Food Junkies Podcast Episode 250: Ellen Bennett, RD, PhD (Candidate)
Oct 9, 2025
Ellen Bennett, a Registered Dietitian and PhD candidate, dives into the complex world of ultra-processed food addiction. She shares her own journey through food struggles, secrecy, and the transformative power of 12-step recovery. Ellen discusses her research on addiction-informed interventions and the creation of the Liberate program, aiming to tackle food addiction with compassion. She also emphasizes the importance of understanding the food environment and offers practical coping strategies for those in recovery, fostering hope and resilience.
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Allergies Delayed But Didn't Prevent Addiction
- Ellen describes how early childhood allergies forced home-cooked, single-ingredient foods and delayed exposure to ultra-processed foods.
- When packaged foods became available she rapidly gained weight and developed addictive eating behaviors that led to obesity by adolescence.
The Secrecy And Panic Of Bingeing Abroad
- Ellen recounts the panic-driven food raids while living in Spain, including buying duplicate packets to hide consumption.
- She describes the ritual of opening new packs, hiding evidence and offering food to appear 'normal' while secretly compulsively eating.
Finding 12-Step Meetings Changed Everything
- Ellen shares finding a 12-step food meeting in Spain and the immediate relief of hearing others share the same struggles.
- She took abstinence seriously, first giving up chocolate and experiencing intense grief then relief and sustained recovery for 16 years.