One meal can be a big deal. Kids need lunch to fuel their brains and bodies so they can learn and be social—and parents want to feel confident their kids are getting all those essential nutrients. So when it comes to school lunch: to buy, or not to buy? Who decides what ends up on your kid's tray? And if you decide to pack, what are the best foods to deliver all the nutrition your kid needs to get them through the day?

On this episode of Mayo Clinic Kids, we talk with dietitian Lori Russell about chocolate milk, pizza as a vegetable, Instagram-worthy bento boxes, and all the other concerns swirling around lunchtime.

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

For kids with blood diseases, bone marrow transplants can be an amazing tool for treatment — and sometimes, even a cure. Hopefully most of us will go through life never needing to know what a bone marrow transplant is. But what if the key to another kid's cure is in your very own blood?

On this episode of Mayo Clinic Kids, we talk with pediatric hematologist and oncologist Dr. Mira Kohorst about this often-underappreciated part of our bodies and how bone marrow can change a kid's life.

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

When an infant starts experimenting with solid foods, their whole world expands. Like breast milk and formula, food is fuel for the body and a vehicle for love. But it is also a cornerstone of culture, and can define national identities. It provides entertainment and spreads joy. And it helps us understand the world and our place in it.

On this episode of Mayo Clinic Kids, we talk to Dr. Leslie Kummer, a primary care pediatrician with special interest in breastfeeding medicine, about beginning the weaning process, safely introducing kids to the wonderful world of food, and sharing the love.

Screens are everywhere. And screens can do amazing things — but they aren’t amazing for your kids’ eyes. So when it comes to your kid, how do you know if screens are causing eye issues? And how do you strike that perfect balance of setting healthy boundaries and making sure kids aren’t missing out on key skills and digital connections?

On this episode of Mayo Clinic Kids, we talk with Dr. Eric Kim, a pediatric ophthalmologist, about how to keep kids’ eyes healthy in a world filled with screens.

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

If your kid has a fever, you’re in good company — with everyone. Fevers are the body’s natural way of fighting off bad things. But fevers can still bring up a lot of fears and questions. For example, should you try to treat a fever, or let it run its course? Can fevers harm the body? And if your kid has a fever of about 100 degrees Fahrenheit, should you bring them to the doctor?

On this episode of Mayo Clinic Kids, we’re joined by pediatrician Dr. Jay Homme to go over all our fever facts, fears and feelings.

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Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

The COVID-19 pandemic hit everyone hard, but especially kids. During key periods of growth, their social lives screeched to a halt. They spent more time on screens and less time outside. Not to mention the stress and uncertainty of a worldwide pandemic. Even healthy kids began to struggle in their development and well-being.

On this episode of Mayo Clinic Kids, we talk to Dr. Rebecca Jackson about child development, the disruptions of COVID, and how parents and kids can move forward together.

You can purchase Dr. Jackson's book, "Back on Track," at Mayo Clinic Press.

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

In the U.S., iodine is somewhat taken for granted. However, it’s an important thing to keep an eye on because globally, iodine deficiency, especially during pregnancy and the first few years of life, is the leading cause of intellectual impairment.

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Kids, we’re talking with Dr. Elizabeth Pearce to learn more about iodine and how we can help make sure our iodine levels support growth and intellectual development.

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

Growth underscores pretty much all of childhood. There’s the fun side: watching kids get bigger, growing into new things and out of old ones. But then there’s the more complicated side: worrying kids are growing too fast or too slow compared to other kids their age.

On this episode of Mayo Clinic Kids, Dr. Siobhan Pittock is here to talk to us about growing up—literally.

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.