teach your child holistic nutrition.
You want to spend time with your kids, not endlessly researching their nutrition curriculum.
You want them to feel comfortable in the kitchen, not to mention in their own bodies…but you’re not sure how.
And let’s be honest—sometimes it feels like you’re still figuring out nutrition yourself, making it all the more overwhelming.
What's better - veganism or carnivore?
Should we eat low-fat or full-fat?
Is coconut oil "in" or "out"?
Your feed is filled with info
that just doesn’t add up:
— Janie H. (son age 6)
"My son likes to tell people about the protein in his turkey and how it helps him build muscle. I didn't know any of this information at his age, so I'm grateful to be able to share this with him. Thank you Amy, for creating this beautiful program. I plan to repeat it every few years!"
You guide them through a holistic nutrition program that clarifies all the conflicting information and appeals to every learning style.
And extra prep is totally optional!
But above all else...
repeatedly ask to start their nutrition lesson because it’s now their favorite subject.
mastered basic kitchen skills that grew with them into young adulthood.
felt connected to the Biblical principles and spiritual significance of nutrition.
Read my statement of faith.
grew up understanding nutrition from the inside out, choosing foods that made them feel their best…and you get to learn right alongside them.
imagine if your kids...
- Amy Gonzalez,
The Holistic Dietitian
I wanted my sons to learn and understand how their body feels when they eat certain foods.
I wanted them to become aware of how they feel during a blood sugar crash after a sugar high, to notice how calm and grounded they feel after eating a balanced meal, to learn how strong their bodies are with the right foods, and to realize how food impacts their energy, mood, brain function, immune system, and even their spiritual relationship with God.
And I saw so many other moms struggling to give their kids a clear picture of nutrition while feeling completely confused themselves.
That’s where Growing Up Nourished comes in.
I worked for years to write a non-dogmatic homeschool curriculum that included all the pieces I wanted for my kids.
Plus, there are so many built-in opportunities to go deeper with optional reading, documentaries, and kitchen activities based on your kids’ interest and your energy levels.
Yep, Growing Up Nourished really has it all!
I am so excited for you to see the difference it makes with your students. I made this with you and your family in mind. And it’s truly been a labor of love.
You’re welcome to contact me with any questions, and I’d love to hear about your nutrition journey!
I understand how frustrating it can be to wade through all of the different nutrition information out there.
It can feel overwhelming and sometimes a little scary…how do you know what’s best for your kids?
And it’s especially hard when you’re dealing with your own health stuff. I get it. My own health concerns led me back to nutrition school—I was already a Registered Dietitian, but I knew there was more to learn.
I just kept thinking: what about the health of my boys? They need guidance, too.
I’m a holistic dietitian,
homeschool teacher,
and mama to three boys.
Hey, I'm Amy!
— Ryan C. (kids ages 4 & 7)
"My boys loved how this curriculum made them an active part of what we're eating. They are extremely picky but this helped them understand how certain foods help specific parts areas of our bodies."
Know the importance of ancestral diets and traditional practices.
Feel comfortable completing basic kitchen skills.
Recognize the connection between biblical scriptures and nourishing their body.
Depend on critical thinking skills to answer complex questions.
Listen to their body for food cues versus relying on outside sources.
Empathize with those experiencing food insecurity.
Appreciate cultural differences in diet and nutrition.
Be eager to try new and previously “weird” foods—no more power struggles at the dinner table.
After growing up nourished, your child will..
Grade level keys so you can tailor your teaching according to 1st through 6th grade comprehension.
Critical thinking discussion questions.
Optional activities for every learning style—hands-on nutrition experiments, interactive worksheets, kitchen fun, and journaling—all ranked by grade level so you can choose activities that best resonate with your students.
Vocabulary words introduced at the beginning of each lesson.
Bible verses appropriate for each lesson. (Read my statement of faith)
Video, documentary, and reading suggestions.
this guide also features:
with word-for-word guidance for each of the 25 lessons, so you and your students are supported through the weekly curriculum.
teacher's guide
what's included?
Food and mood journal so your students can begin connecting what they eat with how they feel.
Hydration tracking sheet…does your student drink as much water as she thinks she does?
Meal planning templates for healthy, balanced, family-focused meals.
Kid-friendly recipes... because food should be delicious and healthy!
Bonus health habit journal.
The workbook also includes:
with multiple grade and learning style-appropriate activities.
student workbook
Your family is learning a balanced nutritional approach, having fun, and living as healthfully as possible!
peace of mind.
with some of our family favorite recipes!
Kid-Friendly Recipes
review
lesson 25:
food insecurity
lesson 24:
food and culture
lesson 23:
food preparation
lesson 22:
food quality
lesson 21:
allergies, sensitivties,
And intolerances
lesson 20:
the microbiome
lesson 19:
mindful eating
lesson 18:
digestion
lesson 17:
spices and herbs
lesson 16:
food as medicine
lesson 15:
sugar and artificial sweeteners
lesson 14:
calories, cholesterol,
Food Dyes
lesson 13:
micronutrients
lesson 12:
water
lesson 11:
building a balanced plate
lesson 10:
carbohydrates
lesson 9:
fat
lesson 8:
protein
lesson 7:
introducing the macronutrients
lesson 6:
ditch the food pyramid
lesson 5:
reading a food label
lesson 4:
the evolution of food
lesson 3:
ALL FOOD HAS A STORY
lesson 2:
Why nutrition matters
lesson 1:
25 cumulative lessons
Frequently Asked questions
What ages/grades is Growing Up Nourished for?
While the curriculum is for was written for elementary-aged kids, I’ve actually had quite a few families tell me their high schoolers enjoyed doing the lessons right alongside younger siblings. These families had their high schoolers do the upper grade activities and complete the additional readings that I have listed in the "For the Instructors" section, which is meant to be further reading for the adults who want to dive deeper on particular topics themselves.
Because the lessons are simple but packed with solid info, and because they’re written in a no-nonsense, practical way, they tend to land well with a wide range of ages!
Are recipes gluten free and dairy free?
All recipes are gluten free. The recipes that contain dairy offer easy dairy-free alternatives.
Is this a Christian curriculum? How are Scripture and faith woven in?
Yes. Growing Up Nourished is written from a Christian perspective. Every lesson begins with a short Bible verse and offers simple, age-appropriate ways to reflect on it (like a quick prayer, copywork, or a drawing prompt) so faith feels natural and joyful, not heavy or doctrinal. Families can read the verse as written or adapt it to their preferred translation and rhythm.
You can read my full statement of faith here.
What's your nutrition philosophy?
Growing Up Nourished carries a whole-food philosophy and is written for real families. It focuses on nutrient density, blood-sugar balance, and avoiding seed-oil cooking... without diet guilt or calorie counting.
Core principles (kid-friendly + practical)
- Real food first: Meat, eggs, fish, colorful veggies, fruit, quality dairy (if tolerated), and properly prepared starches.
- Protein at the center: Build meals around protein to steady energy, mood, and focus.
- Healthy fats: Butter/ghee, olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, tallow. Avoid industrial seed oils (soy, corn, canola, etc.) whenever possible.
- Slow carbs, smart sweets: Fruit, roots, and traditionally prepared grains; sweeteners used lightly (honey/maple) and paired with protein/fat.
- Gut-supportive staples: Fermented foods, fiber from plants, and simple, home-cooked meals.
- Not all foods work for all bodies: Kids learn to notice which foods help them feel their best—and which don’t.
Bottom line: simple, nourishing meals that help kids feel great in their bodies, learn real kitchen skills, and build a lifetime of healthy habits... without obsession or overwhelm.
Can non-religious families use it or skip faith components?
Yes. Growing Up Nourished is written from a Christian perspective, but the core skills such as nutrition basics, kitchen confidence, science activities, and habit-building, stand on their own. Many non-religious families use the curriculum by adapting or omitting the faith prompts.
Can I use this curriculum to teach in my co-op or school?
Yes, absolutely! Group licensing options are available for those who want to teach in a group setting. If you're inteerested in setting up a group license, please use the contact form with more information on your group type (co-op, private school, hybrid, tutoring pod) and expected headcount and I’ll follow up with the best licensing option and next steps!
— Heather S. (kids ages 12, 8, & 6)
"We loved learning as a family."
— Melissa P. (daughter age 8)
"My daughter learned so much from this curriculum! She struggles with why she needs to do things and this helped her to understand WHY we eat the way we do!"
— Kelly B. (kids ages 6, 9, & 11)
"My kids learned so much the first time through - we might just have to do it again!"
— Kali P. (daughters age 10 & 8)
"You will not find another curriculum on nutrition that is this well developed and fun for the whole family"