Beyond Binge Eating

Kristina Dobyns

Discover the Beyond Binge Eating Podcast, your go-to resource for overcoming binge eating, compulsive eating, emotional eating, and food addiction. Hosted by Dr. Kristina, the podcast leverages her extensive expertise, including a doctorate in somatic psychology, a master's degree in exercise science, and her background as a professional athlete. Kristina, who had crushing eating disorders for over 20 years, now channels her experience into helping others as an integrative recovery specialist. Episodes include insightful interviews, special co-hosts, and solo episodes. You'll explore cutting-edge research on binge eating, urges and cravings, and dopamine, and dive into topics like sugar addiction and abstinence, interoceptive awareness, nutrition for recovery, strength training for women, habit formation, somatic practices, neuralplasticity, and holistic approaches to recovery. With practical tips and relentless positivity, the Beyond Binge Eating Podcast equips you with the knowledge and tools to finally break free from addictive eating patterns. You will learn new research, new practices, and be inspired and empowered, so that you can live a vibrant and healthy life—beyond binge eating. For more, check out: https://BeyondBingeEating.com

  1. 11h ago

    Creating the World’s First Carnivore Wellness Retreat

    If you've ever tried to go on a wellness retreat while eating carnivore, keto, low-carb, or paleo — you already know the problem. The food doesn't work for you. And that means the retreat doesn't work for you. In this episode, I share why I've been unable to find a retreat that supports both embodied movement practices and animal-based nutrition, and what I'm doing about it. What We’ll Discuss: • Why neither nutrition nor nervous system practices alone were enough for my recovery and stability • The very real (and very frustrating) retreat food problem for carnivores • What I'm creating — a yoga, movement, and wellness retreat designed for people who want steak AND the retreat experience • How you can weigh in and help shape what this retreat becomes If this resonates, I want to hear from you. Drop a comment, or reach out at info@MeatandMovement.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keep in touch with Kristina: https://www.DrKristinaDobyns.com More info about the carnivore wellness retreat: https://www.MeatandMovement.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/ ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Introduction: nutrition vs. nervous system practices 0:24 – Why neither alone was enough 0:41 – What the combination of carnivore + somatic movement did for me 1:06 – The retreat food problem for carnivores 1:58 – Is there a steak on this property? (Spoiler: no) 2:40 – Fine. I'll build it. 2:44 – What the retreat will include 3:08 – The power of combining metabolic health + embodied practices 3:18 – Who this retreat is for 3:49 – How to share your dream retreat with me 4:25 – Like, comment, subscribe — and share with your carnivore bestie

    6 min
  2. Jun 18

    A Buddhist Approach to Overcoming Cravings and Addiction

    Have you ever tried to fight a craving — and felt it get stronger the harder you pushed? In this episode, we explore what Buddhist psychology has understood for centuries and what it means for recovery from cravings and addiction. Rather than relying on willpower and resistance, Buddhist mindfulness offers a different path: one built on awareness, observation, and a deeper understanding of how the mind and body actually work. When we stop fighting cravings and start observing them, something unexpected happens. We begin to see that urges behave like waves — they rise, they peak, and they pass on their own. That shift in perspective can change everything. What You'll Learn in This Episode: What Buddhist psychology means by "attachment" and how it mirrors addictionHow cravings show up as physical sensations in the body — not just thoughtsHow to use mindful observation to move through an urge without acting on itWhy awareness — not willpower — is what widens the space between impulse and action Freedom doesn't come from fighting harder. It comes from learning to watch. Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with anyone who might benefit from it. And don't forget to sign up for the newsletter for more insights, tools, and support on your recovery journey. Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 00:05 – Fighting cravings often makes them stronger 00:20 – Buddhist psychology: a different approach 00:31 – What "attachment" really means 00:49 – How addiction and attachment work the same way 01:03 – Cravings are physical sensations, not just thoughts 01:24 – Why resistance backfires 01:43 – The mindfulness alternative: observe instead of fight 01:56 – Cravings behave like waves 02:14 – What happens when you pause and watch 02:27 – What acceptance actually means 02:41 – How mindfulness regulates the nervous system 02:55 – Recovery is about presence, not just removing behavior 03:13 – The space between urge and action 03:16 – Outro ——— Follow Beyond Binge Eating Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.comNewsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/ ——— Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food:https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/

    4 min
  3. Jun 11

    Restriction or Liberation? Reframing Food Choices in Recovery

    Have you ever hesitated in recovery because you were afraid of feeling restricted? In today's video, I explore one of the most common — and most misunderstood — fears in food addiction and binge eating recovery: the fear of restriction. Because here's the thing- diet culture has taught us that giving up certain foods means deprivation, punishment, and white-knuckling through cravings. But addiction recovery is something entirely different. And that distinction might change everything. What You'll Learn in This Video: • Why restriction in diet culture and restriction in addiction recovery are not the same thing • What we're actually giving up — and what those foods may be costing you • How the language you use with yourself ("I can't" vs. "I choose not to") shapes your entire recovery experience • Why letting go of certain foods might not be deprivation at all — it might be liberation If you've ever felt conflicted about removing certain foods from your life, or wondered whether you're being "too restrictive," this video is for you. Recovery isn't about following someone else's rules. It's about getting honest with yourself about what keeps you stuck — and choosing freedom over the cycle. Timestamps: 0:00 – The Fear of Restriction in Recovery 0:24 – Diet Culture vs. Addiction Recovery 0:45 – What Are Trigger Foods Costing You? 1:03 – Your Nervous System Is Unique 1:18 – Humans Thrive on Many Different Diets 2:54 – Is It Restriction or Liberation? 3:03 – What Addiction Actually Takes From You 3:18 – What Recovery Gives Back 3:52 – I Choose Not To vs. I Can't 4:01 – Honesty and Compassion in Your Recovery 4:32 – Are You Restricting or Liberating Yourself? 4:52 – The Perspective Shift That Changes Everything Please like, subscribe, and share this video with anyone who might benefit from it. Also, don't forget to sign up for my newsletter for more insights, tools, and support on your recovery journey! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Beyond Binge Eating Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/

    6 min
  4. Jun 4

    Food Addiction & the Perfectionism Trap: Self-Compassion Strategies with Brian Baumal

    In this episode, I sit down with Brian Baumal — registered psychotherapist, owner of Aliva Psychotherapy in Toronto, and someone who has navigated his own recovery from exercise bulimia and binge eating disorder. With nearly 14 years of maintaining a 100-pound weight loss and decades of clinical experience, Brian brings a uniquely grounded perspective to one of the most undertalked challenges in food addiction recovery: perfectionism. Here's what we cover in the episode: The difference between perfectionism and toxic perfectionism — and why the distinction matters in recovery Why food addicts are especially prone to black-and-white thinking — and how it fuels the cycle of shame after a slip What the abstinence violation effect is and how to interrupt it before it spirals into full relapse How to build an abstinence plan that empowers rather than restricts — and why arbitrary food rules do more harm than good Why shame — not health — is usually the real driver behind wanting fast results, and how slowing down actually supports long-term healing What a non-perfectionistic, compassionate response to a slip looks like in real time The "sleeping dragon" reframe — and why it shifts the recovery conversation from powerlessness to conscious choice Why "good enough" is not a compromise in food addiction recovery — it may be the whole point If you've ever spiraled after a slip, struggled to hold structure without rigidity, or felt like your own inner critic was the biggest obstacle to your recovery, this conversation will give you a completely new framework for understanding perfectionism — and a more compassionate path forward. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Follow Beyond Binge Eating Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/ Follow and Contact Brian Baumal: https://alivapsychotherapy.com/our-team/brian-baumal/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating. 00:00 – Intro 00:53 – Meet Brian Baumal 02:11 – The Tension Between Structure & Being Human 04:10 – Brian's Personal Recovery Story 08:27 – Perfectionism vs. Toxic Perfectionism 09:53 – Why Beating Yourself Up Is the Worst Thing You Can Do 11:04 – Why Recovery Is Not About Weight 12:20 – How Brian Builds an Abstinence Plan 14:26 – The Wheel of Fortune Approach to Trigger Foods 18:01 – Monitoring Progress: Food Volume & Food Noise 21:00 – If I Ever Say No Almonds, Fire Me 22:49 – Using Slips as Data, Not Failure 24:26 – How Brian Addresses Shame in the Therapy Room 26:10 – Shame Is a Computer Virus 28:03 – Why You Really Want to Lose Weight Fast 29:31 – Trading Short Term Results for Long Term Freedom 32:42 – What a Non-Perfectionistic Response to a Slip Looks Like 33:27 – Why Brian Tells Clients Not to Stop Mid-Binge 34:22 – Reaching Out Is Already a Win 37:08 – Deconstructing the Slip: Gathering the Data 38:06 – How to Show Yourself Compassion After a Slip 40:47 – Why "Good Enough" Is a Foreign Concept in Food Addiction 42:20 – The Sleeping Dragon Reframe 45:00 – You Don't Have to White Knuckle It Alone 46:05 – Don't Let Shame Overwrite Your Code 46:47 – Where to Find Brian & Final Resources

    49 min
  5. May 7

    Why You Can’t Stop Eating Sugar — And How to Heal It for Good | Real Food Recovery Interview

    In this episode, I sit down with Paige Alexander and Jamie Morgan Reno — authors of Real Food Recovery, and hosts of the Real Food Recovery podcast. Together, they’ve helped those struggling with food, sugar addiction, and binge eating through a holistic, shame-free, and compassionate approach. Here’s what we cover in the episode: • Why food and sugar addiction are so misunderstood — and why it’s not just about the food • How ultra-processed ingredients trigger addictive responses in the brain • The four foundational pillars of the Tree of Life framework: real food, sleep, movement, and spirituality • How nervous system regulation can dramatically reduce urges, binges, and compulsive eating • The role of shame in keeping people stuck — and why self-compassion is a recovery superpower • Why calmness is the opposite of bingeing, and how to cultivate it through daily practices • How to create a pause between the urge and the behavior, even if impulses feel automatic • What “inner family work” reveals about the emotional roots of cravings • How service, connection, and community deepen recovery and help reduce isolation If you’ve ever wondered why you keep returning to certain foods, why cravings feel overwhelming, or why “just try harder” has never worked, this episode will help you understand the emotional, biological, and spiritual layers beneath food addiction — and show you a path forward that actually feels healing. 00:00 – Intro 00:53 – Meet Paige & Jamie 01:43 – Why Sugar Addiction Is Overlooked 02:26 – Are Foods Addictive or Are We Reactive? 05:05 – The Tree of Life Framework 06:33 – Why Recovery Must Be Holistic 10:07 – Shame vs. Self-Compassion 13:12 – Inner Family Work & Emotional Roots 15:36 – Abstinence, Moderation & Personal Choice 18:44 – Calmness as the Opposite of Bingeing 21:00 – Tools to Create Calm 25:41 – The Power of the Pause 27:27 – How to Sit With Cravings 30:19 – Sleep as a Recovery Pillar 34:16 – Sleep Tools & Environmental Setup 36:51 – Service & Community in Recovery 40:04 – Final Takeaways ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Beyond Binge Eating Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/ Follow and contact Jamie and Paige: https://www.realfoodrecovery4u.com/ Facebook: Real Food Recovery Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realfoodrecovery4u/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RealFoodRecovery --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.

    42 min
  6. Apr 23

    Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Food Addiction: How to Handle Cravings Without Bingeing

    In today’s video, we explore how Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) can transform the way you understand and respond to cravings in food addiction and binge eating recovery. Originally developed for addictive behaviors, this evidence-based approach offers powerful tools for preventing relapse — not through force or suppression, but through awareness and intentional responding. One of the biggest tensions in recovery is the question of acceptance vs. action. If you use sensory strategies like breathwork, grounding, movement, or temperature shifts to regulate your nervous system, are you avoiding the craving — or practicing skillful recovery? This video explores that question in depth. What You’ll Learn in This Video: • What Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention is and how it supports long-term recovery • How mindfulness interrupts automatic, reactive binge patterns • The difference between reacting to a craving and responding with awareness • The role of sensory regulation in managing urges • Why intention matters more than rigid “rules” about doing recovery the right way • How acceptance and action can work together in a flexible, sustainable process If you’ve ever felt confused about how to handle cravings — or wondered whether you’re “failing” when you use coping tools — this conversation will help you approach urges with more clarity and self-trust. Recovery is not about perfection. It’s about awareness, flexibility, and learning how to meet cravings with both presence and skill. Please like, subscribe, and share this video with anyone who might benefit from it. Also, don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter for more insights, tools, and support on your recovery journey! 0:00 – Intro 0:27 – Years of researching cravings (and coming up short) 1:22 – Discovering Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) 2:12 – From substance use to binge eating: Why MBRP applies 2:33 – The tone of MBRP: Present-moment awareness and direct inquiry 2:59 – The research behind MBRP and relapse prevention 3:19 – The tension between acceptance and action 3:45 – Sensory strategies: Breathwork, movement, and nervous system regulation 4:09 – The big question: Is changing your state still “acceptance”? 4:23 – Dr. Sarah Bowen on intention and awareness 4:49 – The micro-pause: Choosing response over reactivity 5:11 – Moving beyond the binary of acceptance vs fixing 5:19 – An iterative model: Regulation + mindfulness working together 5:44 – Craving in Buddhism: Waves that rise and fall 6:06 – Where I stand now: Staying in the exploration 6:25 – Invitation to free consultation & upcoming group 6:48 – Like, subscribe & newsletter Please like, subscribe, and share this video with anyone who might benefit from it. Also, don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter for more insights, tools, and support on your recovery journey! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Beyond Binge Eating Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    8 min
  7. Apr 9

    Why You Can’t Stop Chewing (The Nervous System Science Behind It)

    Have you ever felt like you just couldn’t stop chewing even when you were already full? In today’s video, we explore the nervous system science behind persistent chewing and why it may have far less to do with willpower than you think. Drawing from neuroanatomy and the science of sensory regulation, I explain how your jaw muscles send powerful calming signals directly to your brainstem and why your body may rely on chewing as a way to self-soothe. Understanding this can reduce shame and open the door to new, supportive strategies that don’t revolve around more food. What You’ll Learn in This Video: • Why it can feel physically hard to stop chewing • The role of the jaw muscles (masseter) in nervous system regulation • How chewing provides direct proprioceptive input to the brainstem • Why this behavior may be about regulation, not hunger • Alternative ways to give your body calming sensory input If you’ve ever struggled with chewing, crunching, or snacking past fullness and wondered “Why can’t I stop?” This video offers a compassionate, science-based explanation. Your body isn’t broken. It’s communicating. 0:00 – Intro 0:24 – Why is it so hard to stop chewing? 0:31 – It’s not willpower: the nervous system explanation 0:37 – Jaw muscles (masseter) as powerful proprioceptors 0:45 – Direct signals to the brainstem (no spinal cord detour) 0:53 – How chewing regulates breathing, tone, and calm 1:00 – Maybe it’s not about food 1:06 – The role of proprioception in chewing 1:11 – “I’m trying to calm down”: what your body may be saying 1:14 – Finding alternative ways to regulate 1:20 – Examples: squeezing, wall push-ups, gym 1:29 – Your body isn’t broken — it’s communicating 1:36 – Viewer question: What can you do instead of chewing? 1:43 – Outro Please like, subscribe, and share this video with anyone who might benefit from it. Also, don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter for more insights, tools, and support on your recovery journey! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Beyond Binge Eating Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.

    3 min
  8. Mar 26

    Dissociation and Binge Eating: Why You Lose Control During Urges (And How to Reconnect)

    Have you ever set strong intentions to avoid a binge, only to later feel like your awareness disappeared or you went on autopilot? In today’s video, we explore dissociation and its connection to binge eating. Dissociation can feel like being in a fog, feeling disconnected from your body, or losing awareness during urges or binge episodes. Understanding this experience can help explain why recovery can sometimes feel confusing and why willpower alone often isn’t enough. What You’ll Learn in This Video: • What dissociation can feel like and how it shows up during binge eating • The research linking dissociation and eating disorders • Why awareness and intentions can suddenly disappear during urges • Why studying dissociation is challenging and still evolving in research • Emerging insights on grounding strategies that may help reconnect awareness If you’ve ever felt confused about why binge episodes can feel automatic or out of your control, this video is for you. Understanding dissociation can help reduce shame and support a more informed, compassionate recovery journey. Please like, subscribe, and share this video with anyone who might benefit from it. Also, don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter for more insights, tools, and support on your recovery journey! 0:00 – Intro 0:18 – What dissociation can feel like (fog, disconnection, autopilot) 0:29 – Visual and sensory symptoms (tunnel vision, feeling unreal, spacing out) 0:48 – How dissociation impacted binge eating intentions 1:10 – Discovering dissociation through therapy and research 1:27 – The research linking dissociation and binge eating 1:47 – Competing theories: Does binge eating cause dissociation or vice versa? 2:01 – Dissociation as an episodic experience around binge episodes 2:20 – Why dissociation is difficult to study scientifically 2:40 – The relationship between mindfulness and dissociation 3:20 – New research: Dissociation as reduced sensory input to the brain 3:49 – Grounding and reconnecting to the present moment 4:00 – Pungent foods as a potential grounding strategy 4:23 – Examples of sensory grounding foods 4:35 – Important caution for binge eating recovery 4:45 – Alternative non-food sensory grounding strategies 5:53 – Please subscribe ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Beyond Binge Eating Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy.

    6 min
5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Discover the Beyond Binge Eating Podcast, your go-to resource for overcoming binge eating, compulsive eating, emotional eating, and food addiction. Hosted by Dr. Kristina, the podcast leverages her extensive expertise, including a doctorate in somatic psychology, a master's degree in exercise science, and her background as a professional athlete. Kristina, who had crushing eating disorders for over 20 years, now channels her experience into helping others as an integrative recovery specialist. Episodes include insightful interviews, special co-hosts, and solo episodes. You'll explore cutting-edge research on binge eating, urges and cravings, and dopamine, and dive into topics like sugar addiction and abstinence, interoceptive awareness, nutrition for recovery, strength training for women, habit formation, somatic practices, neuralplasticity, and holistic approaches to recovery. With practical tips and relentless positivity, the Beyond Binge Eating Podcast equips you with the knowledge and tools to finally break free from addictive eating patterns. You will learn new research, new practices, and be inspired and empowered, so that you can live a vibrant and healthy life—beyond binge eating. For more, check out: https://BeyondBingeEating.com

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