253. Understanding Your Inner Critic (And How to Respond) with Dr. Jeanne Catanzaro

“I want to offer you a perspective shift when it comes to your inner a-hole voice. What if that voice and even your struggles with food are not actually the problem? What if they are trying to help you?”What if your inner critic isn’t the enemy, but a protective part of you? In this episode, I’m joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Jeanne Catanzaro to explore how Internal Family Systems (IFS) can help you understand the different “parts” driving your thoughts and behaviors around food. We unpack why dieting can feel safe even when it’s not serving you, and how to replace self-criticism with curiosity and compassion so you can break free from old cycles and build a healthier, more supportive relationship with yourself.What You’ll Learn:Where your inner critic really comes from, and why it’s so loud about food and bodyWhy dieting and controlling food can serve as coping mechanisms (and what they’re trying to protect you from)How the tug of war between food freedom and restriction happens inside, and why it actually makes senseSteps to start responding to your inner critic with curiosity and compassion rather than shameWhat it means (and looks like) to approach your relationship with food differently, so you can finally break the cycleResources:Jeanne's book, Unburdened Eating: An Internal Family Systems Approach to Healing Your Relationships with Food and Your BodyJeanne's WebsiteIFS InstituteEpisode 220, How Tracking Macros Turned Toxic for Jamie (and the food freedom she finally found!)Grab the Hunger & Fullness Scale Guide at DietCultureRebel.com/hungerfullnessscale and take your next step toward building trust with your body and food.Connect with me over on Instagram at @diet.culture.rebel.Struggling with food, but not sure where to start?You don’t have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you're tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we’re covered in your state and learn how to get started.

"Aiming for a protein goal cannot be done at the expense of adequate calories, carbs, and fats."Do you ever wonder whether tracking protein could help or harm your journey to food freedom? In this episode, I’m answering common questions that come up while healing your relationship with food, including the protein craze, rebuilding trust with hunger cues, and what really happens during the honeymoon phase after restriction. We’ll also talk about why macros can feel so mentally consuming, how to feel less out of control around “forbidden” foods, and the powerful transformation possible on the other side of food rules.What You’ll Learn:Why following a protein goal might be helpful or harmful when moving towards intuitive eatingHow to honestly reflect on your history with tracking numbers, food rules, and body checkingWays to start recognizing (and honoring) your hunger cues againThe truth about the honeymoon phase after restriction and why feeling out of control is actually a normal, necessary stepPractical tips to ground yourself emotionally when doubts and fears come up in your food freedom journeySimple ways to implement flexibility, curiosity, and self-trust in your day-to-day eating choicesResources:Grab the Hunger & Fullness Scale Guide at DietCultureRebel.com/hungerfullnessscale and take your next step toward building trust with your body and food.Episode 198, Is the Protein Craze Just Diet Culture...or Valid? Deciphering Protein Needs As An Intuitive EaterConnect with me over on Instagram at @diet.culture.rebel.Struggling with food, but not sure where to start?You don’t have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you're tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we’re covered in your state and learn how to get started.

"Weight neutral healthcare will allow people to access healthcare in a non-stigmatized and welcoming way, and will be treated the same as a patient of any body size."Have you ever walked into a doctor’s office excited about your progress with intuitive eating, only to leave questioning everything after your doctor brought the conversation back to your weight? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m joined by Jackie Liu, a third-year medical student at Harvard and co-advocacy lead for Medical Students for Size Inclusivity (MSSI). Together, we unpack what weight-neutral healthcare really looks like, why it matters, and how weight stigma impacts your ability to trust your body. We also explore the power dynamics in medical settings and share practical ways to advocate for yourself and find more supportive care so you can leave guilt and shame behind.✅ What You’ll Learn:How weight neutral healthcare differs from the weight-focused appointments we’re so used toWhy the healthcare system’s view of bodies isn't the absolute truth, and why your body is not the problemThe impact weight stigma and anti-fat bias have on your willingness to seek care (and your self-blame)What it actually looks like to walk into a weight neutral appointment, and real-life examples you can use to advocate for yourselfThe shift happening among medical students and healthcare providers who are questioning the status quo🔗 Resources:MSSI WebsiteAssociation for Weight and Size Inclusive MedicineNational Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA)Ragen Chastain's SubstackGrab the Hunger & Fullness Scale Guide at DietCultureRebel.com/hungerfullnessscale and take your next step toward building trust with your body and food.Connect with me over on Instagram at @diet.culture.rebel.Struggling with food, but not sure where to start?You don’t have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you're tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we’re covered in your state and learn how to get started.

"Mindful eating, at its core, is about how you eat, not what you eat or how much you eat."Ready to rethink everything you’ve been told about mindful eating? In this episode, we ditch diet culture definitions and get back to what mindful eating really is. I also share three easy, realistic mindful eating tips to help you tune into your body, stay present, and feel more satisfied...no pressure, rules, or perfection needed.What You’ll Learn:Why diet culture misinformation has shaped our beliefs about mindful eatingHow mindful eating is about how you eat (not what or how much you eat)Simple, everyday mindful eating check ins for your next mealWhen mindful eating is not the best tool, and how to practice compassion for yourself in those momentsHow sensory specific satiety can help you understand your changing satisfaction while eatingResources:Grab the Hunger & Fullness Scale Guide at DietCultureRebel.com/hungerfullnessscale and take your next step toward building trust with your body and food.Connect with me over on Instagram at @diet.culture.rebel.Struggling with food, but not sure where to start?You don’t have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you're tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we’re covered in your state and learn how to get started.

"When I learned how to move well, my body felt good. When I was connected to my body and my movement, my body felt good. When I ignored it, my body was telling me to stop."Movement has been so tied to punishment, control, and calorie burn for so many of us, and I’ve been there too. In this episode, I sit down with Coach Tyler Bramlett to challenge everything we’ve been taught about exercise, sharing my own shift from overdoing cardio and tying movement to food to focusing on how I actually want to feel. We also dive into Tyler’s journey from creating weight loss–focused programs to helping people reconnect with movement in a way that feels supportive, sustainable, and rooted in self-care, not shame.What You'll Learn:How movement can actually support your body, improve how you feel, and help heal your relationship with foodHow years of “no pain, no gain” and diet culture messaging keep us disconnected from what our bodies truly needWhy so many feel stuck in the cycle of exercise as punishment or failing to follow through, and what to do insteadThe difference between intrinsic motivation and guilt-based pressure in movementHow a mindset shift toward self-worth can foster consistency and joy in exerciseSimple ways to practice connecting with and respecting your body, starting right nowResources:Use http://www.weshape.com/bonnie for a WeShape discount!WeShape YouTube ChannelInstagram: @weshape.wellness Podcast Instagram: @feeling.lighter.podcastGrab the Hunger & Fullness Scale Guide at DietCultureRebel.com/hungerfullnessscale and take your next step toward building trust with your body and food.Connect with me over on Instagram at @diet.culture.rebel.Struggling with food, but not sure where to start?You don’t have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you're tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we’re covered in your state and learn how to get started.

”Your body is not the problem. Whether we are talking about hunger returning after coming off medication, struggling to eat intuitively when life is busy, or healing your relationship with food over time, so much of this comes back to understanding your biology and approaching yourself with compassion instead of blame.”In this Q&A episode, I answer real community questions about coming off GLP-1 medications, navigating rushed meals, and my personal journey with intuitive eating. We’ll normalize changes like increased hunger, unpack how diet culture has distorted our understanding of these responses, and share simple, practical ways to support your mindset, eating habits, and rebuild trust with your body.What You’ll Learn:What may happen biologically and emotionally when someone stops GLP-1 medication for weight lossWhy intensified hunger, cravings, and weight regain are normal (and not your fault)How to approach eating when you’re short on time and can’t fully check in with hunger and fullness cuesWays to make mindful eating work for you, even when fast or distracted meals are your realityThe importance of creating a self-care plan when navigating big changesHow my personal intuitive eating journey changed my relationship with foodResources:Grab the Hunger & Fullness Scale Guide at DietCultureRebel.com/hungerfullnessscale and take your next step toward building trust with your body and food.Episode 212, Weight Loss Using GLP-1 Medications (What You're NOT Hearing in the Highlight Reels)Connect with me over on Instagram at @diet.culture.rebel.Struggling with food, but not sure where to start?You don’t have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you're tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we’re covered in your state and learn how to get started.

"Just because a food is categorized as an ultra-processed food does not make it bad or unhealthy."Ultra-processed foods are making headlines, being blasted as addictive and dangerous, but what does the evidence actually tell us? In this episode, I unpack what ultra-processed foods really are, how the NOVA classification system defines them, and why the research linking them to binge eating, “food addiction,” and eating disorders is more complex than it sounds. We also explore how diet culture, restriction, and personal food history shape our relationship with food, and why finding peace with food requires more compassion and less moralizing of food.What You’ll Learn:What ultra-processed foods actually are, how they’re defined in research, and why these definitions matterHow media messaging about ultra-processed foods can activate guilt and food anxietyWhat current research actually says about the links between ultra-processed foods, binge eating, and so-called “food addiction”The limitations of using “food addiction” scales and why your dieting history can shape your behaviors around these foodsThe power of habituation: how repeated, less-restricted exposure to ultra-processed foods can actually decrease bingesWhy context, including diet culture, weight stigma, socioeconomic status, and upbringing, matters more than the headlines ever mentionResources:Examining the Nova Food Classification System and the Healthfulness of Ultra-Processed FoodsGrab the Hunger & Fullness Scale Guide at DietCultureRebel.com/hungerfullnessscale and take your next step toward building trust with your body and food.Connect with me over on Instagram at @diet.culture.rebel.Struggling with food, but not sure where to start?You don’t have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you're tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we’re covered in your state and learn how to get started.

"Yoga is a place where I can let go of who I decided that I'm supposed to be and see myself from a different perspective."Do you ever feel like movement is just another box to check off instead of something that actually feels good? In this episode, I’m joined by yoga teacher, author, and entrepreneur Jessamyn Stanley to talk about how diet culture and anti-fat bias shape our relationship with exercise and why so many people experience movement as punishing or shameful. Jessamyn shares her journey from a less-than-inspiring first yoga class to developing a more compassionate relationship with her body by simply giving herself permission to try. Together, we unpack how to untangle movement from pressure to change your body, navigate fitness spaces that don’t always feel inclusive, and rebuild trust, presence, and self-respect through practices like yoga...even on days when body love feels out of reach.What You’ll Learn:How diet culture shapes our relationships with exercise, making movement feel forced, punishing, or like a choreWhy shame shows up so often in fitness spaces, and how to approach body image with compassion and respect instead of pressure to “love” your bodyPractical ways to rebuild trust with your body and make movement genuinely enjoyableThe ways yoga and intuitive eating both teach you to check in with your body’s cues and respond with care instead of controlHow to begin separating wellness practices (like yoga) from diet culture narratives and reclaim movement for yourselfThe power of advocacy, showing up shamelessly, and why seeing real, diverse bodies in movement spaces matters for everyoneConnect with Jessamyn:Instagram: @theunderbellyyogaInstagram: @mynameisjessamynWebsiteJoin The Underbelly for freeStruggling to know when to eat or when to stop isn’t a failure… it could be a byproduct of following diet rules instead of your body’s cues. The free Hunger & Fullness Scale Guide helps you ditch the noise and tune back into the cues your body is sending to build trust with your body and food. Get it at DietCultureRebel.com/hungerfullnessscale.Come back next week for another episode and connect with me over on Instagram at @diet.culture.rebel.Struggling with food, but not sure where to start?You don’t have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you're tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we’re covered in your state and learn how to get started.

"I truly worry about the impact that scary claims like this can make on people's relationships with food and their bodies."Bold headlines about weight loss and health risks seem to be everywhere these days. In this episode, I unpack a meta-analysis claiming intentional weight loss may be associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality by 15% and explain what the research actually says, what it leaves out, and why the headlines don’t tell the full story. I also share the emotional impact these messages can have, especially if you’re struggling with food and body image, and break down the limitations of the most-cited study.What You’ll Learn:How to critically analyze bold claims about weight loss and healthWhy headlines about weight and mortality are often more misleading than they seemWhat the Look AHEAD study really found (and why its impact on the meta-analysis matters)Why intentional weight loss rarely leads to the dramatic results diet culture promisesHow research often gets twisted or oversimplified to create anxiety around eating, body size, and healthSimple steps you can take to chip away at internalized anti-fat bias and widen your perspectiveResources:Meta-Analysis: Intentional weight loss and all-cause mortality: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trialsLook AHEAD Study: Cardiovascular Effects of Intensive Lifestyle Intervention in Type 2 DiabetesGrab the Hunger & Fullness Scale Guide at DietCultureRebel.com/hungerfullnessscale and take your next step toward building trust with your body and food.Connect with me over on Instagram at @diet.culture.rebel.Struggling with food, but not sure where to start?You don’t have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you're tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we’re covered in your state and learn how to get started.

"If we are not clear on what our values are, they will be prescribed for us."Is living by someone else’s “shoulds” quietly running your life? In this conversation with psychotherapist and Momwell founder, Erica Djossa, we unpack how inherited expectations around productivity, motherhood, and diet culture can pull you away from your true values and impact your relationship with food and your body. You’ll leave with practical steps and reflective questions to identify what actually matters to you, build self-trust, and choose peace over burnout.What You’ll Learn:How our definition of health is shaped, and sometimes distorted, by family, society, and diet cultureWhy living a values-aligned life can anchor your food and body healing journeySimple ways to start untangling the “shoulds” from your true prioritiesHow to use your values as a compass when food rules and comparison creep inStrategies to sort out which values are genuinely yours, and which are inherited or anxiety-drivenHow self-compassion and curiosity can guide you through value discovery, even when it feels messy or emotionalConnect with Erica:Instagram: @momwell Momwell websiteErica's websiteFree Values SortStruggling to know when to eat or when to stop isn’t a failure… it could be a byproduct of following diet rules instead of your body’s cues. The free Hunger & Fullness Scale Guide helps you ditch the noise and tune back into the cues your body is sending to build trust with your body and food. Get it at DietCultureRebel.com/hungerfullnessscale.Come back next week for another episode and connect with me over on Instagram at @diet.culture.rebel.Struggling with food, but not sure where to start?You don’t have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you're tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we’re covered in your state and learn how to get started.