Episode 261: Real Food Recovery: Holistic Healing, Harm Reduction & Building Lifelong Recovery Roots with Jamie Reno and Paige Alexander

In this episode, Paige and Jamie from Real Food Recovery join us to explore the powerful intersection of holistic health, nervous system regulation, and long-term recovery from ultra-processed food addiction. They share why they wrote their book, the four core branches that anchor recovery, and why recovery isn't about perfection—it's about resilience, compassion, and sustainable support systems that hold us when life falls apart. With honesty and courage, Jamie shares her story of leaving an abusive relationship and navigating destabilization while protecting her recovery. Together, we dig into spirituality (beyond religion), harm reduction, abstinence debates, nervous system science, ego traps like "I'll start Monday," and how we can meet ourselves with clarity and grace instead of shame. This conversation is validating, empowering, and deeply human. Recovery isn't about mastering food—it's about building a life worth staying for. 🌿 Key Themes We Explore • The gap in recovery literature and why holistic support matters • The four core branches of Real Food Recovery o Whole, single-ingredient foods o Sleep o Spirituality (not religion) o Movement • Why long-term recovery is a lifelong evolving practice • How spirituality anchors safety, connection, and presence • What happens when life collapses and how to keep recovery intact • Harm reduction vs. abstinence and why recovery isn't "all or nothing" • Navigating autoimmunity, trauma, and survival mode with self-compassion • The truth behind "I'll start Monday" and the ego trap of perfection • Why small, doable changes are more powerful than massive overhauls • The role of nervous system regulation in cravings, bingeing, and recovery • How to dismantle shame and return to curiosity, learning, and self-respect • Why spirituality & slowing down create safety in the brain and body Powerful Insights & Quotes 🔹 "Two people can have very different experiences—but the big-picture solutions are often the same." 🔹 "We don't push square pegs into round holes. Recovery must be individualized." 🔹 "Food isn't the problem—it's a symptom of the recovery you need." 🔹 "Spirituality isn't religion. It's connection, grounding, and being held when no one else is around." 🔹 "When Maslow's hierarchy collapses, guardrails may look different. Harm reduction can be love." 🔹 "Your brain will always try to keep you in the familiar—even if the familiar hurts." 🔹 "Recovery breaks when life is lived too fast. Safety lives in slowness." 🔹 "There is no shame—only information and opportunity." Listener Takeaways 1) Recovery Must Be Holistic Food alone isn't enough. Sleep, nervous system care, spirituality, and movement matter just as much—and sometimes more. 2️) Spirituality = Safety Not religion. Not rules. A grounding connection, inner wisdom, meaning, and support when life storms hit. 3️) Recovery Isn't Linear—It's Adaptive There will be seasons of abstinence, seasons of harm reduction, seasons of survival. Compassion keeps recovery intact better than rigidity. 4️) Nervous System First Bingeing doesn't happen in stillness. It thrives in overwhelm, chaos, shame, and hurry. Slowing down restores choice. 5️) Shame Has No Place in Recovery Behaviours aren't moral failings—they are signals. We learn, adjust, and move forward. 6️) Tiny Changes Create Stability Small, compassionate, repeatable steps beat dramatic overhauls every single time. 7️) You Are Allowed to Evolve Bodies change. Lives change. Recovery plans change. And that is strength, not failure. Where to Find Paige & Jamie Website: https://www.realfoodrecovery4u.com Programs, resources, and more on holistic food recovery. 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.