In this awesome episode, Jess sits down with Dr. Claire Wilcox, psychiatrist, researcher, and author of Rewire Your Food-Addicted Brain, to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in modern nutrition: food addiction. Together, they explore what happens in the brain when we crave, overeat, and struggle to stop—and how understanding the neuroscience behind those behaviors can lead to true healing.

Dr. Wilcox shares her expertise in addiction psychiatry, the science behind the Yale Food Addiction Scale, and her personal recovery journey from food obsession to food freedom. Jess and Dr. Wilcox also discuss the tension between diet culture and anti-diet movements, offering compassionate, evidence-based strategies for those seeking balance.

What “food addiction” really means from a neuroscience and psychiatric perspective

Why sugar, fat, and salt ratios in processed foods make them so hard to resist

How the brain’s reward system reinforces craving and binge cycles

The difference between food addiction and eating disorders—and why nuance matters

How to use harm reduction and mindfulness in recovery instead of restriction

Dr. Wilcox’s personal story of healing and her path toward body acceptance

How to set recovery goals that focus on values and freedom, not weight loss

📘 Grab Dr. Wilcox’s book: Rewire Your Food-Addicted Brain

🧩 Read a Free Chapter: Available on New Harbinger’s website (visit the Free Chapter link under the book listing)

🌐 Explore Dr. Wilcox’s Resources: Visit www.wilcoxmd.com → Free Resources & Tools

If this conversation resonated with you, explore Jess’s Empowered Eating Method—a framework that blends values, biofeedback, and nutrition science to help you find freedom with food again.

Because healing your relationship with food isn’t just about what you eat—it’s about how you live.