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Episode 11: Healthy Eating or Food Control? The SNAP Debate

Should people be allowed to buy soda, candy, and junk food with SNAP benefits? A new proposal could change what millions of Americans can purchase with food stamps, and the debate is heating up.

In this episode of Hot Takes, Hard Truths, we unpack the SNAP restrictions controversy, from the program’s original mission to the political fight over nutrition, personal freedom, and public health.

We discuss:

What SNAP is and who it helps

The case for and against banning sugary drinks with food stamps

The impact on low-income families

Why healthy eating is often harder for those on a budget

The politics of food freedom and how government policy shapes our grocery carts

Real-world tips for eating healthy on a budget—no matter your income level

From Governor Morrissey’s health initiatives to the bigger question of whether the government should control our food choices, we dig into what’s really at stake.

📌 Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction: The Health Debate

00:44 Understanding SNAP and Its Controversies

02:04 The Debate on Sugary Drinks and SNAP

03:09 Nutritional Goals and Government Policies

06:00 Political Perspectives on Health

07:58 Healthy Eating on a Budget

26:48 Governor Morrissey’s Health Initiatives

33:26 Conclusion: Moving Forward with Health

💬 Do you think SNAP should restrict junk food purchases? Send us a message!

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Ever feel like sugar has a grip on you? Like no matter how disciplined you try to be, you end up elbow-deep in a bag of chocolate chips (again)? We’ve been there. And in this episode, we’re digging into what’s really driving those uncontrollable cravings and why just “cutting it out” never seems to work for long.

From stress to blood sugar to the emotional comfort of sweet foods, we unpack the tangled web behind your 3 p.m. snack attack. You’ll hear our personal stories, our stumbles, and the surprising science behind why sugar and carbs hit so hard — especially when you’re trying to avoid them.

Whether you're low carb, trying to reintroduce carbs, or just wondering why you feel out of control around food sometimes… this one's for you.

You’ll learn:

The real difference between cravings and compulsions

How chronic restriction fuels the cycle

What stress is doing to your hunger hormones

Why reintroducing carbs after going low carb can mess with your mind

Our honest take on the “I can’t stop eating sugar” spiral

We’re not here to demonize food — we’re here to help you find peace with it.

👉 If you’ve ever felt like food has more control over you than you’d like, drop us a comment.

00:00 – Cravings, Comfort, and the Inner Battle

01:05 – Welcome to Hot Takes, Hard Truths

01:27 – Are We Really Hooked on Sugar?

02:31 – Our Honest Stories with Food and Control

04:57 – The Mental Load of Always Thinking About Food

07:18 – Understanding Blood Sugar Spikes and Crashes

10:06 – How to Rethink Carbs Without Losing Control

11:46 – The Way Stress Hijacks Hunger

16:16 – Gluconeogenesis: The Nerdy but Necessary Bit

17:49 – Emotional Eating and Our Personal Food Histories

19:04 – Chocolate as a Coping Mechanism (Oops)

19:39 – Why Stress + Low Carb Can Backfire

20:25 – Navigating Carb Reintroduction Without Fear

21:01 – Can You Trust Yourself With Carbs Again?

21:59 – Low Carb, Insulin Resistance, and the Craving Loop

25:10 – The Diets We Regret and What We Learned

31:39 – What’s Really Fueling That Need for Sweetness

33:51 – Final Thoughts + Share Your Experience

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What happens when two former carnivore devotees start eating fruit again? (Spoiler: It’s not what you think.)

In this raw and unfiltered episode, we dive deep into our personal journey off the strict carnivore path and into the messy, beautiful world of real food freedom. We talk cravings, hormones, healing our guts, and why some women need carbs—especially when it comes to fertility, cortisol, and cycle health.

➡️ Ever felt guilty for wanting a banana on carnivore?
➡️ Still wondering if fruit is a “gateway drug” to sugar addiction?
➡️ Curious how carbs impact your DUTCH test, progesterone, or stress resilience?

We break down our experiments, what worked, what tanked our energy, and how we found a better rhythm for hormone balance, blood sugar, and sanity. Plus: tips on how to reintroduce carbs without spiraling, and why homemade carbs hit differently.

This is for every woman who’s tried to "heal with meat"—but still feels burnt out, bloated, or stuck.

⏱️ Chapter Breakdown:
00:00 – Words Matter
00:18 – Our Food Stories
01:11 – Why We Added Carbs
02:16 – Testing Whole Foods
02:54 – Triggers & Cravings
04:16 – Bio-Individuality
08:31 – Protein Check
09:42 – Carbs & Hormones
13:42 – Diet Stress vs Real Stress
16:38 – True Healing
23:29 – Women & Stress
23:46 – Overtraining Issues
24:12 – Trauma & Food
24:38 – Fertility & Frustration
26:57 – Gut Health Shifts
27:14 – Cortisol & DUTCH Insights
28:08 – Do You Need Carbs?
30:36 – Sugar or Starving?
37:12 – Homemade vs. Store-Bought
41:02 – Diet Hopping
45:44 – Carbs + Fats Balance
46:58 – Grace Over Rules

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You've gone low-carb, maybe even keto, and now you're exhausted, moody, or stuck in a plateau — but the thought of eating a sweet potato freaks you out. Sound familiar?

In this episode, Nora and Jen break down the truth about carbohydrates:

-Who actually benefits from bringing carbs back

-How to reintroduce them without the crash, guilt, or weight gain

-And why food is so much more than macros

💥 This isn’t a blanket "everyone needs carbs" message — it's a nuanced, hormone-aware, no-fluff convo that might be the key to unlocking better energy, better cycles, and better results.

👀 If you've been scared of carbs, this is your permission slip to question the dogma. Let’s talk truth.

👇 Comment below if you've been in carb fearland — or if you're ready to escape it.

00:00 Introduction to Carbohydrates

00:26 Misconceptions About Carbs

02:06 Personal Experience with Carbs

02:35 Understanding Carbohydrates

04:14 Insulin Resistance and Carbs

08:03 Metabolic Flexibility

11:39 Gut Health and Carbs

19:00 Seasonal Eating and Carbs

25:20 Understanding Gut Health and Carbohydrates

26:09 Examples of Beneficial Fibers

27:08 Polyphenols and Their Benefits

28:13 The Role of Phytonutrients

31:05 Reintroducing Carbs: Who Should Consider It?

32:10 Carbs and Hormonal Balance

38:41 How to Reintroduce Carbs Safely

49:56 Final Thoughts on Carbohydrate Reintroduction

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Join us for an inspiring and deeply personal episode where Nora shares her lifelong battle with weight and the transformative journey that led her to lose 160 pounds. Discover the impact of the standard American diet, the trials of emotional eating, and the breakthrough that helped her achieve her goals. Learn about the nuances of bariatric surgery, the benefits and pitfalls of various diets, and the importance of mental healing. This is a must-watch for anyone battling weight issues and looking for a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to health and wellness.

00:00 The Struggles of Childhood Obesity

10:57 The Turning Point: Bariatric Surgery

15:27 A New Beginning: Embracing a Healthier Lifestyle

17:36 The Carnivore Diet Transformation

20:18 Reflecting on a Stress-Free Life

20:42 Weight Loss continued

21:11 Challenges and Setbacks

21:54 Struggles with Emotional Eating

22:30 Fertility Treatments and Weight Fluctuations

25:39 Exploring Different Diets

29:36 Introduction of one more tool

34:37 Future Plans and Final Thoughts

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In this episode we discuss why people often chase the latest health trends instead of focusing on foundational wellness practices like nervous system regulation, trauma healing, and good sleep. We discuss the allure and pitfalls of trendy diets, fasting regimes, and wellness gadgets while stressing the importance of addressing stress and nervous system health. The conversation also dives into personal anecdotes and highlights the need for a more simplified, personalized approach to health and wellness.

00:00 Introduction: Chasing Health Trends
01:46 Welcome and Episode Overview
01:54 The Allure of Shiny Health Trends
02:58 Diet Trends: Finding What Works
07:15 Community Influence on Diet Choices
11:13 Exploring Fasting Trends
20:02 The Trend of Extensive Testing
22:31 Narrow-Minded Coaching Approaches
23:09 Struggles with Dieting and Pregnancy
23:31 The CIRS Rabbit Hole
25:36 Mold Inspections and Misconceptions
27:19 The Importance of Detoxing
27:53 Questioning CIRS Testing
29:00 The Allure of Health Trends
30:20 Simplifying Health Routines
31:35 The Power of Self-Care
31:50 Balancing the Nervous System
36:57 Personal Health Journeys
41:00 Building a Health Toolbox
46:29 Final Thoughts and Viewer Engagement


Show note links:
Bodybio PC - https://bodybio.com/JENWINKLER

Queen of Thrones Castor Oil Pack:

Hot Takes Hard Truths YouTube Channel

Email us at [email protected]

Follow Jen @coachjenwinkler on Instagram
www.jenwinkler.me

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Join us as we dive into a fascinating discussion on the impact of toxic environments on our gut health and overall well-being. Explore the potential pitfalls of a long-term carnivore diet and why introducing foods should be done gradually. We'll share practical detox strategies, the role of supplements, and tips for managing social media's psychological effects on diet and health. Whether you're navigating a carnivore lifestyle, exploring sourdough baking, or striving for better mental health in the digital age, this episode offers valuable insights and solutions to help you thrive.

Show note links:
Bodybio PC - https://bodybio.com/JENWINKLER

Hot Takes Hard Truths YouTube Channel- https://tinyurl.com/nhfs4fx9

Email us at [email protected]

Follow Jen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachjenwinkler/
https://www.jenwinkler.me

Follow Nora on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denormalizeyourlife/
https://www.DenormalizeYourLife.com

00:00 Introduction to Sauerkraut and Gut Health
01:46 Toxic Environments and Their Impact
03:12 Chemicals in Our Food and Their Effects
07:38 The Elimination Diet and Carnivore Lifestyle
10:19 Social Media and Dietary Pressures
17:23 Exploring Sourdough and Gut Health
21:31 Exploring the Cost and Benefits of MegaSpore Probiotics
21:54 The Importance of Gut Health and Mucosal Lining
22:24 Incorporating Fermented Foods into Your Diet
24:00 Organic Shopping Tips and Tricks
25:59 Supplements for Detoxifying Toxins
30:40 Managing Social Media for Mental Health
37:02 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Hot Takes Hard Truths YouTube Channel

Email us at [email protected]

Follow Jen @coachjenwinkler on Instagram
www.jenwinkler.me

Follow Nora @denormalizeyourlife on Instagram
www.DenormalizeYourLife.com

Send us a text

Since 1980, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome have dramatically increased, with governmental dietary guidelines heavily influenced by food and pharmaceutical industries. This episode explores the roots and impact of the USDA food pyramid, the political and industrial ties shaping it, and the misguidances in dietary recommendations. We discuss the flaws in demonizing saturated fats, the hidden dangers in processed foods, and the campaign to 'Make America Healthy Again.' Learn about real, nutrient-dense food choices, and debunk some common myths about diet and health.

LINKS:

https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article-abstract/34/14/1034/471289?redirectedFrom=fulltext

https://www.nutritioncoalition.us/dietary-guidelines-for-americans-dga-introduction

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9794145/https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_pyramid_(nutrition)

https://odphp.health.gov/sites/default/files/2020-01/DGA2000.pdf

https://www.sevencountriesstudy.com/about-the-study/investigators/ancel-keys/

https://www.realmilk.com

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Here is an inspiring personal journey of transformation that began with a conversation with a fertility doctor. The carnivore diet served as the catalyst for a profound awakening: from not getting sick during the pandemic to questioning the healthcare system, nutritional advice, and the government's policies on health and wellness. This journey led to a deeper understanding and questioning of everything from food and lifestyle to mental health and pharmaceuticals. Join us as we discuss the meaningful changes, the importance of natural health, and the new path to happiness through lifestyle changes and continuous questioning.

Hot Takes Hard Truths YouTube Channel

Email us at [email protected]

Follow Jen @coachjenwinkler on Instagram
www.jenwinkler.me

Follow Nora @denormalizeyourlife on Instagram
www.DenormalizeYourLife.com

Send us a text

Learn about Jen's personal 7-year journey with the ketogenic diet and its profound effects on epilepsy, weight loss, and overall well-being. Our guest shares their challenges and triumphs, including dealing with epilepsy from a young age and navigating various medications. They reveal how discovering the keto diet changed their life, improved mental clarity, and helped manage epilepsy. The discussion extends to the broader aspects of health like food education, hormone balance, and functional medicine, offering valuable insights for anyone considering a ketogenic lifestyle or seeking holistic health improvements. Subscribe for more inspiring stories and expert tips on health and well-being.

Hot Takes Hard Truths YouTube Channel

Email us at [email protected]

Follow Jen @coachjenwinkler on Instagram
www.jenwinkler.me

Follow Nora @denormalizeyourlife on Instagram
www.DenormalizeYourLife.com