Food Positivity: What to Say (and What Words to Skip) with Arielle Dani Lebovitz, MS, RD

Food Positivity: What to Say (and What Words to Skip) with Arielle Dani Lebovitz, MS, RD

From Baby-Led Weaning with Katie Ferraro by Katie Ferraro

June 11, 2026 · 18 min · Episode 120

About this episode

This episode discusses how language at mealtimes can impact a baby's relationship with food and offers practical phrases to promote a healthy food environment.

#120: If you’re worried about saying the wrong thing when your baby is starting solid foods, this episode is for you. In this conversation with registered dietitian and Food Positivity co-author Arielle “Dani” Lebovitz, MS, RD, you’ll learn how everyday comments (often said with love) can shape your baby’s relationship with food and their body long before they can talk. We cover simple, real-life language swaps that reduce pressure at meals, help you build trust (even on days your baby barely eats), and set the foundation for a healthy food relationship without guilt, bribing, or battles. You’ll walk away with practical phrases to use right away and “words to skip” that quietly reinforce food shame…so you can feel more confident at the table from the very first bites. Listen to this episode to learn: 1. What “well-meaning” mealtime phrases can accidentally add pressure (and what to say instead) 2. How trust-centered feeding works when your baby barely eats (and you’re tempted to push) 3. How to talk about food and bodies in a way that supports confidence, curiosity, and self-trust Shownotes for this episode can be found here: https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/120 Links from…

People in this episode

Host: Katie Ferraro

Guest: Arielle Dani Lebovitz

Topics covered

  • food positivity
  • baby-led weaning
  • mealtime language
  • trust-centered feeding
  • healthy food relationship

Keywords

  • food positivity
  • baby-led weaning
  • mealtime phrases
  • trust-centered feeding
  • healthy eating

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Food Positivity: How to Ditch Diet Culture and Talk to Kids About Food

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