Dr. Vera Tarman – Author, Speaker & Food Addiction Expert

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Food Junkies Podcast Ep. 194: Anna Fruehling

Anna Fruehling

In this episode of the Food Junkies Podcast, Dr. Vera Tarman and Molly Painschab sit down with Anna Fruehling, co-founder of SUGARx Global and a powerful voice in the food addiction recovery space. Anna shares her personal journey through addiction, recovery, and her mission to help others overcome their struggles with sugar and ultra-processed food addiction. With over 35 years of recovery from drug addiction and eight years clean from food addiction, Anna brings a wealth of experience, both personal and professional, to the conversation.

 Key Takeaways

Anna’s Journey to Recovery:

  • Anna’s battle with addiction began in childhood, growing up in San Francisco, where she was introduced to drugs at an early age. Her journey to recovery started at 17, but it took many years for her to recognize the role of sugar addiction in her life.
  • Anna’s “aha moment” came after hearing Bitten Jonsson speak about sugar as a gateway drug, sparking a realization of the connection between her sugar consumption and addictive behaviors.

Healing through Keto & Primal Eating:

  • As a certified health coach and primal health advocate, Anna shares how lowering her carbohydrate intake and adopting a keto lifestyle brought peace to her mind and body.
  • She credits keto for helping manage her autoimmune conditions, keeping her away from medications for years, and improving her overall mental and physical health.

The Creation of Sugar X Global:

  • SUGARx Global was founded by Anna, Judy, and Dave to provide group-based support for those battling food addiction. Anna emphasizes the power of community and the effectiveness of group recovery over individual coaching.
  • The platform offers structured support, including the Recovery Accelerator Program, an 18-week course designed to help individuals deeply explore their addiction and develop sustainable strategies for long-term recovery.

Philosophy of CARE:

  • Anna introduces the CARE philosophy—focused on Compassion, Accountability, Recovery Protection, and Education. This philosophy guides the Sugar X approach, helping clients protect their recovery, plan for future challenges, and continue their education in addiction science.

Mindset Shift for Recovery:

  • Recovery isn’t just about abstinence; it’s about changing your mindset. Anna stresses that understanding the science behind addiction, recognizing automatic negative thoughts, and creating a personalized recovery journey is key to long-lasting success.

The Power of Group Support:

  • Anna prefers working with groups rather than individuals, as group dynamics create a powerful environment where honesty, shared experiences, and collective growth can flourish.

Anna’s Book – An Altered Spirit:

  • Anna’s book, An Altered Spirit: The Twelve Steps of Ebenezer Scrooge, parallels the classic tale of Scrooge’s transformation and the 12-step recovery process. Proceeds from the book support children of alcoholics.

Closing Thoughts:

  • If you or someone you love is struggling with food addiction, this episode is a must-listen. Anna’s compassion, experience, and dedication to helping others create a powerful message of hope and healing.

Food Junkies Podcast Ep. 193: Bethany Mazereeuw, MSW (The Enneagram)

Bethany Mazereeuw, MSW (The Enneagram)

Bethany Mazereeuw, MSW, is a Registered Social Worker in Ontario, Canada, specializing in recovery support. Bethany brings a compassionate and holistic approach to helping individuals navigate the challenges of addiction recovery, emotional well-being, and personal growth.

She is passionate about integrating tools like the Enneagram and mindfulness techniques into her practice, offering clients tailored support that addresses their mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. Bethany’s work emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, resilience, and fostering deep self-awareness. Her expertise in group facilitation and one-on-one counseling allows her to create safe, nurturing spaces for those on their recovery journey.

In addition to her clinical work, Bethany is dedicated to teaching and mentoring others in addiction recovery and personal growth. She has conducted workshops and has contributed to the Sweet Sobriety platform, where she offers guidance on how personality insights can play a pivotal role in long-term recovery.

Bethany’s empathetic, growth-oriented approach empowers her clients to break free from harmful patterns and embrace a more fulfilling, balanced life.

In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of the Enneagram and its role in personal growth and recovery from food addiction. Bethany Mazereeuw, MSW, provides an insightful introduction to the Enneagram, explaining how this system of nine personality types helps individuals understand the “why” behind their behaviors. We explore how the Enneagram offers a unique pathway for self-awareness and healing, making it a valuable tool in recovery.

 Key Takeaways:

  • What is the Enneagram?: An arrangement of nine different personality types represented in a circular diagram. Each type reflects a different way of seeing the world and is shaped by experiences and upbringing.
  • Triads of Intelligence: The Enneagram divides the nine types into three centers of intelligence—Heart (Feeling), Head (Thinking), and Body (Doing)—that shape how individuals process information and respond to the world around them.
  • Difference from Other Personality Tests: Unlike assessments like Myers-Briggs, the Enneagram digs into the underlying motivations driving behavior and provides a roadmap for personal growth and self-awareness.
  • Application in Recovery: Understanding your Enneagram type can provide insight into the deeper motivations behind addictive behaviors and offer specific growth paths to break free from ingrained patterns.

Highlights:

  • The Enneagram doesn’t just stop at identifying personality; it helps us understand the work needed to transcend our automatic behaviors and move toward greater emotional and spiritual health.
  • Discussion on how Enneagram types align with different centers of intelligence—Feeling (Heart), Thinking (Mind), and Doing (Body)—and how these centers relate to how we interact with the world and approach recovery.
  • Insights into how each Enneagram type responds to recovery strategies, like diet programs or emotional triggers, and how tailoring approaches can improve recovery outcomes.

Practical Tips:

  • Learn your Enneagram type by reflecting on your core motivations rather than outward behaviors.
  • Once you know your type, use it to become more aware of how you interact with the world and manage your recovery.
  • Engage in “non-judgmental self-observation” to notice when you act from ego patterns and consciously choose healthier behaviors.

Food Junkies Podcast Ep. 192: Dr. Barry C. Smith

Dr. Barry C. Smith

In this episode, Dr. Vera Tarman and Clarissa Kennedy welcome Dr. Barry C. Smith, a former food industry consultant and an expert in sensory perception, to discuss his transition from working with ultra-processed foods to advocating for healthier eating alternatives. Dr. Smith shares his journey from studying philosophy and sensory perception to becoming involved in the food industry, where he provided insights into how we perceive taste and flavor. He reveals the complexities of multi-sensory perception and how the food industry uses this knowledge to enhance the desirability of processed foods.

Dr. Smith delves into the interplay between our senses—taste, touch, smell, and even sound—and how these senses influence our eating experiences. He explains how texture and aroma can trick our brains into perceiving food as sweeter or more flavorful than it is, often leading to overconsumption. Dr. Smith also discusses his experiment of cutting out ultra-processed foods and its profound impact on his well-being, including reduced cravings and improved mood.

The conversation touches on the ethics of the food industry, the challenges of regulating ultra-processed foods, and the importance of informed choices for consumers. Dr. Smith offers practical tips on enhancing the sensory experience of whole foods, making them more enjoyable and satisfying.

Key Discussion Points:

  • The role of multisensory perception in flavor and taste
  • How the food industry manipulates sensory experiences to enhance food desirability
  • The challenges of reducing sugar, fat, and salt in processed foods while maintaining consumer appeal
  • The impact of ultra-processed foods on health and well-being
  • Dr. Smith’s journey of transitioning to a diet free from ultra-processed foods
  • The importance of informed consumer choices and the need for better food regulation

Memorable Quotes:

  • “The brain often confuses smoothness with sweetness, which is why foods like chocolate and cream are so pleasurable.”
  • “Our experience of food begins long before it enters our mouths; it’s influenced by sight, smell, and even sound.”
  • “Cutting out ultra-processed foods changed my relationship with food—I wasn’t hungry all the time, and I felt better overall.”

Practical Tips:

  • Experiment with the sensory aspects of whole foods, such as color, texture, and temperature, to enhance your eating experience.
  • Be mindful of the ingredients in your food and how they affect your body and cravings.
  • Consider how your environment and context influence your perception of food.

Food Junkies Podcast Ep. 191: Dr. Ashley Gearhardt, Ph.D.

Dr. Ashley Gearhardt, Ph.D.
Dr. Ashley Gearhardt, Ph.D.

Dr. Ashley Gearhardt, Ph.D., is an esteemed psychologist and Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Michigan. She is renowned for her pioneering research on the intersection of addiction, eating behavior, and obesity. Dr. Gearhardt earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Yale University, where she co-created the Yale Food Addiction Scale, a widely used tool to assess food addiction and its parallels with substance dependence. Her research focuses on understanding how highly processed foods may contribute to addictive-like eating behaviors and the broader implications for public health.

Dr. Gearhardt’s work has been extensively published in top-tier scientific journals, and she frequently presents her findings at international conferences. Her research has significantly influenced how the scientific community and the public understand the role of food in the obesity epidemic. Dr. Gearhardt is also actively involved in community outreach and policy discussions, aiming to translate her research into actionable strategies to improve public health.

In addition to her academic work, Dr. Gearhardt has appeared in various media outlets, contributing expert commentary on food addiction, obesity, and public health policies. Her contributions have been instrumental in advancing the conversation around the addictive properties of certain foods and their impact on behavior and health.

Episode Overview: In this insightful episode of the Food Junkies Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Vera Tarman and Molly Painschab sit down with the esteemed Dr. Ashley Gearhardt, a leading expert in the field of food addiction and psychology. Dr. Gearhardt is known for her groundbreaking work in developing the Yale Food Addiction Scale, which has become a pivotal tool in understanding the addictive properties of highly processed foods.

Key Discussion Points:

  • Introduction to Dr. Ashley Gearhardt: Learn about Dr. Gearhardt’s background, her journey into the field of psychology, and what inspired her to focus on food addiction.
  • Understanding Food Addiction: Dr. Gearhardt explains the parallels between substance addiction and food addiction, particularly how certain foods can trigger addictive behaviors in the brain.
  • The Yale Food Addiction Scale: Discover how it was developed, its impact on the field, and how it is used to assess food addiction in individuals.
  • The Role of Highly Processed Foods: The conversation delves into the role of highly processed foods in contributing to obesity and addictive eating patterns, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals struggling with food addiction.
  • Public Health Implications: Dr. Gearhardt discusses the broader implications of her research on public health, including potential strategies to combat the rise of food addiction and obesity.
  • Future Research and Initiatives: Hear about Dr. Gearhardt’s ongoing research and what she sees as the future directions for studying and addressing food addiction.

Food Junkies Podcast Ep. 190: Dr. Èvelyne Bourdua-Roy

Dr. Èvelyne Bourdua-Roy

Welcome to the Food Junkies Podcast! In today’s episode, your host, Dr. Vera Tarman, and co-host, Clarissa Kennedy, are thrilled to welcome Dr. Èvelyne Bourdua-Roy to the show. Dr. Roy is a highly respected family medicine physician with a wealth of knowledge and experience in treating patients with various health concerns, including those related to food addiction and recovery. Dr. Roy graduated from the University of Montreal in 2015 and from LaValle University in 2012, bringing a rich educational background and a compassionate approach to her practice.

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of food addiction recovery, exploring how positive and negative expectations can shape the journey to better health. Dr. Roy shares her insights on the importance of flipping expectations, patient challenges, and practical strategies for building new, adaptive expectations that support lasting recovery.

Whether you’re struggling with food addiction, supporting someone who is, or simply interested in learning more about this critical topic, this episode offers valuable perspectives and actionable advice. Tune in to discover how shifting your mindset can be a powerful tool in overcoming food addiction and reclaiming your health.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • Dr. Èvelyne Bourdua-Roy’s journey in medicine and her passion for helping patients overcome food addiction.
  • The concept of flipping expectations and how it can transform the recovery process.
  • Common challenges faced when trying to change expectations and how to overcome them.
  • Practical tips for building realistic, adaptive expectations that support long-term recovery.
  • The role of self-awareness, emotional regulation, and support systems in sustaining positive change.

Food Junkies Podcast Ep. 189: Dr. Hala Lahlou

Dr. Hala Lahlou

n this episode of the Food Junkies podcast, Dr. Vera Tarman interviews Dr. Hala Lahlou, a leading obesity medicine physician based in Montreal, Quebec. Dr. Lahlou shares her journey into bariatric medicine, which began with her family medicine practice, where she noticed that many of her patients struggled with obesity and metabolic issues. This personal connection, along with her own experiences with obesity, motivated her to specialize in this field.

Dr. Lahlou discusses the complex role of adipose tissue, explaining its function as an endocrine organ that plays a significant role in metabolism, immunity, and inflammation. She emphasizes that obesity is not merely a cosmetic issue but a serious health condition that can lead to various diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.

The conversation also delves into the use of GLP-1 agonists and bariatric surgery as treatments for obesity. Dr. Lahlou explains that GLP-1 agonists, initially developed for diabetes treatment, are now being used to treat obesity because they help reduce food cravings and manage metabolic disorders. However, she also highlights the challenges, including side effects and the high cost of these medications.

Dr. Lahlou also touches on the importance of screening for underlying conditions like ADHD, which can complicate weight management due to issues with impulse control and emotional regulation. She explains that ADHD, often underdiagnosed in obese patients, can contribute to food addiction and challenges in following structured weight loss plans.

The episode concludes with Dr. Lahlou’s thoughts on the future of obesity medicine, her focus on educating medical students and residents, and her hope for a more compassionate approach to treating obesity, recognizing it as a complex, multifaceted condition rather than a simple issue of willpower or discipline.

Food Junkies Podcast Ep. 188: Matthew W. Johnson, PhD

Matthew W. Johnson PhD

Matthew W. Johnson, PhD, is a senior researcher for the Center of Excellence for Psilocybin Research and Treatment at Sheppard Pratt’s Institute for Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics. He is one of the world’s most accomplished scientists on the human effects of psychedelics and has conducted seminal research in the behavioral economics of drug use, addiction, and risk behavior. Dr. Johnson, an expert in behavioral pharmacology research, has decades of experience. In his most recent role, he served as a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins Medicine. Dr. Johnson’s current research centers around the efficacy and safety of psychedelics in the treatment of various medical and mental health conditions.

In 2008, Dr. Johnson played a crucial role in revitalizing human psychedelic research by publishing psychedelic risk and safety guidelines, which are now widely recognized as field standards. His trials have explored the effects of psychedelics on mystical experience, personality change, cancer distress treatment, and depression treatment. Dr. Johnson published the first research on psychedelic treatment for tobacco addiction in 2014. In 2021, he received the first federal grant in a half-century for treatment research with a classic psychedelic. He has received continuous National Institute of Health (NIH) funding as Principal Investigator since 2009 and has reviewed for >75 journals, including serving as guest editor on two special issues on psychedelics. Dr. Johnson has reviewed grants for the NIH, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Military, and multiple governments outside the U.S. He was a member of the Addictions Risks and Mechanisms (ARM) NIH study section for 5 years. He has been invited to present his research in over a dozen countries.

Dr. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Oregon University and earned his PhD in Experimental Psychology from the University of Vermont. He served as President of the International Society for Research on Psychedelics in 2020, the first scientific society dedicated to quantitative research on psychedelics and one he played a role in founding. In 2019, Dr. Johnson also served as President of the Psychopharmacology and Substance Abuse Division of the American Psychological Association.

Food Junkies Podcast Ep. 187: Monica Boyer

Monica Boyer is a certified Ketogenic Lifestyle Coach and a passionate holistic health and wellness advocate. Her journey began with a life-changing experience seven years ago that inspired her to leave her career as an Administrative Secretary and pursue certifications in nutrition, ketogenic coaching, and food addiction recovery. With a profound weight loss of over 120 lbs through the ketogenic lifestyle, Monica has maintained her transformation for nearly seven years and is passionate about helping others achieve the same.
 
To that end, Monica got her Keto certification with Ketogenic Living 101 with Kate Jaramillo and Life Coaching with the Transformational Academy in 2018. But the focus on low-carb eating was not enough; food addiction was a missing piece in her practice. She completed her Holistic Medicine for Addiction and SUGAR  certification with Bitten Johnson in early 2024. 

Monica has also received her Intermittent Fasting Certification with Bryan Bryn and is getting her certification with Dr. Mindy Peltz, author of Fasting Like a Girl, where she will work with women and nutrition building based on their hormones.  This year, she acquired  Ketogenic Living 101 and now runs one of the US’s most successful Keto Coaching certification programs.

In addition to her coaching practice, Monica has launched a podcast called “Beyond the Scale: Weight Loss & Wellness.” 

Food Junkies Podcast Ep. 186: Dr. Vimlasara (Valerie) Mason-John M.A (Hon.Doc)

Dr. Vimlasara (Valerie) Mason-John M.A (Hon.Doc)

Welcome to the show, DR. VIMALASARA, also known as (VALERIE) MASON-JOHN M.A (HON.DOC). Vimalasara is a founding facilitator of Compassionate Inquiry and the author of 10 books, including the award-winning book, “Eight Step Recovery: Using The Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addiction” and “Detox Your Heart: Meditations for Emotional Trauma.” There are 8 Step Recovery meetings held on several continents. And they are co-founder of the training program, Mindfulness Based Addiction Recovery (MBAR), which is delivered in both English and Spanish. They work as a public speaker in the field of Mindfulness for Addiction and Trauma. They also work online and in person between Canada, the USA, the UK, and Spain.

In this episode:

  • Their personal story of eating disorders, food addiction and recovery
  • How to work with the shame we experience around eating disorders and food addiction
  • The mutual help recovery community Vimalasara created Eight Step Recovery: Using the Buddhist Teaching to Overcome Addiction.
  • Their new book First Aid Kit for the Mind: Breaking the Cycle of Habitual Behaviours
  • Vimalasara does two practices in this episode around SHAME and LOVE

Food Junkies Podcast Ep. 185: Maia Szalavitz

Maia Szalavitz

Maia Szalavitz is an acclaimed journalist and author renowned for her expertise in neuroscience and addiction. With a career spanning over three decades, she has become one of the most prominent voices in the field, advocating for evidence-based approaches to addiction treatment and policy.

Szalavitz’s career as a journalist began in the late 1980s. Her work has appeared in numerous prestigious publications, including The New York Times, Time Magazine, The Washington Post, and Scientific American. She has reported extensively on topics ranging from addiction and mental health to neuroscience and public health.

Maia Szalavitz is the author of several influential books that have reshaped the public’s understanding of addiction and recovery.

In this episode:

  • How her personal journey influenced her professional work and views on addiction
  • Key misconceptions about addiction that persist in society today
  • The role of trauma and mental health issues in the development and perpetuation of addiction
  • Addiction as a learning disorder
  • Harm Reduction and Radical Empathy
  • The future of addiction treatment and the evolution of harm reduction in the next 10 to 20 years
  • Signature Question: If you could tell a younger version of yourself something about addiction and/or Harm Reduction – what would it be?

Food Junkies Podcast Ep. 184: Kathy Williams

Kathy Williams

Kathy Williams has an MBA from the Goizueta School of Business, Emry University, and a Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati. She has also been certified by the University of Pittsburgh’s Diabetes Prevention Program. As CEO of Williams ConsultlingGroup, Kathy is an author, speaker, health strategist, and diabetic prevention advocate. She also has a private coaching practice where she helps clients eliminate their cravings and sugar addiction in 90 days.  

Like many of us in the field, Kathy has her own personal story. From being prediabetic, she halted her prediabetic progression back to a normal blood sugar level, which she has maintained for over 10 years.  Notably – She was even able to help her son, a type ONE diabetic, to reduce his insulin and greatly improve his blood sugar levels. This is far and beyond what most doctors can achieve. She did this by changing his diet. She has found a way to reach out to children and adults. Of interest to us at Food Junkies:, what can Kathy tell us about how to encourage and support families to live a sugar free life – in a world that equates love with sugar? 

Food Junkies Podcast Ep. 183: Amanda M Raines, PhD

Amanda M Raines PhD

Dr. Raines is a distinguished clinical investigator at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the LSU School of Medicine. With a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Florida State University, she has over 13 years of clinical experience, specializing in treating patients with anxiety and related conditions, including those which intersect with hoarding behaviors. She has published an number of peer reviewed articles focusing on hoarding disorder and its associated psychological aspects. 

Dr. Raines is the Chair of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) Research and Professional Development Committee and a member of the Association of VA Psychologist Leaders (AVAPL), and Division 12 of the American Psychological Association (APA). Further, she serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment. .

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