Diet Culture Rebel Podcast

In this episode, Bonnie is joined by Dr. Blair Burnette, an eating disorder researcher and assistant professor at Michigan State University to set the record straight on what intuitive eating really is. Together, they explore how harmful diet culture myths persist, why so much eating disorder research is biased, and what science says about intuitive eating and health. This honest, evidence-based conversation offers validation and clarity for anyone who’s ever felt confused, frustrated, or judged about how they eat or what they believe about their body.What You’ll Learn:What intuitive eating is actually about (and what it’s not)The psychological and emerging physical health benefits linked to intuitive eatingHow diet culture has shaped eating disorders and disordered eating behaviorsWhy so much existing research on eating disorders is limited and biasedThe concept of interoceptive awareness and why it matters for healing your relationship with foodHow structured eating can still align with intuitive eatingWhy centering weight in healthcare does more harm than goodHow personal and systemic change around food and body image beginsConnect with Dr. Blair:Website: https://ariselabmsu.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariselabmsuStruggling with food, but not sure where to start?You don’t have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you're tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we’re covered in your state and learn how to get started.Connect with Bonnie on Instagram: @diet.culture.rebel

In this episode, Registered Dietitian and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor Bonnie Roney is joined by and trauma-informed non-diet nutrition therapist Tracy Brown for a powerful conversation about the mental and emotional roots of food struggles. Tracy explains how early experiences shape our neural pathways around food, why chronic dieting is an adaptation to stress, and how trauma (both big and small) can disconnect us from our body's natural hunger and fullness cues. This episode goes beyond food rules to explore the deeper meaning behind our eating patterns and offers compassionate tools for healing.Questions Answered In This Episode:How do childhood experiences shape our adult relationship with food?What's the connection between trauma and eating disorders or chronic dieting?Why do diets feel like they provide safety and control?How does chronic stress affect digestion and hunger signals?What does it mean when someone says "I feel fat"?Where do I start if I'm feeling overwhelmed by my food struggles?How can I build foundational eating skills while healing?Why is support so important in recovery from disordered eating patterns?Struggling with food, but not sure where to start?You don’t have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you're tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we’re covered in your state and learn how to get started.Connect with Bonnie on Instagram: @diet.culture.rebel

In this informative and compassionate episode, Bonnie breaks down the rising popularity of GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro) specifically as they relate to weight loss. She dives deep into how they work, why they’re being so widely prescribed, what the research actually says, and the often-overlooked risks and implications, especially around nutrition, food noise, and long-term health. Whether you’re considering a GLP-1, currently on one, or feeling confused and conflicted, this episode offers grounded insights, body autonomy, and a non-judgmental space for informed decision-making.In this episode, you’ll learn:How GLP-1 medications work to suppress appetite and delay stomach emptyingThe key difference in dosing between diabetes management and weight loss useWhy weight regain is common after stopping these medicationsThe connection between GLP-1 use, food noise, and eating disordersWhy prioritizing nutrition is critical—especially if you’re using a GLP-1What this movement gets right—and what it missesRisks, side effects, and long-term unknowns of GLP-1 useHow to do a personal risk-benefit analysis rooted in body autonomyQuestions answered in this episode:What are GLP-1 medications, and why are they being used for weight loss?How do these drugs affect hunger, fullness, and food thoughts?Are there side effects or long-term risks with using GLP-1s for weight loss?What does the research actually say about their effectiveness and safety?Can these meds be harmful for someone with a history of disordered eating?What should I consider if I’m thinking about starting (or stopping) a GLP-1?How can I support a friend or loved one who is on one of these medications?Mentioned in this episode:Listen to episode 173: Quiet The Food Noise: 3 Ways Intuitive Eating Can HelpGLP-1 Informed Consent from Medical Students for Size Inclusivity DownloadFollow Regan Chastain's work: https://weightandhealthcare.substack.com/ Struggling with food, but not sure where to start?You don’t have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you're tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we’re covered in your state and learn how to get started.Connect with Bonnie on Instagram: @diet.culture.rebel

In this powerful episode, Bonnie Roney sits down with Alison Faulkner to explore how deeply food and body image struggles can affect every part of our lives, often in ways no one sees. Alison shares her journey from high-achieving, outward success to a full nervous system shutdown that led her to a 21-day mental health treatment center. Together, they unpack how early messaging around food, pressure to “have it all together,” and the inability to ask for help can shape our self-worth and disconnection from our bodies. This conversation is a reminder that healing your relationship with food can be the key to finding peace, reclaiming your voice, and learning to take up space unapologetically.What you'll hear in this episode:Why appearing “fine” can hide serious strugglesThe connection between food rules and nervous system burnoutHow early childhood messaging around eating can shape adulthoodThe power of self-trust vs. self-love in the healing journeyWhy asking for help is hard and how to unlearn thatAllison’s experience at a mental health retreat and what it taught herWhat it means to be “already awesome,” even in the messy middleHow to start seeing your body as something to support, not controlA call to reject shame and advocate for your own careConnect with Alison:Alison's IG: @thealisonshowAlison's book: https://amzn.to/44jc1b6 Struggling with food, but not sure where to start?You don’t have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you're tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we’re covered in your state and learn how to get started.Connect with Bonnie on Instagram: @diet.culture.rebel

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Bonnie speaks with Amy, a former client who spent over 30 years caught in the cycle of dieting, including time as a Weight Watchers leader before finding lasting food freedom through intuitive eating. Amy opens up about the emotional toll of decades of restriction, the burnout from chasing weight loss goals, and the healing that’s come from learning to trust her body again. Whether you’re just starting to question diet culture or decades into your own journey, Amy’s story is a resonant reminder that it’s never too late to heal.In this episode, you’ll hear:How Amy’s relationship with food began to feel difficult in high schoolWhat it was like being praised for weight loss as a Weight Watchers leader—while feeling increasingly trappedThe emotional and social toll of dieting for three decadesThe turning point that led her to seek support with Diet Culture RebelWhat sustainable food freedom looks like for Amy todayHow her family has noticed her transformation around foodThe unexpected joy of waking up without food stressWhy it’s okay to approach healing slowly and imperfectlyHow support made the difference in her journeyAmy’s advice to those still feeling stuckStruggling with food, but not sure where to start?You don’t have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you're tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we’re covered in your state and learn how to get started.Connect with Bonnie on Instagram: @diet.culture.rebel

Today, Bonnie is joined by pelvic floor physical therapist and author of Floored, Dr. Sara Reardon, for an empowering, no-shame conversation about pelvic floor health, intuitive eating, and the surprising ways diet culture and disordered eating impact your body—from the inside out.If you’ve ever struggled to advocate for your body’s needs—whether it’s related to food, digestion, or postpartum healing—this episode is a must-listen. Dr. Sarah breaks down what your pelvic floor is, what “normal” actually looks like, and how shame, self-silencing, and unrealistic wellness culture expectations are holding women back from getting the care they deserve.What you’ll learn:Why pelvic floor issues are not just a postpartum problemHow disordered eating behaviors like restriction, vomiting, and amenorrhea affect your pelvic floorThe connection between body image, self-silencing, and delaying careHow to poop better (yes, really!) with tips for bowel positioning and strain reductionWhy sucking in your stomach can actually harm your pelvic floorHow to tell if your constipation is diet-related or a pelvic floor dysfunctionWhat vaginal dryness, prolapse, or pain during sex might be telling youWhy “don’t lift anything heavy” isn’t a real solution and what to do insteadA breakdown of what’s normal vs. what needs support in peeing, pooping, sex, and periodsMentioned in this episode:Buy Sara's book: Floored: A Woman's Guide to Pelvic Floor Health at Every Age and StageSquatty PottySara's Instagram: @the.vagina.whispererStruggling with food, but not sure where to start?You don’t have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you're tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we’re covered in your state and learn how to get started.Connect with Bonnie on Instagram: @diet.culture.rebel

In today’s episode, I'm diving into the real-life gentle nutrition habits I've recently embraced to show you what it truly looks like to honor your body’s needs without falling into the trap of diet culture perfectionism. From smoothies to matcha to supplements, I walk through approachable, sustainable changes that align with the reality of life as a busy parent. I also addresses diet culture’s fearmongering around calories, carbs, and blood sugar, busting myths with science and compassion.Covered in this episode:Why smoothies can support blood sugar regulation (yes, even when blended!)How intuitive eating respects your body’s capacity, not perfectionThe surprising truth about fiber in smoothiesWhy Bonnie added a fish oil supplement—and how she made that decisionExploring matcha as a gentle nutrition swap for coffee with acid refluxHow real-life barriers (like time and energy) can shape sustainable choicesThe role of satisfaction, variety, and attunement in gentle nutritionThis episode is packed with validation and helpful nuance, especially if you’re overwhelmed by nutrition advice or feel like your goals keep “failing.”Mentioned in this episode: Fiber Supplement that I use Struggling with food, but not sure where to start?You don’t have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you're tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we’re covered in your state and learn how to get started.Connect with Bonnie on Instagram: @diet.culture.rebel

Hey rebel. Let’s be real, no one wants to talk about poop. Or gas. Or bloating. Or… binge eating. But so many of us are silently struggling with both food AND gut issues, and they’re more connected than you might think. In today’s episode, I’m joined by gut health specialist and registered dietitian Dr. Heather Finley to break the silence and unpack how things like chaotic eating, restriction, and disordered patterns can impact digestion, even if you think you’re eating enough overall. We talk about: Why your gut needs consistency and enough food to function well How restriction (even unintentional!) can affect your bowel movements and tolerance to fiber The nuanced role of meal spacing without falling into diet culture traps Why poop is actually a valuable signal from your body (yep, we went there!) Common gut health myths (greens powders, probiotics, and carnivore diets included!) This episode is packed with validation and insight, especially if you’re juggling digestive struggles while working on healing your relationship with food.   Check out Dr. Heather Finley https://www.instagram.com/drheatherfinley/?hl=en ----- 🎥 Free Training: Trust Your Body Again: An Intro to Intuitive Eating Learn why food feels so hard—and how to take the first step toward peace without guilt, obsession, or dieting. https://dietculturerebel.com/training   My team of registered dietitians is now accepting insurance for one-on-one nutrition counseling! Spots are limited, so if you’re ready to start your journey toward food freedom, visit dietculturerebel.com/insurance to learn more! Connect with Bonnie on Instagram: @diet.culture.rebel

Rebels, today’s episode is a personal one. I’m sharing the five things that actually helped me heal my relationship with food. Not flashy Instagram tips or vague "just listen to your body" advice, but the real-deal shifts that made a lasting difference. These were originally shared in an Instagram Q&A, and the response was so powerful that I knew I had to go deeper on the podcast. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by food, stuck in the binge-restrict cycle, or wondering when this gets easier—this episode is for you. Inside the episode, I cover: Why ditching timelines helped me make progress (and why rushing this work backfires) The problem with “never binge again” goals (and what to focus on instead) How I learned to tolerate fullness—and stop spiraling when I overate My go-to mindfulness tools for handling food impulsivity & more! And hey, if food feels confusing, chaotic, or like it takes up way too much headspace, check out my free training: Trust Your Body Again: An Intro to Intuitive Eating ----- Ready to Heal Your Relationship with Food? My team of registered dietitians is now accepting insurance for one-on-one nutrition counseling! Spots are limited, so if you’re ready to start your journey toward food freedom, visit dietculturerebel.com/insurance to learn more! Connect with Bonnie on Instagram: @diet.culture.rebel

In today’s episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s rarely discussed in the intuitive eating space—cannabis. Registered dietitian Leah Kern joins me to explore how cannabis and intuitive eating can coexist, and why blaming “the munchies” for out-of-control eating misses the bigger picture. Leah shares: Why cannabis can heighten pleasure around food (and why that’s not a bad thing) What actually drives binge-like eating when high, and how diet culture plays a role How to build interoceptive awareness and body trust outside of altered states Real-world tips to stop binge eating when high (and why they matter when you’re sober too) & more! You’re going to walk away with a more grounded understanding of how body attunement and intuitive eating apply in all kinds of situations. Connect with Leah: @leahkernrd leahkernrd.com ----- 🎥 Free Training: Trust Your Body Again: An Intro to Intuitive Eating Learn why food feels so hard—and how to take the first step toward peace without guilt, obsession, or dieting. https://dietculturerebel.com/free-training My team of registered dietitians is now accepting insurance for one-on-one nutrition counseling! Spots are limited, so if you’re ready to start your journey toward food freedom, visit dietculturerebel.com/insurance to learn more! Connect with Bonnie on Instagram: @diet.culture.rebel