In this episode, we’re unpacking a big and often controversial topic and it's about GLP-1 medications like Ozempic that are being used for weight loss. We’ll talk about how these medications work in the body, what the research shows about their effectiveness, and the potential risks and side effects that often go overlooked. I’ll also share how these drugs can impact someone’s relationship with food, especially for those with a history of disordered eating or body image struggles. Beyond science, we’ll take a step back to look at this conversation through a Christian lens, exploring what it means to pursue health in a way that honors God’s design for our bodies.

In this episode, you’ll hear about how…

• GLP-1 medications are being widely discussed for weight loss.

• Significant risks and side effects are associated with GLP-1s.

• Weight loss from GLP-1s is primarily due to appetite suppression.

• The use of GLP-1s can lead to disordered eating patterns.

• Long-term use of GLP-1s may result in weight regain.

• The marketing of GLP-1s resembles past pharmaceutical trends that led to public health crises.

• True wellness encompasses more than just physical appearance; it includes mental and spiritual health.

• Education and informed decision-making are crucial when considering GLP-1 medications.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to GLP-1 Medications

06:16 Understanding GLP-1 Mechanism and Effects

13:55 Risks and Side Effects of GLP-1 Medications

20:45 The Impact on Eating Disorders and Metabolism

24:32 Research Insights on Weight Regain and Long-term Use

26:54 The Reality of Weight Regain Post-Medication

30:34 The Financial Incentives Behind Weight Loss Drugs

34:37 Cultural Implications of Weight Loss Medications

37:39 A Compassionate Perspective on Weight Loss

43:13 Biblical Insights on Body Image and Food

50:27 True Wellness Beyond Weight Loss

Don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate, and review the show to help reach more people with the message of food freedom!

• Work with a Christian food freedom dietitian + use your health insurance: https://maddoxnutrition.co/
• Heal with food at your own pace: Purchase the Truth Based Nutrition Self-Paced Course https://maddoxnutrition.co/course

Sources:

Christy Harrison episodes: 

• #340: From Taking Ozempic for Weight Loss to Practicing Weight‑Inclusive Medicine, Guest: Dr. Mara Gordon
• #337: Why Ozempic Isn’t a Miracle Weight‑Loss Drug, Guest: Amanda Martinez Beck
• #323: The Hidden Risks of Weight‑Loss Drugs: Behind the GLP‑1 Hype, Guest: Ragen Chastain

GLP-1 Informed Consent: sizeinclusivemedicine.org/glp1​

GLP-1 Weight Regain Studies:

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2829779

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40507553/

https://epicresearch.org/articles/two-years-after-stopping-glp-1s-most-patients-sustain-at-least-some-weight-loss

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40691794/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589537025002950

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-03978-z

In this episode, we take a closer look at what it truly means to understand and honor hunger. Diet culture has taught many of us to silence or question our body’s cues, leaving us disconnected from one of the most natural parts of being human. You’ll also hear how Scripture can help reshape the way we view hunger, reminding us that it is not something to fear or suppress but a natural and meaningful part of how God designed our bodies. This conversation is an invitation to approach your body with curiosity, grace, and gratitude as you grow in both faith and food freedom.

In this episode, you'll hear about how...

• Hunger is the starting point of our eating
• Diet culture teaches us to mistrust our hunger
• Reconnecting with hunger cues is essential for eating disorder recovery
• Ignoring hunger can lead to a disconnection from our bodies and slow metabolism
• Scripture supports the idea that our bodies are good and designed by God

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Hunger: The Basics

03:20 The Impact of Diet Culture on Hunger

06:15 Reconnecting with Hunger Cues

12:09 The Role of Scripture in Understanding Hunger

14:47 The Four Types of Hunger

26:58 Navigating Emotional Hunger

31:12 Reconnecting with Hunger Cues

34:03 Practical Tips for Listening to Your Body

41:42 Challenges to Hunger Cues

45:44 What Scripture Says

Don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate, and review the show to help reach more people with the message of food freedom!

• ​Work with a Christian food freedom dietitian + use your health insurance: maddoxnutrition.co
• Heal with food at your own pace: Purchase the Truth Based Nutrition Self-Paced Course: https://maddoxnutrition.co/course

Check out more on this topic on our blog:

https://maddoxnutrition.co/blog/hunger-cues

https://maddoxnutrition.co/blog/christian-nutrition

This episode dives into the pervasive influence of diet culture in the church and how it has shaped the way many people, including myself, struggle with food, body image, and faith. I will share why recognizing body diversity matters and explain the harm caused by “clean eating” ideologies that may sound spiritual but often lead to shame and disconnection from the body. My hope is that this conversation encourages you to find healing, seek support, and embrace God’s design for your body with compassion and freedom.

In this episode, you'll hear about how...

• Diet culture in the church often leads to harmful comments about body size.

• God created body diversity; we should celebrate it.

• Clean eating ideologies can promote disordered eating patterns.

• Dieting can become an idol that distracts from God.

• Weight loss is not a measure of spiritual health or worth.

• The Bible does not prescribe a specific body type or diet.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Diet Culture in the Church

05:33 Examples of Diet Culture in the Church

09:07 Scriptural Misinterpretations and Diet Culture

13:37 The Impact of Diet Culture on Individuals

17:45 Healing and Moving Forward

21:47 A New Way Forward with Grace and Freedom

Don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate, and review the show to help reach more people with the message of food freedom!

• ​Work with a Christian food freedom dietitian + use your health insurance: https://maddoxnutrition.co

• ​Heal with food at your own pace: Purchase the Truth Based Nutrition Self-Paced Course: https://maddoxnutrition.co/course

Sources:

https://maddoxnutrition.co/blog/diet-culture-in-the-church

https://maddoxnutrition.co/blog/christian-nutrition

This episode is all about the basics of Intuitive Eating, something I hold a ton of passion for both personally and professionally as a Registered Dietitian. This is Intuitive Eating 101, so we’re walking through where Intuitive Eating came from and its ten core principles. We’ll also go over the evidence supporting the effectiveness of intuitive eating for both physical and mental health. I’ll address common misconceptions about intuitive eating and the importance of professional guidance, especially for those recovering from eating disorders, navigating different health conditions, neurodivergence, or healing from trauma. And of course, we’ll discuss the beautiful ways that Intuitive Eating aligns with God’s design for food and our bodies and how as Christians, the Intuitive Eating framework better equips us to make peace with food so we can serve God fully nourished.

In this episode, you’ll hear about how…

• ​Intuitive Eating is both a structured, evidence-based framework and a deeply individualized approach to eating
• ​Three decades worth of research evidence support the benefits of eating intuitively
• ​The ten Intuitive Eating principles support a healthy relationship with food, exercise, and body image
• ​Intuitive Eating should be implemented at the right time and may not be appropriate for people who need a lot of structure or struggle to be in tune with their body cues
• ​Intuitive Eating aligns with Christian beliefs about food and bodies and supports our enjoyment of God’s good gift of food
• ​Intuitive Eating aligns with Biblical examples in scripture of how Christians are to interact with food and our bodies

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Intuitive Eating and Personal Journey

02:40 Understanding Intuitive Eating: Principles and Framework

09:07 Research Evidence Supporting Intuitive Eating

17:37 Diving into the Principles of Intuitive Eating

40:33 Intuitive Eating from a Christian Perspective

44:18 Resources and Next Steps for Intuitive Eating

Don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate, and review the show to help reach more people with the message of food freedom!

• ​Work with a Christian food freedom dietitian + use your health insurance: https://maddoxnutrition.co/
• ​Heal with food at your own pace: Purchase the Truth Based Nutrition Self-Paced Course https://maddoxnutrition.co/course 

Sources:

https://www.intuitiveeating.org/studies/

https://maddoxnutrition.co/blog/intuitive-eating 

We’re welcoming our very first guest on the pod, Nicole Speeney, MS, RDN, LDN, a dietitian and former Division 1 college athlete. Nicole is sharing her personal journey with disordered eating and the need for support and awareness in the athletic community. We’re also talking about the high rates of eating disorders among athletes, the impact of injuries on eating habits, and the importance of identity during transitions out of sports. Our conversation touches on red flags for disordered eating, the difference between healthy and unhealthy eating behaviors, and how loved ones can support athletes during challenging times.

We're unpacking...

• How times of transition, such as recovering from an injury or retiring, can be hot times for disordered eating to develop
• The connection between control and disordered eating in athletes
• Why a strong sense of identity is necessary for athletes
• How loved ones and coaches can look out for signs of disordered eating in their athletes

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

06:57 Nicole's Personal Story: From Athlete to Dietitian

15:15 The Impact of Injuries on Eating Behaviors

22:42 Struggles Athletes Face During Transition Periods

28:37 Identifying Red Flags in Eating Habits

31:56 Healthy vs. Unhealthy Eating Patterns for Athletes

33:55 Supporting Athletes Through Transition

36:45 Prioritizing a Healthy Relationship with Food

42:07 Final Thoughts on Recovery and Faith

https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/risk-groups/eating-disorder-athletes

Don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate, and review the show to help reach more people with the message of food freedom!

Work with a Christian food freedom dietitian + use your health insurance: https://www.lieselmaddoxnutrition.com/

We need to talk about the concerning trend of 'SkinnyTok' on TikTok, which promotes extreme thinness and disordered eating. I'm going to emphasize the need for awareness and understanding of the harmful messages associated with this trend, particularly for young people. We'll also take a look at the Christian perspective, highlighting how societal pressures conflict with biblical teachings about body image and self-worth or identity. The conversation also explores practical strategies for navigating social media and fostering a healthier relationship with food and body image.

*since recording this episode, TikTok has banned the hashtag '#skinnytok,' however, "skinny content creators" and their harmful rhetoric still abound on the app.

You'll hear:

• How this trend is really just a resurgence of past pro-ED/pro-ana content (hello, 2010 tumblr)
• Why the social determinants of health and Maslow's hierarchy of need are essential to understanding the complexities of eating and weight science
• How this idolization of thinness is in direct conflict with God's placement of our worth and identity as humans

• Tips to protect yourself from diet culture on social media as a Christian

Chapters

00:00 Understanding SkinnyTok on TikTok

08:50 The Dangers of SkinnyTok

17:26 Cultural Pressures and Body Image

20:35 Faith and Body Acceptance

27:20 Practical Tips for Navigating Social Media

If you're looking for faith-based food and body freedom, this episode makes clear why you need the support of a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist on your side!

Don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate, and review the show to help reach more people with the message of food freedom!

Work with a Christian food freedom dietitian + use your health insurance: https://www.lieselmaddoxnutrition.com/

In this episode, I’m defining what disordered eating really is and how it compares to a diagnosed eating disorder. We’ll cover lots of examples of disordered eating, how intuitive eating can get you back to a place of normal eating, and what God’s Word has to say about how we should interact with food.

You’ll also hear:

• ​A breakdown on eating disorder diagnoses
• ​Things you might think of as “normal” that are actually disordered 
• ​What “intuitive eating” really means
• ​Who may NOT be able to eat intuitively
• ​Biblical truth on worrying about food and your body

Don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate, and review the show to help reach more people with the message of food freedom!

If you're looking for faith-based food and body freedom, this episode makes clear why you need the support of a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist on your side!

Work with a Christian food freedom dietitian + use your health insurance: https://www.lieselmaddoxnutrition.com/

Eating disorder statistics: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics/

Eating disorder + type 1 diabetes death rate: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11815501/

In this episode, I'm sharing my path to becoming a Christian eating disorders dietitian and the good, the bad, and the ugly about being such a niche healthcare provider - no sugarcoating here! I'm breaking down:

If you're looking for faith-based food and body freedom, this episode makes clear why you need the support of a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist on your side!

Don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate, and review the show to help reach more people with the message of food freedom!

Work with a Christian food freedom dietitian + use your health insurance: https://www.lieselmaddoxnutrition.com/

In this episode, Liesel shares the story of her eating disorder recovery journey from where it started, to what it means to be fully recovered for the long-term, and everything in between. Throughout the episode, Liesel touches on topics like:

• ​The generational effects of diet culture
• ​The “I’m just being healthy!” denial of an eating disorder
• ​Working with a dietitian and therapist for recovery
• ​What she’d do differently if she could go back
• ​The number one factor in someone fully recovering from an eating disorder as soon as possible

Don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate, and review the show to help reach more people with the message of food freedom!

Work with a dietitian + use your insurance: https://www.lieselmaddoxnutrition.com/

Other ways to find eating disorder treatment: 

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/get-help/

https://cedcn.org/

Sources: 

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/recovery-from-an-eating-disorder/

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/the-importance-of-support-during-eating-disorder-recovery/

Truth Based Nutrition is the podcast you've been looking for to break free from diet culture and heal your relationship with food and body-through authentic conversations. Hosted by Liesel Maddox, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and business owner, this show dives deep into:

• Eating disorder recovery
• Intuitive Eating
• Where diet culture shows up in the church
• And how you can develop a healthy relationship with food and your body

Join Liesel as she shares the real nutrition science truth along with God's truth for food freedom to help you embrace God's good design for food and your body.

Go ahead and subscribe to the show on your favorite listening platform so you never miss an episode and to help this show reach more people who need food freedom!

You can learn more about Liesel and work with a nutrition expert at Maddox Nutrition here: https://www.lieselmaddoxnutrition.com/

And don't forget to follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietitian.liesel/