Last Updated: September 5, 2025
Important Information About LeapLunch Content
Hey there! I know disclaimers aren’t the most exciting read, but this one’s important. It helps you understand exactly what LeapLunch is (and isn’t) so you can use the information here safely and effectively for your family.
The bottom line: I’m passionate about helping families thrive with plant-based nutrition, but I’m not your family’s doctor, dietitian, or pediatrician. Everything I share is educational information to help you make informed decisions, not personal medical advice.
General Information Purpose
What LeapLunch Is:
LeapLunch is an educational resource focused on plant-based family nutrition. I share:
- Evidence-based information about plant-based eating for children and families
- Tested recipes designed to appeal to kids while meeting nutritional needs
- Practical strategies for implementing plant-based eating in real family life
- Personal experiences and lessons learned from my own family’s journey
- Community support and encouragement for families exploring plant-based eating
What LeapLunch Isn’t:
- Medical advice or treatment recommendations
- A substitute for professional healthcare guidance
- Personalized nutrition counseling (unless specifically arranged)
- A one-size-fits-all solution for every family’s dietary needs
- A guarantee of specific health outcomes
How to Use This Information:
Think of LeapLunch content as educational material to help you have informed conversations with your healthcare providers and make thoughtful decisions about your family’s nutrition. Always adapt recommendations to fit your family’s specific needs, preferences, and circumstances.
Plant-Based Nutrition Disclaimers
Educational Content Only:
All nutrition information on LeapLunch is for educational purposes only. While I’m a certified Plant-Based Nutrition Specialist with extensive training and experience, the content here is:
- General information about plant-based nutrition principles
- Not tailored to your family’s specific medical or nutritional needs
- Based on current research and best practices, but not comprehensive medical assessment
- Designed to supplement, not replace, professional medical guidance
Before Making Dietary Changes:
Please consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making significant dietary changes for your family, especially if anyone has:
Medical conditions such as:
- Diabetes or blood sugar management issues
- Heart disease or cardiovascular concerns
- Kidney or liver disease
- Autoimmune conditions
- Eating disorders or complicated relationships with food
- Any condition requiring specific dietary restrictions
Special life stages including:
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Infants and toddlers (under 2 years)
- Children with growth or development concerns
- Elderly family members with specific nutritional needs
Food-related concerns like:
- Food allergies or intolerances
- Previous negative experiences with dietary changes
- Concerns about getting adequate nutrition on a plant-based diet
Individual Variation:
Every person responds differently to dietary changes. Factors that influence outcomes include:
- Genetics and individual metabolism
- Current health status and medical history
- Activity level and lifestyle factors
- Food preferences and eating patterns
- Social and cultural food contexts
- Access to various foods and resources
What works beautifully for my family or other families in our community might not be the best approach for yours, and that’s completely normal.
No Professional Relationship
No Doctor-Patient Relationship:
Using LeapLunch, reading my content, or even purchasing my meal plans and courses does not create a professional healthcare relationship between us. I’m not:
- Your family’s nutritionist or dietitian
- Providing personalized medical advice
- Monitoring your family’s health status
- Responsible for your family’s medical outcomes
When You Need Professional Help:
Please seek qualified professional guidance for:
- Personalized nutrition planning, especially for children
- Medical concerns related to diet or nutrition
- Eating disorders or disordered eating patterns
- Significant weight changes or growth concerns in children
- Any symptoms that worry you related to dietary changes
Finding qualified professionals:
- Registered Dietitians (RDs) with plant-based experience
- Pediatricians familiar with plant-based diets for children
- Certified nutritionists with appropriate training
- Mental health professionals for eating-related concerns
Results Not Guaranteed
Realistic Expectations:
While I’m passionate about the benefits of plant-based eating for families, I can’t guarantee specific outcomes. Success with plant-based eating depends on many factors beyond nutrition education:
Family factors:
- Individual food preferences and sensitivities
- Family dynamics and eating patterns
- Time and energy available for meal preparation
- Budget and access to various foods
- Support system and social environment
Implementation factors:
- Consistency with recommendations
- Willingness to try new approaches
- Patience during transition periods
- Ability to adapt suggestions to your specific situation
Common Transition Challenges:
Many families experience challenges when transitioning to plant-based eating:
- Initial resistance from family members
- Learning curves with new cooking techniques
- Temporary increases in meal preparation time
- Social challenges (dining out, family gatherings)
- Concerns about nutritional adequacy
These challenges are normal and often resolve with time, patience, and appropriate support. However, I can’t guarantee how quickly or easily your family will adapt.
Food Safety and Allergies
Allergy Warnings:
I cannot account for every possible food allergy or sensitivity in my recipes and recommendations. It’s your responsibility to:
- Check all ingredients against known allergies and sensitivities
- Read food labels carefully for hidden allergens
- Adapt recipes as needed for your family’s safety
- Consult healthcare providers about managing food allergies on a plant-based diet
Common Plant-Based Allergens:
Many plant foods can cause allergic reactions, including:
- Tree nuts and peanuts
- Soy products
- Wheat and gluten-containing grains
- Seeds (sesame, sunflower, etc.)
- Certain fruits and vegetables
Always prioritize your family’s safety over any recipe or recommendation.
Kitchen Safety:
When preparing any recipes from LeapLunch:
- Follow safe food handling practices
- Ensure proper cooking temperatures for food safety
- Store leftovers appropriately
- Trust your senses – if something looks, smells, or tastes off, don’t serve it
- Supervise children appropriately during cooking activities
Supplement and Product Information
Supplement Recommendations:
When I discuss supplements that may be important for plant-based families (like B12, vitamin D, or omega-3s):
- This is general educational information only
- Dosage needs vary significantly by individual
- Some supplements can interact with medications
- Quality and safety vary between brands
- Children’s supplement needs differ from adults
Always consult healthcare providers before starting any supplements, especially for children.
Product Recommendations:
When I recommend specific products (foods, kitchen tools, books):
- These are based on my personal experience and research
- I may earn affiliate commissions from some recommendations
- Products work differently for different families
- Prices and availability change over time
- Always verify that products meet your family’s specific needs
External Links and Resources
Third-Party Content:
LeapLunch includes links to other websites, research papers, and resources. Please note:
- I don’t control the content on external websites
- Information on linked sites may be outdated or inaccurate
- External sites have their own terms of use and privacy policies
- I can’t guarantee the quality or safety of external resources
- Links don’t necessarily mean I endorse everything on those sites
Research and Studies:
When I reference nutrition research:
- I strive to use high-quality, peer-reviewed sources
- Nutrition science is constantly evolving
- Individual studies have limitations and may be contradicted by future research
- I interpret research to the best of my ability, but I’m not a research scientist
- Always look at the totality of evidence, not individual studies
Content Accuracy and Updates
Information Currency:
I work hard to keep LeapLunch content current and accurate, but:
- Nutrition science evolves rapidly
- Guidelines and recommendations change over time
- I may not immediately update all older content when new information emerges
- Some information may become outdated between updates
Error Handling:
If you notice errors or outdated information:
- Please email me at corrections@leaplunch.com
- I’ll investigate and correct legitimate errors promptly
- I’ll update content to reflect current best practices when possible
- I appreciate community help in maintaining content accuracy
Recipe Testing:
While I test all recipes multiple times with my family and volunteer testers:
- Results may vary with different ingredients, equipment, or techniques
- Nutritional information is calculated estimates, not laboratory analyses
- Cooking times and temperatures may need adjustment for your specific situation
- Not every recipe will appeal to every family – and that’s okay!
Age-Appropriate Information
Content Designed for Adults:
LeapLunch content is created for parents, caregivers, and adults interested in plant-based family nutrition. While I discuss children’s nutrition extensively:
- The information is meant for adults to use in caring for children
- Children should not use this information to make independent dietary decisions
- Adult supervision and guidance is assumed for all family nutrition choices
- Complex nutritional concepts are simplified but may need further explanation for children
Child Safety Online:
If children access LeapLunch content:
- Adult supervision is recommended
- Personal information should not be shared in comments or emails
- Children should not independently make dietary changes based on online information
- Privacy settings should be maintained on all family accounts
Mental Health and Food Relationships
Healthy Food Relationships:
While promoting plant-based eating, I’m committed to supporting healthy relationships with food:
- Food choices should not create anxiety or obsession
- Flexibility and balance are important in family food decisions
- No single meal or food choice determines overall health
- Social and emotional aspects of eating matter as much as nutrition
Warning Signs:
If plant-based eating or any dietary approach is causing:
- Extreme anxiety about food choices
- Social isolation due to food restrictions
- Obsessive thoughts about “perfect” eating
- Significant conflict within the family about food
- Any signs of disordered eating in children or adults
Please seek support from qualified mental health professionals who understand eating disorders and family dynamics.
Contact for Clarifications
Questions About This Disclaimer:
If you have questions about any part of this disclaimer or how it applies to your situation:
Email: legal@leaplunch.com Subject line: “Disclaimer Question” Response time: 48-72 hours for legal questions
General Questions:
For general questions about content or plant-based family nutrition:
Email: melissa@leaplunch.com Response time: 24-48 hours
Urgent Health Concerns:
If you have urgent health concerns related to diet or nutrition, please contact your healthcare provider immediately rather than waiting for an email response.