A new “pyramid” lands, the internet erupts, and we’re left asking the only question that matters: what should actually change on our plates? We take you past the viral graphic and into the real guidance, translating policy-speak into practical choices you can make this week. From protein hype to saturated fat limits, from kids and sugar to food access and cost, we connect the dots with clear, judgment-free advice.

We start by grounding the conversation in history—how the 1992 pyramid gave way to MyPyramid and then MyPlate—and why that plate was easy to teach across ages, cultures, and languages. Then we examine what’s new versus what’s noise. The saturated fat limit remains under 10%, yet the graphic leans harder into animal foods. We unpack how to reconcile those messages with smarter swaps: rotate seafood, choose lean cuts, mix in beans and lentils, use oils, and keep portions flexible. We also call out missing voices; it’s baffling that registered dietitians weren’t centered on the panel when they’re the ones who field public questions and rebuild trust.

Parents will find straight talk on kids and sugar. Strict rules can spark secrecy and binge-restrict patterns; a neutral, structured approach supports intuitive eating and calmer mealtimes. We touch on the much-cited JAMA study and why methods and dates matter before drawing sweeping conclusions. And because advice without access is a dead end, we focus on policy levers that make change real—SNAP and WIC improvements, culturally relevant options, and school meals that families can afford and kids will eat.

If you’ve felt whiplash from “eat more protein” while “watch saturated fat,” or wondered how the new USDA dietary guidelines fit your culture, budget, or health history, this conversation offers clarity you can use. Listen for practical takeaways, not perfection: adequate, consistent, and varied beats rigid rules every time. Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, share with a friend who’s confused by the new graphic, and leave a quick review to help others find us.

Show notes:

Trigger warning: this show is not medical, nutrition, or mental health treatment and is not a replacement for meeting with a Registered Dietitian, Licensed Mental Health Provider, or any other medical provider. You can find resources for how to find a provider, as well as crisis resources, in the show notes. Listener discretion is advised.

Resource links:

ANAD: https://anad.org/

NEDA: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

NAMI: https://nami.org/home

Action Alliance: https://theactionalliance.org/

NIH: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/

How to find a provider:

https://map.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us

https://www.healthprofs.com/us/nutritionists-dietitians?tr=Hdr_Brand

Suicide & crisis awareness hotline: call 988 (available 24/7)

Eating Disorder hotline: call or text 800-931-2237 (Phone line is available Monday-Thursday 11 am-9 pm ET and Friday 11 am-5 pm ET; text line is available Monday-Thursday 3-6 pm ET and Friday 1-5 pm ET)

If you are experiencing a psychiatric or medical emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

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Ever feel trapped between diet rules and anti-diet slogans, like you have to pick a side to “eat right”? We invited ADHD dietitian Chelsea Grimbone to break the stalemate. Chelsea has lived on both ends of the spectrum—teaching adult weight management classes and guiding eating disorder recovery—and she shows how the same core skills can serve radically different goals when we strip away shame and refocus on intention.

We unpack what anti-diet actually means, beyond hashtags and hot takes. Chelsea explains Health at Every Size as a behavior-first framework, how set point theory reframes the fight with the scale, and why gentle nutrition is an “add-in” approach that prioritizes protein, fiber, regular meals, and satisfaction. We talk about the good–bad pendulum that diets create, why sustainability beats short-term wins, and how therapy tools like CBT can calm the anxiety that often drives food rules. You’ll hear practical examples—from pizza crust vs cauliflower crust to the cottage cheese craze—that reveal why inclusivity means both can belong when the choice serves you rather than fear.

We also address the toxic edges of both camps. Diet culture can moralize food; anti-diet can shame preferences. The middle is not mushy—it’s where curiosity replaces judgment and where clients learn to move from fear foods to genuine enjoyment. For ADHD brains, we highlight accessibility and convenience as health tools, with snack ideas like freezer waffles with peanut butter and honey that actually stick. By the end, you’ll have a clearer philosophy of nutrition that fits real life: less performing health, more practicing it.

If this conversation helped you rethink your relationship with food, follow and subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review telling us one “rule” you’re ready to rewrite.

Show notes:

Trigger warning: this show is not medical, nutrition, or mental health treatment and is not a replacement for meeting with a Registered Dietitian, Licensed Mental Health Provider, or any other medical provider. You can find resources for how to find a provider, as well as crisis resources, in the show notes. Listener discretion is advised.

Resource links:

ANAD: https://anad.org/

NEDA: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

NAMI: https://nami.org/home

Action Alliance: https://theactionalliance.org/

NIH: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/

How to find a provider:

https://map.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us

https://www.healthprofs.com/us/nutritionists-dietitians?tr=Hdr_Brand

Suicide & crisis awareness hotline: call 988 (available 24/7)

Eating Disorder hotline: call or text 800-931-2237 (Phone line is available Monday-Thursday 11 am-9 pm ET and Friday 11 am-5 pm ET; text line is available Monday-Thursday 3-6 pm ET and Friday 1-5 pm ET)

If you are experiencing a psychiatric or medical emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Support the show

Show notes:

Trigger warning: this show is not medical, nutrition, or mental health treatment and is not a replacement for meeting with a Registered Dietitian, Licensed Mental Health Provider, or any other medical provider. You can find resources for how to find a provider, as well as crisis resources, in the show notes. Listener discretion is advised.

Resource links:

ANAD: https://anad.org/

NEDA: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

NAMI: https://nami.org/home

Action Alliance: https://theactionalliance.org/

NIH: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/

How to find a provider:

https://map.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us

https://www.healthprofs.com/us/nutritionists-dietitians?tr=Hdr_Brand

Suicide & crisis awareness hotline: call 988 (available 24/7)

Eating Disorder hotline: call or text 800-931-2237 (Phone line is available Monday-Thursday 11 am-9 pm ET and Friday 11 am-5 pm ET; text line is available Monday-Thursday 3-6 pm ET and Friday 1-5 pm ET)

If you are experiencing a psychiatric or medical emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

What if the memories that weigh you down could lose their grip without retelling every detail? We sit with licensed therapist and EMDR specialist Ashley Gambino to unpack how EMDR transforms stuck stress into steadier days—whether you’re navigating “big T” trauma or the everyday triggers that drain your energy at work and home.

Ashley starts by busting the myth that EMDR is only for extreme trauma. She explains how the method targets negative beliefs—like “I’m not enough” or “I’m not safe”—and traces them back to earlier moments your body remembers even when your mind doesn’t. We walk through readiness and safety, including when EMDR should wait for sobriety or stabilization, and how resourcing with a “safe calm place” and regulation skills builds a reliable foundation. From there, Ashley demystifies the flow of a session: identifying a present trigger, mapping body-based memories, and using bilateral stimulation so the brain can naturally reduce distress.

Curious about EMDR intensives? Ashley outlines how multi-hour blocks can compress months of progress into days, with structured breaks, clear expectations, and honest aftercare. You’ll hear how memories often fade in intensity and color, how positive beliefs are installed, and why the real proof shows up in daily life—like speaking to a difficult boss with calm confidence or setting a boundary without the familiar panic. We also touch on integrating EMDR with IFS, acute protocols for recent events, and why ongoing training matters for ethical, effective care.

If you’ve wondered whether EMDR could help you feel lighter, more present, and more in control, this conversation offers a grounded, compassionate roadmap. Listen, share with a friend who’s curious about trauma therapy, and then tell us: what belief would you most want to change? Subscribe, leave a review, and help more listeners find thoughtful mental health conversations.

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