Are you interested in raising plant-based eaters? From babies and toddlers to kids of all ages, prepping plant-based meals and snacks requires a bit of planning and plotting, but the payoff is a family table brimming with fruits, veggies, beans, tofu, and other plant-based foods. Joining me on today's podcast is Alex Caspero, dietitian, mom, and co-founder of Plant-Based Juniors---better known as, PBJs. She’s sharing lots of tips and words of wisdom about the food choices that exist today.    Show Highlights:   Alex’s background, her website, and her life in St. Louis with her husband and toddler son When Alex was pregnant, she looked for a one-stop website with the information she needed about a plant-based lifestyle, but couldn’t find it How PBJ was created with Whitney English to help other moms who are in the same boat that Whitney and Alex were as new moms How to tap into the PBJ community via the website, Instagram, and YouTube Why the term “plant-based” is more fitting than “vegetarian” or “vegan” The benefits of plant-based eating include lower rates of chronic diseases and higher intake of antioxidants The “A plant on every plate” platform How Alex’s e-book, Plant-Based Juniors: First Bites, is all about introducing a baby to solid food, with high-iron and baby-led weaning appropriate recipes Tofu Frittata Cups--a versatile recipe that works with any vegetables; think of it as baby’s first omelet! Why adding a source of vitamin C to a plant-based iron source (beans, lentils, quinoa, tofu, and broccoli) will increase iron absorption by 4-6 times Why zinc is vital for red blood cell development and immunity, especially in infants Plant-based calcium sources include fortified plant-based milk, broccoli, oranges, beans, tofu, tahini, and almond butter Why pea milk and soy milk are top plant-based milk choices--because of their higher fat content Why a plant-based diet for infants and toddlers should include more fat than you might think Two family favorites for Alex: Tofu Marinara Sticks and Cinnamon Sweet Potato Sticks Why coconut oil should be used occasionally and is ideal for baking and roasting How plant-based eaters can get sufficient omega 3 fatty acids from nuts and seeds Why DHA supplementation is recommended in infancy and pregnancy; it’s plentiful in fatty fish and algae How baby-led weaning can reduce the likelihood of having a picky eater Alex’s favorite go-to family dinners: Lentil Tacos and Pasta with veggies Details about the e-book, First Bites: the nutrition primer to raise your infant or start solid foods in a plant-based way (20 recipes included!) Details about the e-book, The Predominantly Plant-Based Pregnancy Guide: the primer with everything you need to know about a plant-based pregnancy (175 pages!) The #1 question from parents about plant-based eating for juniors is about which milk is best   Giveaway: We are giving away of a copy of the awesome new e-book, Plant-Based Juniors: First Bites. Starting solids can be intimidating, so Alex and co-author, Whitney English, demystify the process. The e-book provides a primer on baby-led weaning, tackles nutrients of concern for plant-based babies including iron, calcium, and omega-3 fats, and serves up 20 colorful and nourishing baby-led weaning recipes, all designed for plant-based eaters. To enter for a chance to win (retail value: $12.99), tell me about your baby's favorite first food and/or why you've decided to go plant-based with your baby or toddler. Giveaway ends on Wednesday, September 11th at noon ET.   Resources and Links: The Lentil Tacos recipe on Delish Knowledge  https://www.delishknowledge.com/lentil-tacos/   Predominantly Plant-Based Pregnancy Guide https://plantbasedjuniors.lpages.co/pregnancy-guide-full/#call-to-action    Plant-Based Juniors: First Bites https://plantbasedjuniors.com/firstbites/   Alex on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delishknowledge/ Whitney on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitneyerd/  PBJs on Instag