Hey There Well Fed Feeding Families!

I’m excited to share with you this month’s newsletter, which draws inspiration from a remarkable athlete and ties it to an important aspect of our feeding philosophy. Today, we explore what Bronze-medal Olympian Ilona Maher and responsive feeding have in common. (If you haven’t seen the epic ending to the USA vs Australia women’s rugby game, find a way to go back and watch it!)

I have always been a HUGE fan of the Olympics. I was obsessed with the 1996 Women’s Gymnastics Team, “The Magnificent Seven”, and even got to meet Dominique Moceanu at a store called 5-7-9. When I think back to that store, I remember meeting Dominique and thinking about how that store made me feel badly about my body type. I had strong and broad shoulders, powerful quads, and was stronger than a lot of girls my age. My body didn’t fit well into the 5-7-9 size clothes from the 90s that I so badly wanted to wear. I wish that I had a role model like Ilona Maher to look up to when I was a young athlete because it would have changed how I felt about my strong, muscular, female athlete body.

Ilona Maher: A Champion of Body Positivity

Ilona Maher, a celebrated rugby player and Bronze-medal Olympian, has been a vocal advocate for body positivity, particularly for female athletes. She’s also an absolute beast on the rugby field. NFL players have watched her play and sat in awe at her ability to stiff arm and truck past her opponents. Her personal message resonates deeply in a world where athletes often face immense pressure to conform to certain body standards. Ilona emphasizes the importance of loving and respecting one’s body, no matter its shape or size. Here are some of her most recent and inspiring quotes:

- “Your body is powerful and capable of amazing things. Celebrate what it can do rather than what it looks like.”

- “Embrace your strength and uniqueness. Every body is different, and that’s what makes us special.”

- “Confidence comes from within. Believe in yourself, and the rest will follow.”

-When a commenter tried to insult Maher for having an BMI of 30, which is considered obese, she quickly shot back “I think you were trying to roast me, but this actually is a fact. I do have a BMI of 30 — well, 29.3 to be more exact. I’ve been considered overweight my whole life. I’m going to the Olympics and you’re not.”

Ilona’s empowering stance not only inspires athletes but also aligns beautifully with the principles of responsive feeding.

Responsive Feeding: Nurturing Positive Relationships with Food

Responsive feeding is an approach that respects and responds to a child’s hunger and satiety cues. By allowing children to listen to their bodies, we help them develop a healthy relationship with food and their own bodies. Here’s how responsive feeding can make a significant difference:

- Reduced Incidence of Eating Disorders (ED): By promoting a balanced and intuitive approach to eating, responsive feeding reduces the risk of disordered eating patterns including superior wellness and metabolic indicators.

- Preventing Under-Eating and Over-Eating: Children learn to trust their hunger and fullness signals, which helps them eat the right amount for their bodies. Eating the right amount for your body also improves sleep, mental health, physical activity, and physical self-esteem.

- Body Dysmorphia: Encouraging children to respect their body’s needs fosters a positive body image and reduces the risk of body dysmorphia.

- Positive Relationships with Food: Children who practice responsive feeding are more likely to enjoy mealtimes and view food as a source of nourishment and pleasure rather than stress or control.

Check out what the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has to say about responsive feeding practices:

https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/AAP-Responsive-Feeding_Print-Fact-Sheet.pdf

Here is another great resource from Ellyn Satter: https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/how-to-feed/the-division-of-responsibility-in-feeding/

Fueling the Future Olympians

Just as Ilona Maher teaches us to embrace our bodies and listen to their needs, responsive feeding teaches our children to understand what their body needs for fuel, how much it needs to be fueled, and when it needs to rest and digest. By trusting that our children understand their bodies best, we are setting them up for success in all areas of life, including athletics.

Imagine your child growing up with a strong sense of self-awareness and confidence in their body’s signals. This understanding can lead to a lifetime of healthy habits, reduced stress around mealtimes, and a positive relationship with food. Who knows? You might just be nurturing the next future US Olympian!

Thank you for being part of the Well Fed Feeding Family. If you have any questions or need further support, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s continue to champion our children’s health and happiness together!

Later Gators,

Lauren

P.S. Stay inspired and keep celebrating the wonderful things your and your child’s body can do!