Food Junkies

Media by Others

The Food Junkies Podcast evolved from the book. Each week, Vera Tarman, Clarrissa Kennedy, and Molly Painschab connect with scientists, Food Addiction clinicians, authors, and recovering Food Addicts to share fresh insights and tackle emerging debates.

Food Junkies Podcast: Lipidema and Food Addiction, with Bonnie Newlin, 2025

Lipedema - what is it and how does it relate to food addiction?
Welcome to the Food Junkies Podcast. My name is Dr Vera Tarman, and I am the host ...today speaking with Bonnie Newlin, who is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified LEAP Therapist, specializing in the nutritional management of lipedema and chronic inflammation.

Bonnie holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Economics from the University of Maryland. She completed her dietetics training at the University of Northern Colorado and a Master's at the University of Houston. She is credentialed as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She has advanced training in Obesity Management through the CDR and Cornell’s Colin T. Campbell Nutrition program.

She is the founder and CEO of Crave Nourishment, where she empowers women to break free from dieting cycles and manage their health through evidence-based, anti-inflammatory nutrition. She also sits on the Lipedema Education Group and contributes to the development of medical standards of care for lipedema.

Of note to us, Bonnie’s has her own journey, which includes a 170-pound weight loss and a diagnosis of lipedema after years of struggling with weight and food addiction. What can she tell us about how to deal with this condition in our population?

------
In this episode of the Food Junkies Podcast, Dr. Vera Tarman speaks with Bonnie Newlin, registered dietitian nutritionist, Certified LEAP Therapist, founder of Crave Nourishment, and member of the Lipedema Education Group. Bonnie specializes in the nutritional management of lipedema and chronic inflammation.

Lipedema is a progressive adipose and connective tissue disorder that primarily impacts women, often misdiagnosed as obesity. Bonnie shares her own story of living with lipedema—including a 170-pound weight loss, delayed diagnosis, and eventual lipidema reduction surgery—and how food addiction and weight cycling complicate early recognition of the condition.

Together, Dr. Tarman and Bonnie explore:
What lipedema is and how it differs from obesity and lymphedema
Early signs, symptoms, and barriers to diagnosis
The role of hormonal changes in progression
Why ultra-processed foods and sodium worsen lipedema symptoms
The connection between lipedema, food addiction, and binge/restrict cycles
How anti-inflammatory nutrition and lifestyle strategies can reduce pain, swelling, and disease progression
Emerging treatments, including compression therapy, lymphatic drainage, vibration therapy, and lipedema reduction surgery

Myths about lipedema and why it’s often misunderstood in medical settings
Bonnie’s vision for DNA-guided nutrition research to better serve this population
This episode sheds light on a condition that may affect up to 11% of women yet remains underdiagnosed and misunderstood. If you or someone you know struggles with chronic swelling, painful fat, or unexplained weight changes—especially alongside food addiction—this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and hope.

👉 Learn more about Bonnie’s work at Crave Nourishment[+] Show More

Food Junkies Podcast: Lipidema and Food Addiction, with Bonnie Newlin, 2025

Lipedema - what is it and how does it relate to food addiction? ...

Food Junkies Podcast: Dr Tro' Kalayjian's TOWARD program for food addiction, 2025

Are diets (even low carb) and medications enough for food addiction? ...

Are diets (even low carb) and medications enough for food addiction?
Dr. Tro Kalayjian does not think so.

Welcome to the Food Junkies Podcast. My name is Dr Vera ...Tarman and I am your host today, speaking with Dr Tro Kalyjian.
Dr Tro is a board-certified physician in both Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine and is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of TOWARD Health, a remote metabolic health clinic. His work is heavily influenced by his personal achievement of losing 150 pounds, which led him to develop data-driven treatment models.
Dr. Kalayjian is also a founding member of the Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners and an international lecturer on metabolic psychiatry. He has co-authored several peer-reviewed publications, including the 2025 study we are talking about today - in Frontiers in Psychiatry on his clinic's success in reducing food addiction symptoms. He has also written a 2020 case series on the benefits of ketogenic diets for binge-eating disorder.

His clinic’s latest research, published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, shows how combining low-carb nutrition with real-time support, psychological care, and metabolic monitoring can significantly reduce food addiction and binge eating symptoms—offering hope for those who haven’t found relief in diets or medications alone.

Dr. Tro is passionate about helping others find food freedom, and today he’s here to share the science, the struggle, and the solutions that actually work.

Research Highlights:
Published in Frontiers in Psychiatry (2025):
43 lbs average weight loss
~40–50% improvement in food addiction and binge eating symptoms
Outcomes comparable to medications (e.g. amphetamines, GLP-1s) — but without long-term side effects
Case series (220 people) on keto for binge eating showed significant improvements, challenging the old myth that "restrictive diets worsen eating disorders"

🛠️ What Actually Works (Tro's "Shotgun Protocol"):
Like treating sepsis with a bundled care approach, he bundles these for food addiction:
The TOWARD Framework:
Texting access to your medical team (real-time support like AA sponsors)
Online visits with doctors and coaches
Wellness coaching
Asynchronous education (on-demand app resources)
Real-time biofeedback (CGMs, scales, blood pressure)
Dietary intervention (low-carb/therapeutic carb restriction)🧠 Behavioral + Biological + Social Support = Results

🍳 Food & Physiology:
Therapeutic carb level: ~30g net carbs/day (but customized for each client)
Focus: Real food, nutrient density, stable blood sugar, and ketone production
Biological drivers of addiction: FTO & MC4R genes (linked to low satiety), ADHD traits, dopamine-seeking
Physiology matters: No regulation if you're low in protein, vitamin D, or sleep-deprived

💥 Why Diet Isn’t Enough:
Food addiction is not just about willpower
It's a poly-substance addiction: sugar, carbs, processed fats, additives, and volume
Even abstinent foods (like nuts or yogurt) can become part of volume addiction
“You need more than a food plan. You need a psychological and emotional toolkit too.”

😫 Barriers to Recovery:
Stress, trauma, pain, lack of sleep all increase relapse risk
GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic) may suppress appetite short-term but:
Lead to muscle loss
Double weight regain speed if stopped
Often used without a lifestyle program = future harm

❤️ The Human Side:
Shame, guilt, and blame paralyze recovery
“This isn’t a willpower issue. This is a food relationship issue driven by biology and trauma.”
One of his biggest lessons: “Take the disgust off yourself and place it on the substance. That’s freedom.”

🧠 Mental Experiments That Helped:
Tro experimented on himself with yogurt, berries, fasting, etc., to observe what triggered hunger or satiation
Asked: What makes people subconsciously eat less? → Ketogenic diet consistently decreased intake

📊 Cost & Accessibility:
Clinic costs $500/month but aims to be covered by employers (and is free to many employees)
Medical savings to employers = $2,000–$4,500 per year per person

Final Thoughts from Dr. Tro:
"Don’t believe the lies. Do your own homework. And eat meat."
Recovery is possible, but it must include compassion, community, and comprehensive care.

Tro will be speaking on emotional and cognitive manipulation of hunger at the upcoming International Food Addiction & Comorbidities Conference in London (Sept 2025)

Follow Dr. Tro:
Recent Publication: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1548609/full
Join us via Livestream for two full days of talks and plenary sessions, and, in recognition of your support, use code SSO to get a 40% discount: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ifacc2025-two-day-conference-4-5-september-2025-online-or-in-person-tickets-1226143812149?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawMB8iVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFHY1g0d3R0b2hYdTFnMmhNAR5WiXm-cuXEnOUh40YV4TwTnXtMNdpkdXK9lzyXdIZIuE3OdtJho4U7g-ySFA_aem_9TqBY-e2_oaGzzekZpiq2g
Website: https://toward.health[+] Show More

Food Junkies Podcast: Chronic Invalidation w Clinician's Corner -Molly Painshab &Crissy Kennedy 2025

In today's insightful Clinician’s Corner episode, Clarissa Kennedy and ...

In today's insightful Clinician’s Corner episode, Clarissa Kennedy and Molly Painschab delve into chronic invalidation as a trauma response, exploring its origins, impacts, and practical healing strategies. This episode offers ...clinicians compassionate insights and actionable tools for supporting clients on their healing journeys.

Key Highlights:
Understanding Chronic Invalidation
Chronic invalidation occurs when emotions, needs, or perceptions are consistently dismissed, causing internalization of critical voices.
Common invalidating statements include "You're too sensitive," "It's not that bad," and "Don't cry."
Chronic invalidation often results in perfectionism, emotional suppression, people-pleasing, and using food or substances to cope.
Origins and Impact
Invalidating behaviors can originate from caregivers' inability to handle their own emotions.
Chronic invalidation can manifest in adulthood as strong inner critics, emotional numbness, hyper-vigilance, and difficulty identifying personal emotions and needs.
Invalidated individuals often experience significant relationship challenges, attachment issues, and ongoing self-doubt.
Healing Strategies for Clients
Awareness: Encourage noticing and naming the inner critic as a first significant step toward healing.
Curiosity and Compassion: Recognize the inner critic as a protective mechanism developed to cope with past hurts.
Co-regulation and Community: Seek safe, validating environments where clients can experience relational repair through community support and co-regulation.
Therapeutic Modalities for Addressing Chronic Invalidation:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps clients identify and reframe invalidating thoughts.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Provides emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills.
Internal Family Systems (IFS): Validates all parts of self without shame.
Somatic Experiencing and Polyvagal Theory: Body-based approaches to regulate the nervous system and safely reconnect clients with their bodies.
Clinician Guidance and Reminders
Avoid invalidating language (e.g., labeling clients as resistant or not having hit "rock bottom").
Validate client experiences before offering problem-solving approaches.
Model self-validation and demonstrate relational repair in therapeutic interactions.
Encourage distress tolerance skills among clinicians to prevent rescuing behaviors driven by personal discomfort.
Embodied Practice (Somatic Experiencing Exercise)
Clarissa leads listeners through a gentle, somatic experiencing practice designed to:
Identify areas of stored emotional tension.
Invite compassionate awareness and gentle inquiry into bodily sensations.
Facilitate nervous system regulation through grounding, breathwork, and affirmations.
Closing Insights
Healing from chronic invalidation is a gradual, individualized journey. Encourage clients to begin with the strategies and modalities that feel safest and most accessible.

Remind clients and clinicians alike that healing is not linear but is profoundly supported through compassionate awareness, relational repair, and community.

Join us next month for more empowering insights on Clinician's Corner!

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.[+] Show More

Food Junkies Podcast: Food Junkies in book form? DrClaire Wilcox's "Rewire Your Food-Addicted Brain"

Food Junkies Podcast: Food Junkies in book form? Dr Claire Wilcox's ...

Food Junkies Podcast: Food Junkies in book form? Dr Claire Wilcox's "Rewire Your Food-Addicted Brain"

We’re honored to welcome back Dr. Claire Wilcox, a trailblazer in the field of food addiction. ...Claire is an addiction psychiatrist, former internist, and associate professor of translational neuroscience at the Mind Research Network. She’s worked in everything from eating disorderRewire treatment centers to general psychiatry and is on the frontlines of research, clinical care, and advocacy. Her academic textbook Food Addiction, Obesity and Disorders of Overeating has helped shape the professional dialogue—but today, we’re talking about her newest book, "Rewire Your Food-Addicted Brain: Fight Cravings and Break Free from a High-Sugar, Ultra-Processed Diet"—a compassionate, research-informed, and accessible guide for individuals navigating food addiction. And here’s the wild part: this book was directly inspired by the Food Junkies Podcast.

Key Takeaways
The Why Behind the Book
Claire was inspired by the validation, science, and compassion found in our podcast. She wanted to turn years of neurobiology, research, and lived experience into a digestible, practical resource for both clinicians and people in recovery.

Not Just Another Food Book
This is NOT a weight loss book. It’s a science-backed, shame-free guide to understanding food addiction and reclaiming your life from ultra-processed foods — whether you score mild, moderate, or severe on the mYFAS scale.

Food Addiction ≠ Weakness
Claire beautifully reframes food addiction as a neurobiological condition, not a moral failing. Like alcohol or nicotine addiction, it’s rooted in genetics, brain wiring, and environmental exposure — often starting in early childhood.

Diagnosis Matters
Chapter 6 tackles the controversial diagnostic gray zone, comparing food addiction to binge eating disorder and explaining how tools like the mYFAS can help people finally feel seen, understood, and validated.

One-Size-Fits-All
The book includes three levels of food plans that adapt to the individual — from flexible to more structured — based on your symptoms, goals, access to food, and cultural context. There’s no moral hierarchy here, just practical options.

Harm Reduction is Welcome Here
Recovery isn’t linear, and slips happen. The book normalizes recurrence without shame, promotes spiraling up over time, and encourages readers to find what works for them — even if it’s not “perfect.”

Tools with Neuroscience Receipts
Each tool is not only practical — it’s also evidence-based, with brain science to back it up. Claire doesn’t just tell you what to do… she tells you why it works.

Values Over Weight
This book helps you set recovery goals beyond the scale — like peace, freedom, energy, and connection. Weight loss may happen as a side effect, but the real win is regaining your life.

Validation for the Spectrum
Whether you’re struggling mildly or feel like you're at your lowest, this book meets you where you are and reminds you: there is a way out — and it can be your way.

Bonus: There are FREE online chapters + tools available starting August 1st through New Harbinger Publications!

📘 Available Everywhere Books Are Sold
➡️ Title: Rewire Your Food-Addicted Brain: Fight Cravings and Break Free from a High-Sugar, Ultra-Processed Diet Using Neuroscience
➡️ Website: https://www.wilcoxmd.com

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.[+] Show More

Food Junkies Podcast: How can food addiction predispose us to cancer? with Dr Raphael Cuomo, 2025

Welcome to the Food Junkies Podcast. My name is Dr Vera Tarman and I ...

Welcome to the Food Junkies Podcast. My name is Dr Vera Tarman and I am your cohost today, along with Molly Painshab. .Today we are speaking with Dr. Raphael E. ...Cuomo, author of Crave: The Hidden Biology of Addiction and Cancer. Dr Cuemo is an American biomedical scientist and Associate Professor at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine, where he leads research on the intersection of addiction, cancer prevention, and public health. He got his PhD in Global Health from UC San Diego, completed a Master in Public Health from San Diego State University, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health. He has authored over one hundred peer-reviewed publications and is internationally recognized for his understanding of how behavioral factors like addiction reshape cancer risk and outcomes.

Dr Cuomo’s book "Crave: The Hidden Biology of Addiction and Cancer,” explores the biochemical connections between addiction and disease. His research goes beyond the traditional dopamine hijacking the brain narratives that we at Food Junkies appreciate; Using extensive clinical data, he shows how addiction actually alters our biology, shaping our molecular environment to create chronic disease such as cancer.

Dr. Cuomo introduces the concept of “molecular scars”—long-term physiological changes left behind by repeated addictive behaviors, even low-grade ones like screen use or ultra-processed food consumption. He explains how these behaviors disrupt key systems in the body, including the dopamine, opioid, GABA, glutamate, cortisol, and the endocannabinoid systems, ultimately weakening immune surveillance, fueling inflammation, and accelerating cellular damage.

From the anticipatory nature of craving to the role of trauma and adverse childhood experiences, this episode invites clinicians, patients, and everyday listeners to reconsider addiction not as a character flaw, but as a biologically driven imbalance with profound public health implications.

Topics Covered:
The hidden biological link between addiction and cancer
What Crave reveals about chronic stimulation and health breakdown
Why craving is more about anticipation than pleasure
The difference between wanting and liking in addiction
How repeated overstimulation rewires dopamine and reduces pleasure
Molecular scars: the biological damage addiction leaves behind
The role of inflammation, immune suppression, and cellular dysfunction
How addiction disrupts neurotransmitters beyond dopamine (opioid, GABA, glutamate)
The overlooked role of the endocannabinoid system in both addiction and cancer
The impact of early life stress and ACE scores on long-term health
How screen time, ultra-processed food, and digital overstimulation shape disease risk
The concept of allostatic load as a measurable biological burden of chronic stress
Metabolic memory and food insecurity's impact on eating behaviors
Why oncology needs to integrate addiction screening into prevention and treatment
How to begin restoring the body's natural rhythm to prevent disease[+] Show More

Food Junkies Podcast: Reclaiming Embodiment after Spiritual Trauma with Dr Hilary McBride, 2025

Dr. Hillary McBride is a therapist, researcher, speaker, and author ...

Dr. Hillary McBride is a therapist, researcher, speaker, and author dedicated to helping people grow, heal, and reconnect with their wholeness. With a PhD in Counselling Psychology from the University ...of British Columbia, she specializes in trauma, embodiment, eating disorders, perinatal mental health, and psychedelic integration. Known for making complex psychological concepts accessible and meaningful, Hillary is passionate about creating therapeutic spaces grounded in safety, trust, and hope.

Her clinical work is informed by evidence-based, de-pathologizing approaches including AEDP, IFS, EMDR, feminist therapies, and somatic practices. Hillary’s award-winning research on women’s mental health, body image, and sexuality has been recognized by the Canadian and American Psychological Associations, as well as the Taylor & Francis Young Investigator Award.
Whether through therapy, writing, or public speaking, Hillary is committed to helping others feel seen, supported, and empowered on their path toward deeper self-acceptance and connection.

Key Takeaways:
• Disembodiment as a Survival Strategy:
Many of us leave the body because the world, or our upbringing, made it unsafe to stay. Returning to the body isn’t weakness—it’s radical resilience.
• Spiritual Trauma and the Inner Authority Crisis:
When we’ve been told that our bodies are sinful or untrustworthy, we lose connection to our inner compass. Reclaiming our own authority is central to healing.
• Why Embodiment Is a Form of Belonging:
Our bodies are where connection, pleasure, grief, and joy live. Embodiment helps us reconnect not just with ourselves, but with others and the earth.
• Healing Isn’t a Return to “Before”—It’s Becoming More Fully Ourselves:
The work isn’t to erase the pain, but to integrate it with love and become someone who can hold all of it with compassion.
• Psychedelic Therapy as a Doorway to Wholeness (When Safe and Ethical):
Hillary discusses the potential and limitations of psychedelics in trauma work—and why preparation and integration matter more than the substance alone.
• Body Image Recovery and Spiritual Reclamation Go Hand in Hand:
Healing the relationship with our bodies often requires rethinking harmful theology and cultural messages that disconnect us from pleasure and worthiness.
• The Role of Community in Repair:
No one heals in isolation. Being witnessed with gentleness in our messy middle is a key part of restoring trust.

🕊️ Quotes to Remember:
“The body is not the problem. The body is the place where the healing happens.” – Dr. Hillary McBride
“You are trustworthy. Your knowing is good. And the invitation is to come home to that.”
“Healing is possible. Even when the system told you it wasn’t.”

📚 Resources Mentioned:
• The Wisdom of Your Body by Dr. Hillary McBride
• Holy/Hurt: A Memoir of Body, Healing, and Liberation
• Hillary’s podcast: Other People’s Problems

Follow Hillary:
https://hillarylmcbride.com

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.[+] Show More

Food Junkies Podcast: Post Event Collapse, on Clinician's Corner, with Clarissa and Molly, 2025

In this compassionate and insightful episode, Clarissa and Molly dive ...

In this compassionate and insightful episode, Clarissa and Molly dive into the phenomenon of post-event collapse—the physical, emotional, and psychological crash that can follow highly stimulating or meaningful experiences. Whether ...it’s a vacation, a major life event, a group share, or even just navigating a family gathering, many in food addiction recovery find themselves disoriented and vulnerable in the days that follow.

They unpack the biology (hello dopamine crash), psychology (emotional contrast effects), and the nervous system’s role (freeze/dorsal vagal responses), and they offer gentle, practical strategies for reentry and recovery. This episode is both validating and empowering—for listeners in recovery and for clinicians supporting them.

💡 Key Takeaways: What Is Post-Event Collapse?

A drop in energy, motivation, or mood after a highly stimulating or stressful event.
Often triggered by dopamine depletion, nervous system overload, and loss of structure.
Symptoms include: fatigue, cravings, irritability, sadness, restlessness, shame spirals, and “vulnerability hangovers.”

🧠 The Science Behind It:

The brain shifts from an activated, goal-directed state (dopamine high) to a depleted, low-stimulation state.
This emotional contrast can feel like going from technicolor to gray.
For those with trauma, neurodivergence, or attachment wounds, this crash may be even more intense.

💬 Common Scenarios That Trigger Collapse:

Vacations (especially with family)
Funerals, weddings, or big work events
Emotional vulnerability (group shares, therapy sessions)
Changes in routine or environment

🛠️ Coping Tools & Recovery Strategies:

Plan for reentry as much as the event itself. Create a 72-hour buffer.
Return rituals: Soft structure for meals, movement, hydration, rest, and reconnection.
Freeze meals or stock Factor meals for post-travel ease.
Anchor with connection: Reach out to your “seen and safe” people.
Use micro grounding tools during events (walking, nature, breath, touch points).
Practice self-compassion: Validate the guilt and exhaustion without judgment.
Communicate proactively with family to soften expectations post-return.

🧰 For Clinicians & Coaches: Normalize post-event collapse as part of the healing arc.
Support clients in building after-care plans (not just event plans).
Teach co-regulation skills and help clients ride the emotional wave.
Watch for perfectionism in recovery and help clients practice grace.
Encourage gentle transitions, especially for those navigating early recovery.

🔄 Favorite Quotes:
“This is the slow after the fast. It’s not failure—it’s your nervous system recalibrating.” – Clarissa
“You don’t have to avoid the guilt. You can rest and feel guilt. Guilt won’t kill us—but burnout just might.” – Clarissa
“This isn’t recurrence—it’s biology. Let’s name it, normalize it, and meet it with compassion.” – Molly
“Have a post-event plan like you’d pack a suitcase—soft landing included.” – Molly

🎁 Bonus Tips:
Live like a tourist: Bring the wonder of vacation into everyday life.
Use group support to “bookend” your events: check-in before, share after.
Teach your clients to identify their own 72-hour needs. There’s no one-size-fits-all.

💌 Questions or Comments?
Email us at: foodjunkiespodcast@gmail.com
We’d love to hear from you—let us know what you want us to cover next![+] Show More

Food Junkies Podcast: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Food Addiction, with Diana Hill

Dr. Diana Hill, PhD is a clinical psychologist and internationally ...

Dr. Diana Hill, PhD is a clinical psychologist and internationally recognized expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and compassion-based approaches to well-being. She is the host of the Wise ...Effort podcast and author of The Self-Compassion Daily Journal, ACT Daily Journal, and the forthcoming Wise Effort.

Diana teaches individuals and organizations how to build psychological flexibility so they can live more aligned, courageous, and meaningful lives. I first discovered Diana and the transformative power of ACT through her course on using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for eating and body image concerns. Her work opened a new doorway in my own recovery and professional practice, helping me integrate compassion, values, and embodiment into the healing process. Blending over twenty years of yoga and meditation practice with cutting-edge psychology, Diana brings a unique and deeply personal approach to well-being that is both science-based and spiritually grounded.

Her insights have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, NPR, Woman’s Day, Real Simple, and Mindful.org, and she’s a regular contributor to Insight Timer and Psychology Today. When she's not walking and talking with therapy clients, Diana is likely tending to her garden, caring for her bees, or swimming in the ocean at sunrise with her two boys.

Key Takeaways:
1. Movement ≠ Punishment
• Diana shares how our relationship with movement is often shaped by shame, rules, and diet culture.
• ACT invites us to reconnect with intrinsic values—like joy, connection, or vitality—rather than "shoulds."

2. From Motivation to Meaning
• Dr. Hill outlines the three types of motivation:
• Pleasure-seeking
• Pain-avoidance
• Values-based
• Relying only on feeling “motivated” often backfires. Lasting behavior change is values-driven, not vibe-dependent.

3. Urge Surfing 101
• Urges feel like waves—we think they’ll pull us under, but they always pass.
• Practicing presence, noticing without acting, and riding the wave can build powerful inner trust over time.

4. Body Shame Needs Light + Air
• Shame tells us to hide. ACT helps us bring curiosity and compassion to the parts we feel we “can’t show.”
• The antidote to shame is not “fixing” the body—it’s learning to see it differently.

5. Phones, Dopamine & Distraction
• Screen scrolling can become both a dopamine hit and an escape from discomfort.
• Awareness + micro-boundaries with tech can gently shift us back toward the life we actually want to live.

6. Values Are Felt, Not Just Picked
• Instead of just selecting values off a worksheet, ask:
• When did I feel most alive yesterday?
• When did I feel regret?
These moments hold the clues to your deepest values.

7. Recovery is a Process of Discovery
• Movement and food freedom are journeys of returning to self—not performance.
• Progress is nonlinear and personalized. Flexibility, not perfection, is the goal.

🔧 Tools & Practices Mentioned:
• Urge Surfing – a mindfulness tool to ride out cravings without reacting.
• Rick Hanson’s Savoring Practice – linger in positive moments to rewire the brain.
• "Wise Effort" – a Buddhist and ACT-informed lens on energy expenditure and sustainable change.
• Body Image Flexibility – showing up in life with your body, even when discomfort is present.

📚 Featured Resources:
• 🧘‍♀️ Book: I Know I Should Exercise But... by Diana Hill & Katy Bowman
• 📘 Upcoming: Wise Effort (Fall Release 2025)
• 🎧 Podcast: Wise Effort with Dr. Diana Hill
• 📩 Newsletter & Trainings: drdianahill.com

💬 Favorite Quote:
“You don’t have to like your body or love your body—but you can bring it with you. Let in some light, some air, and over time, maybe even appreciation.” – Dr. Diana Hill

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.[+] Show More

Food Junkies Podcast: What's in a Name? UltraProcessed Food or Food Product with Ashka Naik, 2025

Ultraprocessed food or ultraprocessed food product? What is in a name, ...

Ultraprocessed food or ultraprocessed food product? What is in a name, and does it matter what we call it?

Welcome to the Food Junkies Podcast. My name is Dr Vera Tarman ...and I am cohost today, along with Molly Painschab, speaking with Ashka Naik.

Ashka Naik leads the Research and Policy department at Corporate Accountability, a global human rights and social justice NGO. Ashka focuses on food systems, nutrition, and public health, while highlighting the food industry's influence on food security policies and food justice issues. She’s a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, studying the relationships between public policy, women's rights and food security. At Food Junkies, we have discussed how the food industry deliberately makes foods addictive, but how does Big Food manipulate consumer perceptions so that we buy this food over healthier foods?

🔍 Topics Covered:
The colonial and corporate roots of ultra-processed food systems
Food as power: how what we eat reflects who holds control
The extinction of food knowledge and the myth of “choice”
From peaceful to violent processing: what got lost in the name of convenience
Feminism, kitchen culture, and reclaiming traditional food prep as empowerment
Why we must stop calling ultra-processed products “food”
Grassroots vs. systemic change: what can individuals and communities do?
Rethinking the language of “food addiction” through a justice framework
Lessons from the tobacco wars: how public pressure can drive industry accountability
The sacredness of nourishment — and how to teach our children to reclaim it
🌱 Resources & References:
Corporate Accountability
“Not Food: Time to Call Ultra-Processed Food Products by Their True Name” – Co-authored article by Ashka Naik, Dr. Prescott, and Dr. Logan
📣 Final Message from Ashka:

“Do not let anyone or anything make you believe that you can compromise on your relationship with what nourishes you.”

💡Learn more about Ashka
💌Email us at foodjunkiespodcast@gmail.com

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.[+] Show More

Food Junkies Podcast: Dr. David Kessler talking about Diet Drugs and Dopamine, 2025

David Kessler, Author of the End of Overeating,- is here to talk to us ...

David Kessler, Author of the End of Overeating,- is here to talk to us about his new book: Diet Drugs and Dopamine.

Welcome to the Food Junkies Podcast. ...My name is Dr Vera Tarman, and I am your cohost today, along with Clarissa Kennedy. Today we speak with the noted author, Dr. David Kessler.

Dr David. A. Kessler is a pediatrician and has been the dean of the medical schools at Yale and the University of California. He is a graduate of Amherst College, the University of Chicago Law School, and Harvard Medical School. Most recently he served as chief science officer of the White House COVID-19 Response Team and previously served as commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller The End of Overeating and as well as other books: Fast Carbs, Slow Carbs and Food or Fiction.

Of particular interest to us at Food Junkies Podcast is his most recent book: Diet, Drugs and Dopamine : the New Science on Achieving a Healthy Weight

🗝️ Key Takeaways
🔥 Addiction, Not Just Overeating
In The End of Overeating (2009), Kessler avoided the term "addiction." Now, in Diet, Drugs & Dopamine, he boldly names it. Cue-induced wanting, craving, and relapse are the neurobiological hallmarks of addiction—and they're present in our relationships with ultra-processed food.

⚖️ GLP-1 Medications: One Tool, Not a Cure
GLP-1s (like Ozempic, Wegovy) tamp down cravings by delaying gastric emptying and triggering aversive circuits (feelings of fullness, even nausea).
They work only while you’re on them—and can change your relationship with food—but they are not a magic bullet. The real value? These drugs prove this is biology, not a moral failing or lack of willpower.

💥 Addiction Is in the Brain—And It’s Working Too Well
Food addiction isn't a sign of dysfunction—it’s our reward circuits doing exactly what they were designed to do in a world of hyper-palatable foods.
The issue lies in environmental mismatch—evolution designed us for scarcity, but we now live in abundance.

🧬 It’s Not About Weight—It’s About Health
Kessler emphasizes toxic visceral fat as the real danger, not body size.
This fat is metabolically active and causal in diseases like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative conditions.

🔄 Weight Regain = Relapse
Most people regain lost weight not because of laziness, but due to metabolic adaptations and craving relapse. Recovery must focus on sustainable behavior change and addressing addictive circuits.

🤝 Bridging the Gap Between Food Addiction & Eating Disorder Communities
Kessler supports the inclusion of Ultra-Processed Food Use Disorder in the DSM and ICD.
Compassion and shared understanding are key to breaking down stigma and offering effective, united treatment approaches.

🧰 Lifestyle Management & Long-Term Tools
GLP-1s may be a biological bridge, but long-term success requires:
Nutrition education
Emotional regulation and distress tolerance
Culinary skills and food sovereignty
Community, support, and behavior change strategies

💡 Final Wisdom from Dr. Kessler
“Once you lose the weight, that’s when the real work begins.”
“There’s no shame in using the tools that work. But we need to use them wisely, and not in isolation.”

Follow Dr. Kessler: Twitter @DavidAKesslerMD

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.[+] Show More

Food Junkies Podcast: Health Outcome and the Processed Food Industry, with Dr. Filippa Juul, 2025.

We are told by the processed food industry that “a calorie is a ...

We are told by the processed food industry that “a calorie is a calorie.” But is that really true?

Welcome to the Food Junkies Podcast. my name is Dr Vera ...Tarman and I am your cohost today along with Clarissa Kennedy. Today we speak with Dr Filippa Juul, a researcher in the field of nutrition and public health, with a focus on the impact of ultra-processed foods on health outcomes.

Dr. Filippa Juul earned her Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in Spain, a Master’s degree in Public Health Nutrition at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, and her PhD in Epidemiology from the New York University School of Global Public Health (NYU GPH) in New York, USA

She is affiliated with the School of Public Health at State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate. Dr. Juul has contributed to several important studies examining the relationship between dietary patterns, particularly UPFs, and chronic diseases such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular conditions. Her work often uses the NOVA food classification system to analyze dietary data and inform public health recommendations.

We at Food Junkies are particularly interested in her views on the obesogenic and addictive nature of UPS; what is it about these foods that are such a problem? And why we are still eating them ?

Key Takeaways
🧠 It's About the Processing
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are engineered for convenience and hyper-palatability—not nourishment. Processing changes how the body absorbs and responds to food, often leading to overeating and poor metabolic health.

📚 NOVA System in a Nutshell
Group 1: Whole/minimally processed (e.g., fruit, eggs, plain yogurt)
Group 2: Cooking ingredients (e.g., oil, sugar, salt)
Group 3: Processed foods (e.g., canned veggies, artisanal cheese)
Group 4: Ultra-processed (e.g., nuggets, soda, protein bars)

🍟 Why We Overeat UPFs
Soft, fast-eating textures bypass satiety signals
High energy density = more calories, less fullness
Hyper-palatable combos (fat + sugar/salt) trigger cravings
Rapid absorption causes blood sugar spikes and crashes

🧬 Health Risks & Mechanisms
Linked to inflammation, gut imbalance, and poor glycemic control
Some additives may be harmful or addictive
Genetic factors may influence vulnerability to UPF addiction

🚸 Policy & Public Health
UPFs make up 60–70% of the modern diet
Strong links to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and poor mental health
Regulation on marketing, school meals, and additives is critical
Teaching cooking skills and nutrition literacy is essential

❤️ Rethinking Nourishment
Nourishment means satisfying, whole-food meals—not restriction
True recovery is about reclaiming joy, not giving up pleasure

💬 Quotes:
“We regulate food by volume, not calories—and UPFs pack a punch.”
“Nourishment is key to living a healthy, happy life.”
“UPFs don’t just harm—they replace what heals: real food and connection.”

📣 To Policymakers:
The obesity crisis is urgent. Make whole, nourishing foods affordable and accessible. Regulate what’s sold and marketed—especially to children.

Follow Dr. Juuls Research: https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Filippa-Juul-2070176684/publications/3[+] Show More

Food Junkies Podcast: Eating Disorders - Food Addiction, What IS the Difference? w Dr Cynthia Bulik

Eating Disorders? Food Addiction? What is the difference? Welcome to ...

Eating Disorders? Food Addiction? What is the difference?
Welcome to the Food Junkies Podcast. My name is Dr Vera Tarman and I am your cohost ...today, along with Clarrisa Kennedy. Today we are speaking with Dr Cynthia Bulik, who presents a radical view of eating disorders - one that might give us common ground to work together.
Dr. Cynthia Bulik is a clinical psychologist and one of the world's leading experts on eating disorders. She is the Founding Director of the University of North Carolina Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders and also the founder director of the Centre for Eating Disorders Innovation at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. Dr. Bulik is Distinguished Professor of Eating Disorders in the Department of Psychiatry at UNC, Professor of Nutrition in the Gillings School of Global Public Health, and Professor of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Karolinska Institutet.
Dr Bulik has received numerous awards for her pioneering work, including Lifetime Achievement Awards from the National Eating Disorders Association, the Academy for Eating Disorders, and the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics. such as the Eating Disorders Coalition Research Award, the Academy for Eating Disorders Leadership Award for Research, and the National Eating Disorders Association Lifetime Achievement Award. She has written over 600- 750 scientific papers, and several books aimed at educating the public about eating disorders.
Currently, Dr. Bulik's focus is in the reconceptualization of eating disorders as being a psycho-metabolic metabo-psychiatric diseases. Food Junkies is keen to explore this interest in how metabolic disease plays a role in disordered eating: can this construct be the common ground to start to understand the muddy waters between eating disorders and food addiction?

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
💡 The Myth of Choice: Why anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating are not willful acts, but biologically driven conditions with strong genetic roots.
🧬 The Metabo-Psychiatric Model: Dr. Bulik's innovative framework showing how genetic and metabolic pathways interact to shape eating disorder vulnerability.
⚖️ The Energy Balance Switch: Why people with anorexia feel better in a state of starvation—and how this paradox rewrites what we thought we knew.
📈 New Genetic Discoveries: How genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are uncovering shared and distinct risk factors for anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder—and possibly food addiction.
🔄 The Overlap with Addiction: Where eating disorders and food addiction intersect—and why treatment needs to consider both psychological and nutritional healing.
🧠 Recovery Isn’t Just Psychological: Why intuitive eating and one-size-fits-all treatment plans may not work for everyone—and what truly individualized care could look like.
🧭 Hope Through Science: How understanding the biology behind disordered eating can reduce shame, validate lived experience, and open new doors for healing.

🔗 Topics Touched:
Why abstinence-based recovery may be life-saving for some—and harmful for others
The risk of relapse tied to negative energy balance and undernourishment
What we can learn from addiction recovery in developing dual-diagnosis programs
The danger of renourishing with ultra-processed foods
ARFID, orthorexia, and the need for diagnostic nuance
The promise of personalized treatment using genetic risk profiles

💬 A Quote to Remember:
“Recovery from an eating disorder is an uphill battle against your biology. It’s not a lack of willpower—it’s a metabolic and psychiatric legacy that deserves compassion and understanding.”

Be a part of Cynthia's Research: https://edgi2.org/
Follow Cynthia: https://www.cynthiabulik.com

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.[+] Show More

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The Food Junkies Podcast evolved from the book. Each week, Vera Tarman, Clarrissa Kennedy, and Molly Painschab connect with scientists, Food Addiction clinicians, authors, and recovering Food Addicts to share fresh insights and tackle emerging debates.

Food Junkies Podcast: Lipidema and Food Addiction, with Bonnie Newlin, 2025

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