Featured Interviews
“If you have ever wondered why your child is obsessed with crackers, bread, pasta, and that one specific brand of chicken nugget and absolutely nothing else, this episode is going to change how you see that.
I sat down with Shandy Watters, an integrative speech language pathologist, functional nutrition therapy practitioner, and founder of Speaking of Health and Wellness. Shandy works with parents of children with complex picky eating, including kids with autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, Down syndrome, PANS, PANDAS, and more. And her framework for understanding what is actually driving picky eating is one of the most thorough and practical I have ever heard.
We talked about the difference between developmentally appropriate picky eating and complex picky eating. We talked about the opioid excess theory and why some children are biochemically driven to certain foods in a way that looks like preference but is actually much deeper than that. We talked about zinc deficiency, gut health, blood sugar regulation, leaky gut, and why the most commonly missed root causes of picky eating are the biochemical and nutritional ones.
We also talked about what parents can do tonight to shift the energy at mealtimes without any pressure, any bribing, or any one bite rules.
This one is for every overwhelmed mom who has tried everything and still cannot figure out why nothing is working.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
What complex picky eating actually is and how it is different from developmentally appropriate picky eating
The five root cause domains of complex picky eating inside Shandy's framework
What the opioid excess theory is and why some children are biochemically driven to gluten and dairy in a way that looks like obsession but is actually a gut issue
How zinc deficiency distorts taste and smell and drives food refusal in ways that have nothing to do with behavior
Why low stomach acid makes protein feel heavy and uncomfortable and why your child may be refusing meat for a reason
How candida overgrowth creates extreme sugar cravings that no amount of willpower or strategy can override
Why leaky gut allows undigested food particles into the bloodstream and what that has to do with picky eating
What blood sugar dysregulation looks like in a grazing child who never wants to sit for a meal
The one mindset shift that will change the energy at your next mealtime tonight
Why outsourcing to a feeding therapist once a week is not enough and what parents can do at home that makes the biggest difference
What Shandy wishes every overwhelmed mom understood about her own power in this process
Key Takeaways
1. Complex picky eating is not the same as typical picky eating. If your child eats fewer than 20 foods, if changing a brand causes a meltdown, if mealtimes are consistently creating anxiety and quality of life issues for your whole family, that is complex picky eating. It needs a different approach than standard picky eating advice.
2. The most missed root causes are biochemical and nutritional. Zinc deficiency, gut dysbiosis, low stomach acid, candida overgrowth, leaky gut, blood sugar dysregulation, and food sensitivities are driving picky eating in ways that no behavioral strategy will ever fix. You have to get to the body.
3. The opioid excess theory is real and it changes everything. Some children are not just preferring gluten and dairy. They are biochemically driven to them because of an opioid-like response triggered by improperly broken down food particles crossing a compromised gut lining. This is not a willpower problem or a preference problem. It is a gut problem.
4. Zinc deficiency distorts taste and smell. A child who refuses food because it tastes wrong or smells wrong may not be exaggerating. Zinc deficiency, which is extremely common in complex picky eaters, can genuinely distort sensory perception of food, making eating feel unreliable and unsafe.
5. Pressure makes picky eating worse, always. If you force a bite and it works, you have not won. You have created a negative association with that food that makes it less likely your child will choose it independently ever again. The goal is a long term healthy relationship with food, not obedient consumption at this meal.
6. You hold more power than you think. Your energy, your regulation, and your presence at mealtimes matter more than any strategy. When you are calm and connected, your child has the opportunity to co-regulate with you. That is the foundation everything else is built on.”
Listen in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major podcast platforms.
“In this episode, we’re joined by Shandy Watters, MA, CCC-SLP, FNTP, to explore why feeding challenges in Down syndrome go far beyond “picky eating.”
We break down the oral-motor, sensory, and nutritional foundations that shape eating habits and how a whole-child, functional approach can support development, regulation, and long-term health.
What We Cover
Complex picky eating
The role of oral-motor skills, sensory processing, and regulation
How nutrition and gut health influence feeding and development
Practical Takeaways
Reframe Feeding
Focus on root causes. Not just behavior.
Communication Matters
Use neutral, low-pressure language and avoid force or bribery.
Model Behavior
Children learn by watching. Model calm, positive interactions with food.
Support Development
Build safety and trust first; progress comes with consistency”
Listen in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major podcast platforms.
“Dr. Tony Ebel sits down with Shandy Watters (formerly Laskey), integrative speech-language pathologist and functional nutritional therapy practitioner, to unpack the root causes of complex picky eating in kids with neurodevelopmental challenges. Moving beyond typical feeding advice, Shandy shares her five-domain framework and explains how nervous system regulation plays a central role in feeding struggles.
Parents will learn practical, real-life strategies to reduce mealtime stress, including environmental setup, co-regulation, movement before meals, and supportive positioning. Shandy also highlights hidden food triggers and shares powerful success stories that offer both clarity and hope for families navigating complex picky eating.”
Listen on Apple Podcasts; Listen on Spotify; Find it on your favorite major podcast platform
“Nutrition is foundational and many of our children struggle with complex picky eating. Our guest, Shandy Laskey is an integrative Speech-Language Pathologist and pediatric feeding specialist, as well as a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Documenting Hope Certified Health Coach. Combining her qualifications and her passion for holistic health and wellness, Shandy serves as an online nutrition, feeding, and development coach for parents of children with complex picky eating with and without developmental conditions (such as autism, ADHDs, sensory processing disorders, developmental delays, Down syndrome, PANS PANDAS, and more). She is passionate about helping parents improve and optimize their child's health, wellness, and development at home through nutrition and lifestyle changes, in addition to developmental strategies.
In this episode, Shandy shares her insights from her own personal journey in dealing with chronic health issues and how this forged a path ahead with a niche and focus in nutrition and complex picky eating. We also speak about ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), how it's diagnosed and where it overlaps with PANS/PANDAS and Pediatric Feeding Disorders. The hope and intention is that parents and fellow clinicians feel empowered after listening to this episode.”
“In this episode of the Petits Pas Santé Podcast, we're diving into a subject that affects many parents: complex picky eating.
Picky eating can be frustrating, but when it becomes complex, it involves more than just fussiness—it can have significant impacts on a child's health and development.
To help us understand this better, I've invited Shandy Laskey, an integrative Speech-Language Pathologist, feeding specialist, and Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. Shandy serves as an online nutrition, feeding, and development coach for parents of children with complex picky eating with and without developmental conditions (such as autism, ADHDs, sensory processing disorders, developmental delays, and more).
She is passionate about helping parents improve and optimize their child's health, wellness, and development at home through nutrition and lifestyle changes.
In this episode, we cover:
The differences between typical picky eating and complex picky eating.
The root causes of complex picky eating.
The short and long-term effects of picky eating can have on a child's health and his family.
Strategies to create a positive mealtime environment that encourages trust and supports healthy eating.
How parents can take small, consistent steps to improve their child's relationship with food.
This conversation is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice for any parent navigating the challenges of complex picky eating. Happy listening.”
“If your child is a picky eater, how do you know when it’s developmentally appropriate or if it is a more complex issue such as a pediatric feeding disorder?
We interviewed Shandy Laskey MA CCC-SLP FNTP about complex picky eating and pediatric feeding disorders.
Most pediatric practitioners may not understand the full scope of picky eating and will often take a “wait-and-see” approach to your child’s eating issues. In addition, they typically don’t know about potential underlying causes of complex picky eating and pediatric feeding disorders.
… Join us as one of the leaders in complex picky eating, Shandy Laskey, educates about this issue and what parents and practitioners can do to help these children overcome it.
Please note that you will be asked to provide your email address to continue watching the video at the 30-minute mark.”
“This is part 1 of a 2 part episode all about holistic wellness for kids and how we can support their health. Our discussion is helpful for any parent and may be especially helpful for those kids with underlying conditions or delays. My guest, Shandy from Speaking of Health and Wellness is a wealth of knowledge!
Along with being a Speech Language Pathologist, Shandy has advanced certification in holistic and functional nutrition as well as health and wellness coaching specifically for families impacted by chronic childhood conditions, neurodevelopmental delays and disorders, and various special needs.
In this episode:
What is a holistic approach to nutrition for kids
Key nutrients for brain health
How foods can affect certain underlying condition
GF/CF diet”
“This is part 2 of a 2 part episode all about holistic wellness for kids and how we can support their health. Our discussion is helpful for any parent and may be especially helpful for those kids with underlying conditions or delays. My guest, Shandy from Speaking of Health and Wellness is a wealth of knowledge!
Along with being a Speech Language Pathologist, Shandy has advanced certification in holistic and functional nutrition as well as health and wellness coaching specifically for families impacted by chronic childhood conditions, neurodevelopmental delays and disorders, and various special needs.
In this episode:
Complex picky eating: How to tell if it’s a phase or developing into something more.
How listeners can find more individualized help and info on specific food sensitivities.
Answering listener questions.”
“If you’re anything like us, you may have wondered (AKA worried) about your child’s speech! How much therapy do they need? What can we do at home? The questions never end! That’s why today we have Shandy Laskey (speech language pathologist, functional nutritionist, and feeding specialist) on to chat about all the things our kiddos need before even thinking about speech therapy... What on earth is the gut-brain connection and why do we actually go gluten/dairy free? Shandy is here with all this information as well as plenty of recommendations! Take notes, friends!”
“Shandy Laskey who wears the unique badge of being a Speech Language Pathologist and a Nutrition Practitioner explains the matrix of nutritional factors that can affect a child's restricted eating.
If you are wondering which therapy to try for immediate help with so-called picky eating in the context of Autism, this podcast should help”
“Join Sydney & Lori as they welcome special guest Shandy Laskey of Speaking of Health & Wellness, LLC onto the show. Shandy is an integrative speech-language pathologist, pediatric feeding specialist, functional nutritional therapy practitioner, and an Epidemic Answers Certified Health Coach.
Through her own healing journey, she learned first hand the profound power of nutrition and lifestyle, and she has integrated this knowledge into her work with children and families. Shandy specializes in nutrition and mealtime coaching for parents of children with complex picky eating and neurodevelopmental disorders, offering online distance coaching to families around the world.
In today’s episode, we discuss how to incorporate new foods into your child’s diet and how to overcome picky eating. We also dive into food addictions and sensitivities that may be undermining your efforts to get your child to eat a healthy diet while driving behavioral issues in your child.”
“Is your child just a picky eater or do you have a problem feeder? Learn the difference and how you can help in our conversational interview with Shandy Laskey, MA, CCC-SLP, NTP. She’s a speech therapist, nutritionist, and health coach who specializes in mealtime and feeding issues. Discover the things that can cause picky eating and strategies to support yourself and your child on the road to happier, healthier meals and a better relationship with food.”
“Join me for episode 12 where we discuss Special Needs Kids and Picky Eaters with Shandy Laskey, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Speech Therapist. Learn how diet and digestive health impacts autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. We’ll hear about the role of food intolerances in the disease process and some dietary recommendations that can be effective. Listen until the end to hear her health tip.
In this episode we discuss:
The Nutritional Therapy approach to kids with Autism and "Picky Eaters"
How does medicine approach these issues?
What is your approach to helping these kids?
Can you tell us about an example client?
Do you have a quick tip for parents of kids with similar issues?
Don’t miss episode 11 where we heard about Shandy Laskey’s health journey and how she became interested in adding Nutritional Therapy to her work as a Speech Therapist.”
“Join me for episode 11 where we meet Shandy Laskey, Speech Therapist and Nutritional Therapy Practitioner whose practice focuses on Special Needs Kids. Learn how her own health journey led her to the field of Nutritional Therapy and how she transitioned from a traditional speech therapy approach to incorporating nutritional therapy in her work with kids on the Autism spectrum. Stay with us until the end to hear her health tip.
In this episode we discuss:
How did you decide to become a Nutritional Therapist?
What were you doing before that?
How has being an NTP helped you on your own health journey?
How do you incorporate Nutritional Therapy in your practice?
Do you have a quick tip for healthier living?
Do you see distance clients? How can people contact you?
Don’t miss Episode 12: Part 2 where we discuss Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Special Needs Kids with Shandy Laskey, NTP.”
“We know genes play a major role in autism, but are you aware that autism is also heavily influenced by environmental factors? The more we learn about autism as an epigenetic condition – the more we start to realise that lifestyle really matters!
This is a really empowering model to work from – because it means you can make a difference.
We know there is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach to the complexities of autism but there are simple and effective strategies that ALL children can benefit from such as eating real food, restoring gut health and eliminating chemicals from around the home.
Tune in today as we talk to (the incredibly passionate) Shandy Laskey who will empower you with the knowledge and tools to make health promoting changes and help your child reach their full potential!”
“If you’re having trouble at mealtime with your children, you need to give this episode a listen to turn mealtime into a breeze.
During the episode we talked about:
What exactly a speech language pathologist does
Why your child may not want to be eating during mealtime
Picky eaters vs. Problem feeders
Best ways to deal with picky eaters
How to give your children positive food exposures
Why you shouldn’t expect your child to eat new foods straight away and what you should make happen first
How your child’s highchair could be causing eating difficulties
The best brands of high chairs recommended by a feeding specialist and how to modify current ones you may have if you’re on a budget
Tips for having the outcomes when giving a new food to your child
How to de-escalate mealtime and not have it turn into a power struggle
Problems with sippy cups
Why your toddler should drink with a straw”