154. [Holiday Series #2] Your Brain Tricks You Into Believing You Can't Trust Yourself Around Food

Looking to redefine “healthy” in a way that fits your life? In this episode, Ryann sits down with registered dietitian Jamie (@the.balanced.nutritionist) to talk about making health approachable, realistic, and balanced. Jamie is known for her fresh take on nutrition, cutting through diet culture noise and embracing a flexible, middle-ground approach that feels sustainable. Tune in for relatable insights and advice, whether you’re a parent or simply looking to bring some balance and ease to your own relationship with food. HIGHLIGHTS 04:40 Taking back the word “healthy” from diet culture 08:52 Jamie’s approach to cooking and how her kids react to her meals 12:15 Raising kids with a balanced relationship to food 19:13 Setting boundaries around Halloween candy without the hype 22:20 Finding balance in nutrition and the story behind Jamie’s viral “chicken nuggets on salad” video 30:02 Discussing calorie counting and modeling healthy behaviors in front of kids 37:39 Building balanced meals without rigid rules 42:00 Navigating mom guilt around processed foods and focusing on realistic health choices 52:10 Simplifying food choices to avoid decision fatigue 55:07 Jamie’s key takeaways for a balanced approach to nutrition RESOURCES + LINKS Follow Jamie on Instagram The Chicken Nugget Video Easy Balanced Bites Ebook  ⭐️ Join Ryann for free live group coaching each week in my Facebook group to support you on this journey! Don’t miss out! Instagram: @itsryannnicole Work with me: BingeEatingUnchained.com Facebook Group: IRN Community Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice.

Do you ever feel stuck, constantly wondering what others think of you? In this episode, we dig deep into the impact of people-pleasing and how it can feel like living inside a box, always putting everyone else’s thoughts ahead of your own. We’ll explore the real costs of caring too much, from missing out on opportunities to losing sight of who you truly are. Let’s chat about how to get comfortable in your own skin and start living for you. HIGHLIGHTS 03:30 Personal struggles with people-pleasing and lessons learned from clients 08:10 The hidden costs of worrying about others’ opinions 14:00 Why it’s hard to break free from people-pleasing (and how family values play a role) 18:35 Recognizing the “sneaky justifications” that keep us stuck 22:10 Building trust in yourself without always seeking validation 25:30 Finding freedom by focusing on your own opinions over others’ 27:45 Encouragement to start small: shifting perspective one day at a time RESOURCES + LINKS ⭐️ Join me for free live group coaching each week in my Facebook group to support you on this journey! Don’t miss out! Instagram: @itsryannnicole Work with me: BingeEatingUnchained.com Facebook Group: IRN Community Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice.

Do you ever feel like everything fun somehow revolves around food? Like, can't we do anything that doesn’t involve grabbing a bite? I think a lot of it comes down to how we connect in our culture. Coffee dates, dinner plans, brunch with friends… it's just what we do, right? And honestly, there’s nothing wrong with that! But sometimes, it’s nice to switch things up and do something that’s not centered around food. So let's talk about just that!    HIGHLIGHTS 02:20 Why everything seems to revolve around food 05:10 Changing the story around food triggers 08:45 Making activities about connection, not just food 12:15 How to handle social events without focusing on food 15:30 Finding non-food activities that still feel fun 18:05 The importance of checking your mindset around food 20:40 Putting yourself out there to make new friends 23:15 Balancing friendships that revolve around food   RESOURCES + LINKS ⭐️ I'm offering free live group coaching every week in my Facebook group to support you through this journey. Don’t miss out! Ryann: @itsryannnicole Work with Ryann: BingeEatingUnchained.com Join the IRN Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/itsryannnicole Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice.

We all know stress is part of life, but when it starts pushing you toward food, it can feel overwhelming. In this episode, I’m breaking down why stress eating happens, what it really means, and how to get to the root of the stress itself—because the food isn’t the issue! We’ll dive into how to simplify your life, set boundaries, and add small, positive moments that help you manage stress without turning to food. Let’s talk about how to stop just coping and start solving.   HIGHLIGHTS 02:20 Understanding emotional eating vs. physical hunger 04:05 Why coping skills don’t always solve stress 05:50 Stress eating: what’s really going on? 09:20 Simplifying your life to reduce stress 12:50 Setting boundaries with your time and commitments 15:10 Accepting what you can’t control 17:30 Daily uplifts: small actions that make a big difference 18:40 Strengthening your emotional and physical resilience   RESOURCES + LINKS ⭐️ I'm offering free live group coaching every week in my Facebook group to support you through this journey. Don’t miss out! Register here. Instagram: @itsryannnicole Work with Ryann: BingeEatingUnchained.com Join the IRN Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/itsryannnicole Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice.

Are you caught in the frustrating loop of "F-it" eating, where one small slip sends you spiraling into a binge? You're not alone. In this episode, we’re tackling why that "F-it" mentality feels so hard to escape, how perfectionism pushes you into it, and what you can do to finally break free and find peace with food—especially as the holidays approach. HIGHLIGHTS 01:10 What is the Last Supper Mentality and how it traps you 06:00 The role of perfectionism in fueling binge eating 08:45 Why perfectionism is so hard to break and keeps you stuck 12:30 How to break free from f-it eating and find balance RESOURCES + LINKS ⭐️ Starting October 8th, I’ll be offering free live group coaching every week in my Facebook group to support you through this journey. Don’t miss out! Instagram: @itsryannnicole Work with Ryann: BingeEatingUnchained.com Join the IRN Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/itsryannnicole Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice.

Is fear of losing control around food keeping you stuck in a binge-restrict cycle? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re diving into how you can start breaking the cycle by challenging your fear of trigger foods, particularly as the holiday season approaches. If you’ve ever felt out of control or anxious around certain foods, especially during the holidays, this episode is for you. HIGHLIGHTS 01:45 The Fear of Holiday Foods: Why It’s Holding You Back 06:15 How to Normalize Trigger Foods and Break the Cycle 10:50 Steps to Safely Reintroduce 'Forbidden' Foods 15:30 The Power of Repetition: Eating Without Shame 20:05 Shifting Your Mindset to Enjoy Food Guilt-Free This Holiday Season RESOURCES + LINKS ⭐️ Starting October 8th, I’ll be offering free live group coaching every week in my Facebook group to support you through this journey. Don’t miss out! Ryann: @itsryannnicole Work with Ryann: BingeEatingUnchained.com Join the IRN Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/itsryannnicole Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice.

Is confirmation bias keeping you stuck in negative thought patterns around food? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re diving into how our brains latch onto beliefs like "I always overeat during the holidays" or "I can’t control myself around treats"—and why they might not be true at all. I’ll walk you through what confirmation bias is, how it shows up in your life (especially around holiday gatherings), and practical ways to start breaking free from it. You’ll learn how to challenge those automatic thoughts and shift your mindset to approach food with more freedom and ease this holiday season. If you’ve ever felt trapped in the “overeat, feel guilty, repeat” cycle, this episode is for you.  HIGHLIGHTS 01:05 Confirmation Bias and the Holiday Food Struggle 05:00 How Confirmation Bias Affects Your Relationship with Food 12:30 Why Our Brains Love to Stick to Familiar Beliefs 20:00 How to Start Challenging Your Confirmation Bias Around Food 28:45 How to Make This Holiday Season Different  RESOURCES + LINKS ⭐️ Starting October 9th, I’ll be offering free live group coaching every week in my Facebook group to support you through this journey. Don’t miss out! Ryann: @itsryannnicole Work with Ryann: BingeEatingUnchained.com Join the IRN Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/itsryannnicole Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice.

Are you feeling the holiday food frenzy creeping up already? You're not alone. Today, we're diving deep into those unhelpful thoughts that keep fueling the binge fire. I'll share my own experiences with food scarcity and the back-and-forth battle of wanting holiday goodies while fearing them at the same time. We'll explore how your thoughts around food aren't the problem—it's the thinking that follows. This episode is packed with mindset shifts to help you get ready for the holidays, whether you're just starting your healing journey or ready to level up. If you've been trapped in the binge-restrict cycle year after year, this is your sign to start changing that now! HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Tackling unhelpful thoughts around holiday foods 05:00 Understanding the difference between thoughts and thinking 12:30 How fear and anxiety around food stem from deeper issues 20:00 How to start shifting your thinking to change your behaviors 28:45 Why it's important to start now, not wait until January 1st RESOURCES + LINKS ⭐️ Starting October 9th, I’ll be offering free live group coaching every week in my Facebook group to support you through this journey. Don’t miss out! Ryann: @itsryannnicole Work with Ryann: BingeEatingUnchained.com Join the IRN Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/itsryannnicole Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice.

In this episode, we chat with Kat Berglas (@katerinaberglas) about her courageous journey from battling anorexia to finding freedom and healing. She opens up about how her struggle with control and body image took a toll on her mind and body, and what it took to break free from the life-threatening cycle of restriction. Kat shares the key moments that led to her decision to choose life, and the steps she took to rebuild a healthier relationship with food and herself. Tune in to hear her powerful and inspiring story, and discover how you, too, can begin your own journey toward healing. About Kat: Kat is an anorexia nervosa survivor who came close to losing her life to the disorder. She made the brave choice to recover and now dedicates herself to helping others see that life is more than a number on the scale. Kat’s mission is to inspire those who are struggling to live fully and embrace the things that truly matter. ⚠️ Trigger Warning: In this episode, Kat shares her personal experiences with anorexia and disordered eating. 🔗 Connect with Ryann  🔗 Connect with Kat Everything discussed in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be interpreted as medical or other professional healthcare advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN FOR MY FALL COHORT OF BEU 👉 APPLY HERE ------ We’re back! A lot has happened over the past 9 months—one of us welcomed a baby, and the other started a new job. In this episode, we’re diving into how we’ve navigated these big life changes and how the lessons we’ve learned apply to the work we do with our clients. Tune in as we share our experiences and insights, showing you how to embrace change and thrive through it all. Are you new to the [Ry & Lisa] segment? If so, welcome!! This is where Lisa Schrader and I sit down to have a fun, casual conversation about things that impact our day-to-day, businesses, relationships, and so much more. You’ll get a new episode on both shows so make sure you are also subscribed to subscribed to Lisa's podcast, The Fully Fueled Life Podcast!  ------ Welcome to The Food Freedom Lab, hosted by Ryann Nicole—licensed therapist, certified nutritionist, and recovered binge eater. On this podcast, you’ll hear real recovery stories, get practical advice on how to break free from binge eating, and learn the mindset shifts that will help you stop the food obsession. Join us as we dive into the struggles, the victories, and the lessons that will support you on your journey to a healthier, happier life. Ryann's Instagram  Work with Ryann