Food Junkies Podcast

• Episode 241: Dr. Tro Kalayjian - TOWARD Health

  Dr. Tro Kalayjian is a board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine, and the founder of Toward Health, a virtual metabolic health clinic helping people break free from food addiction and chronic metabolic disease. He’s also a founding member of the Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners and an international speaker on metabolic psychiatry, obesity, and nutrition science. But what makes Dr. Tro’s work truly powerful is that it’s personal. He grew up in a household affected by obesity and struggled with his own weight into adulthood, reaching over 350 pounds. After years of frustration with traditional medical advice, he took a deep dive into the research and completely transformed his health—losing over 150 pounds and sustaining that loss for more than a decade. His clinic’s latest research, published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, shows how combining low-carb nutrition with real-time support, psychological care, and metabolic monitoring can significantly reduce food addiction and binge eating symptoms—offering hope for those who haven’t found relief in diets or medications alone. Dr. Tro is passionate about helping others find food freedom, and today he’s here to share the science, the struggle, and the solutions that actually work. Research Highlights: Published in Frontiers in Psychiatry (2025): 43 lbs average weight loss ~40–50% improvement in food addiction and binge eating symptoms Outcomes comparable to medications (e.g. amphetamines, GLP-1s) — but without long-term side effects Case series (220 people) on keto for binge eating showed significant improvements, challenging the old myth that "restrictive diets worsen eating disorders" 🛠️ What Actually Works (Tro's "Shotgun Protocol"): Like treating sepsis with a bundled care approach, he bundles these for food addiction: The TOWARD Framework: Texting access to your medical team (real-time support like AA sponsors) Online visits with doctors and coaches Wellness coaching Asynchronous education (on-demand app resources) Real-time biofeedback (CGMs, scales, blood pressure) Dietary intervention (low-carb/therapeutic carb restriction)🧠 Behavioral + Biological + Social Support = Results 🍳 Food & Physiology: Therapeutic carb level: ~30g net carbs/day (but customized for each client) Focus: Real food, nutrient density, stable blood sugar, and ketone production Biological drivers of addiction: FTO & MC4R genes (linked to low satiety), ADHD traits, dopamine-seeking Physiology matters: No regulation if you're low in protein, vitamin D, or sleep-deprived 💥 Why Diet Isn’t Enough: Food addiction is not just about willpower It's a poly-substance addiction: sugar, carbs, processed fats, additives, and volume Even abstinent foods (like nuts or yogurt) can become part of volume addiction “You need more than a food plan. You need a psychological and emotional toolkit too.” 😫 Barriers to Recovery: Stress, trauma, pain, lack of sleep all increase relapse risk GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic) may suppress appetite short-term but: Lead to muscle loss Double weight regain speed if stopped Often used without a lifestyle program = future harm ❤️ The Human Side: Shame, guilt, and blame paralyze recovery “This isn’t a willpower issue. This is a food relationship issue driven by biology and trauma.” One of his biggest lessons: “Take the disgust off yourself and place it on the substance. That’s freedom.” 🧠 Mental Experiments That Helped: Tro experimented on himself with yogurt, berries, fasting, etc., to observe what triggered hunger or satiation Asked: What makes people subconsciously eat less? → Ketogenic diet consistently decreased intake 📊 Cost & Accessibility: Clinic costs $500/month but aims to be covered by employers (and is free to many employees) Medical savings to employers = $2,000–$4,500 per year per person Tro's long-term vision: accessible, affordable, whole-person care that rivals any prescription drug Final Thoughts from Dr. Tro: "Don’t believe the lies. Do your own homework. And eat meat." Recovery is possible, but it must include compassion, community, and comprehensive care. Tro will be speaking on emotional and cognitive manipulation of hunger at the upcoming International Food Addiction & Comorbidities Conference in London (Sept 2025) Follow Dr. Tro: Recent Publication: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1548609/full Join us via Livestream for two full days of talks and plenary sessions, and, in recognition of your support, use code SSO to get a 40% discount: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ifacc2025-two-day-conference-4-5-september-2025-online-or-in-person-tickets-1226143812149?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawMB8iVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFHY1g0d3R0b2hYdTFnMmhNAR5WiXm-cuXEnOUh40YV4TwTnXtMNdpkdXK9lzyXdIZIuE3OdtJho4U7g-ySFA_aem_9TqBY-e2_oaGzzekZpiq2g Website: https://toward.health

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• Episode 240: Clinician's Corner - Chronic Invalidation

  In today's insightful Clinician’s Corner episode, Clarissa Kennedy and Molly Painschab delve into chronic invalidation as a trauma response, exploring its origins, impacts, and practical healing strategies. This episode offers clinicians compassionate insights and actionable tools for supporting clients on their healing journeys. Key Highlights: Understanding Chronic Invalidation Chronic invalidation occurs when emotions, needs, or perceptions are consistently dismissed, causing internalization of critical voices. Common invalidating statements include "You're too sensitive," "It's not that bad," and "Don't cry." Chronic invalidation often results in perfectionism, emotional suppression, people-pleasing, and using food or substances to cope. Origins and Impact Invalidating behaviors can originate from caregivers' inability to handle their own emotions. Chronic invalidation can manifest in adulthood as strong inner critics, emotional numbness, hyper-vigilance, and difficulty identifying personal emotions and needs. Invalidated individuals often experience significant relationship challenges, attachment issues, and ongoing self-doubt. Healing Strategies for Clients Awareness: Encourage noticing and naming the inner critic as a first significant step toward healing. Curiosity and Compassion: Recognize the inner critic as a protective mechanism developed to cope with past hurts. Co-regulation and Community: Seek safe, validating environments where clients can experience relational repair through community support and co-regulation. Therapeutic Modalities for Addressing Chronic Invalidation: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps clients identify and reframe invalidating thoughts. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Provides emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills. Internal Family Systems (IFS): Validates all parts of self without shame. Somatic Experiencing and Polyvagal Theory: Body-based approaches to regulate the nervous system and safely reconnect clients with their bodies. Clinician Guidance and Reminders Avoid invalidating language (e.g., labeling clients as resistant or not having hit "rock bottom"). Validate client experiences before offering problem-solving approaches. Model self-validation and demonstrate relational repair in therapeutic interactions. Encourage distress tolerance skills among clinicians to prevent rescuing behaviors driven by personal discomfort. Embodied Practice (Somatic Experiencing Exercise) Clarissa leads listeners through a gentle, somatic experiencing practice designed to: Identify areas of stored emotional tension. Invite compassionate awareness and gentle inquiry into bodily sensations. Facilitate nervous system regulation through grounding, breathwork, and affirmations. Closing Insights Healing from chronic invalidation is a gradual, individualized journey. Encourage clients to begin with the strategies and modalities that feel safest and most accessible. Remind clients and clinicians alike that healing is not linear but is profoundly supported through compassionate awareness, relational repair, and community. Join us next month for more empowering insights on Clinician's Corner! The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

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• Episode 239: Dr. Claire Wilcox - Rewire Your Food-Addicted Brain: Fight Cravings and Break Free from a High-Sugar, Ultra-Processed Diet Using Neuroscience

  We’re honored to welcome back Dr. Claire Wilcox, a trailblazer in the field of food addiction. Claire is an addiction psychiatrist, former internist, and associate professor of translational neuroscience at the Mind Research Network. She’s worked in everything from eating disorder treatment centers to general psychiatry and is on the frontlines of research, clinical care, and advocacy. Her academic textbook Food Addiction, Obesity and Disorders of Overeating has helped shape the professional dialogue—but today, we’re talking about her newest book, Rewire Your Food-Addicted Brain: Fight Cravings and Break Free from a High-Sugar, Ultra-Processed Diet—a compassionate, research-informed, and accessible guide for individuals navigating food addiction. And here’s the wild part: this book was directly inspired by the Food Junkies Podcast. 💥 Key Takeaways 💥 🔹 The Why Behind the Book Claire was inspired by the validation, science, and compassion found in our podcast. She wanted to turn years of neurobiology, research, and lived experience into a digestible, practical resource for both clinicians and people in recovery. 🔹 Not Just Another Food Book This is NOT a weight loss book. It’s a science-backed, shame-free guide to understanding food addiction and reclaiming your life from ultra-processed foods — whether you score mild, moderate, or severe on the mYFAS scale. 🔹 Food Addiction ≠ Weakness Claire beautifully reframes food addiction as a neurobiological condition, not a moral failing. Like alcohol or nicotine addiction, it’s rooted in genetics, brain wiring, and environmental exposure — often starting in early childhood. 🔹 Diagnosis Matters Chapter 6 tackles the controversial diagnostic gray zone, comparing food addiction to binge eating disorder and explaining how tools like the mYFAS can help people finally feel seen, understood, and validated. 🔹 Personalized Recovery > One-Size-Fits-All The book includes three levels of food plans that adapt to the individual — from flexible to more structured — based on your symptoms, goals, access to food, and cultural context. There’s no moral hierarchy here, just practical options. 🔹 Harm Reduction is Welcome Here Recovery isn’t linear, and slips happen. The book normalizes recurrence without shame, promotes spiraling up over time, and encourages readers to find what works for them — even if it’s not “perfect.” 🔹 Tools with Neuroscience Receipts Each tool is not only practical — it’s also evidence-based, with brain science to back it up. Claire doesn’t just tell you what to do… she tells you why it works. 🔹 Values Over Weight This book helps you set recovery goals beyond the scale — like peace, freedom, energy, and connection. Weight loss may happen as a side effect, but the real win is regaining your life. 🔹 Validation for the Spectrum Whether you’re struggling mildly or feel like you're at your lowest, this book meets you where you are and reminds you: there is a way out — and it can be your way. 💡 Bonus: There are FREE online chapters + tools available starting August 1st through New Harbinger Publications! 📘 Available Everywhere Books Are Sold ➡️ Title: Rewire Your Food-Addicted Brain: Fight Cravings and Break Free from a High-Sugar, Ultra-Processed Diet Using Neuroscience  ➡️ Website: https://www.wilcoxmd.com The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.  

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• Episode 238: Dr. Raphael E. Cuomo, Ph.D. - Addiction, Cancer & the Biology of Compulsion

  In today’s episode, we explore the groundbreaking intersection of addiction, biology, and cancer with internationally recognized scientist Dr. Rafael Cuomo. Drawing on insights from his book Crave, Dr. Cuomo reveals how addiction is not simply a behavioral or psychological issue—it’s a biological condition that reshapes the terrain of our health and directly contributes to the development of chronic disease, including cancer. Dr. Cuomo introduces the concept of “molecular scars”—long-term physiological changes left behind by repeated addictive behaviors, even low-grade ones like screen use or ultra-processed food consumption. He explains how these behaviors disrupt key systems in the body, including the dopamine, opioid, GABA, glutamate, cortisol, and the endocannabinoid systems, ultimately weakening immune surveillance, fueling inflammation, and accelerating cellular damage. From the anticipatory nature of craving to the role of trauma and adverse childhood experiences, this episode invites clinicians, patients, and everyday listeners to reconsider addiction not as a character flaw, but as a biologically driven imbalance with profound public health implications. 🧠 Topics Covered: The hidden biological link between addiction and cancer What Crave reveals about chronic stimulation and health breakdown Why craving is more about anticipation than pleasure The difference between wanting and liking in addiction How repeated overstimulation rewires dopamine and reduces pleasure Molecular scars: the biological damage addiction leaves behind The role of inflammation, immune suppression, and cellular dysfunction How addiction disrupts neurotransmitters beyond dopamine (opioid, GABA, glutamate) The overlooked role of the endocannabinoid system in both addiction and cancer The impact of early life stress and ACE scores on long-term health How screen time, ultra-processed food, and digital overstimulation shape disease risk The concept of allostatic load as a measurable biological burden of chronic stress Metabolic memory and food insecurity's impact on eating behaviors Why oncology needs to integrate addiction screening into prevention and treatment How to begin restoring the body's natural rhythm to prevent disease 📚 About Our Guest: Dr. Rafael Cuomo is a biomedical scientist, global health researcher, and associate professor at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. With over 100 peer-reviewed publications and recognition from the Royal Society for Public Health, his work focuses on the biological intersections between addiction, cancer prevention, and public health policy. His new book, Crave: The Hidden Biology of Addiction and Cancer, uncovers how repeated behavioral addictions create a biological terrain that promotes chronic disease—and offers a new roadmap for prevention and healing. 📖 Key Quotes from Dr. Rafael Cuomo: “Addiction doesn’t just leave behavioral scars—it leaves molecular scars that change how your body functions.” “Cravings aren’t your character—they’re signals. And once we learn to listen to those signals, we can start rewriting our story.” “We need to shift prevention efforts upstream—not just focusing on behaviors, but addressing the mindset and environment that drive those behaviors.” “Chronic overstimulation from food, screens, and stress narrows our ability to feel genuine reward—leading to emotional flatness and compulsive seeking.” 🛠️ Tools for Listeners: Clean out environmental triggers (kitchen, phone apps, screen notifications) Introduce restorative rhythms: sleep, sunlight, movement, mealtime structure Develop emotional regulation strategies (breathwork, journaling, therapy) Recognize and reduce low-grade addictions before they escalate Understand how your body responds to stress to prevent long-term damage 📣 Take Action: If this episode resonated with you, pick up a copy of Dr. Cuomo’s book, Crave, to dive deeper into the science and solutions. Start observing the cravings in your daily life, and ask: What am I really seeking? Begin reclaiming your health—one small shift at a time. 📘 Mentioned in This Episode: Crave: The Hidden Biology of Addiction and Cancer by Dr. Rafael Cuomo 🔗 The International Food Addiction & Comorbidity Conference (IFACC) 2025: Donate for the chance to win a virtual ticket!! Purchase your IFACC 2025 in-person ticket!! The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

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• Episode 237: Dr. Hillary McBride - Reclaiming Embodiment After Spiritual Trauma

  Dr. Hillary McBride is a therapist, researcher, speaker, and author dedicated to helping people grow, heal, and reconnect with their wholeness. With a PhD in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia, she specializes in trauma, embodiment, eating disorders, perinatal mental health, and psychedelic integration. Known for making complex psychological concepts accessible and meaningful, Hillary is passionate about creating therapeutic spaces grounded in safety, trust, and hope. Her clinical work is informed by evidence-based, de-pathologizing approaches including AEDP, IFS, EMDR, feminist therapies, and somatic practices. Hillary’s award-winning research on women’s mental health, body image, and sexuality has been recognized by the Canadian and American Psychological Associations, as well as the Taylor & Francis Young Investigator Award. Whether through therapy, writing, or public speaking, Hillary is committed to helping others feel seen, supported, and empowered on their path toward deeper self-acceptance and connection. Key Takeaways: • Disembodiment as a Survival Strategy: Many of us leave the body because the world, or our upbringing, made it unsafe to stay. Returning to the body isn’t weakness—it’s radical resilience. • Spiritual Trauma and the Inner Authority Crisis: When we’ve been told that our bodies are sinful or untrustworthy, we lose connection to our inner compass. Reclaiming our own authority is central to healing. • Why Embodiment Is a Form of Belonging: Our bodies are where connection, pleasure, grief, and joy live. Embodiment helps us reconnect not just with ourselves, but with others and the earth. • Healing Isn’t a Return to “Before”—It’s Becoming More Fully Ourselves: The work isn’t to erase the pain, but to integrate it with love and become someone who can hold all of it with compassion. • Psychedelic Therapy as a Doorway to Wholeness (When Safe and Ethical): Hillary discusses the potential and limitations of psychedelics in trauma work—and why preparation and integration matter more than the substance alone. • Body Image Recovery and Spiritual Reclamation Go Hand in Hand: Healing the relationship with our bodies often requires rethinking harmful theology and cultural messages that disconnect us from pleasure and worthiness. • The Role of Community in Repair: No one heals in isolation. Being witnessed with gentleness in our messy middle is a key part of restoring trust.   🕊️ Quotes to Remember: “The body is not the problem. The body is the place where the healing happens.” – Dr. Hillary McBride “You are trustworthy. Your knowing is good. And the invitation is to come home to that.” “Healing is possible. Even when the system told you it wasn’t.”   📚 Resources Mentioned: • The Wisdom of Your Body by Dr. Hillary McBride • Holy/Hurt: Understanding Spiritual Trauma and the Process of Healing • Hillary’s podcast: Other People’s Problems   Follow Hillary: https://hillarylmcbride.com   The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.  

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