Mandy Sacher Nutrition

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Mandy Sacher Nutrition

Mandy Sacher is Australia’s leading paediatric nutritionist, best-selling author and mum of 2. Management: drew@dlcomms.com.au

She consults to childcare centres and supports families to implement healthy eating habits. Committed to providing parents with honest, evidence backed advice, paediatric nutritionist Mandy Sacher is one of Australia’s leading experts on childhood nutrition and wellbeing, helping parents and mums-to-be-feed their children healthy, nourishing foods right from the start. Concerned by the lack of reliable, consistent nutrition information available to parents, Mandy is on a mission to share her wealth of expert knowledge with families around Australia. In her newly appointed role, as Global Chief Nutrition Officer (CNO), Mandy will be have the opportunity to work with world-class leaders in neuroscience, education, psychology and theatre, and have access to research and resources to continue her life's passion and impact childhood nutrition on a world-wide scale. Mandy’s philosophy is simple: train children’s taste-buds to enjoy nourishing, nutritionally beneficial foods early as possible to ensure optimal development and establishment of lifelong healthy eating behaviours and food choices. After birth of her first child in 2010, she became increasingly aware of the lack of nutritionally sound information being made available to first-time parents. She was alarmed at the amount of baby and toddler food that were marketed as being ‘healthy’ when the sugar, salt and preservative content were overly high. Mandy realised our journeys to junk food can begin with the squeezie yoghurts we are fed or the teething rusks we eat. Mandy is committed to helping parents understand the food choices available to our children, and to providing information and resources that make for easier access to better nutritional options than those available in the local convenience store. Mandy’s career in children’s health spans more than two decades and has previously consulted to hundreds of childcare centres, and supported over 80,000 families to implement healthy eating habits through her social media channels, training modules and her international best-selling book Wholesome Child: A Complete Nutrition Guide and Cookbook. Now she is embarking on a new journey, and will be working to create in collaboration with MindChamps, the world's leading Nutritional Literacy Programme and will be sharing her journey, MindChamps' research and delicious and nutritious meal ideas and recipes with you over the coming months. Mandy can be contacted via her website for a limited number of private workshops and private consultations for families in need of support.

11/12/2025

Comment ‘recipe’ below and I’ll send you the link to this Bellamy’s Organic recipe!

This is one of those easy, make-ahead breakfasts every busy parent needs in their toolkit.

Creamy, nourishing and naturally sweet, made with real food ingredients only (of course). 💜🥣

I love the texture that freeze-dried fruit gives to chia pudding — it adds a subtle crunch and so much flavour. I honestly never make mine without it now.

Prep it the night before and wake up to a delicious, ready-to-go breakfast that keeps everyone happy.

Let me know if you make this recipe. I’d love to hear if your kids enjoy it!

And check out my stories for more tips I’ve discovered over the years as a mum and paediatric nutritionist. 👩‍👧‍👦💛

Created in collaboration with

08/12/2025

Parents, this is the moment Australia cannot ignore.

San Francisco is suing Big Food for harming public health.

Today, when I spoke with about this landmark case, I explained that many of the same companies being sued in the US helped design our Health Star Rating algorithm… and yet their ultra-processed products are still scoring three, four and even five stars.(Comment below for the link to the article to read exactly what I had to say.)

Families trusted the stars. They trusted the system. And they were misled.

So the question is… how long do we keep ignoring what is happening right in front of our eyes?

If we keep waiting for the government to fix this, our kids will be the ones paying the price.

At some point, we have to say enough is enough.

If you want to understand the full picture, the lawsuit, the science, and why this moment matters more than ever for Australian families, I have broken everything down clearly in the article.

Comment ‘REAL FOOD’ and I will send you the full article, so you can learn more and join our growing community of parents pushing for real change.

The government might not act quickly.

But parents can.

And this movement is only getting stronger.

07/12/2025

If you are no longer shocked by ultra-processed products getting high Health Star Ratings, or if you’ve ever said “I don’t even look at the stars anymore,” then keep swiping because I have something you need to see.

Comment “SWAPS” and I’ll send you more easy swaps, the full petition breakdown, and a reminder to sign up for Real Food Rating app updates so you don’t miss what’s coming next.

As you’ll see in the swaps I’ve shared, so many packaged foods rely on ultra-processed additives, emulsifiers and industrial ingredients, the same ingredients we’d never cook with at home, but they continue to receive high Health Star Ratings.

These swaps remove many of those fillers. They’re not everyday foods, but they are better choices if you’re trying to reduce additives without feeling overwhelmed.

And, with the developments coming out of San Francisco, a city finally holding Big Food accountable, it is clearer than ever that Australia cannot keep delaying change. Other countries are moving. We are still rewarding these companies.

I’ll be speaking more about this tomorrow, but for now I want every parent to see how our own government responded when 14,700 families asked for action… and are still asking!

This is why I am building the Real Food Rating.
A tool that puts families first.
Backed by current science.
Free from industry influence.

Enough is enough. We deserve so much better than what’s currently on offer for Aussie families.

Share this post if you believe more parents need to see this.

04/12/2025

Here is the recipe for these delicious Blondie Granola Puffs 💛👇🏽

A little reminder that you are doing a great job. Feeding kids can feel overwhelming, but small wholefood habits really do add up.

And yes… my hands are right in the mixture. This is a big batch for my family and a great sensory moment for little helpers. Make a big batch, pop it in a jar and your future self will thank you.

If you have been struggling to find cereals or crunchy snacks you feel good about, this wholefood option was created with real food ingredients for babies, toddlers and adults too.

👇 Recipe below

Blondie Granola Puffs
Makes: approx. 4 cups
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes

Ingredients
• 4 cups brown rice or quinoa puffs
• 1 cup cashew butter
• 1 cup date paste
• 2 tbsp melted coconut oil
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Pinch of salt

Method
1. Preheat oven to 160 C and line a tray.
2. Mix cashew butter, date paste, coconut oil, vanilla and salt.
3. Add puffs and coat well.
4. Spread on tray and bake 12 to 15 minutes, stirring halfway.
5. Cool, break into clusters and store in a jar.

You can find more wholefood family recipes like this in my new book, Unfussy Eaters Club. Pre-order via the link in my bio.

Save this recipe and share it with a friend who would love more simple wholefood ideas.

Follow for more family-friendly recipes and tips. 💛

27/11/2025

Are you as frustrated as I am?

14,389 parents called for change. The Government admitted the Health Star Rating system isn’t working but plans to make it mandatory without fixing it.

I wrote to the Minister for Health, the Hon Mark Butler MP, asking for transparency, accountability and change. The response I received was deeply disappointing.

Here’s what it really means 👇
🚩 They know the system is off track but won’t fix it
🚩 The same algorithm giving Milo Snack Bars and Up & Go 4 stars will stay
🚩 Additives are still assessed using outdated standards
🚩 The review of ultra-processed foods is delayed until at least 2026
🚩 Industry still has a seat at the table

As a mum and paediatric nutritionist, this hits hard.

I’ve been working around the clock, self-funding, researching and building a science-based formula to create a fairer system for families. If one mum can do this with limited resources, how can the Australian Government not find a solution?

Families deserve honest, transparent labelling, not a system that gives junk food a healthy halo.

While the Government delays, we’re moving forward.

The Real Food Rating System is being built to give parents truth, based on whole ingredients, minimal processing and real nutrition.

💬 Comment ‘change’ below and I’ll send you:
• The full Government letter and my plain-English breakdown
• Minister Mark Butler’s and Assistant Minister Rebecca White’s (leader of the Food Ministers Meeting) contact forms to share your feedback
• The link to join the Real Food Rating mailing list. You’ll also get our Real Food Reset Pantry Guide and exclusive app updates

This movement is growing.

Do you think the Health Star Rating system should be fixed before it becomes mandatory?

20/11/2025

💬 Comment “Real Food” to watch the full Today Show segment…and see why even called the Health Star Rating a “joke”.

Because if your smoke alarm only worked sometimes, you wouldn’t rely on it to protect your family.

That’s exactly what’s happening with the Health Star Rating.

It’s a public health tool the government knows is flawed, yet they’re still planning to mandate it without a full review. And it’s giving ultra-processed foods a “health halo” they don’t deserve.

Thank you to the nearly 15,000 of you who signed our petition demanding an independent review. Please continue to sign and share it so we can keep pushing for change.

We need transparency and a system that gets it right every time, not just sometimes.

And thank you to , and for spreading awareness and helping to urge government to take action.

💬 Comment “real food” and I’ll send you:
- The full clip
- A list of high Health Star products to avoid and smarter swaps
- Lancet’s latest UPF report - you need to read this!

16/11/2025

Parents… how are we feeling heading into the end of term?

Afternoons feel big, kids come home ravenous and tired, and most of us are just trying to keep things calm, fed and moving.

The good news is that after-school snacks can still be easy *and* real food focused.

These four ideas take hardly any effort, use simple ingredients and help keep moods and energy steady when everyone needs it most.

🥑 Kids Cracker Board
🍫 Brain Boosting Choc Mousse
🥕 The No-Cook Snack Plate
🍓 The Yoghurt Bar

Quick, colourful and realistic for those afternoons when you want to feel good about what you’re serving but your energy is on low.

💬 Comment ‘mousse’ below and I’ll DM you the Brain Boosting Choc Mousse recipe to help you power through the last weeks of term.

Follow for more simple real food ideas that make busy afternoons easier.

13/11/2025

Comment ‘STAPLES’ below and I’ll send you my Real Food Reset Pantry Guide
PLUS my homemade pantry staple that I always keep stocked… my peanut butter granola recipe.

🍎🥦 A nourishing pantry is the foundation of nourishing meals.
Fresh wholefoods matter, but the everyday staples we cook with matter just as much.
These are the oils, spreads, cereals and sauces our kids have on repeat, so the quality here really counts.

And this is exactly why we are building the Real Food Rating.
Parents deserve a simple tool that cuts through the noise and helps you choose better ingredients at a glance.
Because labels are confusing, marketing is distracting and most of us don’t have time to decode every product.

❌ Ultra processed pantry basics like vegetable oil, sugary cereals or sauces with unnecessary additives can quietly build up across the week and make it harder to fuel our kids well.

✅ Tiny real food swaps make a big difference.
Not perfection. Just better foundations so the meals you already make become more nourishing without any extra effort.

Follow for more swaps, recipes and nutrition education. 🌱

09/11/2025

1 Small Swap Every Parent Can Make 💛

💬 Comment ‘cracker’ below and I’ll send you my full guide:

Cracker Choices for Kids: How to Pick the Best + My Top Picks from Aldi, Woolworths & Coles — plus a bonus real-food recipe!

Sometimes the biggest impact starts with the simplest change.

This isn’t about restriction or being the “perfect parent” — it’s about awareness.

Because when foods like flavoured rice cakes are marketed as “healthy,” it’s easy for them to sneak into lunchboxes and snack cupboards every day.

And while there’s nothing wrong with having these at parties or occasionally, when ultra-processed snacks like this become part of the everyday rotation, that’s when they start to influence kids’ tastebuds and eating habits.

Here’s why this swap matters 👇

🚩 Flavour enhancers and hidden MSG (like yeast extract or hydrolysed vegetable protein) can train kids’ tastebuds to crave stronger flavours.
🚩 Up to 1,250 mg of sodium per 100 g — that’s more than some chips!
🚩 Additives like maltodextrin and anti-caking agents add shelf life, not nutrition.

Now compare that to plain rice cakes 👇
✅ 51–99% less sodium
✅ zero additives
✅ a simple base for real-food toppings like avocado, nut butter or cheese

Research shows that regular exposure to salty, flavour-enhanced foods can condition children’s tastebuds to prefer those flavours — and eat more of them over time.

That’s why we’re working to make it easier for parents to see through the packaging — so you can make confident, informed choices without overthinking it.

💛 Because protecting our kids isn’t about doing everything perfectly — it’s about small, consistent choices that make a big difference over time.

04/11/2025

✨ Comment ‘condiments’ below and I’ll send you my list of top tomato + BBQ sauce brands, plus a simple guide on how to choose better ones without the overwhelm.

Sometimes condiments are our saving grace, especially when fussy eaters are at the table 🙃 They can make or break a meal.

But here’s the catch… some of the most popular spreads and sauces contain things like:

🚩 BHA (320) – classified “possibly carcinogenic to humans”

🚩 Artificial flavours – chemical blends with zero transparency that can train kids’ tastebuds away from real food

🚩 Preservatives like sodium benzoate (211) – linked with hyperactivity, asthma + skin irritation in sensitive kids

🚩 Sulphites – known triggers for asthma + eczema

The good news? By focusing on the 1% swaps, you can reduce the nasties and upgrade what’s actually on your child’s plate. Choosing condiments made with good quality olive oil, real herbs and spices, and simple wholefood ingredients means you’re adding beneficial nutrients while keeping the flavour kids love 👏

Because with real food, it’s not about perfection, it’s about stacking up the little wins that add up to big change over time.

Address

Sydney, NSW

Website

http://realfoodrating.com/

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Our Story

Wholesome Child was created to provide informative and creative advice, support and inspiration to empower parents to make healthier food choices for their kids. Wholesome Child founder, child nutrition expert and mother of two, Mandy Sacher, is a Paediatric Nutritionist and SOS Feeding Consultant. Her clinical practice focuses on prenatal and childhood nutrition, helping parents and mums-to-be-feed their children healthy, nourishing foods right from the start. Mandy’s philosophy is simple: train children’s taste-buds to enjoy nourishing, nutritionally beneficial foods early as possible to ensure optimal development and establishment of lifelong healthy eating behaviours and food choices. After birth of her first child in 2010, she became increasingly aware of the lack of nutritionally sound information being made available to first-time parents. She was alarmed at the amount of baby and toddler food that were marketed as being ‘healthy’ when the sugar, salt and preservative content were overly high. Mandy realised our journeys to junk food can begin with the squeezie yoghurts we are fed or the teething rusks we eat. Wholesome Child is committed to helping parents understand the food choices available to our children, and to providing information and resources that make for easier access to better nutritional options than those available in the local convenience store. Mandy’s career in children’s health spans more than a decade. In 2006, she, along with other paediatric experts, founded the MEND Programme – an independent, not-for-profit organisation established to research (and prevent) obesity in children. Mandy and her colleagues at MEND developed one of the world’s only proven weight-loss treatments for obese children, based on ten years of research and clinical trials (http://www.mendcentral.org). Mandy worked as research assistant on her brother, Dr. Paul Sacher’s book From Kid to Super Kid, compiling case studies and investigating methods to improve the quality of overweight and obese children’s nutritional intake in order to affect better health, self-esteem and motivation to exercise. Mandy wrote for the Elfy Food Show (http://www.katebulkley.com/kilgarriff.pdf), a British animated mini-series about five healthy-eating elves on a mission to retrieve magical (healthy) foods. The programme promoted the virtues of fresh fruit and vegetables to a pre-teen audience and aired on Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Toonami. Wholesome Child was born just after Mandy’s son, when her professional expertise combined with her parental interest in ensuring the best possible nutritional options for her own children. For the past three years Mandy has consulted to day-cares on implementing more nutritional whole food menu plans and privately to parents of children of all ages. Wholesome Child’s nutritional workshops are held at preschools, mother’s groups, non-profit organisations and medical practices. Feed Them Right From the Start is the Wholesome Child motto. More informed and better food choices to promote well being and healthier living for our children. ——————– Qualifications summary: Personal trainer and nutritional consultant (acquired from Keep Fit International in Johannesburg South Africa – 1996) , Bachelor of Communications in Journalism, Bachelor of Communications in International Relations (UTS – 2004), Co-creator of the MEND Programme (author of the training manuals and other practical elements of the programme – 2004-2008), Certificate in Homeopathy , (2009-2010), Certificate in Naturopathy (2009-2010), Advanced Diploma in Nutritional Medicine ( 2012 -2014), SOS Feeding Accreditation (2014).