Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD

Is every mealtime a battle with your picky eater? You’re not alone! Picky eating is a common struggle, especially for children with ADHD.

In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, we continue our Summer Series with host Dana Kay, an ADHD health practitioner, and returning guest Andrea Daigle, expert coach at the ADHD Thrive Institute. Together, they dive into the root causes of picky eating, including sensory issues, gut health, and nutrient deficiencies—and more importantly, how to turn it around without stress or frustration.

Andrea shares proven strategies to help parents encourage new foods, reduce mealtime stress, and break the picky eating cycle. You’ll also learn how nutrient deficiencies like zinc and omega-3s impact food preferences and simple ways to test for them at home. If you’re ready to make mealtime peaceful and expand your child’s diet, this episode is packed with practical tips you can start using today! Plus, check out the show notes for helpful resources, including a Family Food Challenge guide, a zinc deficiency test, and recommended supplements.

To watch this episode on YouTube, go here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpW22uEubgc

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW

Book a free call with Andrea or the team at ADHD Thrive Institute – https://bit.ly/3X5ZVvT

Zinc Assay Test for Zinc Deficiency – A simple at-home test to check for zinc levels – https://amzn.to/3QEyKoq

Favorite Zinc Supplement – https://shop.adhdthriveinstitute.com/zinc-liquid-15-mg-120-ml.html

Favorite Omega-3 Supplement – https://shop.adhdthriveinstitute.com/omega-essentials-liquid-6floz.html or https://shop.adhdthriveinstitute.com/omega-essentials-soft-gels.html

KEY TAKEAWAYS

[3:21] Why Picky Eating is So Common in ADHD

[3:38] Key Causes of Picky Eating (Sensory Issues, Gut Health, and Nutrient Deficiencies)

[4:12] The Impact of Family Dynamics on Picky Eating

[7:10] Practical Strategies to Reduce Mealtime Stress

[7:20] The Family Food Challenge: A Game-Changer for Picky Eaters

[12:59] How Nutrient Deficiencies (Zinc & Omega-3s) Affect Food Preferences

[13:18] How to Test for a Zinc Deficiency at Home

[16:34] When to Seek Professional Help for Picky Eating

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

"Picky eating is one of the most frustrating struggles for parents, especially those raising kids with ADHD.”

“Undiagnosed food intolerances, gut inflammation, and nutrient deficiencies can actually close a child’s palate and make picky eating worse.”

“When we’re stressed at mealtimes, our kids pick up on it—we hold the keys to their nervous system.”

“Small changes make a big difference! Mix homemade and store-bought nuggets together, and kids often won’t notice the difference.”

“The Family Food Challenge is about making mealtime fun and removing pressure—it’s not about forcing kids to eat.”

“It can take kids 15 to 20 times to accept a new flavor or texture, so don’t give up after the first try!”

“If your child is gagging, panicking, or avoiding entire food groups, it may be time to seek professional support.”

“A simple zinc assay test at home can tell you whether your child is deficient in zinc, which impacts taste and appetite.”

“One of our team members’ sons went from eating 5 foods to over 200 just by addressing food sensitivities and using these strategies!”

“Remove the pressure from mealtimes—focus on connection, not control, and watch the stress disappear.”

DANA KAY RESOURCES

🔗 WEBSITES:
https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
https://dana-kay.com/

👋 SOCIALS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute

📕 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK:
Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/

💻 FREE MASTERCLASS:
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://bit.ly/3QzvFHm

⭐ COURSES & PROGRAMS:
ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/

In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, we are continuing our Summer Series by sharing another fan favorite episode. Tune in to learn more about how artificial colors affect ADHD kids.

Did you know that certain artificial flavors and colors could be influencing your child’s behavior and focus? In this episode of the Soaring Child podcast, we dive into the world of artificial flavors and colors.

Have you ever wondered why these synthetic additives are everywhere in our food? From why manufacturers prefer them over natural options to their significant impact on kids with ADHD, we’re uncovering it all in this week’s episode.

This is a conversation every family navigating ADHD needs to hear. We also explore the types of products most likely to contain these additives, arming you with the knowledge to make informed choices at the grocery store.

To watch this episode on YouTube, go here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUK3TLDop-I



KEY TAKEAWAYS

[3:52] What are artificial flavors and colors, and why are they so prevalent in our food?

[9:19] Why do manufacturers use artificial flavors instead of the real thing?

[9:54] How artificial flavors & colors can affect kids with ADHD

[16:40] What types of products have artificial flavors and colors in them?

[24:07] How to avoid artificial flavors and colors

[25:01] Brands that often avoid artificial flavors and colors



MEMORABLE MOMENTS

“For families of kids with ADHD, understanding the potential impact of these artificial ingredients is crucial in managing symptoms and promoting a more balanced and focused state of mind.”

”Artificial colors, also known as food dyes, are chemical substances developed in laboratories. They’re used in a wide array of foods to enhance appearance, making them more visually appealing.”

”Artificial flavors, similar to artificial colors, are chemical compounds created in laboratories.”

“Unlike natural flavors that are derived from actual food sources, artificial flavors are synthesized to mimic natural tastes. These flavors are engineered to replicate the taste of fruits, nuts, spices, and other natural foods.”

“Artificial flavors are often complex mixtures of numerous chemicals.”

”Here are some common terms indicating artificial flavors or colors: Artificial Flavors, Artificial Colors, Synthetic Flavors, Artificial Flavoring Substances, Synthetic Food Coloring.”

”Studies have illuminated a concerning link between artificial additives and ADHD symptoms.”

”In Britain, food is made with real ingredients, while in America, chemicals are often added with no warning label. This needs to change. American consumers deserve the same consideration as those outside the USA.”

”When chemicals are added to food, we should be informed. It’s baffling that the United States continues to allow ingredients that are not even food, contributing to staggering health issues.”

”Artificial flavors and colors are everywhere. Even a lot of things that are clear or white in color have dyes or flavors in them.”

”My best tip is to eat fewer processed foods as these additives are always in processed foods and to read those labels.”

“My rule of thumb is, if you can’t pronounce an item, put that item back on the shelf. The shorter the ingredient list, the better.”

DANA KAY RESOURCES

🔗 WEBSITES:
https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
https://dana-kay.com/

👋 SOCIALS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute

📕 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK:
Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/

💻 FREE MASTERCLASS:
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://bit.ly/3QzvFHm

⭐ COURSES & PROGRAMS:
ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/

In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, we are continuing our Summer Series by sharing another fan favorite episode with special guest, Dr. Elisa Song!

“We are in a state of emergency for children’s mental health.” Dr. Elisa Song

In this episode of the Soaring Child podcast, discover the most up-to-date information about children’s mental health and how gut health directly impacts mental health. Dr. Elisa Song joins the show to share what parents can do to build resilience in their children.

Elisa Song, MD, is an integrative pediatrician and pediatric functional medicine expert, and most importantly, a mother to two thriving children. She has dedicated her career to helping parents and practitioners bridge the gap between conventional and holistic pediatrics with an evidence-based, pediatrician-backed, parent-approved approach.

Dr. Song has lectured around the world at leading integrative and functional medicine conferences and premier parenting events. She has also been featured in hundreds of top podcasts, print, and online media outlets. Her book, Healthy Kids, Happy Kids, is available now.

To watch this episode on YouTube, go here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLwZaCIcie4

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW

ADHD Symptom Reduction Tool – http://adhdthriveinstitute.com/tool

Dr. Elisa Song’s book, Healthy Kids, Happy Kids – https://www.healthykidshappykids.com/book/

KEY TAKEAWAYS

[3:39] The current state of children’s mental health

[6:53] The gut-brain connection and how it relates to mental health

[17:16] The most common factors that disrupt our kids’ microbiomes

[26:16] Tips for creating gut-brain resilience in children

[37:12] Healthy Kids, Happy Kids – Dr. Song’s book

[40:28] Where to find Dr. Elisa Song online

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

"We are in a state of emergency for children’s mental health.”

“By the time kids are 18, 1 in 2 will be diagnosed with a mental health disorder.”

“When we are talking about our children’s mental health…we always need to look at their guts.”

“Antibiotics given to infants…can significantly increase – by up to 50% – the risk of that child having mental health concerns by the time they are older kids or teenagers.”

“The vast majority of neurotransmitters are made by our gut microbiome.”

“If we do not have a healthy balance of all of these beneficial bacteria that make our neurotransmitters, there’s no way we can have optimal or healthy brain development or brain functioning.”

“One of the single most insidious and persistent and ever-present disruptors are our ultra-processed foods.”

“Not only do these ultra-processed foods affect our gut microbiome, they also affect our kids’ brains.”

“It takes only 2 months of a steady diet of ultra-processed foods to change our brain, we can reverse that trend with a steady diet of gut-nourishing, brain-nourishing food.”

“Psychological stress can disrupt your gut microbiome in the matter of an hour.”

“Stress is not necessarily a bad thing.”

“Having no stress may be more stressful and inflammatory to your body and brain than having some stress that you can overcome.”

“When you want your kids to expand their pallets, the best way is to get them cooking.”

DANA KAY RESOURCES

🔗 WEBSITES:

https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
https://dana-kay.com/

👋 SOCIALS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute

📕 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK:
Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/

💻 FREE MASTERCLASS:
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://bit.ly/3QzvFHm

⭐ COURSES & PROGRAMS:
ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/

In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, we are continuing our Summer Series by sharing another fan favorite episode. Tune in as  Dana Kay shares all about magnesium for ADHD. 
What are the benefits of magnesium for children with ADHD? Which types of magnesium are the most effective and beneficial?
In this episode of the Soaring Child podcast, Dana Kay, board certified holistic health and nutrition practitioner, explores the benefits of magnesium for children with ADHD.
To watch this episode on YouTube, go here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byF1TQev3WA
LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
Functional Lab Testing Episode – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-83/
Mag Essentials (previously called Mind Thrive) – https://shop.adhdthriveinstitute.com/mind-thrive.html
ADHD Supplement Starter Bundle – www.adhdthriveinstitute.com/supplements
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[2:45] Benefits of magnesium
[4:04] Why magnesium will never be the be-all-end-all solution for ADHD
[8:05] The importance of functional lab testing
[10:34] 8 types of magnesium and when to use which
[13:14] Dana's favorite form of magnesium for kids with ADHD
[15:50] Foods that are naturally high in magnesium
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
"Magnesium is a great supplement to start with for many people. It is used in over 300 biochemical processes in the body."
"Magnesium is a really great supplement with a lot of great benefits! The problem comes in when magnesium is NOT what your child's body needs."
"No one supplement is going to be the game changer."
"There is no 'one size fits all' approach to ADHD symptoms."
"It is true that supplements can play a very important role in nutrition and healing, but sadly no single supplement is going to solve all of your problems."
"I always strongly recommend before considering supplementation that you address diet first or specific functional lab testing to identify underlying malfunctions and stressors."
"Using magnesium is not as simple as just running to your local pharmacy and picking up any bottle. Formulation matters."
DANA KAY RESOURCES
🔗 WEBSITES:
https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
https://dana-kay.com/
👋 SOCIALS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
📕 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK:
Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
💻 FREE MASTERCLASS:
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://bit.ly/3QzvFHm
⭐ COURSES & PROGRAMS:
ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/

In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, we are continuing our Summer Series by sharing another fan favorite episode. Tune in as Dana Kay shares all about magnesium for ADHD.
What are the benefits of magnesium for children with ADHD? Which types of magnesium are the most effective and beneficial?
In this episode of the Soaring Child podcast, Dana Kay, board certified holistic health and nutrition practitioner, explores the benefits of magnesium for children with ADHD.
To watch this episode on YouTube, go here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byF1TQev3WA
LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
Functional Lab Testing Episode – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-83/
Mag Essentials (previously called Mind Thrive) – https://shop.adhdthriveinstitute.com/mind-thrive.html
ADHD Supplement Starter Bundle – www.adhdthriveinstitute.com/supplements
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[2:45] Benefits of magnesium
[4:04] Why magnesium will never be the be-all-end-all solution for ADHD
[8:05] The importance of functional lab testing
[10:34] 8 types of magnesium and when to use which
[13:14] Dana's favorite form of magnesium for kids with ADHD
[15:50] Foods that are naturally high in magnesium
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
"Magnesium is a great supplement to start with for many people. It is used in over 300 biochemical processes in the body."
"Magnesium is a really great supplement with a lot of great benefits! The problem comes in when magnesium is NOT what your child's body needs."
"No one supplement is going to be the game changer."
"There is no 'one size fits all' approach to ADHD symptoms."
"It is true that supplements can play a very important role in nutrition and healing, but sadly no single supplement is going to solve all of your problems."
"I always strongly recommend before considering supplementation that you address diet first or specific functional lab testing to identify underlying malfunctions and stressors."
"Using magnesium is not as simple as just running to your local pharmacy and picking up any bottle. Formulation matters."
DANA KAY RESOURCES
🔗 WEBSITES:
https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
https://dana-kay.com/
👋 SOCIALS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
📕 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK:
Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
💻 FREE MASTERCLASS:
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://bit.ly/3QzvFHm
⭐ COURSES & PROGRAMS:
ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/