It's wild how easily alcohol becomes part of our routine, especially in midlife, yet so many women quietly wonder why their sleep, mood, or hormones suddenly feel out of sync. In this episode, we get real about what alcohol is actually doing behind the scenes and how a few simple nutrition shifts can change the way you feel (and even what you crave). I'm sitting down with Dr. Brooke Scheller, a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition and Founder of Functional Sobriety, whose work is helping women rethink their drinking habits with compassion and curiosity.

Dr. Brooke opens up about her own sobriety journey and the surprising link she discovered between food and alcohol cravings. We break down the myth of "healthy" drinking, talk through why midlife hormones can make alcohol hit harder, and share the small swaps that make cutting back feel a lot less intimidating.

You'll hear insights that make you feel empowered, not judged, about what's going on in your body and why giving yourself a little more support can make a huge difference in your energy, mood, and clarity. And if you want a little extra help this season, grab my Free Holiday Recipe Guide filled with cozy, hormone-friendly dishes that taste like tradition without the crash, and hop on the 2025 VIP Hot List to be the first to know when my Black Friday deals go live.

Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Introduction.

[00:04:43] Alcohol consumption and the Gen Z

[00:06:06] Should you really drink alcohol?

[00:07:35] Alcohol's impact on midlife stress.

[00:12:41] Gut health and sobriety.

[00:21:11] Alcohol's impact on hormone balance.

[00:23:07] Alcohol as a macronutrient.

[00:28:23] Cravings and willpower connection.

[00:31:41] Nutrient depletion and cravings.

[00:36:31] Nutrient deficiencies and health.

[00:38:50] Understanding cravings and nutrition.

[00:43:33] The power of reducing alcohol.

[00:47:08] Simple steps to take if you want to reduce alcohol.

Memorable Quotes:

"I really challenge people, and what I hope that people take away from this discussion is really just starting to think about what alcohol means to them." [00:08:46] – Dr. Brooke Scheller

"It wasn't until we unlocked that alcohol piece that everything else started falling into place." [00:46:25] – Dr. Brooke Scheller

Links Mentioned:

Free Holiday Recipe Guide: https://dranna.com/holidayrecipes

Black Friday 2025 VIP Hot List: https://dranna.com/deals

How to Eat to Change How You Drink Book: https://a.co/d/6hjCXTE

Connect with Dr. Brooke Scheller:

Website: http://www.functionalsobriety.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbrookescheller/

Connect with Dr. Anna Cabeca:

Website: https://drannacabeca.com/pages/show

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlfrienddoctor/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegirlfrienddoctor

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drannacabeca

Produced by Evolved Podcasting: www.evolvedpodcasting.com