Food Junkies Podcast

In this engaging talk, Ashley Elizabeth, a recovery speaker and active member of Food Addicts Anonymous, shares her powerful journey from childhood dieting to food addiction recovery. She discusses the harsh realities of her early obsession with dieting and the challenges she faced, including relapses. Ashley emphasizes the importance of embracing a full 12-step program, discovering her triggers, and the transformative power of service. Her insights into meal structure and recovery-first strategies inspire others to prioritize their health and find freedom from food addiction.

Dr. Paul O'Malley is a Los Angeles-based dentist who's redefining what it means to care for your teeth—and your whole body. With more than 30 years of experience, Dr. O'Malley specializes in biomimetic and holistic dentistry, which basically means he works with your body, not against it. His focus is on preserving your natural tooth structure, using biocompatible materials, and avoiding the "drill and fill" mindset that leaves so many people anxious about the dentist's chair. He earned his DDS from Creighton University and completed a residency at Baylor University, but what really sets him apart is his philosophy: dentistry should heal and protect, not just patch things up. Over the years, he's trained with some of the top names in cosmetic and restorative dentistry and has become a fellow of both the International Academy of Dentofacial Esthetics and the Academy of Biomimetic Dentistry. At his practice in Encino, California, Dr. O'Malley helps patients restore confidence, comfort, and long-term oral health—often with procedures that are far less invasive than traditional methods. He's also the founder of Great Oral Health, a line of probiotic-based products designed to support a healthy mouth microbiome and overall wellness. We all know sugar messes with our health — but did you know it's one of the biggest culprits behind tooth decay, gum disease, and even inflammation throughout your body? 😬 💥 It's not just how much sugar you eat — it's how often! Every sip or bite keeps your teeth bathing in acid and your enamel under attack. 🦠 Your mouth has a microbiome too — good bacteria that protect you! Constant sugar, grazing, or even "healthy" acidic drinks (like lemon water or sugar-free soda) can throw that balance off. 💧 The fix is simple and kind: ✨ Eat in meals, not all day. ✨ Rinse with water after coffee, tea, or lemon water. ✨ Wait 20 minutes before brushing to protect enamel. ✨ Floss daily (it breaks up the "bug party" that causes decay). ✨ Use a soft brush and gentle angle — your gums aren't a kitchen floor! ✨ Try hydroxyapatite toothpaste (it helps re-harden enamel naturally). ❤️ Your mouth is part of your body — not separate from it. Bleeding gums, bad breath, or constant sensitivity are not normal signs of "aging." They're little SOS signals asking for care. 💬 And for parents: kids copy what we do, not what we say. Brushing and rinsing together is a tiny daily act of prevention and connection. Let's make "self-care" include our smiles. Because a healthy mouth = a healthier body. LINKS: https://www.greatoralhealth.com/ https://www.drpaulomalley.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.

Molly and Clarissa dive into the hidden 'rules' that shape our lives and can hinder recovery. They discuss how covert family and cultural scripts impact choices and self-worth. Exploring the balance between helpful structures and harmful rigidity, they suggest adopting flexible guardrails based on personal values. The hosts share insights on the inner rebel, the power of compassionate rule evaluation, and success stories from clients who embraced flexibility. With practical tips, listeners learn how to rewrite their rules for a more liberated recovery.

Dr. Cate Shanahan, a family physician and nutrition consultant, dives deep into the dangers of industrial seed oils. She explains how these oils can contribute to sugar cravings and insulin resistance, invoking biochemical mechanisms like oxidation and mitochondrial stress. The 'Hateful Eight' oils are discussed—corn, canola, and others to avoid. Dr. Shanahan offers practical alternatives, advocating for unrefined oils like olive and coconut. Tune in for insights on how changing your fats can transform your health and well-being!

Daniel Trevor, an entrepreneur-turned-citizen scientist and author of Unholy Trinity, shares his profound transformation after a heart attack. He explores how hyperinsulinemia acts as a 'gateway disease' leading to chronic illness, highlighting the risks of carbohydrate-driven diets. Daniel discusses LDL cholesterol nuances, lab testing for cardiometabolic health, and the dangers of seed oils and modern grains in promoting cravings. He offers practical dietary solutions, advocating for low-carb and carnivore approaches, combined with self-testing to ensure optimal health.

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.

Kat shares her inspiring journey of resilience, battling food addiction and the aftermath of traumatic experiences. She candidly discusses her rollercoaster with weight loss, alcohol, and the decisions that led to her gastric bypass. After a DUI, she found sobriety and later faced the resurgence of food addiction. Committing to a sugar-free challenge brought quick benefits and a renewed sense of control. With practical tips for navigating cravings and a focus on gratitude, Kat encourages others to embrace their own recovery journeys.

Molly and Clarissa delve into the fawn response, a misunderstood survival strategy rooted in trauma. They share personal stories of how fawning developed in their childhoods, revealing its effects on identity and relationships. The conversation highlights adaptive versus maladaptive fawning, stressing its role in addiction and self-neglect. They discuss the symptoms of this response, including difficulty saying no and emotional exhaustion. The duo also offers pathways to healing, encouraging self-awareness and small boundary-setting practices.

Have you ever wondered why cravings for junk food can return weeks—or even months—after you've stopped eating it? Neuroscience has an answer. In this fascinating episode, Dr. Vera Tarman speaks with Dr. Guillaume de Lartigue, Associate Professor at the Monell Chemical Senses Center and the University of Pennsylvania. His groundbreaking research reveals how the hippocampus—the brain's memory hub—stores food-related memories that can later be reactivated by sights, smells, or even routines like watching Netflix at night. These memory cues, combined with the dopamine-driven reward system, help explain why ultra-processed foods are so hard to resist. Together, Dr. Tarman and Dr. de Lartigue explore: The difference between metabolic hunger, hedonic hunger, and memory-cued hunger How fats and sugars create separate memory traces in the brain—and why foods combining both are especially addictive Why food memories can trigger cravings long after the food itself is gone How childhood exposure, stress, and even in-utero diet shape lifelong vulnerability to food cues The impact of artificial sweeteners on memory, satiety, and "the broken stop switch" Why food marketing deliberately exploits our memory circuits Emerging treatments: from behavioral retraining to potential drugs that could dampen food-related memories Dr. de Lartigue's research shows that food cravings aren't just about willpower—they're wired deep into our biology. But with awareness, deliberate habit-building, and future medical advances, there is hope for reshaping how our brains respond to ultra-processed foods. ✨ Key Takeaway: Our brains remember every rewarding food experience, and those memories are designed to pull us back for more—even when we're not hungry. Recognizing this isn't weakness—it's science. 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.

In this episode of the Food Junkies Podcast, Dr. Vera Tarman welcomes Dr. Anna Barbieri, a board-certified gynecologist and integrative medicine physician who specializes in menopause, perimenopause, PCOS, and PMS. Dr. Barbieri is also a certified menopause practitioner and co-founder of Electra Health, where she blends conventional medicine with holistic, evidence-based approaches to women's hormonal health. Together, they explore the fascinating, complex, and often overlooked role hormones play in shaping women's appetite, cravings, and relationship with food across the lifespan. From the ups and downs of PMS and perimenopause, to the challenges of menopause and PCOS, Dr. Barbieri explains how sex hormones, stress hormones, and appetite-regulating hormones intersect—and what women can do to support their health through these transitions. 💬 Topics covered in this episode: What hormones are and how they regulate appetite (ghrelin, leptin, CCK, GLP-1) The influence of estrogen and progesterone on hunger and satiety Cortisol, stress, and why cravings often center on sugar and carbs PMS, perimenopause, and menopause: why cravings change across the cycle and lifespan The role of progesterone in mental health, postpartum depression, and brain function PCOS, insulin resistance, and appetite regulation Visceral fat, metabolic risk, and why body composition shifts after menopause Thyroid health, autoimmunity, and the overlap with perimenopausal symptoms GLP-1 medications: opportunities and cautions for women's health Hormone therapy (HRT/MHT): benefits, risks, and myths Lifestyle and supplement strategies to support hormonal balance ✨ Key Takeaways: Hormones are powerful, interconnected, and influence not only physical but also emotional and mental health. Appetite changes in PMS, perimenopause, menopause, and PCOS are not simply about willpower—they're tied to real physiological shifts. Cortisol, stress, and sleep disruption can drive cravings and weight gain, particularly in midlife. Hormone therapy can help manage symptoms and may protect long-term health, but lifestyle changes—nutrition, movement, stress relief, sleep, and mindful supplementation—remain essential. Women can age well with or without hormone therapy by taking intentional steps to support metabolic and emotional health. 🎙️ About our guest: Dr. Anna Barbieri is a practicing gynecologist, certified menopause practitioner, and integrative medicine physician based in New York City. She is a fellow of the University of Arizona's Integrative Medicine Fellowship and co-founder of Electra Health, a digital platform revolutionizing women's healthcare. She is passionate about helping women understand their hormones and use both conventional and holistic tools to feel their best. 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.