive discount for my fussy eating course
If you’re a paid subscriber, I’m offering an exclusive discount on my Fussy Eating Crash Course this month, along with lots of extra support. As we’re focusing on fussy eating, I wanted to give you a little extra help with practical, reassuring guidance to make mealtimes feel calmer and less stressful.
