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Nourished: Connection, Food, and Caring for Our Kids
What does it mean to be nourished?
Nothing could be more basic than food. However, food is only one part of the concept of nourishment, but it has consumed our focus and eclipsed something far more critical for thriving—connection. We have lost sight of the fact that feeding our families is about human relationship and emotional well-being.
In Nourished , developmental and relational clinical counsellor Dr. Deborah MacNamara shows us how feeding is part of the caretaking relationship and cannot be separated from it. Informed by attachment science, developmental psychology, neuroscience, and research on human emotion, Nourished reframes our approach to providing for our kids and helps us hit the reset button on our relationship with food. After reading this seminal work, it will be impossible to ever view food as just plain food again.
As parents we need our kids to be receptive to what we offer but the road to the stomach must go through the heart. As relational and emotional creatures, our deepest hunger is one that food by itself cannot fill. In this book, Dr. MacNamara gives us the keys to transform the everyday act of feeding our children (and other loved ones) into a most fulfilling and nourishing dance of attachment. Based on developmental and relational science, qualitative research with families, counselling parents, and her own experience as a mother, in Nourished , MacNamara combines storytelling with science and puts food in its rightful place.
Nothing could be more basic than food. However, food is only one part of the concept of nourishment, but it has consumed our focus and eclipsed something far more critical for thriving—connection. We have lost sight of the fact that feeding our families is about human relationship and emotional well-being.
In Nourished , developmental and relational clinical counsellor Dr. Deborah MacNamara shows us how feeding is part of the caretaking relationship and cannot be separated from it. Informed by attachment science, developmental psychology, neuroscience, and research on human emotion, Nourished reframes our approach to providing for our kids and helps us hit the reset button on our relationship with food. After reading this seminal work, it will be impossible to ever view food as just plain food again.
As parents we need our kids to be receptive to what we offer but the road to the stomach must go through the heart. As relational and emotional creatures, our deepest hunger is one that food by itself cannot fill. In this book, Dr. MacNamara gives us the keys to transform the everyday act of feeding our children (and other loved ones) into a most fulfilling and nourishing dance of attachment. Based on developmental and relational science, qualitative research with families, counselling parents, and her own experience as a mother, in Nourished , MacNamara combines storytelling with science and puts food in its rightful place.
Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2023
72 people are currently reading
553 people want to read
About the author
Deborah MacNamara
7 books14 followersDr. Deborah MacNamara is a clinical counsellor and educator with more than
twenty-five years experience, and is the author of the bestselling book Rest, Play, Grow: Making Sense of Preschoolers (or anyone who acts like one). She is
on faculty at the Neufeld Institute, operates a counselling practice, and
speaks regularly about child and adolescent development to parents,
childcare providers, educators, and mental health professionals. She
continues to write, do radio and television interviews, and speak to the
needs of children and youth based on developmental science. Deborah resides
in Vancouver, Canada, with her husband and two children.
twenty-five years experience, and is the author of the bestselling book Rest, Play, Grow: Making Sense of Preschoolers (or anyone who acts like one). She is
on faculty at the Neufeld Institute, operates a counselling practice, and
speaks regularly about child and adolescent development to parents,
childcare providers, educators, and mental health professionals. She
continues to write, do radio and television interviews, and speak to the
needs of children and youth based on developmental science. Deborah resides
in Vancouver, Canada, with her husband and two children.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 23, 2024
This book offers a whole new insight about nourishment, its integration with attachment. The importance of being a North Star for your loved one and navigating them through new and routinely eating experiences, a dinner table becomes sacred playful space. Eating together allows intimacy, which further strengthen the family bond.
Nourishment is not only about being able to feed the healthiest food but loving the food and respecting the cook, it’s a bidirectional communication through attachment between inviter and invitee, provider and accepter.
Our kids need a safe, loving, playful and accepting environment to flourish and nourish. Good eating habits will form eventually.
Nourishment is not only about being able to feed the healthiest food but loving the food and respecting the cook, it’s a bidirectional communication through attachment between inviter and invitee, provider and accepter.
Our kids need a safe, loving, playful and accepting environment to flourish and nourish. Good eating habits will form eventually.
February 7, 2026
Based on the brilliant work of Gordon Neufeld, this beautiful book twines together attachment and food. Suddenly so obvious, of course our relationship to our families is inseparable from how we eat and approach food. This is a thoughtfully written and deeply researched book on connection and nourishment.
September 22, 2024
It unpacks the “connection, not consumption” ethos with care, respect and wisdom. Sometimes, the much-needed “village” rests in books like these and I am grateful they exist.
September 24, 2023
Well, I have to be totally honest and say the beautiful simplicity of the cover and title “nourished” is what initially caught my attention at my local book store and I’m so thankful it did!
This book truly changed me. It reads like a dedication to relationships and food. What I enjoyed most about this book was the authors storytelling. It is so evident in her writing she holds a strong connection to the land and her continual gratitude to Nature is something that really resonated with me. I especially loved the story of her daughter and the guacamole. “Guacamole is home”. That story really warmed my heart.
As I read the pages, it reminded me of all the ways I have been a caretaker for others and how others have cared for me. The meals may have initially brought us together but the focus has always been on the connection and togetherness of gathering.
I feel so fortunate to have found this book, or rather, I believe it found me. This book could not have come at a more poignant time after feeling I lost some of this connection during the pandemic. A heartfelt thank you for this incredible work and insight.
This book truly changed me. It reads like a dedication to relationships and food. What I enjoyed most about this book was the authors storytelling. It is so evident in her writing she holds a strong connection to the land and her continual gratitude to Nature is something that really resonated with me. I especially loved the story of her daughter and the guacamole. “Guacamole is home”. That story really warmed my heart.
As I read the pages, it reminded me of all the ways I have been a caretaker for others and how others have cared for me. The meals may have initially brought us together but the focus has always been on the connection and togetherness of gathering.
I feel so fortunate to have found this book, or rather, I believe it found me. This book could not have come at a more poignant time after feeling I lost some of this connection during the pandemic. A heartfelt thank you for this incredible work and insight.
September 29, 2023
Dr. Deborah MacNamara’s Nourished: Connection, food, and caring for our kids (and everyone else we love) weaves back together the lost threads of a nourishing tapestry; one that has always been present, but from which we have travelled so far in our modern society. In this beautiful book we are guided back to our original connections to one another, and to the earth itself. Through her meticulous cross-cultural and generational research into the science of human attachment, relationships, and food, Dr. MacNamara sets a generous table of understanding clarity, and insight that will help re-route those of us seeking support in re-affirming our caregiving instincts and reclaiming our rightful place in nourishing those we love. Her wit and enchanting storytelling capacities are the metaphorical icing on the cake. I loved this book so much and believe that it is not only for parents, but for all humans.
March 1, 2026
Absolutely love this perspective on food! I went into it hoping for some tips to help with picky eating and definitely found what I was looking for (plus SO much more), not in a quick fix kind of way but with the reminder that at the heart of food is always relationship + connection.
Deborah MacNamara is one of my all time favourite and most trusted sources when it comes to child development and attachment and this book felt like such a labor of love with so much research and stories that really solidified her points in a super easy to understand, relate to and put into practice kind of way.
Will 1000% be adding a garden to our classroom this year!
Deborah MacNamara is one of my all time favourite and most trusted sources when it comes to child development and attachment and this book felt like such a labor of love with so much research and stories that really solidified her points in a super easy to understand, relate to and put into practice kind of way.
Will 1000% be adding a garden to our classroom this year!
March 2, 2026
Love it, so much food for thought. As a dietitian and a mom I found the book insightful on how to deepen relationships through food and shared meals.
My favourites: when the author mentions that a caregiver needs to have something or someone to lean on and how culture and religion can have a role as well; why rituals and traditions matter and how Nature supports it all.
I can only wish there was a version in Portuguese, I would give away quite a few copies :)
My favourites: when the author mentions that a caregiver needs to have something or someone to lean on and how culture and religion can have a role as well; why rituals and traditions matter and how Nature supports it all.
I can only wish there was a version in Portuguese, I would give away quite a few copies :)
September 21, 2023
Nourished is one of those books that hits you right in the heart. Deborah has completely captured what connection is all about and how important it is, how it can be done on a daily basis, and what a difference it can make. This book made me cry. Her stories are incredible and heartwarming. I love how she includes cultural wisdoms around food practice.
September 22, 2023
This book nourished me. Deborah’s invitation and insight fed my mind and heart. I laughed and cried while reading the stories that then reminded me of the ways I have been fed love and connection. I have hope and awareness of the impact I have on those I feed.
March 12, 2025
Important, insightful, intuitive and inspiring look into the meaning behind food (preparing, gifting and sharing) is reflected in our social, emotional and psychological well being. It will fill your heart and empower you to do that for the ones you care for.
February 27, 2025
Very interesting perspective on feeding and nourishing the entire family and rooting it to more than just the food we provide
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March 7, 2025Liked the concept but never felt like she got to the point
March 25, 2025
Завуальовано відповідає на дуже важливі запитання щодо харчування дітей, акцентує не на тому, що ми їмо, а на тому, як це робимо і готуємо
November 20, 2025
It's a beautiful book really, that unfortunately I couldn't get into by the halfway mark. Very wordy and ended up not being what I was looking for. I'm little disappointed...
May 19, 2024
Brilliant book! Thank you Deborah MacNamara.
There is just something about providing a nourishing meal for your toddler or child that is just so incredibly fulfilling. When they eat every last bite and fill their bellies to their heart's content from a meal that you made. There is just nothing quite like it.
Deborah does a beautiful job of explaining why that is and why it is so important to maintain this process in the home. Parents need it. Children need it. The parent-child relationship needs it. Through food, we are able to build trust with our children and if they trust us we can feed them the nourishing foods they need.
Deborah puts this book together, with what appears to be the guidance of child developmentalist Gordon Neufeld. This includes borrowed ideas from his work over the years and anything containing the guidance of Gordon Neufeld is bound to be a homerun. This book is no different.
I won't take away from Deborah though. She does a fantastic job and is clearly the lead in this. Read this book if you are a parent and breakfast, lunch and dinner will turn from a food fight to your three most favourite times of the day.
And yes, as you will see, "love" can be an ingredient...
There is just something about providing a nourishing meal for your toddler or child that is just so incredibly fulfilling. When they eat every last bite and fill their bellies to their heart's content from a meal that you made. There is just nothing quite like it.
Deborah does a beautiful job of explaining why that is and why it is so important to maintain this process in the home. Parents need it. Children need it. The parent-child relationship needs it. Through food, we are able to build trust with our children and if they trust us we can feed them the nourishing foods they need.
Deborah puts this book together, with what appears to be the guidance of child developmentalist Gordon Neufeld. This includes borrowed ideas from his work over the years and anything containing the guidance of Gordon Neufeld is bound to be a homerun. This book is no different.
I won't take away from Deborah though. She does a fantastic job and is clearly the lead in this. Read this book if you are a parent and breakfast, lunch and dinner will turn from a food fight to your three most favourite times of the day.
And yes, as you will see, "love" can be an ingredient...
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews