170: Food Addiction, the Scale, and the Truth About Lasting Weight Loss

What if the reason you struggle with food has less to do with willpower and more to do with the foods you're eating? In this eye-opening episode of the Plant-Based Eating for Health podcast, host Kathleen Gage welcomes Amy Grespan for a candid conversation about food addiction, emotional eating, ultra-processed foods, healthy aging, and the power of whole food plant-based nutrition. Amy shares her personal journey from growing up in an Italian family where food was deeply connected to love and community, to recognizing her own struggles with food addiction and ultimately transforming her health through education, lifestyle changes, and plant-based nutrition. Throughout the conversation, Amy and Kathleen tackle important topics that affect millions of people, including why highly processed foods are designed to be addictive, how diet culture keeps people focused on the wrong metrics, and why true health is about far more than a number on the scale. They also discuss the important distinction between vegan eating and whole food plant-based nutrition, the role movement plays in healthy aging, and why support and community are essential for creating lasting change. Whether you're just beginning your health journey or looking for ways to strengthen your commitment to healthy living, you'll walk away with practical insights and actionable strategies you can implement immediately. Topics discussed include: • Food addiction and emotional eating • Ultra-processed foods and the "bliss point" • Whole food plant-based nutrition • Healthy aging and longevity • Movement and exercise at every age • The limitations of BMI and scale-focused thinking • Grocery shopping tips for healthier eating • Building sustainable habits that last Amy's compassionate approach reminds us that lasting health is not about perfection. It's about making consistent choices that support greater energy, vitality, and quality of life. Learn more at: https://www.veganvisibility.com/170-Amy-Grespan If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share it with others who are looking to improve their health through whole food plant-based living.