In this episode of Power Up Recovery with Nutrition, Christina Veselak sits down with Joan Ifland, PhD, MBA, FACN, a pioneer in food addiction recovery, to explore the connection between processed foods, cravings, brain function, addiction, and recovery.

Joan shares how her own experience with eliminating sugar and flour led her to recognize the powerful effect food could have on cravings, energy, brain fog, and emotional wellbeing—and ultimately inspired her decades of work in processed food addiction.

Together, Christina and Joan discuss why struggles with processed foods may go far beyond willpower. They explore food cues, environmental triggers, marketing, sugar and processed foods in substance use recovery, blood sugar stability, amino acids, self-compassion, and the importance of supportive communities.

This conversation offers a different way of understanding cravings and recovery—one that considers not only personal choices, but also brain chemistry, environment, social connection, and the powerful influences surrounding the foods we eat.

Key Topics Covered

• Why processed food cravings may involve more than willpower
• How sugar, fat, salt, food cues, and availability may influence cravings
• The connection between processed food addiction and substance use recovery
• Why some people in early recovery may shift toward sugar and highly processed foods
• How food marketing and environmental triggers can affect the brain and behavior
• Why shame and self-blame may make recovery harder
• The role of regular meals, blood sugar stability, and avoiding deprivation
• Why community and social environment can be critical to long-term recovery
• How amino acids, nutrition, and other supportive practices may fit into a broader recovery approach

Meet Our Guest

Joan Ifland, PhD, MBA, FACN, is a pioneer in the field of food addiction recovery and has been developing innovative approaches to recovery from processed food addiction since 1999.

She is the lead editor of Processed Food Addiction: Foundations, Assessment, and Recovery, published by CRC Press in 2018, and is the lead author of the first scholarly publication describing refined food addiction and defining addictive foods.

Dr. Ifland is a Fellow of the American College of Nutrition. She earned her PhD in Addictive Nutrition from Union Institute and University in 2010, her MBA from Stanford Business School in 1978, and her BA in Economics and Political Science from Oberlin College in 1974.

She was also selected by the Oprah Winfrey Network as the food addiction specialist on The Book of John Gray.

Dr. Ifland has developed several resources and programs focused on food addiction recovery, including The Addiction Reset Community (ARC), Food Addiction Education, RESET WEEK, and her Meal Prep Manual.

At the center of her work is the understanding that recovery from processed food addiction involves more than willpower and may be strengthened through education, structured eating, supportive environments, community, and practical recovery tools.

Connect with Dr. Joan Ifland

Website: www.processedfoodaddiction.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1806154526275515 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodaddictionreset/

Practical Takeaways

• Cravings can be influenced by brain chemistry, stress, food availability, environmental cues, and social surroundings
• Identifying triggers may be more useful than blaming yourself for experiencing cravings
• Joan encourages approaching lapses with self-compassion rather than shame
• Eating complete, adequately portioned meals regularly may help reduce excessive hunger and vulnerability to cravings
• Your home environment matters; reducing exposure to highly triggering foods may make recovery easier
• People recovering from substance use may benefit from noticing whether sugar or processed foods are becoming another way of coping or regulating emotions
• Supportive communities can help create new habits and make healthier behaviors feel more normal
• Nutrition, amino acids, breath work, meditation, and community may all play complementary roles in a broader recovery approach

Resources Mentioned

• Processed Food Addiction: Foundations, Assessment, and Recovery – Dr. Joan Ifland’s textbook on processed food addiction
• The Addiction Reset Community (ARC) – Joan’s online food addiction recovery community
• How the Other Half Eats by Priya Fielding-Singh – discussed in relation to food access, socioeconomic conditions, and food environments
• The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous – discussed in relation to historical practices involving sugar during alcohol recovery
• Amino Acid Therapy – discussed as part of nutritional support for the brain during recovery

Interested in Sponsoring the Podcast? The Power Up Recovery with Nutrition Podcast reaches an audience interested in addiction recovery, mental health nutrition, amino acid therapy, and brain-based recovery support. If your organization, program, or brand aligns with this mission, we invite you to explore podcast sponsorship opportunities.

Learn more here: https://aminoacidtherapy.com/podcast-sponsorship-opportunities/

Explore recovery nutrition resources, courses, and professional training from the Academy for Addiction and Mental Health Nutrition: https://aminoacidtherapy.com/

Learn more about the Feeding the Recovering Brain movement: https://feedtherecoveringbrain.com/

Support the nonprofit initiative Eating Protein Saves Lives, and help spread the message that protein throughout the day can support brain health, cravings, and recovery: https://eatingproteinsaveslives.org/

Start with Christina Veselak’s book, EAT! A Guide to Radiant Recovery Using Food and Amino Acids to Repair the Addicted Brain and Reduce Cravings: https://www.eatforrecovery.com/

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information shared is meant to inform and empower listeners but should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized care and treatment.

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