Nurturing Positive Eating Habits: A Morning with Dr Kyla

POSTED February 10 2026 , News

We were delighted to welcome Paediatric Dietitian and fussy-eating specialist Dr Kyla Ringrose to speak with our Junior School parents about family mealtimes, managing fussy eating, and lunchbox tips.

With nearly two decades of experience, a PhD in childhood weight management, and a nationally recognised platform supporting families through her Mealtimes program, Dr Kyla brings both expertise and an empathetic approach to the realities of feeding children of all ages.

During the session, she offered practical, evidence-based strategies, and parents learned the importance of establishing clear roles at the table to help children listen to their hunger and fullness cues and build confidence with a variety of foods.

When discussing school lunches, she reassured parents that nutritious, appealing lunchboxes do not need to be complex. Instead, offering a balance of familiar foods alongside gentle exposure to new items can help children broaden their tastes over time.

A key theme of the presentation was helping families feel less overwhelmed when navigating conflicting messages about healthy eating.  She emphasised that children’s overall experience at mealtimes is just as important as what is on the plate, and that simple, predictable routines can make a meaningful difference.

Parents were highly engaged in the session, asking thoughtful, practical questions about the challenges they face at home. Dr Kyla was generous with her time, responding openly and ensuring families left with clear, achievable strategies they could put into practice straight away.

We were humbled that Dr Kyla expressed her delight in learning about our Junior School’s approach to lunchboxes – particularly our commitment to avoiding food policing and trusting children to eat intuitively. This aligns with her evidence-based philosophy of reducing pressure, supporting self-regulation, and fostering body confidence from early childhood. Her affirmation was encouraging, and we remain committed to maintaining an environment where students can enjoy food without judgment or restriction.

We extend our warm thanks to Dr Kyla for generously sharing her expertise, and to our parent community for attending this valuable session.