Episode Highlights:

• Happy New Year from Molly and Clarissa! 🎉
• A discussion on their focus words for 2025: Flourishing (Clarissa) and Emanation (Molly).
• Reflections on how these guiding concepts shape their personal and professional goals for the new year.

Main Topic: Slips vs. Recurrence in Recovery

• Clarifying terminology: Slip, lapse, recurrence, and relapse—what they mean and why language matters in addiction recovery.
• The role of compassion: How self-compassion serves as a tool for growth and a buffer against shame.
• Identifying signs of vulnerability: Subtle indicators that may lead to slips or recurrences and strategies to recognize and address them early.
• Empowering recovery: Practical steps to take after a slip and how to differentiate it from a recurrence.

Key Takeaways:

• Recovery isn’t linear, and slips are not shameful
• Language matters. Terms like “recurrence” or “return to use” can reduce shame and empower recovery.
• Support systems, self-compassion, and curiosity are essential tools in navigating challenges.
• Recovery is about resilience and learning, not perfection.

Mantras for Recovery:

• Perseverance over perfection.
• Consistency over intensity.
• Compassion over criticism.
• Resilience over regret.
• Learning over guilt.
• Connection over isolation.
• Empowerment over temptation.

Listener Call-to-Action:

• Share your feedback or topic suggestions for Clinician's Corner! Email us at foodjunkiespodcast@gmail.com.

Looking Ahead:

• Stay tuned for next month’s Clinician’s Corner and join the conversation on important topics in food addiction recovery.

Resources Mentioned:

• Marty Lerner’s “So What, Now What” approach.
• John Kelly’s research on recovery and remission timelines.

Let’s Connect:

• Email: foodjunkiespodcast@gmail.com
• Follow Sweet Sobriety for updates on workshops, conferences, and recovery tools.

Thank You for Listening! We’re grateful to have you on this journey. Remember: Recovery is about progress, perseverance, and connection. You’ve got this! 💪

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

In this episode, CJ sits down with Sarah Hood, a Community Nurse from England, to explore her journey into the field of Ultra-Processed Food Addiction. With over 25 years of medical experience across England, Italy, Belgium, Kuwait, and Dubai, Sarah has witnessed countless patients struggling with food-related behaviors while also battling her own challenges with sugar dependency.

Sarah shares the pivotal moment that changed her life—a chance encounter with a book at an airport that set her on the path to recovery and fueled her passion for helping others facing similar struggles. With a deep appreciation for the complexities of the recovery journey, Sarah discusses how sharing, community, and understanding physiology have played a critical role in overcoming personal challenges and supporting others on their road to healing.

Join us for this inspiring conversation about the power of awareness, connection, and science in the fight against food addiction.

Feel free to join our supportive community on Facebook: Sugar-Free for Life Support Group - where we believe "I'm Sweet Enough."

If you're considering personalized assistance, CJ, a Certified Addiction Professional specializing in Food Addiction, is here for one-on-one coaching. Reach out to CJ at cjnguy@myfoodaddictioncoach.com

Interested in sharing your recovery story on our show? We'd love to hear from you! Please email FJRecoverystories@gmail.com

If you find inspiration in recovery narratives, you won't want to miss the Food Junkies Podcast. Check it out at https://www.foodjunkiespodcast.com/.

Building on the foundation laid in Part 1, Dr. Padda explains how understanding and addressing meta-inflammation can unlock new pathways for treatment and recovery.

Dr. Padda is a board-certified expert in anesthesiology, interventional pain, addiction, obesity, chronic pain, and metabolic health. His comprehensive knowledge bridges cutting-edge science and practical solutions for food addiction recovery.

Key Topics Covered:

• Meta-Inflammation: How chronic low-grade inflammation impacts multiple systems, leading to conditions like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and food addiction.
• Leptin Resistance: Why excess fat mass leads to a diminished satiety response, systemic inflammation, and chronic pain – and how to reverse it through dietary and lifestyle changes.
• The Role of the Vagus Nerve: How this critical communication highway between the gut and brain influences mood, inflammation, and cravings, with practical tips for stimulation and optimization.
• Processed Foods and Inflammation: The dangers of excess omega-6 fats, MSG, and their role in dysregulating the gut microbiome, leading to issues like leaky gut, cravings, and poor mental health.
• Practical Solutions: Tools like omega-3 supplementation, intermittent fasting, improving gut health, and leveraging vagus nerve stimulation to manage and reduce inflammation.
• Emerging Tools: Insights into innovative AI technology developed by Dr. Pada’s team for real-time metabolic health tracking and its applications in clinical settings.

Dr. Padda’s Key Takeaways:

1. Move After Meals: Engage your muscles (especially quads) to improve insulin sensitivity.
2. Avoid Processed Foods: Minimize omega-6 intake, eliminate vegetable oils, and prioritize whole foods.
3. Eat for Satiety: Focus on high-protein, low-carb meals to maintain healthy leptin levels.
4. Mind Your Gut: Cultivate a healthy microbiome through prebiotics, probiotics, and avoiding antibiotics when possible.
5. Harness Lifestyle Tools: Incorporate vagus nerve stimulation techniques, such as deep breathing, yoga, and even clinical tools like auricular stimulation, to optimize metabolic and neurological health.

What’s Next for Dr. Padda:
Dr. Padda shares his work on AI-driven tools for monitoring and improving metabolic health. These innovations are poised to transform healthcare by providing real-time feedback and personalized recommendations for improving patient outcomes.

Signature Question:
When asked what advice he would give his younger self, Dr. Padda emphasizes the importance of avoiding processed foods and recognizing nutrition as a cornerstone of health.

Website: https://painmd.tv/

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Email us at foodjunkiespodcast@gmail.com or connect with us on social media:

• Website: www.foodjunkiespodcast.com

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.