In this episode of Power Up Recovery with Nutrition, Christina Veselak sits down with Dr. Brooke Scheller, a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition and leading voice in functional sobriety.

Dr. Scheller shares her personal journey with alcohol and how it led her to uncover a powerful truth: cravings, mood swings, and relapse are often rooted in brain chemistry and nutrient imbalances — not just behavior or willpower.

Together, Christina and Dr. Scheller explore how nutrition directly impacts neurotransmitters, blood sugar, gut health, and hormone balance, and why these are critical foundations for sustainable recovery. They break down how simple shifts—like increasing protein intake, stabilizing blood sugar, and addressing nutrient deficiencies—can significantly reduce cravings and improve emotional resilience.

This conversation challenges traditional recovery models and introduces a more biochemical, root-cause approach to healing the brain and body.

• Why cravings are biochemical—not just emotional
• The connection between blood sugar and alcohol cravings
• How protein and amino acids support brain chemistry
• The role of gut health in mood and recovery
• Nutrient deficiencies that impact anxiety, depression, and relapse
• Why "missing a meal" can trigger cravings
• Functional Sobriety and personalized nutrition strategies

Dr. Brooke Scheller, DCN, CNS, CFPP, is a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition and a leading expert in functional sobriety. She helps individuals transform their mental health and recovery journey through nutrition and root-cause healing.

She is the founder of the Scheller Collective and creator of the Functional Sobriety approach, a science-backed method that uses personalized nutrition to improve brain health, stabilize mood, and support an alcohol-free lifestyle.

Dr. Scheller is also the author of How to Eat to Change How You Drink, where she bridges the gap between nutrition, brain chemistry, and behavior change.

• Website: www.functionalsobriety.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbrookescheller
• Book: How to Eat to Change How You Drink

• Cravings often come from blood sugar crashes and nutrient deficiencies
• Eating protein regularly can reduce urges and stabilize mood
• Gut health plays a major role in mental health and recovery
• Nutrition can improve brain chemistry faster than most expect
• Recovery is not just psychological—it's biological