When Weight Loss Hides Something Deeper 

In this episode, I’m joined by Shawna Melbourn, a Registered Dietitian with over 20 years of experience in eating disorder care, to unpack whether the most celebrated effects of GLP-1 medications, appetite suppression, is actually masking something deeper 

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why appetite suppression isn’t always a win (and how it can reinforce restriction)
• The difference between “quieting food noise” and actually healing a patient’s relationship with food
• 3 simple, high-yield questions you can use to screen for disordered eating
• Subtle red flags that suggest a GLP-1 may be worsening disordered eating behaviors

By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with a more critical lens, better questions, and the confidence to navigate these conversations with care.

Resources:

Listen to this episode next: Obesity Care Through a Mental Health Lens

Curious about Food Noise? 

Connect with Shawna 

EDforRDs

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Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer. 

Daily Habits Your Patients Need For Brain Health. 

If your patients are asking how to protect their brain, and you’re defaulting to “eat better and exercise more”, this episode will challenge that in the best way.

In this episode, I’m joined by Eric Collett, a brain health expert, to unpack a more practical, real-world approach to cognitive health.

We cover everything from how food fuels the brain at a cellular level to why movement throughout the day may matter more than a single gym session. And toward the end, we get into one of the most overlooked (and honestly, most helpful) concepts: how to counterbalance stress in a way that works in real life. 

What You’ll Learn:

•  What counts as “ultra-processed” (and how to talk about it with nuance) 
•  Key nutrients for cognitive health (B vitamins, omega-3s, magnesium, choline) 
•  Why most patients fail to change and how to bridge the gap between advice and action 
•  “Exercise snacks”: the easiest way to improve metabolic and brain health without the gym 
•  The concept of stress counterbalance (and how to teach it to patients) 
•  A powerful tool called “scheduled worry” to reduce anxiety and improve sleep 
•  Why social connection and shared meals are underrated tools for brain health 

Connect with Eric

Listen to this episode next: Ultra-Processed Foods Explained 

Any Questions? Send Me a Message

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Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer. 

"It’s not just what children are eating. It’s how they’re experiencing food that shapes their habits."

In this episode, I’m joined by Alicia Eaton, a behavior change therapist and author, to unpack what’s really happening beneath the surface when kids struggle with food. Because it’s not just about what’s on the plate. It’s about the environment, the language, and the emotional experience surrounding it.

What We Talk About:

• Why phrases like “just try one bite” can increase anxiety around food
• How early feeding experiences shape adult eating behaviors
• The difference between typical selective eating and ARFID
• Why sensory exposure (not just tasting) is key to expanding food variety
• Practical strategies to reduce mealtime pressure and build food confidence
• How to guide parents toward long-term progress

If you’ve ever had a parent say, “I just want them to eat the broccoli,” this episode will completely reframe how you approach that conversation.

Resources Mentioned:

Read my article: How the 5 senses shape a child's appetite

Check out Alicia's book: Mind What Your Kids Eat

Any Questions? Send Me a Message

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Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer. 

Processed Food “Kills”. That message is everywhere right now. Social media posts, viral headlines, even Super Bowl commercials warning that processed foods are dangerous.

But what do we actually mean when we say “ultra-processed food”?

In this episode, I sit down with nutrition researcher Dr. Mandy Willig to unpack the science behind ultra-processed foods, the NOVA classification system, and why the conversation online is often missing important nuance.

We also break down new research comparing ultra-processed vs minimally processed diets, discuss whether processed foods are truly addictive, and explore how clinicians can respond when patients feel confused or fearful about what they’re eating.

What You’ll Learn

• The definition of an ultra-processed food
• How the NOVA classification system categorizes foods
• What research shows about ultra-processed diets and health outcomes
• The truth about claims that processed foods are “addictive like drugs”
• How clinicians can talk about processed foods without fear-based messaging

Connect with Mandy

Any Questions? Send Me a Message

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Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer. 

How To Decide Between Bariatric Surgery and Obesity Medications

I’m joined by Kate Fuss, PA-C to unpack how GLP-1 medications and bariatric surgery actually work together, when each option makes sense, and what primary care clinicians should understand when caring for patients before or after bariatric surgery.

We also dive into the psychological side of weight loss, because hitting a number on the scale doesn’t always translate into better mental health.

What You’ll Learn

• How to shift patients toward non-scale victories and meaningful health goals
• The lifelong vitamin and lab monitoring bariatric patients require
• Whether GLP-1 medications compete with bariatric surgery or complement it
• Expected weight loss outcomes from GLP-1 medications vs bariatric procedures
• When it’s appropriate to prescribe GLP-1 medications after bariatric surgery

Whether your patient is considering GLP-1 medications, bariatric surgery, or both, this episode will help you better understand the evolving treatment landscape of obesity care.

Join the Obesity Medicine Nutrition Course

Connect with Kate on Instagram

Banana Bariatrics 

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Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer. 

Did the Dietary Guidelines ignore culture?

In this special roundtable episode, I’m joined by four registered dietitians from Indian, Mexican, Filipino, and Nicaraguan backgrounds to unpack a major concern in the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans: the absence of explicit cultural inclusivity.

Because food isn’t just carbs and protein. It’s identity, tradition, and community. And when guidelines ignore that, it impacts how we counsel patients in the exam room.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Eurocentric nutrition messaging shapes clinical recommendations
• Why telling patients to “cut the rice” or “switch to whole wheat bread” can miss the mark
• The consequences of removing cultural language from national nutrition guidelines
• How to balance evidence-based nutrition with cultural food traditions
• Simple, open-ended questions clinicians can use to practice cultural humility

Cultural humility isn’t optional. It’s foundational to effective healthcare.

Listen to episode 76 next!  Are Your Assumptions Hurting Your Patients? Rethinking Ethnic Foods

Connect with my guests:

Areli Gutierrez

Vandana Sheth

Patti Castillo 

Jerianne Cusipag

Any Questions? Send Me a Message

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Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer. 

Mental Health Nutrition Starts Here. 

When a patient opens up about their mood, we think therapy. We think medication. But do we ever pause and ask… are they eating enough to support their brain?

In this episode, I’m joined by registered dietitian Jennifer Hanes, who specializes in nutrition and mental health. We unpack how food impacts mood, why under-eating can worsen anxiety and depression, and how clinicians can confidently talk about nutrition without oversimplifying it.

You’ll learn:

• Why the nutrition hierarchy of needs matters for patients with anxiety and depression
• How chronic under-eating can worsen brain fog, irritability, and low mood
• The gut-brain connection and why IBS, inflammation, and mental health are so intertwined
• Which supplements (like fish oil, magnesium, vitamin D, and B12) may be helpful

Resources:

Listen to this next! Episode 14 Nutrition for Brain Fog 

Clinician guidelines for the treatment of psychiatric disorders with nutraceuticals and phytoceuticals

Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIN

Join the Journal Club

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Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer. 

Discuss Pediatric Weight Gain Without Triggering Shame

What would you say if a parent asked, “Can you tell my son he needs to lose weight?”

That question sits at the center of one of the hardest conversations in pediatrics.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Amy Beck, clinical psychologist and expert in teen mental health and weight stigma, to unpack how we address pediatric obesity without causing unintended harm.

Because this isn’t just about weight. It’s about protecting kids in a culture obsessed with body size, while still doing our job as clinicians.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Common clinician missteps that unintentionally trigger shame
• Why focusing on numbers (weight, BMI, carbs) can backfire
• How to talk to a 5-year-old vs. a teenager
• What to say when teens give one-word answers
• How to navigate wo very different clinical scenarios:
  • A teen in a larger body with normal labs but poor body image
  • Rapid weight gain with elevated sugars, where intervention feels urgent

Working with teens is tough. Getting them to engage can feel even tougher.

Dr. Beck shares practical language, strategies, and mindset shifts to help you intervene medically without triggering restriction, shutdown, or long-term harm.

This episode is about striking the balance: preventing long-term medical complications while protecting a child’s mental health in the process.

Connect with Dr Beck

Health Psychology Partners 

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Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer. 

Randomized controlled trials. Cohort studies. Abstracts. Methods sections.
If your brain starts spinning just hearing those words, you’re not alone.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Carlene Starck, a protein biochemist and nutrition scientist, to help clinicians who aren’t researchers learn how to spot high-quality research in a world full of misinformation.

Together, we walk through how a researcher evaluates a paper, what matters, what doesn’t, and why social media influencers often get the science wrong. We even unpack a real paper that went viral online to show how misleading conclusions can spread when studies are misquoted or misunderstood.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• A clear explanation and examples of the hierarchy of evidence
• What information you can (and can’t) get from an abstract
• Why the methods section matters (even though many of us skip it)
• How sample size, study design, and bias affect conclusions
• A simple framework for quickly assessing whether a paper is high quality

Here's the article we analyzed: A prospective birth cohort study on cord blood folate subtypes and risk of autism spectrum disorder - PubMed

Connect with Carlene on LinkedIn

Starck Science

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Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer. 

If you’ve ever had a patient training for a marathon (or you are that patient) this episode will change how you think about fueling, injury risk, and longevity in running. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why runners over 35 are uniquely vulnerable to injury, even when they "eat healthy"
• Why so many runners under-consume carbohydrates (and how to explain carbs without triggering fear)
• How inadequate fat intake may increase injury risk
• High-yield screening questions clinicians can ask runners in a short visit
• What RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) really is and why it’s often missed in older athletes
• When sugar and ultra-processed foods actually make sense for endurance athletes

Connect with Erin 

Ultra Appetites 

Resources Mentioned:

Australian Institute of Sport

International Olympic Committee – RED-S Consensus Statement (2023)  

 RED-S Clinical Assessment Tool

American College of Sports Medicine Joint Position Statement

Any Questions? Send Me a Message

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Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.