Food Junkies Podcast

Dr. Jen Unwin, PsyD, FBPSs co-founder of Food Addiction Solutions (FAS) Jen is a Clinical Psychologist who worked for over 30 years in the NHS in the UK. She specialised in the role of hope in quality of life and was chair of the UK Association for Solution-Focused Therapy. After a lifetime of addiction to sugar and carbohydrates, she finally understood that the solution was abstinence and trained in Holistic Addiction Medicine with Heidi. They have been working together to devise and evaluate successful treatment approaches to food addiction and to raise awareness of the condition internationally. Jen’s best hopes are that treatment will be more available and that the condition of food addiction will be formally recognised. Heidi Giaever, Founder of The Collaborative Health Community, CFK and co-founder of Food Addiction Solutions (FAS) Heidi’s original degree was in chemical engineering. She subsequently retrained in Nutrition, Lifestyle Medicine and Hollistic Addicition Medicine (HAM), following her declining cognitive and mental health during her late 30s, found to have been caused by her poor diet and struggle with sweet-foods addiction. Heidi’s mission is to provide suitable platforms and further, collaborate with her partners to raise awareness of food addiction and develop creative community-based initiatives to work preventatively with children and young families. Molly Painschab, LCPC, LAC, Sweet Sobriety Co-Founder Molly is a dual-licensed mental health and addiction counsellor specializing in behavioural change using Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). Molly is passionate about empowering individuals with self-determination on their healing journey. Her best hope is to continue advocating for marginalized individuals to receive the services required to overcome disordered eating and addiction. Clarissa Kennedy, RSW, Sweet Sobriety Co-Founder Clarissa possesses expertise and practical experience across multiple therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Interventions, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) tailored for Eating Disorders, and Motivational Interviewing. Having navigated her own journey of recovery from food addiction, she aims to raise awareness about this disorder, help distinguish it from eating disorders, and highlight how addressing it can help support recovery from other substance use disorders. In this episode: How we got here What the consensus process consists of What we are most excited about How the Consensus work ties into the Food Addiction Recovery Clinical Study Next steps The International Food Addiction Consensus Conference   YOU’RE INVITED to the International Food Addiction Consensus Conference Friday May 17, 2024, in London, UK This informative and engaging gathering will build awareness for the growing problem of Food Addiction, not only for us adults but also for children and future generations. Speakers include: Chris Van Tulleken Robert Lustig Michael Moss Vera Tarman Adrian SotoMota Erica LaFata David Wiss (Video) Timothy Brewerton (Video Link) Anna Lembke (Video Link) Nicole Avena Susan Peirce Thompson   Why attend? •Gain valuable insights from international researchers, physicians, clinicians, and metabolic experts. •Network with professionals and like-minded individuals. •Learn about Food Addiction, and how ultra-processed foods impact the brain. •See the latest scientific research on the addictive nature of certain foods and the clinical research in this area. •Support our international program to get Food Addiction recognized as a disorder, listed in the ICD-11, to improve the food environment for future generations. We hope you will join us for a full day of education, connection, and hope!    TICKET SALES END MAY 12, 2024! If you are unable to attend or view the livestream and still want to support this work, you can: Attend the Conference or Purchase a Livestream Ticket: http://bit.ly/3ROJSCE Donate a Ticket: Pay for another attendee, and we will ensure it goes to a healthcare professional, student or public member who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend – use the link in the show notes. Spread the Word: Share our cause with your friends, family, and colleagues. The more people know about our mission, the greater our reach. You can use social media, email, or good old-fashioned word of mouth to help us raise awareness. Donate: Every dollar, pound or any other currency you contribute goes directly towards making this conference possible and supports our work to get food addiction recognized by The World Health Organization (WHO). Check show notes for the link!  https://bit.ly/4bIwKa3     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.

With a twinkle in her eye and a warm welcoming smile, please give a warm welcome to Linda Witnov. Years ago, she chose a path of self-discovery, leaving a past defined by addiction behind. Years of self-discovery have revealed a genuine spirit that radiates outward.  Linda isn't afraid to share her truth, offering a hand up and a genuine smile to anyone who needs it. Feel free to join our supportive community on Facebook: Sugar-Free for Life Support Group - where we believe "I'm Sweet Enough." If you're considering personalized assistance, CJ, a Certified Addiction Professional specializing in Food Addiction, is here for one-on-one coaching. Reach out to CJ at cjnguy@myfoodaddictioncoach.com  Interested in sharing your recovery story on our show? We'd love to hear from you! Please email FJRecoverystories@gmail.com  If you find inspiration in recovery narratives, you won't want to miss the Food Junkies Podcast. Check it out at https://www.foodjunkiespodcast.com/.

Today we speak to Dr Paul Kolodzik is a medical doctor specializing in metabolic health and weight loss. He completed his medical training at the  Wright State University School of Medicine and has served as Assistant Clinical professor at this site since 1989.  He is board certified in preventative and emergency medicine and has over 20 years of experience working in emergency medicine. He is also  board certified in Addiction Medicine and has treated people with food addiction, as well as weight loss and metabolic disease over the last five years. In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Kolodzik is the author of "The Continuous Glucose Monitor Revolution," which provides a comprehensive guide on using CGMs for improved health and weight management. His passion lies in educating people about the benefits of continuous glucose monitoring and helping them achieve their weight loss goals using  low-carb diets and other lifestyle changes. We are food junkies podcast are wondering if these devices can help us in food addiction recovery.  In todays Episode: What is a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and how does it work? The connection between blood sugar levels, insulin resistance, and weight gain? What are some of the key advantages of using a CGM for weight loss and improving metabolic health? How does a CGM provide insights that other methods versus other means of tracking like a regular glucomenter or a fitness tracker?  What are the steps to getting started?  How can someone interpret and make sense of their CGM data?  What are the key patterns to look for to show good  or poor metabolic health?  How would you use these to make adjustment to your diet? Should you work  with a health care provider using these? Besides diet, what other lifestyle factors can influence CGM readings? How can CGMs help food addicts better understand their triggers and cravings? How can these be used to help create a food addiction recovery food plan? Or your patients with food addiction any different than other patients - do you have special / different advice to give us?  What resources or support are available for non-diabetics looking to use CGMs? Follow Dr. Kolodzik: https://www.metabolicmds.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.

Dr. Kelly is the Elizabeth R. Spallin Professor of Psychiatry in Addiction Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is the Director of the Recovery Research Institute at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), the Associate Director of the Center for Addiction Medicine at MGH, and the Program Director of the Addiction Recovery Management Service. Dr. Kelly is a former President of the American Psychological Association's (APA) Society of Addiction Psychology, and is a Fellow of the APA and a Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology. He has served as a consultant to U.S. federal agencies and non-federal institutions, as well as foreign governments and the United Nations. Dr. Kelly has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles, chapters, and books in the field of addiction medicine. His work has focused on addiction treatment and the recovery process, mechanisms of behavior change, and reducing stigma and discrimination among individuals suffering from addiction. In this Episode: What initially sparked his interest in studying Alcoholics Anonymous and 12-step programs? What were the the key findings of the Cochrane review regarding the efficacy of AA and 12-step approaches? How effective is AA compared to professionally-delivered addiction treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy? Why does AA work for some people but not others? How well does AA work for diverse populations? Are there certain groups for whom it works better or worse? Could these findings be applied to other recovery communities? i.e. Sweet Sobriety, Smart Recovery, LifeRing? What role can AA play within a modern system of clinical addiction treatment and recovery support? His thoughts on harm reduction Why he thinks that sometimes in the addiction field it’s either a harm reduction model OR an abstinence model instead of both offered. The research on average recovery trajectories (ie 4 – 5 years before they decide to stop even though the use is very problematic due to stigma or fear and trying moderation, then 7 or 8 years and multiple treatment interventions before they get one full year of abstinence, then 5 years of continuous remission before people are no longer at an elevated risk versus the normal population) People with addiction ned to be given permission to practice recovery instead of just being expected to just stop immediately  Does he believe in Food Addiction ? His thoughts on what our next steps should be to get Food Addiction Recognized   Follow John Kelly and the Recovery Research Institute: https://www.recoveryanswers.org 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.

Today, CJ has the pleasure of interviewing a wonderful friend, Charity Silva. Charity is a beacon of warmth and kindness. Her eyes hold a quiet wisdom, reflecting a deep connection to something larger than herself. Spirituality infuses her every word, a constant search for meaning and beauty. But it's her boundless love that truly shines. A gentle word, a helping hand. Charity makes everyone feel seen and cherished, leaving a trail of light wherever she goes. You will truly enjoy getting to know Charity on this week's episode. Feel free to join our supportive community on Facebook: Sugar-Free for Life Support Group - where we believe "I'm Sweet Enough." https://www.facebook.com/groups/SugarFreeForLife/?mibextid=oMANbw If you're considering personalized assistance, CJ, a Certified Addiction Professional specializing in Food Addiction, is here for one-on-one coaching. Reach out to CJ at cjnguy@myfoodaddictioncoach.com. Interested in sharing your recovery story on our show? We'd love to hear from you! Please email FJRecoverystories@gmail.com.

Dr. Debbie Danowski is an expert on media literacy and food addiction. She holds a Ph.D. in Media Education from Capella University and is an associate professor at Sacred Heart University, where she has researched and taught for over 25 years on the intersection of media, advertising, and problematic eating behaviors.   Dr. Danowski's research and publications focus on the role of advertising and media in enabling food addiction and disordered eating patterns. She is the author of several peer-reviewed journal articles and, most recently, her 2023 book 'Happy Eating' and Food Addiction in American Advertising.   Dr. Danowski also served on the board of directors of the Food Addiction Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about food addiction and providing pathways to recovery. Through her research, writing, speaking engagements, and public health advocacy, Dr. Danowski aims to spread understanding of how media and advertising can enable food addiction, reduce stigma around this disease, and highlight evidence-based treatment approaches.   Happy Eating   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.

Dr. Georgia Ede is an internationally recognized expert in nutritional and metabolic psychiatry. Her twenty-five years of clinical experience include twelve years at Smith College and Harvard University Health Services, where she was the first to offer students nutrition-based approaches as an alternative to psychiatric medication. Dr. Ede co-authored the first inpatient study of the ketogenic diet for treatment-resistant mental illness, developed the first medically accredited course in ketogenic diets for mental health practitioners, and was honored to be named a recipient of the Baszucki Brain Research Fund’s first annual Metabolic Mind Award. Her new book Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind was released on January 30, 2024.  Follow: https://www.diagnosisdiet.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.

Jason Tetro or the “The Germ Guy”, is an Author and renown media personality in science communication and marketing. For nearly a decade, he has been working to increase public awareness of microbes and health. Most of his efforts are in the form of columns and blogs. He has a weekly blog column with Huffington Post Canada, and is featured on various radio and television stations in Canada and worldwide, notably the CBC Radio One and Sirius XM.  He also authored The Germ Code, which was shortlisted for Book of the Year by the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada and The Germ Files, which was acclaimed both in Canada and around the world, and appeared on the Globe and Mail national bestseller list.  Jason started out in the field of Biochemistry but eventually gravitated towards Microbiology and Immunology. He has a Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry/Microbiology from the University of Guelph. He has worked in several fields including bloodborne, food and water pathogens, environmental microbiology, disinfection and antisepsis, and emerging pathogens. Jason is a Knowledge User on the grant. He will act as an Independent Contributor where he will facilitate knowledge translation to public and media, develop social media strategies to increase awareness and reach, provide support for researchers on science communication, and assist with fundraising/network longevity planning. Follow Jason: Website: https://jasontetro.com/index2.html 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.

I’m super excited to introduce one of my favorite people on our show today. Get ready to meet Katy May. Not only is she my sister in recovery but also my sister in real life. Katy is a firecracker with a heart of gold! Her whit will have you doubled over, but her genuine warmth shines even brighter. Life has thrown her some curveballs, but Katy laughs, adjusts her grip, and hits it out of the park. You'll be charmed by their wit and inspired by her unwavering spirit. Feel free to join our supportive community on Facebook: Sugar-Free for Life Support Group - where we believe "I'm Sweet Enough." https://www.facebook.com/groups/SugarFreeForLife/?mibextid=oMANbw If you're considering personalized assistance, CJ, a Certified Addiction Professional specializing in Food Addiction, is here for one-on-one coaching. Reach out to CJ at cjnguy@myfoodaddictioncoach.com. Interested in sharing your recovery story on our show? We'd love to hear from you! Please email FJRecoverystories@gmail.com.

Jason Tetro or the “The Germ Guy”, is an Author and renown media personality in science communication and marketing. For nearly a decade, he has been working to increase public awareness of microbes and health. Most of his efforts are in the form of columns and blogs. He has a weekly blog column with Huffington Post Canada, and is featured on various radio and television stations in Canada and worldwide, notably the CBC Radio One and Sirius XM.  He also authored The Germ Code, which was shortlisted for Book of the Year by the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada and The Germ Files, which was acclaimed both in Canada and around the world, and appeared on the Globe and Mail national bestseller list.  Jason started out in the field of Biochemistry but eventually gravitated towards Microbiology and Immunology. He has a Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry/Microbiology from the University of Guelph. He has worked in several fields including bloodborne, food and water pathogens, environmental microbiology, disinfection and antisepsis, and emerging pathogens. Jason is a Knowledge User on the grant. He will act as an Independent Contributor where he will facilitate knowledge translation to public and media, develop social media strategies to increase awareness and reach, provide support for researchers on science communication, and assist with fundraising/network longevity planning. Follow Jason: Website: https://jasontetro.com/index2.html 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.