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Episode 208: Is Cane Sugar Better? Unpacking the Health Impact of High Fructose Corn Syrup

Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

Release Date: 07/21/2025

Episode 209: Beyond Willpower: The Truth About Weight Loss Medications show art Episode 209: Beyond Willpower: The Truth About Weight Loss Medications

Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

More people than ever are turning to medicine for weight loss, but how do you know if it's right for you? In this episode, I dive into the hot topic of weight loss medications and tackle the myths, science, and facts behind them. As a board-certified obesity medicine specialist, I explain who qualifies for medications like Wegovy, Zepbound, and others, how they work, and why obesity is a chronic condition, not a personal failure. I will walk you through the medical, hormonal, and genetic factors that influence treatment, outline FDA guidelines, and share how I assess whether a patient is a...

info_outline Episode 208: Is Cane Sugar Better? Unpacking the Health Impact of High Fructose Corn Syrup show art Episode 208: Is Cane Sugar Better? Unpacking the Health Impact of High Fructose Corn Syrup

Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

Did you know that high fructose corn syrup, a sweetener found in everything from soda to salad dressing, has been linked to obesity, diabetes, and inflammation? In this episode, I explore a surprising claim by Donald Trump that Coca Cola may switch from high fructose corn syrup to cane sugar—and use this as a springboard to explore the health concerns around high fructose corn syrup. I break down what it is, why it's used so widely in processed foods, and the many health risks it poses, from obesity and diabetes to inflammation and high blood pressure. I even share a patient story that...

info_outline Episode 207: What Happens When You Stop Ozempic? The Truth About GLP-1 Meds & Weight Regain show art Episode 207: What Happens When You Stop Ozempic? The Truth About GLP-1 Meds & Weight Regain

Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

Did you know that stopping GLP-1 medications like Ozempic or Wegovy can trigger powerful biological and emotional changes that impact your weight journey? In this episode, I talk about what happens when you stop taking a GLP-1 medication, like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Zepbound. I explain how these medications work by slowing stomach emptying, reducing appetite, and helping with insulin regulation, which supports weight loss and benefits conditions like type 2 diabetes and PCOS. However, I also share that they’re not magic pills, you still need healthy habits like eating well and exercising. I...

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Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

Sometimes it’s not about eating less or moving more—it’s about understanding what’s really holding your body back. In this episode, I dive into five surprising reasons why you might not be losing weight—even when it feels like you're doing everything right. From the sneaky effects of stress and poor sleep, to the hidden dangers of under-eating, emotional eating, and overestimating your workouts, I break down what could be quietly sabotaging your progress. This isn’t about blame—it’s about awareness, compassion, and smart strategies to truly support your journey.  Listen...

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Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

Motivation may spark change, but it's small, consistent actions that keep the fire burning, especially when you're just not feeling it. In this episode, I talk about what to do when you're feeling completely unmotivated to stick with healthy habits. I dive into the truth that motivation is fleeting and often unreliable, and instead, I share practical strategies to keep moving forward even when you don’t feel like it. I also explore common reasons we lose motivation like overwhelm, burnout, boredom, and perfectionism and offer five actionable tips: shrink the task, pair it with something...

info_outline Episode 204: The Truth About Sweet Drinks: 8 Myths That Could Be Ruining Your Weight Loss Goals show art Episode 204: The Truth About Sweet Drinks: 8 Myths That Could Be Ruining Your Weight Loss Goals

Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

Did you know that one 20-ounce soda can pack more sugar than five donuts—and still leave you hungry? In this episode, I unpacked the deceptively sweet world of sugar-sweetened beverages from sodas and sweet teas to fruit juices and even those “healthy” smoothies. I busted eight common myths that might be sabotaging your wellness journey without you even realizing it. We talked about how liquid calories sneak past your hunger cues, spike blood sugar, fuel cravings, and trigger fat storage. I broke down why fruit juice isn't the same as whole fruit, why diet sodas and energy drinks...

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Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

Did you know a daily weight loss pill might soon replace weekly injections for managing obesity? In this episode, I explore the exciting new development of a once-daily oral weight loss medication, oral semaglutide 50mg highlighting results from the OASIS 1 trial. With this, I explain how this pill could be a game-changer for people who are hesitant about injections like Wegovy or Zepbound. I break down how semaglutide works as a GLP-1 receptor agonist, the phases of drug development, and the impressive trial results showing an average 15% body weight loss in participants without diabetes. I...

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Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

Did you know that your body has its own unique weight loss blueprint and it might be the key to finally seeing results? In this episode, I explore the concept of obesity phenotypes and why one-size-fits-all approaches to weight loss often fail. I dive into the four main types I see in my practice: Hungry Brain, Emotional Hunger, Hungry Gut, and Slow Burn, and how understanding which one you align with can dramatically improve your treatment strategy. I also reflect on my own experiences, and those of my patients, emphasizing that it's not about willpower but biology and behavior. By...

info_outline Episode 201: Zepbound or Wegovy? The Shocking Results You Need to Know! show art Episode 201: Zepbound or Wegovy? The Shocking Results You Need to Know!

Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

Did you know that some weight loss medications can help people lose up to 20% of their body weight, comparable to bariatric surgery outcomes? In this episode, I dive into the latest research comparing two major weight loss medications, Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide), based on findings from the 72-week SURMOUNT-5 trial. I explain how Zepbound led to greater weight loss (about 20.2% vs. 13.7% with Wegovy), possibly due to its dual action on GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Both drugs were generally well tolerated, with similar side effects like nausea and constipation, though Wegovy had...

info_outline Episode 200: Your Top Weight Loss Questions Answered – Medications, Mindset & Milestones show art Episode 200: Your Top Weight Loss Questions Answered – Medications, Mindset & Milestones

Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

Episode 200 is a celebration of your journey and questions, as I dive deep into the realities of weight loss, medications, and staying consistent through it all. In this episode, I celebrate a huge milestone—our 200th episode of the Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss podcast! I take this opportunity to answer your most frequently asked questions from TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and podcast listeners, covering a wide range of topics like weight loss medications (such as Qsymia and Contrave), combining medications, insurance, PCOS, managing side effects, and more. I also dive into...

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More Episodes

Did you know that high fructose corn syrup, a sweetener found in everything from soda to salad dressing, has been linked to obesity, diabetes, and inflammation?

In this episode, I explore a surprising claim by Donald Trump that Coca Cola may switch from high fructose corn syrup to cane sugar—and use this as a springboard to explore the health concerns around high fructose corn syrup. I break down what it is, why it's used so widely in processed foods, and the many health risks it poses, from obesity and diabetes to inflammation and high blood pressure. I even share a patient story that highlights its real-life impact. While cane sugar isn’t a healthy food either, it may have fewer metabolic downsides. Regardless of whether Coca Cola makes the switch, I emphasize the power we have to read labels, reduce added sugar, choose more whole foods, and make smarter decisions for our health.

Tune in to learn how cutting back on hidden sugars like high fructose corn syrup can transform your health and energy!

 

Episode Highlights:

  • Trump’s claim about Coca Cola switching to cane sugar

  • What high fructose corn syrup is and why it’s widely used

  • Health risks linked to high fructose corn syrup

  • Real-life patient story on soda and high blood pressure

  • Differences between cane sugar and high fructose corn syrup

  • Practical tips for reducing added sugar in your diet



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About Dr. Alicia Shelly

Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, “Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.

 

Resources:

FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click