The Body Image Conversation Recovery Keeps Skipping
When someone enters treatment for a substance use disorder, the questions tend to follow a familiar script. What were you using? How much? How long? What’s your plan to stay stopped? Here’s a question that rarely makes the intake form: How do you feel about your body, and did that have anything to do with […]
Using Dimensional Over Categorical Thinking When It Comes to Eating Behaviors
Three recent papers I’ve been part of all circle the same idea from different angles: the people who struggle most with eating are often the ones who don’t fit the diagnostic boxes we’ve built for them. Here’s a recap of that work, and why I think the future of this field is dimensional rather than […]
The Science Is In: Ultra-Processed Foods Are Driving the Chronic Disease Epidemic
Why This Research Matters for People in Recovery If you’ve ever felt like certain foods have a grip on you that defies logic—where you eat them despite knowing they make you feel terrible—you’re not imagining things. And it’s not a character flaw. A landmark three-part Lancet Series on ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and human health was […]
Hibiscus Tea for Food Addiction Recovery: A Refreshing Alternative to Sweetened Beverages
If you’re working on food addiction recovery, you’ve probably noticed how challenging it can be to navigate the beverage landscape. Sweetened drinks—whether it’s soda, sweetened iced tea, energy drinks, or fancy coffee beverages—often trigger that dopamine-driven reward pathway that keeps us coming back for more. And yes, that includes “diet” beverages with artificial sweeteners. But […]
Bridging the Divide: A Podcast Dialogue on Food Addiction in Eating Disorder Recovery
As a mental health nutritionist who has spent over a decade working with eating disorders while simultaneously researching ultra-processed food addiction, I recently participated in a thought-provoking dialogue on the EDeology Podcast. The conversation, hosted by Elka Cubacub, brought together Libby Supan (a therapist and certified Intuitive Eating counselor) and yours truly to explore one […]
When Calorie Counting Backfires
Calorie Counting: A Double-Edged Sword in Nutrition and Mental Health Calorie counting has been a cornerstone of mainstream nutrition education for decades. Many people were taught to think of food as numbers: input and output, “calories in, calories out,” as if the body were a simple machine. While tracking calories can help individuals develop awareness […]
Nutrient Deficiencies and Mental Health: Beyond Traditional Diagnostics
Introduction Mental health is not just about brain chemistry—it’s deeply interconnected with our body’s nutritional status. Traditional diagnostic approaches often overlook critical nutrition-related factors that can profoundly impact mental health, leaving many individuals struggling without understanding the root cause of their challenges. Key Insights Nutrient deficiencies can mimic and exacerbate mental health symptoms Standard blood […]
The Gut-Brain Axis: A Functional Medicine Roadmap to Mental Health Recovery
Introduction The intricate relationship between our gut and brain revolutionizes our understanding of mental health recovery. Far beyond traditional treatment approaches, functional medicine reveals a profound connection that offers hope and healing for those struggling with mental health challenges. The key is to understand the gut-brain axis. Key Insights The gut is often called the […]
Promising Results for Ultra-Processed Food Addiction Treatment: New 12-Month Study
I’m pleased to share groundbreaking research that significantly advances addressing ultra-processed food addiction (UPFA). As a researcher and clinician who has dedicated years to bridging the gap between eating disorder treatment and addiction frameworks, this new study holds particular significance for our field. The Research Breakthrough Our international research team recently published findings in Frontiers […]
Holiday Eating & Mental Health: Conversation with Dr. David Wiss
Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr. David Wiss, a mental health scientist and registered dietitian nutritionist. Together, we will explore the complex relationship between holiday eating, mental health, and addiction recovery. Dr. Wiss will share his personal journey from addiction to becoming a pioneer in nutrition and mental health and offer practical strategies […]
