Is ultra-processed food making mental and gut health worse—especially for kids and teens?
In this episode of **The Dr. Haley Show**, Dr. Michael Haley sits down with Lexi, a real-food advocate and social media creator whose personal journey through anorexia led her to uncover a powerful truth: healing doesn’t come from ultra-processed “nutrition,” but from real food, gut health, and mindset change.
This conversation isn’t about fad diets, weight loss, vegan vs carnivore, or extreme rules. It’s about stepping back and asking bigger questions about **food, mental health, gut health, faith, and long-term healing**—especially for young people.
Lexi shares her experience being diagnosed with anorexia at 13, the harmful nutrition advice she was given, how gut health and serotonin affect mental health, and why so many people relapse when recovery focuses on weight instead of healing.
Dr. Haley adds perspective for parents, families, and anyone concerned about how modern food systems are impacting physical and mental health—one bite at a time.
In this episode:
* Why ultra-processed food can make eating disorder recovery harder
* How gut health affects serotonin, mood, and mental health
* Why “everything in moderation” often fails people who are struggling
* What *real food* actually means in simple terms
* How to spot fake food at the grocery store
* Better energy alternatives to energy drinks
* Why kids and teens are especially vulnerable to food misinformation
* How faith, purpose, and mindset play a role in healing
The Dr. Haley Show is dedicated to helping you optimize your health by challenging conventional wisdom, exploring root causes, and returning to foundational principles that actually work—nutrition, gut health, lifestyle, and purpose.
### 🎧 EXCLUSIVE LISTENER PERKS
Listeners may hear **exclusive coupon codes** for Haley Nutrition products, including raw aloe vera to support gut health and digestion.
Visit 👉 **[https://www.haleynutrition.com](https://www.haleynutrition.com)**
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⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00 – Eating Disorders Nearly Destroyed My Life (Here’s What Actually Healed Me)
01:20 – Why Ultra-Processed Food Makes Recovery Harder, Not Easier
02:45 – Welcome to The Dr. Haley Show
03:50 – This Episode Isn’t About Diets (It’s About Real Health)
05:00 – Meet Lexi: Faith, Fitness, and Real Food
06:30 – Diagnosed With Anorexia at 13: What No One Told Me
08:20 – The Dangerous Nutrition Advice I Was Given
10:15 – Why “Everything in Moderation” Failed Me
12:10 – How Real Food and Faith Changed My Mindset
14:20 – Gut Health, Serotonin, and Mental Health Explained
16:30 – Why Eating Disorders Often Relapse After Treatment
18:40 – Parents: Why Your Kids Are Being Set Up to Fail
20:50 – Buy or Bye: How to Spot Fake Food at the Grocery Store
22:30 – Best Grocery Stores for Real Food (What I Actually Buy)
24:30 – Divine Treats: Making Desserts Without Junk Ingredients
26:20 – What “Nutrient-Dense” Really Means (Simple Definition)
28:10 – Who This Real Food Message Is (And Isn’t) For
30:10 – Raw Aloe Vera, Gut Healing, and Listener Discounts
31:45 – Handling Hate, Criticism, and Nutrition Dogma Online
33:40 – Meeting RFK Jr. & The New Food Guidelines Explained
35:30 – Shocking Ingredients Hidden in Everyday Foods
37:10 – The #1 Health Message for Young People
38:50 – Energy Drinks vs Real Food Energy (What Actually Works)
40:30 – Best Real Food Swaps for Junk Foods
42:40 – Faith, Healing, and Treating Your Body Like a Temple
44:50 – Final Thoughts: You Are the CEO of Your Health
