New Year, New Mealtime Goals: Your Blueprint for a Year of Eating Success and Transformation
Aired December 16, 2025
Christine Miroddi Yoder:
Hi friends, and thank you so much for joining me.
As we wrap up the year, it’s the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and set intentions for the year ahead. This isn’t just about New Year’s resolutions—it’s about creating a clear vision for your child’s mealtime journey and your family’s health.
If you’re listening to this episode, know that you’ve already made progress. Why? Because you’re learning, seeking, and trying to do things differently. That growth mindset alone is a huge step forward.
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Looking Back to Move Forward
Think about this past year:
* What did you spend the most time, energy, and money on?
* Was it sports? Travel? Experiences? Health?
* Did your focus create the kind of progress you wanted for your child’s eating and health?
Every year, the outcomes we see are the sum of our daily choices. If you didn’t get the results you hoped for, that’s okay. This is your chance to shift your focus and make new choices in the coming year.
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Why Your Vision Matters
I want you to take out a piece of paper (or revisit this later if you’re driving) and really envision what you want your child’s mealtimes to look like a year from now.
Ask yourself:
* Who’s at the table?
* What foods are being served?
* What conversations are happening?
* How do your kids respond to new foods?
* What does it look like on vacation, at birthday parties, or at holiday gatherings?
The clearer your vision, the easier it becomes to map out the steps to get there. Without that vision, it’s like starting a road trip with no destination—you won’t know where you’re headed or how to get there.
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From Vision to Baby Steps
Once you’ve pictured your “ideal” mealtime, break it down:
1. Define your end goal. Example: “I want my child to try new foods without meltdowns.”
2. Chunk it into smaller goals. Example: “My child will tolerate a new food on their plate.”
3. Break those into baby steps. Example: 2 minutes of exposure each day, one new food per week.
Remember: progress looks like baby steps, then walking, then running. You can’t expect a fearful eater to flip a switch overnight. Consistency is what transforms baby steps into leaps.
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Don’t Forget Your Goals
This journey isn’t just for your child—it’s for you too. Ask yourself:
* What routines or habits do I need to change?
* How do I want to show up at mealtime?
* Am I focusing on control, or on connection?
Sometimes, the biggest breakthroughs happen when parents shift their own mindset. Mealtime isn’t only about nutrition—it’s about creating connection, building trust, and laying the foundation for lifelong health.
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Core Memories in the Making
Fast-forward 20 years. What do you want to remember about family meals?
* Constant battles? Or a turning point where things improved?
* A decade of stress? Or a season of growth and transformation?
You are building your child’s core memories right now. This vision-setting is about making sure those memories reflect joy, progress, and connection.
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My Vision
For me, my vision is to help create a generation of kids who are healthy, happy, and free of preventable disease. And it starts with food—real, whole, nourishing food.
Just like you can’t put orange juice in a car engine and expect it to run, you can’t fuel kids with processed foods and expect thriving health. Food is the foundation. And when parents step into this vision with me, the ripple effect is incredible—not just for meals today, but for our children’s futures.
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Your Next Step
Here’s your blueprint for the new year:
1. Write down your mealtime vision. Be specific and detailed.
2. Break it into baby steps. Small, doable actions that build consistency.
3. Set personal goals. Reflect on what you need to change—habits, mindset, routines.
4. Hold yourself accountable. Journal, revisit your vision, and track progress.
And when you look back at the end of next year, you’ll see how far you’ve come—not just your child, but you as a parent, too.
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Resources
* Take our free Picky Eater Quiz at thepickyeaterstest.com to find your child’s starting point.
* Explore courses and coaching at foodologyfeeding.com/courses.
* Connect with us on YouTube or Instagram for weekly tips and encouragement.
