I had the honor and privilege of being interviewed by Erin Trier, of Empowered in Health. I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation, and hope you find something in here that can help guide you on your journey.
For those who don't know her, Erin is the host of Empowered in Health, the go-to podcast for overwhelmed moms eager to reclaim their identity and renew their strength by prioritizing personal health. As your companion for all things wellness - Erin and her guests explore how mindset, fitness, nutrition, lifestyle habits, environment and hormones all affect our bio-individuality throughout different seasons of your health journey. With her, you'll navigate these topics to empower you with knowledge to create simple and intentional practices that nurture your needs for the long-haul. You can listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, or her YouTube Channel, or follow her on Instagram.
Ready to learn more? Here is a full transcript of our conversation!
Erin Trier: I am so excited to have Dr. Kiyah Duffey here today. Kiyah and I have connected through the business mentorship that we're both in, and I am so excited for you guys to hear from her. She is a speaker, an entrepreneur, and passionate about teaching women and families about holistic health and nutrition practices. Today, Kiyah will share her incredible tips, tricks, and knowledge. Kiyah, thank you so much for being here.
Kiyah: It’s an honor and a pleasure. Thank you for having me, Erin.
Erin: Let’s dive right in. Can you share your story and how you got started in the work you’re doing now?
Kiyah: Absolutely. My journey has been a bit circuitous. I often feel like I’m still figuring out what I want to do when I grow up. After college, I worked in a hospital setting where a colleague suggested I pursue a PhD. Initially, I dismissed the idea. But then, I read two transformative books, Fast Food Nation and Food Politics, which opened my eyes to the challenges of the food system in America. I realized I wanted to help people build a healthier relationship with food. This led me to graduate school to study nutrition.
In my research, I focused on dietary patterns and their impact on health, particularly related to weight gain, obesity, and cardiometabolic disease. While I found success in publishing and influencing policy, my perspective shifted when I became a parent. I saw feeding my kids as an opportunity to positively influence their relationship with food. That’s when I realized I needed to learn how to help kids develop healthy eating habits. This quest ultimately inspired me to start Kizingo Kids, a company dedicated to creating products rooted in nutrition science to support families in building healthy food habits.
Erin: I love how you turned your focus toward your kids and their relationship with food. So many women can relate to wanting a different experience for their children than they had themselves. Food can be overwhelming and emotional. Your approach to changing the narrative is so inspiring.
Kiyah: Thank you. A key piece of this work is also looking inward—examining our own food experiences and deciding what we want to carry forward or leave behind. It’s a process of reflection and grace, something I know you’ve talked about as well.
Erin: Definitely. Reflecting on my own journey, I’ve had to unlearn and evolve. It’s so empowering to teach our kids through these lessons. Can you tell us more about your family dynamics and how mealtime looks for you?
Kiyah: I have three kids, ages 15, 13, and 11. Mealtime has evolved over the years. When they were younger, I put immense pressure on myself to make every meal perfect—to turn every dinner into a transformative experience. Over time, I’ve learned to focus on the bigger picture. Now, we aim to eat together as a family about four times a week despite our busy schedules. We also have a weekly pizza and movie night, which has become a cherished family ritual. It’s a time to connect without the usual pressures.
Erin: I love that you’ve created rituals that make mealtime enjoyable and less stressful. It’s a great reminder to prioritize connection over perfection. What do your kids think about your work?
Kiyah: It’s interesting to see how they’ve internalized some of the lessons. My oldest, for example, takes great care in balancing her lunch. They’re starting to recognize how food choices make them feel. Recently, my youngest asked why we always buy whole wheat bread instead of white bread. These conversations show me that the effort pays off over time.
Erin: That’s amazing. Speaking of mindset, how can parents stay patient and persistent when their kids are resistant to trying new foods?
Kiyah: Patience is key. Remember, you have thousands of opportunities to influence your child’s relationship with food. No single meal will make or break their habits. Celebrate small wins, like sitting at the table longer or trying a new utensil. Build trust by setting consistent boundaries and allowing repeated exposures to new foods. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Erin: Such an important reminder. Let’s talk about language. How can parents use descriptive language to make mealtimes more engaging?
Kiyah: Describing food’s texture, flavor, and temperature can help kids know what to expect and feel more comfortable. Compare new foods to ones they already like. It’s also helpful to ask for their feedback—what they like or dislike about a dish—to build their language and confidence around food.
Erin: That’s such a great tip. Shifting gears, can you share more about Kizingo Kids and your current work?
Kiyah: Kizingo Kids started with a focus on creating products designed to support healthy eating habits in children, like our ergonomically designed spoons and plates. Now, I’ve expanded my work to include coaching and content creation to empower families more broadly. You can learn more at kizingokids.com or drkiyahduffey.com.
Erin: Thank you so much for sharing your expertise, Kiyah. I know this conversation will inspire so many families.
Kiyah: Thank you, Erin. It’s been a joy to join you on this conversation.
