Episode 225: Dr. Vera Tarman & Bitten Jonsson Reflect on Food Addiction Recovery
Food Junkies Podcast
In this extraordinary episode, Food Junkies host Dr. Vera Tarman turns the mic on herself—joined by Swedish trailblazer Bitten Jonsson—for a deeply personal, no-holds-barred conversation on their parallel journeys through food addiction, recovery, and advocacy. With over 60 years of combined experience in addiction medicine, Vera and Bitten walk us through the moments they first recognized their struggles with food and sugar, the evolving science of addiction, and how their professional paths have shaped the global conversation around Ultra-Processed Food Addiction. 💡 What You’ll Hear...
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Episode 224: Dr. Eike Buabang - Breaking the Habit Loop: How Our Brains Build—and Battle—Behavior Patterns
Food Junkies Podcast
In this powerful and timely conversation, we welcome Dr. Eike Buabang, cognitive neuroscientist and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Trinity College Dublin, to explore one of the most fundamental yet overlooked topics in recovery: habits. Dr. Buabang studies the brain mechanisms behind habit formation—why we repeat behaviors even when they no longer serve us, and how stress, repetition, and environment shape our choices. Drawing from both neuroscience and real-world applications, he offers practical insights into how we can intentionally disrupt compulsive patterns and support lasting...
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Episode 223: Clinicians Corner - From Survival to Self-Compassion: Understanding Our Protective Behaviors
Food Junkies Podcast
In this thought-provoking Clinician’s Corner episode, Clarissa Kennedy and Molly Painschab dive deep into the ever-popular term “self-sabotage” — and why they believe it’s not only inaccurate but potentially harmful in the context of food addiction recovery. Together, they explore how behaviors often labeled as self-sabotage are actually maladaptive coping strategies, formed through years of survival. These are not signs of brokenness, but evidence of brilliance in navigating pain, trauma, and unmet needs. The duo discusses how using shame-based language like “chronic...
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Episode 222: Dr. David Wiss - Food Addiction or Eating Disorder? Rethinking the Divide
Food Junkies Podcast
In this powerful and deeply nuanced episode, Dr. Vera Tarman and Molly Painschab welcome back Dr. David Wiss to explore one of the most important—and often misunderstood—topics in the field: the intersection of food addiction and eating disorders. With his unique background in both nutrition and public health, Dr. Wiss walks us through the historical divide between the food addiction and eating disorder communities, the philosophical and clinical tensions between rigidity and flexibility, and how trauma, ACEs, and access to food complicate both diagnosis and treatment. Whether you're a...
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Episode 221: Dr. Lindsey Parnarouskis - Food Insecurity and Food Addiction
Food Junkies Podcast
In this powerful episode of Food Junkies, we dive deep into the intersection of food insecurity and food addiction with special guest Dr. Lindsey Parnarouskis. Dr. Parnarouskis, a researcher specializing in food addiction and public health, shares groundbreaking insights on how socioeconomic factors and access to food impact addiction-like eating behaviors. From her research at the Food and Addiction Science and Treatment Lab to her latest studies on the role of stress, intermittent access to food, and ultra-processed food consumption, Dr. Parnarouskis sheds light on the social justice...
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Food Junkies Recovery Stories Episode 25: Sharon Gregg
Food Junkies Podcast
In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of Food Junkies, CJ sits down with her friend and colleague, Sharon Gregg, to explore Sharon’s deeply personal story of food addiction and recovery. From childhood dreams of streets paved with chocolate to decades of yo-yo dieting and the relentless voice of sugar calling her name, Sharon’s story is one many will find achingly familiar. Sharon opens up about her early experiences with dieting, the cultural messages around food and body image she absorbed, and how her battle with sugar addiction intensified during menopause. Listen as Sharon shares...
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Episode 220: Dr. Weaver (The Link Between Ultra-Processed Food and Alzheimer’s)
Food Junkies Podcast
In this episode of the Food Junkies Podcast, Dr. Vera Tarman speaks with Dr. Donald Weaver, a world-renowned expert on Alzheimer’s disease, its causes, and its treatment. Dr. Weaver, a Canadian neurologist, chemist, and researcher at the University of Toronto, has made significant contributions to our understanding of cognitive diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s. His groundbreaking work suggests that Alzheimer’s is not just an inherited brain disorder but also an autoimmune condition triggered by environmental toxins, including metals, plastics, pesticides, and—most relevant to our...
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Episode 219: Clinicians Corner - The Importance of Belonging in Recovery
Food Junkies Podcast
Hosts Clarissa Kennedy and Molly Painschab explore the critical theme of belonging in recovery. They discuss the concept of "othering"—feeling unseen, unheard, or misunderstood—and its deep impact on individuals in their healing journeys. The episode is framed around a powerful quote from George Orwell about the loneliness of being misunderstood, setting the stage for a rich discussion on attachment, connection, and the need for belonging. Clarissa and Molly share personal experiences of feeling different, whether in family dynamics, social settings, or recovery groups. They examine how...
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Episode 218: Nick Norwitz (Part 2) Navigating Metabolism, Carnivore Diet, and Food Myths
Food Junkies Podcast
In this episode, we welcome back Nick Norwitz for Part 2 of our deep dive into metabolism, food addiction, and dietary nuances. We cover everything from broken metabolisms to the role of hormones in weight regulation, the impact of glycemic load, and the ongoing debate about fruit, dairy, olive oil, and the carnivore diet. If you've ever wondered about food science versus food fear-mongering, this is the episode for you! Key Topics Discussed: 1. Understanding “Broken Metabolism” The difference between metabolic dysfunction and metabolic perception. The role of insulin and other hormones...
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Episode 217: Nick Norwitz (Part 1)
Food Junkies Podcast
In this compelling episode of Food Junkies, we welcome Dr. Nick Norwitz, a researcher, educator, and metabolic health advocate whose mission is to "Make Metabolic Health Mainstream." Dr. Norwitz, a valedictorian from Dartmouth, PhD in Metabolism from Oxford, and an MD candidate at Harvard Medical School, shares his journey with severe Inflammatory Bowel Disease. This struggle led him to discover the life-changing power of a ketogenic diet. His transformation inspired his relentless curiosity to challenge outdated medical paradigms and explore cutting-edge...
info_outlineIn this insightful episode, Dr. Vera Tarman and Molly Painschab sit down with Dr. Gurpreet Singh Padda to explore the fascinating concept of meta-inflammation and its role in chronic pain, obesity, and addiction. Dr. Padda shares his unique journey and extensive expertise in addressing metabolic dysfunction and inflammation through a sound nutritional approach.
Episode Highlights
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Understanding Meta-Inflammation
- What is meta-inflammation, and how does it connect chronic pain, obesity, and addiction?
- The role of the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio in reducing inflammation and improving metabolic health.
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Food Addiction and Dopamine
- How processed foods hijack our dopamine systems for profit.
- Why hyper-processed foods like high-fructose corn syrup and seed oils contribute to addiction and inflammation.
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Chronic Pain and Inflammation
- The relationship between metabolic inflammation and the durability of pain treatments.
- How the overuse of narcotics impacts the body's natural endorphin production and worsens pain.
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The Gut-Brain Connection
- Why the gut is the body’s “primary brain” and how gut health influences emotional well-being and addiction.
- The impact of gut microbiome imbalances, leaky gut, and hyper-processed foods on inflammation and addiction.
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Historical Context of Processed Foods
- The origins of food subsidies and how they shaped today’s processed food landscape.
- The harmful effects of seed oils and trans fats on metabolic and vascular health.
Key Takeaways
- Food is Addictive by Design: Hyper-processed foods are engineered to trigger dopamine release, reinforcing addictive behaviors.
- Omega-3 to Omega-6 Ratio: Balancing this ratio can reduce inflammation, improve metabolic health, and curb cravings.
- The Role of Meta-Inflammation: Chronic inflammation is at the root of many conditions, including food addiction, and addressing it requires a holistic approach.
- Gut Health is Key: A healthy gut microbiome is crucial for reducing inflammation and improving overall health.
- Processed Foods and Profit: The food industry manipulates ingredients, such as increasing the fructose levels in sweeteners, which drives addiction and metabolic disease.
Next Episode
Stay tuned for part two, where we explore solutions to meta-inflammation, including dietary strategies, reducing processed foods, and restoring gut health to combat food addiction.
Connect with Dr. Padda
Website: https://painmd.tv/
Join the Conversation
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Email us at [email protected] or connect with us on social media:
- Website: www.foodjunkiespodcast.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.