260: Overcoming Binge Eating with Amber Abila: Journey to the Confident Eater

Host Lindsey Elizabeth Cortes introduces the Female Athlete Nutrition Podcast, aiming to help female athletes overcome confusing and harmful nutrition messages, and includes sponsorships for Wave Bye menstrual cycle products and Lindsey’s REDs resources and membership. Lindsey interviews binge eating expert Amber Abila, who shares her progression from calorie restriction and vegan dieting as a teen to bingeing, purging, and over-exercising, with therapy helping bulimia but not binge eating. Amber explains binge eating often stems from restriction and nutrient deficiency, and discusses how hyper-palatable foods and added “natural flavors” can intensify cravings, referencing concepts from The Dorito Effect and artificial sweeteners. She emphasizes shifting from weight-loss focus to feeling normal around food, treating bingeing as a changeable habit, using mindset tools like visualization (featured in her free audio “Stop a Binge Before It Starts”), and building regular meals before refining hunger/fullness cues. Amber outlines her three-month coaching and notes overeating and binge eating use similar strategies. Amber Abila helps women stop binge eating & overeating by rewiring their brains so they can feel normal and in control around food for good. After years of trying everything from therapy to intermittent fasting, nothing worked until she learned about the psychology of habits which led to her losing 30 lbs, eliminating food noise, and gaining her life back. She now walks others step by step through her process in her signature Confident Eater Program as well as in her podcast, in the top 2% worldwide, called “Become a Confident Eater.” Free gift! Get instant access to Amber’s guided audio to “Stop a Binge Before it Starts” ⁠HERE⁠! https://www.theconfidenteater.org/urge-guest Episode Highlights: 03:00 Meet Amber Obealah 05:24 From Dieting to Binging 06:54 Cookies Then Purging 08:19 Why Therapy Fell Short 10:43 Binge Eating As Habit 12:17 Confidence Over Control 16:20 Restriction To Binge Stats 18:55 Rock Bottom Breakthrough 20:31 Letting Go Of Weight Loss 21:50 Why Binge Eating Starts 27:51 Flavorings And Cravings 29:05 Flavor Drives Cravings 29:48 Orange Prediction Error 30:40 Restriction And Nutrient Gaps 31:29 Dorito Effect Explained 32:55 Back To Real Food 33:46 Pregnancy Cravings Decoded 36:43 Diet Foods And Sweeteners 39:21 Relearning Fullness 42:45 Trust Timeline For Change 44:24 Mindset Mantras Visualization 47:35 Coaching Process Overview 49:34 Overeating Versus Bingeing 51:36 Final Wrap And Resources Resources and Links: The Confident Eater Podcast with Amber Abila Follow The Confident Eater on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconfidenteater_/ Follow Amber Abila on Youtube Follow Amber Abila on Facebook Amber Abila's Free Support Group For more information about the show, head to work with Lindsey on improving your nutrition, head to: http://www.lindseycortes.com/ Join REDS Recovery Membership: http://www.lindseycortes.com/reds WaveBye Supplements – Menstrual cycle support code LindseyCortes for 15% off: http://wavebye.co Previnex Supplements – Joint Health Plus, Muscle Health Plus, plant-based protein, probiotics, and more; code CORTES15 for 15% off: previnex.com Female Athlete Nutrition Podcast Archive & Search Tool – Search by sport, condition, or topic: lindseycortes.com/podcast Female Athlete Nutrition Community – YouTube, Instagram @‌femaleathletenutrition, and private Facebook group Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Host Lindsey Elizabeth Cortes explains her six-week podcast break was due to moving across the country, an unexpected third pregnancy, illness, and parenting two sons, including one with glycogen storage disease managed by individualized nutrition; she shares that amniocentesis at 21 weeks confirmed her unborn baby boy does not have the disease, and she is embracing being a full-time stay-at-home mom, so future episodes will be less consistent but ongoing. She highlights resources for female athletes, including RED-S education and a $15/month RED-S recovery membership, and then reviews basic pregnancy nutrition: prenatal folate early, managing first-trimester nausea with small frequent meals, hydration, and adding protein/fat; increased energy needs in second (~350 kcal/day) and third trimester (~450 kcal/day); screening for gestational diabetes; food-safety cautions (listeria, salmonella, mercury); and key nutrients including iron (27 mg/day) and choline from eggs. Episode Highlights: 01:22 Period Pain Sponsor 03:00 Why Episodes Paused 03:50 Pregnancy And Move 04:27 Genetic Risk Fears 09:34 Amniocentesis Results 12:20 Boy Mom Update 13:52 Work And Childcare 17:21 Embracing Stay At Home 22:03 Motherhood And Identity 25:01 Support Beyond Motherhood 27:47 Reds Help Resources 29:55 Recovery Membership Pitch 30:31 Pregnancy Nutrition Basics 32:25 First Trimester Nausea Tips 37:25 Second Trimester Calories 39:40 Third Trimester Growth 42:18 Glucose Test and Exercise 48:37 Food Safety While Pregnant 51:07 Key Micronutrients Folate Iron 54:03 Wrap Up and Subscribe 56:55 Podcast Outro Resources Resources and Links: FANP 140: My Newborn’s Medical Condition + Life Updates FANP 143: Individualized Nutrition For All + Glycogen Storage Disease FANP 132: Treating Chronic Heartburn & GERD Through Pregnancy For more information about the show, head to work with Lindsey on improving your nutrition, head to: http://www.lindseycortes.com/ Join REDS Recovery Membership: http://www.lindseycortes.com/reds WaveBye Supplements – Menstrual cycle support code LindseyCortes for 15% off: http://wavebye.co Previnex Supplements – Joint Health Plus, Muscle Health Plus, plant-based protein, probiotics, and more; code CORTES15 for 15% off: previnex.com Female Athlete Nutrition Podcast Archive & Search Tool – Search by sport, condition, or topic: lindseycortes.com/podcast Female Athlete Nutrition Community – YouTube, Instagram @‌femaleathletenutrition, and private Facebook group Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lindsey Elizabeth Cortes interviews returning guest Marina Paul, founder and CEO of Superhera, a data-driven sports apparel company addressing female athletes’ ill-fitting, male-centric gear and its links to body image and performance. Marina describes research conducted with 858 respondents (with researchers from Brooklyn College and Notre Dame) showing contradictions: 65% said sportswear is “fine,” yet 55% considered restricting food to fit better and 39% had done so; many also altered gear to make it work. Most athletes prioritized fit over look, and while 80% said they look like an athlete, descriptions of the “ideal” athlete emphasized being leaner and more toned. Marina explains Superhera’s evolution into a sizing technology company using athlete measurements and photos to recommend uniform sizes and create custom gear for teams, now including men’s teams. Marina Paul is the Founder and CEO of Superhera, a data-driven sports apparel company dedicated to closing the "gear gap" for female athletes. A former Division I soccer captain at Georgetown University, Marina transitioned from elite athletics to a career in consulting before launching Superhera to solve a systemic multi-billion dollar sizing error in the sportswear market. Her mission is deeply personal: after a successful career on the field was marred by a battle with body dysmorphia—driven by ill-fitting, male-centric uniforms—Marina set out to revolutionize the industry. Episode Highlights: 01:22 Period Pain Sponsor 03:00 Meet Marina Paul 04:57 Why Fit Matters 08:23 Data Driven Sportswear 12:29 Sizing Psychology 16:52 Survey Setup 24:59 Key Study Findings 29:52 REDS Check In 30:40 REDS Recovery Options 32:24 Athlete Body Awareness 34:33 Do I Look Athletic 37:19 Toned Lean Ideal Trap 38:33 Healthy Body Goals 42:18 Superhera Tech Evolution 48:05 Fit Over Fashion Trends 51:39 Work With Superhera 55:14 Closing Resources Resources and Links: Follow Marina Paul on Instagram Superhera Website For more information about the show, head to work with Lindsey on improving your nutrition, head to: http://www.lindseycortes.com/ Join REDS Recovery Membership: http://www.lindseycortes.com/reds WaveBye Supplements – Menstrual cycle support code LindseyCortes for 15% off: http://wavebye.co Previnex Supplements – Joint Health Plus, Muscle Health Plus, plant-based protein, probiotics, and more; code CORTES15 for 15% off: previnex.com Female Athlete Nutrition Podcast Archive & Search Tool – Search by sport, condition, or topic: lindseycortes.com/podcast Female Athlete Nutrition Community – YouTube, Instagram @‌femaleathletenutrition, and private Facebook group Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lindsey Elizabeth Cortes shares her take on the 2025–2030 USDA Dietary Guidelines released in 2026, explaining how the USDA updates them every five years and how they affect downstream food policy. She says the new inverted food pyramid and “eat real food” messaging feel more like marketing than a true 180, though she appreciates that the guidelines are shortened to 10 pages. From a sports dietetics lens, she critiques the low grain/carbohydrate guidance as inadequate for athletes, recommends past episodes on carbs, sugar, and during-training fuel, and notes athletes may need some refined carbs to avoid excessive fiber and GI issues. She likes the increased protein target (1.2–1.6 g/kg), the more permissive tone on whole fats despite a still-low saturated fat cap, and the stronger “limit alcohol” message, and discusses potential implications for SNAP, school lunches, and ultra-processed foods. Episode Highlights: 01:22 WaveBye Sponsor Break 03:00 USDA Guidelines Overview 04:21 What USDA Does 06:08 Food Pyramid to MyPlate 08:30 Inverted Pyramid Marketing 12:57 Eat Real Food Message 15:23 10 Page Guidelines Shift 16:24 Carb Limits for Athletes 19:31 Whole Grains vs Refined Fuel 19:57 Fiber and GI Reality Check 22:29 RED-S Check In and Resources 23:18 RED-S Recovery Options 24:18 Why Community Support Matters 25:02 Protein Targets Updated 27:15 Whole Fats And Saturated Fat 31:41 Alcohol Guidance Shift 35:58 Policy Ripple Effects 37:52 SNAP And Food Quality 40:50 Biggest Takeaways 42:02 Blame On Individuals 44:27 Final Thanks And Resources Resources and Links: Dietary Guidelines For Americans FANP Episode 103: Stop Cutting The Carbs! FANP Episode 248: The Science of Sugar for Athlete Performance & Health: Clarifying Natural vs Artificial vs Added FANP Episode 195: Fast Fueling Facts: During Training Sports Nutrition For more information about the show, head to work with Lindsey on improving your nutrition, head to: http://www.lindseycortes.com/ Join REDS Recovery Membership: http://www.lindseycortes.com/reds WaveBye Supplements – Menstrual cycle support code LindseyCortes for 15% off: http://wavebye.co Previnex Supplements – Joint Health Plus, Muscle Health Plus, plant-based protein, probiotics, and more; code CORTES15 for 15% off: previnex.com Female Athlete Nutrition Podcast Archive & Search Tool – Search by sport, condition, or topic: lindseycortes.com/podcast Female Athlete Nutrition Community – YouTube, Instagram @‌femaleathletenutrition, and private Facebook group Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lindsey Elizabeth Cortes, host of the Female Athlete Nutrition Podcast, reflects on Super Bowl ads, praising Dove’s body confidence message but feeling disheartened by multiple GLP-1 weight loss commercials and what she sees as renewed cultural pressure to lose weight. She clarifies she is not anti–weight loss or anti-medication, but supports body acceptance, fueling and nourishing with real food, and case-by-case medical decisions, and she critiques the broad “lose weight to be healthier” message, including concern about Serena Williams promoting Ozempic. Lindsey discusses REDs risk in female athletes and shares advice she gave an 11-year-old worried about being bigger than friends: bodies grow differently and she should keep fueling and training. She apologizes after a listener reported a GLP-1 ad ran on her podcast due to hosting-platform ad miscategorization, says it was fixed quickly, and invites listeners to email feedback. Episode Highlights: 01:22 Period Pain Sponsor 03:00 Super Bowl Ad Reactions 05:03 GLP-1 Concerns 09:09 Serena Ozempic Critique 11:13 Body Acceptance Call 11:42 REDS Support Resources 14:14 Girl Athlete Q and A 17:23 Ad Platform Apology 22:43 Listener Feedback Invite 24:57 Final Wrap Up Resources and Links: FANP EP237: Biggest Loser, Fit for TV, & Weight Loss from Sports Dietitian perspective For more information about the show, head to work with Lindsey on improving your nutrition, head to: http://www.lindseycortes.com/ Join REDS Recovery Membership: http://www.lindseycortes.com/reds WaveBye Supplements – Menstrual cycle support code LindseyCortes for 15% off: http://wavebye.co Previnex Supplements – Joint Health Plus, Muscle Health Plus, plant-based protein, probiotics, and more; code CORTES15 for 15% off: previnex.com Female Athlete Nutrition Podcast Archive & Search Tool – Search by sport, condition, or topic: lindseycortes.com/podcast Female Athlete Nutrition Community – YouTube, Instagram @‌femaleathletenutrition, and private Facebook group Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The episode features Nora Bordeau of Balancing Bowls, a former collegiate rower and food blogger focused on practical bean- and lentil-based cooking for families and athletes. They discuss types of beans and lentils, nutrition benefits (protein, complex carbs, fiber, micronutrients, antioxidants), and how beans can count as multiple food groups. They cover convenience, affordability, accessibility, and how to use canned versus dried beans (soaking, rinsing, cooking tips). They address gas and bloating, fiber tolerance, and strategies like gradual intake increases and discarding soaking liquid. Nora shares recipe ideas including bean salads, crispy chickpeas, stuffed peppers, brothy beans, pizza spreads, and using blended beans to create creamy soups. Nora Bourdeau is the creator of Balancing Bowls, a food blog focused on balanced, practical cooking with a special passion for beans and lentils. A former college athlete, Nora brings a grounded, food-first perspective to nourishment, strength, and sustainability in the kitchen, helping women fuel their lives with confidence and flexibility. Episode Highlights: 01:22 Period Pain Sponsor 03:00 Meet Nora Bourdeau 04:28 Why Beans Became The Focus 06:36 Athlete Background And Fueling 08:14 Bean Prep Stories And Tips 10:19 Beans And Lentils Explained 18:02 Nutrition Benefits Breakdown 22:47 Protein And Meal Ideas 26:40 Convenience Pantry Wins 31:08 RED-Ss Check In And Resources 33:07 RED-S Recovery Membership 33:40 Canned Beans Myths 34:52 Dried Beans Basics 36:04 Soaking and Cooking Tips 38:32 Brothy Beans and Soups 40:32 Busy Night Flexibility 44:20 Gas and Bloating Fixes 53:47 Favorite Bean Recipes 01:00:36 More Resources and Wrap Resources and Links: Balancing Bowls Website Follow Balancing Bowls on Instagram For more information about the show, head to work with Lindsey on improving your nutrition, head to: http://www.lindseycortes.com/ Join REDS Recovery Membership: http://www.lindseycortes.com/reds WaveBye Supplements – Menstrual cycle support code LindseyCortes for 15% off: http://wavebye.co Previnex Supplements – Joint Health Plus, Muscle Health Plus, plant-based protein, probiotics, and more; code CORTES15 for 15% off: previnex.com Female Athlete Nutrition Podcast Archive & Search Tool – Search by sport, condition, or topic: lindseycortes.com/podcast Female Athlete Nutrition Community – YouTube, Instagram @‌femaleathletenutrition, and private Facebook group Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lindsey Elizabeth Cortes, host of the Female Athlete Nutrition Podcast, welcomes returning guest Dr. Kate Bennett, a clinical sports psychologist, licensed Way of Champions trainer, and multiple-time national champion, to discuss her new venture, Full Send Consulting. Bennett explains that while her mental health practice (Athlete Insight) continues, Full Send was created to address the systemic gap between education about eating disorders/RED-S and rising prevalence rates by shifting from individual treatment to team- and coach-focused culture change. She outlines the Way of Champions philosophy—rooted in Eastern thought, mindfulness, values, and transformational (rather than transactional) coaching—emphasizing psychological safety, purpose, belonging, and eliminating fear-based scarcity mindsets to help teams become protective factors for athlete wellbeing. Lindsey connects these concepts to nutrition, RED-S prevention, and team-wide fueling standards, sharing an example of value-based work with a university equestrian team. They discuss how teammates and coaches influence culture, the importance of trust and accountability, and how athletes—including alternates—contribute to team success through relationships. Bennett describes how Full Send Consulting works with teams and one-on-one with coaches in customizable formats (one-day intensives to season-long support) and serves youth, high school, college, and professional teams in person, virtually, and via travel. Kate Bennett, PsyD, is a clinical sport psychologist. She is the reigning 2024 Downhill Masters National Champion in addition to being a two-time national track cycling champion. Prior to her clinical training, Dr. Bennett was an athletic trainer and cycling coach. She combines her sport experiences and clinical expertise to treat athletes recovering from eating disorders, disordered eating, exercise dependency, and REDs. Dr. Bennett authored "Treating Athletes with Eating Disorders." Episode Highlights: 01:22 Wave Bye Period Relief 03:00 Meet Dr Kate Bennett 05:41 Why Full Send Exists 10:38 From Awareness to Action 14:40 Why Rates Keep Rising 17:14 Way of Champions Method 20:30 Transactional vs Transformational 24:26 Fear and Scarcity Mindset 29:49 Trusting Teammates to Win 31:23 REDS Reality Check 32:03 Fierce Fit Fueled Support 33:55 From Rivalry to Girl Power 37:07 Olympic Alternates Matter 40:18 Team Nutrition Culture 41:33 Values Into Standards 43:01 Equestrian Team Case Study 47:53 Influence Is Never Neutral 48:48 Coaches Words About Food 53:43 Collaboration Circle Culture 54:45 Full Send Consulting Options 59:03 Final Resources and Farewell Resources and Links: FANP 215: Treating Athletes with Eating Disorders with Downhill Cycling Champion & Clinical Sport Psychologist Dr. Kate Bennett Full Send Consulting For more information about the show, head to work with Lindsey on improving your nutrition, head to: http://www.lindseycortes.com/ Join REDS Recovery Membership: http://www.lindseycortes.com/reds WaveBye Supplements – Menstrual cycle support code LindseyCortes for 15% off: http://wavebye.co Previnex Supplements – Joint Health Plus, Muscle Health Plus, plant-based protein, probiotics, and more; code CORTES15 for 15% off: previnex.com Female Athlete Nutrition Podcast Archive & Search Tool – Search by sport, condition, or topic: lindseycortes.com/podcast Female Athlete Nutrition Community – YouTube, Instagram @‌femaleathletenutrition, and private Facebook group Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

NEED HELP FOR AN EATING DISORDER? Call: 888-364-5977 or head to: https://emilyprogram.com/begin-recovery/ Host Lindsey Elizabeth Cortes interviews Dr. Jillian Lampert (Vice President of Strategy and Public Affairs at The Emily Program), who explains eating disorders as mental health diagnoses that disrupt a person’s relationship with food and negatively impact life, and outlines diagnoses including anorexia nervosa (including that it can occur without visible underweight), bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, ARFID, and OSFED; she notes orthorexia is not currently a DSM diagnosis. They discuss why athletes are at higher risk (temperament traits like persistence, rule-focus, and high standards combined with sport pressures), warning signs such as secrecy, defensiveness, and constant preoccupation with food, and serious health consequences including RED-S impacts, cardiac risk (especially with purging and electrolyte disruption), GI issues, bone and endocrine effects, and dental damage. Dr. Lampert describes The Emily Program’s full continuum of care (inpatient through outpatient, including virtual options), emphasizes individualized treatment for athletes (including decisions about training/competition), and shares Jessie Diggins’ public story of treatment, recovery, relapse, and ongoing support; the episode closes with encouragement to seek help by calling or requesting contact through emilyprogram.com. Dr. Jillian Lampert, PhD, MPH, RD, LD, FAED, is the Vice President of Strategy and Public Affairs for The Emily Program, a national eating disorder treatment company. She completed her doctorate degree in Nutrition and Epidemiology and Master of Public Health degree in Public Health Nutrition at the University of Minnesota. She earned a Master of Science degree in Nutrition at the University of Vermont and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinics. She has an expansive range of policy, clinical, research, education, teaching, and program development experience in the area of eating disorders. Episode Highlights: 01:22 Sponsor Break: WaveBye for Period Pain & Cycle Support 03:00 Eating Disorder Help Resources (NEDA + Emily Program) 04:00 Meet Dr. Jillian Lampert + Why Awareness Week Matters 06:26 Eating Disorders 101: What They Are (and Aren’t) 08:31 Types of Eating Disorders: Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating, ARFID, OSFED 12:21 Where Orthorexia Fits + When “Healthy Eating” Becomes Harmful 15:25 Why Athletes Are Higher Risk: Temperament, Perfectionism & Pressure 17:25 Crossing the Line: Red Flags Like Secrecy, Defensiveness & Isolation 21:21 The “Iceberg” of ED Thoughts + How Much You Think About Food 25:02 Sponsor Break: RED-S Quiz + Recovery Membership & Coaching 27:34 Physical Consequences: RED-S, Heart Risk, Electrolytes & GI Damage 34:43 Why you should still talk to a doctor (even if they’re not ED-trained) 35:24 From consequences to recovery: the real goal is feeling good again 36:02 Inside The Emily Program: levels of care from inpatient to outpatient 37:59 What makes The Emily Program different: all levels, nationwide, long-term support 40:32 Athletes & recovery goals: using your drive without expecting a quick fix 41:54 Jessie Diggins’ story: treatment, relapse, and staying on the team 43:00 Can you keep training in treatment? How athlete care is individualized now 51:45 Recovery is possible: skills that last, hope after relapse, and being your best self 55:28 How to get help today: website, phone call, and don’t wait 59:03 Final takeaway + where to find resources and support Resources and Links: For more information about the show, head to work with Lindsey on improving your nutrition, head to: http://www.lindseycortes.com/ Join REDS Recovery Membership: http://www.lindseycortes.com/reds WaveBye Supplements – Menstrual cycle support code LindseyCortes for 15% off: http://wavebye.co Previnex Supplements – Joint Health Plus, Muscle Health Plus, plant-based protein, probiotics, and more; code CORTES15 for 15% off: previnex.com Female Athlete Nutrition Podcast Archive & Search Tool – Search by sport, condition, or topic: lindseycortes.com/podcast Female Athlete Nutrition Community – YouTube, Instagram @‌femaleathletenutrition, and private Facebook group Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Female Athlete Nutrition Podcast, host Lindsey Elizabeth Cortes discusses the complexities of nutrition, especially for female athletes, and the high expectations placed on them. Special guest Jess Cerra, Vice President of Product and Community Development at Elite Active Nutrition, shares her journey from an elite athlete to an entrepreneur in the sports nutrition industry. They dive deep into the importance of electrolytes, how sweat testing can help optimize hydration and balance, and the innovative products offered by Salt Stick. They also touch on Jess's personal athletic achievements and provide practical advice on managing nutrition and hydration for optimal performance. Episode Highlights: 01:22 The Impact of Menstrual Health on Female Athletes 03:01 Meet Our Guest: Jess Cerra 04:58 Jess Cerra's Athletic Journey and Education 09:43 Challenges and Triumphs in Professional Cycling 11:57 The Role of Mentorship in Sports 14:38 Transitioning to a Career in Sports Nutrition 16:03 Introduction to Elite Active Nutrition 21:35 The Importance of Electrolytes for Athletes 30:22 Recognizing Signs of Heat Stroke and Dehydration 31:03 Importance of Electrolytes in Recovery 31:43 Understanding Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDS) 32:23 Resources for Managing REDS 34:12 Practical Tips for Sweat Testing 36:06 Electrolyte Needs for Endurance Athletes 38:25 Debunking Myths About Electrolytes 39:09 Choosing the Right Electrolyte Products 41:52 Sweat Testing Methods and Tools 48:33 Electrolyte Needs for Different Athletes 56:40 Final Thoughts and Resources Cerra's athletic journey began with triathlons, where she quickly excelled, becoming the XTERRA amateur national champion in 2011 and ranking sixth in the professional women's division by 2011. Transitioning to professional road cycling in 2015, she competed for UCI Continental teams including Twenty16 (now Twenty24) and Hagens Berman–Supermint. Her notable achievements include winning the sprint classification and Stage 4 at the 2018 Redlands Bicycle Classic. Beyond her athletic pursuits, Cerra is the founder of JoJé Bar, a gluten-free, real-food energy bar designed for endurance athletes, which became part of the Alete Active Nutrition portfolio in 2021. She also co-founded The Last Best Ride, a gravel cycling event in her hometown of Whitefish, Montana, which allocates its proceeds to scholarships for women pursuing post-secondary education. Use code FAN20 for 20% off at saltstick.com Resources and Links: Follow Jess on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesscerra/?hl=en Follow SaltStick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltstick/?hl=en For more information about the show, head to work with Lindsey on improving your nutrition, head to: http://www.lindseycortes.com/ Join REDS Recovery Membership: http://www.lindseycortes.com/reds WaveBye Supplements – Menstrual cycle support code LindseyCortes for 15% off: http://wavebye.co Previnex Supplements – Joint Health Plus, Muscle Health Plus, plant-based protein, probiotics, and more; code CORTES15 for 15% off: previnex.com Female Athlete Nutrition Podcast Archive & Search Tool – Search by sport, condition, or topic: lindseycortes.com/podcast Female Athlete Nutrition Community – YouTube, Instagram @‌femaleathletenutrition, and private Facebook group Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Female Athlete Nutrition Podcast, host Lindsey Elizabeth Cortes interviews Sarah Krol, Vice President of Food and Nutrition at NSF, and John Travis, Principal Technical Manager at NSF. They discuss the complexities of nutrition and the importance of food safety and supplement standards. Kroll and Travis emphasize the role of NSF in protecting and improving human health through rigorous testing and certification processes, particularly in the areas of supplements, food products, and cosmetics. They also touch on the evolving landscape of consumer demand for clean and safe products, and NSF's role in ensuring quality and safety in a variety of industries. This episode provides valuable insights into how consumers can make informed choices about the products they use. Episode Highlights: 01:22 The Impact of Period Pain on Women's Lives 03:01 Meet the Experts: Sarah Krol and John Travis 06:25 NSF for Sport: Ensuring Supplement Safety 09:21 The Importance of Certification and Standards 28:17 Addressing RED-S in Female Athletes 33:32 The Evolving Landscape of Supplements 34:29 NSF's Expanding Role Beyond Supplements 39:32 Food Safety and Consumer Awareness 43:03 Supply Chain Stressors and Adulteration Risks 45:36 The Rise of Sugar Substitutes 50:27 Lead in Protein Powders: Understanding the Risks 54:39 The Importance of Certification and Safe Consumption 57:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts John Travis has more than 25 years of experience in analyzing dietary supplements, utilizing techniques such as gas and high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. His expertise in the analysis of dietary supplements for ingredients prohibited by antidoping organizations was instrumental in developing screening methods for NSF’s Certified for Sport program. These procedures help analyze and detect potentially harmful substances, contaminants and emerging drugs in dietary supplements. He joined NSF in 1995. Sarah Krol is Vice President, Food and Nutrition at NSF is responsible for NSF’s global Food and Nutrition division, which includes primary food production/agriculture and fisheries, food manufacturing and distribution, product claims certifications such as Organics/Non-GMO (including NSF’s subsidiary Quality Assurance International), and nutrition and wellness (including supplements and cosmetics). Resources and Links: For more information about the show, head to work with Lindsey on improving your nutrition, head to: http://www.lindseycortes.com/ Join REDS Recovery Membership: http://www.lindseycortes.com/reds WaveBye Supplements – Menstrual cycle support code LindseyCortes for 15% off: http://wavebye.co Previnex Supplements – Joint Health Plus, Muscle Health Plus, plant-based protein, probiotics, and more; code CORTES15 for 15% off: previnex.com Female Athlete Nutrition Podcast Archive & Search Tool – Search by sport, condition, or topic: lindseycortes.com/podcast Female Athlete Nutrition Community – YouTube, Instagram @‌femaleathletenutrition, and private Facebook group Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.