Eating is a Lifestyle

Many people believe emotional eating is simply a matter of willpower. But emotional eating is often connected to something deeper — the nervous system.   In this episode of the Eating as a Lifestyle Podcast, registered dietitian Tobi Page talks with trauma resolution practitioner Dr. Pawan Bareja about how the nervous system, stress, and trauma can influence eating behaviors.   You’ll learn why emotional eating isn’t just about food or discipline, how stress responses can shape our relationship with eating, and why traditional diet approaches often fail to address the real issue.   Understanding the nervous system can help us approach emotional eating with more compassion — and more effective solutions.   In this episode:   • Why emotional eating isn’t a willpower problem • How the nervous system influences eating habits • The connection between trauma, stress, and food • Why dieting doesn’t solve emotional eating • A more compassionate way to understand your relationship with food   Links to Pawan's upcoming workshop and course: Resilience: Working with Trauma, Cultivating Aliveness 📅 March 28–29, 2026 (online via Zoom) https://spirit-rock.secure.retreat.guru/program/resilience-working-with-trauma-cultivating-aliveness-pb1m26/   Resilience and the Open Heart: Somatic Practices for Everyday Stress This is a 6-session course that teaches somatic and mindfulness practices to regulate the nervous system and build resilience. https://courses.spiritrock.org/sp/resilience-and-the-open-heart-somatic-practices-for-everyday-stress/ Learn more about Dr. Bareja here: https://www.spiritrock.org/teachers/pawan-bareja  

Author of Courageously Authentic, Brenda Hukel, talks about the journey her book takes the reader on. Beginning with where you are at today, with all the experiences you've had, and finding your inner light so you can shine brighter in the second half of your life. Brenda's messages are validating and empowering. Get Brenda's book on Amazon and find her at BrendaHukel.com Thank you for listening, Tobi from Eating is a Lifestyle

Sarah Jones and her husband live in their RV full-time and they rarely eat in restaurants. She says, "I'm usually disappointed because I can make something better for a lot less."  Sarah is a Jill-of-many-trades, but one of those is how to make the most of our food dollars. This doesn't always mean finding the cheapest item or even spending less at the grocery store. What it does mean is that you feel good about what you have brought home and know it is a good value.  Our conversation today goes beyond budgeting and gets to the heart of our food expenditures. Thanks for listening! Get Sarah's digital Recipe Books here- https://keepingupwiththejonesesfc.com/Food

Tobi walks through the 10 Principles of Intuitive Eating and talks about how they work with the idea of "portion control," weight loss's most difficult challenge in our modern world. 10 Principles of Intuitive Eating Balance your Big 4 for the best way to manage portions without counting, measuring, or tracking; try making a Big 4 Grain Bowl

Dr. Kelly Kessler shares her journey to finding her authentic self. Technically trained as a Physical Therapist, Dr. Kelly uses her knowledge of the mind-body connection to help high-achieving women heal from self-abandonment. Connect with Dr. Kelly at http://www.optimalyouhealthandwellness.com/ Connect with Tobi at eatingisalifestyle.com Join the Facebook Group No More Diets facebook.com/groups/nomorediets  

Whether you are over 50 or over 80, you need strength to continue to do the things you love. Janine Tiede understands the psychology of getting, and staying, motivated to move your body to stay fit and flexible for life. She offers some tips for getting started and getting over those initial hurtles that have kept you from enjoying a sustainable exercise routine. All of her programs can be found at WinWithYoga.co and you can find her on Instagram like I did, here. Connect with Tobi at Eating is a Lifestyle  

From early signs of menopause and diabetes, to heart disease and high blood pressure, your dental hygienist can save your life. Stephanie Butler, RDH, EPP shares how she helps patients connect the dots to uncover possible serious diagnoses. Follow her, Dr. Brannen, and the rest of the team at Lake Grove Dental  Email Tobi and join her at Eating is a Lifestyle on Instagram and Facebook

Tonya Yanok, the "TMI Doctor", is a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor therapy. This wildly under-discussed topic has brought relief to so many women who were desperate to relieve their pelvic pain or incontinence. Tonya talks about the simple things we can do, and not do (ahem, kegels?) to maintain a strong and healthy pelvic floor.  Find Tonya at TMIDoctor.com Connect with Tobi at eatingisalifestyle.com or on Facebook or Instagram

I found Sadie on Instagram @sadiehitskynutrition and immediately loved what she had to say about diet and IBS.  Listen in as we talk about the "practical & tactical" and the misconceptions of IBS. We talked about a few misconceptions and what doctors should do with your questions. Follow Tobi @eatingisalifestyle on Instagram and Facebook

A conversation with Dr. Brian Seitz from Spellmeyer Chiropractic reveals how good nutrition and good spinal function reduce inflammation and can help reduce our risk of chronic disease.  To get an idea of your ratio of omega-3's:omega-6's, and therefore a sense of whether or not your diet has too much processed oils, check out Omega 3 Index: https://omegaquant.com/ Here's a link to the Vagus nerve stimulator Dr. Seitz recommends for a techy way to calm your nervous system.   For more on the medical controversy between the AMA and chiropractors in the 1980's, check out Wilk vs AMA Looking back at the lawsuit that transformed the chiropractic profession   Connect with Dr. Seitz at Spellmeyer Chiropractic in Hillsboro, Oregon   Thanks for listening, have a healthy day!   Join the Eating is a Lifestyle Community on Facebook!  

Tobi is joined by fellow dietitian, Alison Bame, who shares her amazing story of beating cancer just to be thrown into early menopause and a chain reaction of hormonal imbalance. Today Alison is living her best life, full of energy, and shares her expertise in Women's Health with us! Find Alison at AlisonBame.com  *Fact check: Organic produce typically has been sprayed with organic pesticides and herbicides

Meredith interviews Tobi about The Big 4. Listen in to learn how it all started. Tobi shares how her "moxie" mixed with her background in education led to the creation of this revolutionary model. Tobi shares how her clients are using the Big 4 to lose weight, manage diabetes, and improve their relationship with food. After keeping it a secret for years, Tobi is making The Big 4 accessible to everyone.  Download the app in the App Store today! Visit eatingisalifestyle.com

What's for dinner? Hear how Tobi and Meredith manage meal planning in their busy lives. They have some great tips and share stories of failures of the past and struggles remaining today.  Meredith's Meal Planning Journal can be purchased through Amazon from SavvyDietitian.com https://savvydietitian.com/menu-planning-journal/ Connect with Tobi at eatingisalifestyle.com

Hunger, fullness, and the feeling of satiety are complex, to say the least. Tobi describes her Hunger/Fullness Scale and we talk about The Mindful Eating Script from Dr. Michelle May. Meredith shares her experiences of learning from patients with dementia. Learn more about Dr. May at https://amihungry.com/  

Whether you're eating "100% Yum, 0% Guilt" chips or a juicy bacon cheeseburger- all foods fit, right? Tobi and Meredith talk about how to know what "eat in moderation" means for you. 

Tobi and Meredith introduce themselves with stories from childhood to today. Both dietitians share their passion for real-life eating and why this podcast is important. Thanks for listening! We would love to hear from you! Send us an email. To connect with Meredith send to [email protected]  Reach Tobi at [email protected]