Food Is Food

Talia Cecchele
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  • Mental Health

Food Is Food is a compassion-led podcast hosted by specialist eating disorder dietitian and founder of the TC Nutrition Clinic, Talia Cecchele. This podcast will support you to ditch diet culture, break free from food rules and debunk nutrition misinformation.    Each week, we will cover topics that delve deeper into nutrition, intuitive eating, psychology, diet culture and the consequences of undereating, all through a non-diet and weight-inclusive lens. Our relationship with food is complex and is influenced by our thoughts, emotions and life experiences, which is why healing from disordered eating is about more than just food.   Whether you’re in recovery from an eating disorder, curious about intuitive eating, or simply wanting a kinder, more connected relationship with food — you're in the right place.

Episodes

  1. 4h ago

    Get Your Period Back: HA, RED-S And Disordered Eating | With Elle Kelly

    In this episode of Food is Food, Talia sits down with sports nutritionist & disordered eating dietitian Elle Kelly to chat about hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA), RED-S, low energy availability, and the impact of under-fuelling on the body.  They discuss why losing your period can happen at any body size, the role of carbohydrates and energy distribution in recovery, and why getting your period back is about so much more than fertility. This conversation also challenges common misconceptions around exercise, calorie targets, and what “healthy” really looks like. Episodes drop every Thursday. What You’ll Learn:  What hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) and RED-S actually are  Why period loss can happen at any weight or body size  The hidden signs of low energy availability beyond losing your period  Why carbohydrates and adequate fuelling matter for hormone health  The importance of energy distribution throughout the day  Whether you really need to stop exercising to recover your cycle  Why getting your period back is about overall health — not just fertility Resources & Links: Follow Elle Kelly on Instagram: @ellekellynutrition Elle's email: elle@eknutrition.comAbout our Guest: Elle is a registered dietitian and sports dietitian specialising in disordered eating, sports nutrition & period recovery. After working in acute eating disorders and whilst doing her masters in sports nutrition, Elle recognised the crossover of disordered eating in the athlete space and has spent the last few years growing her clinic and developing the Refuel & Revive program which supports active women and athletes to develop a healthy relationship with food, exercise and their bodies, so they can get their period back to support their performance and life.  Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome & introduction  02:00 – What is hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA)?  05:15 – Understanding a “normal” menstrual cycle  08:15 – HA vs RED-S: what’s the difference?  13:00 – Is 2500 calories enough to recover your period?  16:00 – Carbohydrates, exercise & hormone health  21:00 – Energy distribution and under-fuelling throughout the day  24:15 – Do you need to stop exercising to recover your period?  28:50 – Why recovery isn’t just about energy in vs energy out  29:30 – “Why would I want my period back?” Connect with Talia: Talia’s Instagram: @tcnutritionFood Is Food Instagram: @foodisfoodpodWebsite & Mailing List: www.taliacechele.com Clinic Enquiries: https://www.taliacecchele.com/contact Support the Podcast: If this episode resonated with you, you can support Food is Food by: Following or subscribing to the podcastLeaving a 5* reviewSharing this episode with someone who might find it helpfulDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for individual medical or dietetic advice.

    33 min

  2. May 28

    What the Minnesota Starvation Study Teaches Us About Eating Disorders

    In this episode of Food is Food, Talia breaks down one of the most important studies in eating disorder research — the Minnesota Starvation Experiment, led by Ancel Keys in 1944. This is one of Talia's favourite topics to discuss in clinic, and she gets vulnerable about a major gap in her own knowledge: the fourth phase of the study, which most clinicians don't talk about.  From the physical and psychological impact of restriction, to the emergence of binge eating and purging behaviours in men with no prior history of eating disorders, this episode is essential listening for anyone in recovery from an eating disorder, working through disordered eating, or simply wanting to understand what under-eating does to the human body and mind. Episodes drop every Thursday. What You’ll Learn: The four phases of the Minnesota Starvation Experiment and the physical, psychological and behaviour changes that occur in semi-starvationThe biology of "Food Obsession": learn why hoarding recipes, dreaming of food, and ritualistic eating are often biological responses to malnutrition rather than personality traits or the eating disorder itself. Understanding Compensatory Hyperphagia: the "unsatiable" hunger that often follows a period of restrictionUsing the landmark 1944 study to understand that physical and psychological symptoms of starvation are reversible through consistent, adequate nutritional rehabilitation. Key Research Referenced: Keys, A., Brozek, J., Henschel, A., Mickelson, O., & Taylor, H.L. (1950). The biology of human starvation (Vols. 1–2). University of Minnesota Press.Kalm, L.M. & Semba, R.D. (2005). They starved so that others be better fed: Remembering Ancel Keys and the Minnesota Experiment. Journal of Nutrition, 135(6), 1347–1352.Dulloo AG. Physiology of weight regain: Lessons from the classic Minnesota Starvation Experiment on human body composition regulation. Obesity Reviews. 2021;22(S2):e13189. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13189DULLOOTucker, T. (2007). The great starvation experiment: Ancel Keys and the men who starved for science. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press.Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome & introduction to the Minnesota Semi-Starvation Study. 04:05 – Phase 1: The Control Period. 06:25 – Phase 2: The Semi-Starvation Period. The physical and psychological impact of undereating12:24 – Phase 2: Behavioral changes16:40 – Phase 3: Controlled Rehabilitation. Why low-calorie "re-feeding" didn't work and the need for high energy intake. 21:00 – Phase 4: The Unrestricted Phase. Compensatory hyperphagia and the reality of extreme hunger. 25:46 – Long-term Follow-up. Insights on weight overshoot, body composition, and total symptom reversal. 33:27 – Closing thoughts: Finding hope in nutritional rehabilitation. Connect with Talia: Talia’s Instagram: @tcnutritionFood Is Food Instagram: @foodisfoodpodWebsite & Mailing List: www.taliacechele.com Clinic Enquiries: https://www.taliacecchele.com/contact Support the Podcast: If this episode resonated with you, you can support Food is Food by: Following or subscribing to the podcastLeaving a 5* reviewSharing this episode with someone who might find it helpfulDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for individual medical or dietetic advice.

    30 min

  3. May 21

    The Hidden Impact of Undereating: Bone Health and Hormones | With Dr. Nicky Keay

    In this episode, Talia is joined by Dr Nicky Keay to explore the often overlooked consequences of under-eating and over-exercise on hormones and bone health. Together, they unpack how low energy availability can disrupt the menstrual cycle, reduce estrogen and impact bone health. They also discuss DEXA scans, osteoporosis, HRT and REDS. What You’ll Learn: The hormonal consequences of under-fuelling and over-exercisingThe link between amenorrhoea, low oestrogen, and bone healthThe difference between osteopenia and osteoporosisThe latest guidance around HRT for functional hypothalamic amenorrhoeaBlood tests that may be useful when assessing REDS and bone healthResources & Links: Dr Nicola Keay’s website: www.nickykeayfitness.com Dr Nicola Keay on social media: @drnikkikeay Personal Energy Availability Questionnaire (PEAQ): https://mypeaq.streamlit.app/ Books by Dr Nicola Keay:Hormones, Health and Human PotentialMyths of MenopauseAbout our guest: Nicky is a medical doctor specialising in exercise endocrinology. Nicky’s clinical endocrine work provides personalised approach for hormone health, offering health advisory appointments, with a focus for those experiencing relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs) and women experiencing perimenopause and menopause.  Based on her research into REDs, Nicky developed the free online personal availability questionnaire (PEAQ). Nicky is medical advisor to Scottish Ballet and offers talks on a variety of hormone topics at international conferences for organisations and groups. Nicky is the author of “Hormones, Health and Human Potential” and editor of “Myths of Menopause”.  Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 00:32 – How under-eating and over-exercise affect hormones 02:57 – Why periods may stop when the body is conserving energy 05:30 – What DEXA scans can and cannot tell us 08:38 – Understanding osteopenia, osteoporosis, Z-scores and T-scores 27:45 – Can osteoporosis be improved? 37:34 – What HRT is and when it may be indicated 42:22 – Why the oral contraceptive pill is not bone-protective in FHA 52:28 – Helpful blood markers for REDs and bone health 56:08 – Why vitamin D matters more than “normal range” alone Connect with Talia: Talia’s Instagram: @tcnutritionFood Is Food Instagram: @foodisfoodpodWebsite & Mailing List: www.taliacechele.com Clinic Enquiries: https://www.taliacecchele.com/contact Support the Podcast: If this episode resonated with you, you can support Food is Food by: Following or subscribing to the podcastLeaving a 5* reviewSharing this episode with someone who might find it helpfulDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for individual medical or dietetic advice.

    47 min

  4. May 14

    The Gut-Brain Connection: Digestive Issues And Eating Disorder Recovery | With Marci Evans

    Digestive symptoms are one of the most common — and misunderstood — experiences in eating disorder recovery. In this episode, Talia is joined by eating disorder dietitian Marci Evans to unpack the complex relationship between restrictive eating, IBS symptoms, the nervous system, and gut health. This episode is for anyone navigating bloating, constipation, gastroparesis, IBS symptoms, or digestive discomfort in recovery — and for clinicians wanting a deeper understanding of the gut-brain connection in eating disorder care. Episodes drop every Thursday. What You’ll Learn: Why digestive symptoms are so common in eating disorders and disordered eatingThe connection between the nervous system, anxiety, stress, and gut functionWhy under-eating and restrictive diets can worsen IBS-like symptomsPractical tools to support digestion without food restrictionResources & Links: Website: marcird.com (including clinician training and workshops)Instagram: @marciRDFree Resource: marcird.com/_resources/23toolsAbout our Guest: Marci Evans is a Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian and Supervisor (CEDS-C) and a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor practicing from a weight-inclusive, anti-oppression lens.  She has dedicated her career to counseling, supervising, and teaching in the field of eating disorders.  She launched the Food and Body Image Healers® Training Institute in 2015, an online platform helping dietitians and clinicians build the skills to specialise in eating disorder care. Since then, more than 3500 clinicians have taken her nutrition counseling and body image courses and focused workshops.  Marci continues to lead a weight-inclusive private practice, teaches graduate-level nutrition counseling at Simmons University, and has a forthcoming book, Nourishing Recovery: A New Integrated Approach to Nutritional Care for Eating Disorders. Episode Timestamps:  00:00 – Welcome & introduction  01:48 – Why digestive issues are so common in eating disorders  03:29 – The “chicken or egg” relationship between IBS and eating disorders  09:25 – The gut-brain connection: stress, anxiety & digestion  14:29 – Gut-directed hypnotherapy & non-diet approaches to IBS symptoms  16:20 – Low FODMAP diets in eating disorder recovery  22:09 – Nervous system regulation tools  25:30 – Exercise, undernourishment & pelvic floor health  32:08 – Are digestive symptoms always reversible in recovery?  36:21 – Food intolerance testing: what’s evidence-based?  42:29 – Bloating, constipation & practical digestive support tools  46:26 – Free resources for clinicians & recovery support Connect with Talia: Talia’s Instagram: @tcnutritionFood Is Food Instagram: @foodisfoodpodWebsite & Mailing List: www.taliacechele.com Clinic Enquiries: https://www.taliacecchele.com/contact Support the Podcast: If this episode resonated with you, you can support Food is Food by: Following or subscribing to the podcastLeaving a 5* reviewSharing this episode with someone who might find it helpfulDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for individual medical or dietetic advice.

    43 min

  5. May 7

    Understanding the Spectrum: Disordered Eating vs Eating Disorder

    In this episode of Food is Food, Talia clarifies the differences between disordered eating and eating disorders, emphasising the importance of recognising signs and seeking support. It explores the spectrum of eating behaviors, diagnostic criteria, and factors contributing to eating disorders, providing valuable insights for anyone concerned about their relationship with food. Episodes drop every Thursday. What You’ll Learn: Difference between disordered eating and eating disordersSpectrum of eating behaviours from intuitive eating to clinical diagnosisFactors contributing to eating disorders: biological, psychological, socioculturalImportance of seeking support earlyImpact of diet culture and societal pressuresResources & Links: DSM-5 Criteria for Eating Disorders - https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm Butterfly Foundation Australia - https://butterfly.org.au/ Beat UK: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/ Free Resource List: https://www.taliacecchele.com/freebies Ellyn Satter Normal Eating Definition: https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/how-to-eat/normal-eating/  Episode Timestamps:  00:00 – Welcome & introduction  02:30 – How common eating disorders really are  04:50 – Understanding diagnoses & overlap between eating disorders  09:35 – Why disordered eating is hard to define  11:30 – The spectrum: from intuitive eating to eating disorders  12:20 – The “3 Ps” model: why eating disorders develop  15:35 – Barriers to seeking support & cultural considerations  18:30 – What is disordered eating? Signs to look out for  21:10 – The role of intention behind food behaviours  22:50 – What “normal eating” actually looks like  25:10 – How disordered eating can develop into an eating disorder  26:40 – Final thoughts: when to seek support Connect with Talia: Talia’s Instagram: @tcnutritionFood Is Food Instagram: @foodisfoodpodWebsite & Mailing List: www.taliacechele.com Clinic Enquiries: https://www.taliacecchele.com/contact Support the Podcast: If this episode resonated with you, you can support Food is Food by: Following or subscribing to the podcastLeaving a 5* reviewSharing this episode with someone who might find it helpfulDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for individual medical or dietetic advice.

    26 min

  6. Apr 30

    Why You Are Already “Sick Enough”: The Hidden Impact of Undereating | With Jennifer Gaudiani

    In this episode of Food is Food, we explore the complex and often misunderstood concept of being “sick enough” in the context of eating disorders and undereating. What You’ll Learn: How diet culture, medical gaslighting, and internalised beliefs keep people stuckThe truth about “feeling fine” while undernourished (and why it’s misleading)Why your metabolism isn’t brokenThe biological reality of undereating - from bone health and biochemistry to heart health and cognitive changeResources & Links: Sick Enough: A Guide to the Medical Complications of Eating Disorders and Undernutrition (2nd Edition) by Dr. Jen GaudianiGaudiani Clinic: https://www.gaudianiclinic.comGuideline on the Management of Dyslipidemia: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American  Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines About our Guest: Dr. Jen Gaudiani is the founder and medical director of the Gaudiani Clinic. Board certified in internal medicine, she completed her undergraduate degree at Harvard, medical school at Boston University School of Medicine, and her internal medicine residency and chief residency at Yale. Founded in 2016, the Gaudiani Clinic offers specialized, trauma informed outpatient medical care to individuals seeking support for eating disorders, undernourishment related to complex medical issues, and weight-inclusive primary care.  The fully updated and significantly expanded second edition of Dr. Gaudiani’s bestselling book, Sick Enough: A Guide to the Medical Complications of Eating Disorders and Undernutrition is now available wherever books are sold. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome & introduction 01:00 – What does “sick enough” actually mean? 07:00 – Why feeling “fine” doesn’t mean you’re nourished 12:30 – The house-on-fire analogy explained 16:30 – Can you really break your metabolism? 24:00 – Extreme hunger and why it’s biologically normal 30:00 – Diet culture, stigma, and hunger across all body sizes 31:30 – Heart rate: athlete vs undernourished body 36:00 – Blood markers: cholesterol, white cells & medical myths 43:00 – Undereating and its impact on your brain 49:00 – Perimenopause, ageing, and eating disorders 52:30 – Closing thoughts Connect with Talia: Talia’s Instagram: @tcnutritionFood Is Food Instagram: @foodisfoodpodWebsite & Mailing List: www.taliacechele.com Clinic Enquiries: https://www.taliacecchele.com/contact Support the Podcast: If this episode resonated with you, you can support Food is Food by: Following or subscribing to the podcastLeaving a 5* reviewSharing this episode with someone who might find it helpfulDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for individual medical or dietetic advice.

    49 min

  7. Apr 22

    Understanding RAVES™: A Flexible Framework For Healing Your Relationship with Food | With Shane Jeffrey

    In this episode of Food is Food, Talia and Shane Jeffrey explore the RAVES Eating Model — a compassionate, flexible framework designed to support a more peaceful and nourishing relationship with food. What You’ll Learn: What the RAVES Eating Model is and how each principle supports recoveryWhy regularity and adequacy form the foundation of nutritional wellbeingThe role of variety, social eating, and flexibility in long-term recoveryHow RAVES can be adapted to suit your unique needs, preferences, and life contextCommon misconceptions about structured eating frameworksSAFETY: neurodiversity affirming approach to developing neutral food relationships Resources & Links: RAVES™ Eating Model Website (RAVES workshops, RAVES handout, Certification Program): https://www.raveseatingmodel.com/ RAVES™ Instagram: @raves.eating.model River Oak Health Website: https://www.riveroakhealth.com.au/ River Oak Health Instagram: @riveroakhealth About our guest: Shane is an Australian based Accredited Practicing Dietitian and Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician with over 25 years of experience in the eating disorder field across both the private and public sectors.  Shane is the director and lead clinician at Brisbane based River Oak Health, a multidisciplinary private practice service dedicated to the treatment of eating disorders and other eating, weight and body image concerns. treatment service in Brisbane.  As the developer of the RAVES™ Eating Model, Shane has a strong interest in keeping nutrition messages simple, service development and supporting clinicians through professional supervision and workshop events.   Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome & introduction 02:00 – What is the RAVES model? 06:00 – Regularity & adequacy: building the foundation 14:00 – Variety, social eating & spontaneity explained 22:00 – Common misconceptions of RAVES 27:00 – Adapting RAVES for neurodiversity 34:00 – The SAFETY framework and client-centred care 39:00 – RAVES workshops and certification 49:00 – Closing thoughts Connect with Talia: Talia’s Instagram: @tcnutritionFood Is Food Instagram: @foodisfoodpodWebsite & Mailing List: www.taliacechele.com Clinic Enquiries: https://www.taliacecchele.com/contact Support the Podcast: If this episode resonated with you, you can support Food is Food by: Following or subscribing to the podcastLeaving a 5* reviewSharing this episode with someone who might find it helpfulDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for individual medical or dietetic advice.

    43 min

  8. Apr 14

    I Never Wanted To Work As An Eating Disorder Dietitian

    In this episode of Food is Food, Talia shares about her own relationship with food and how she unexpectedly found her path as an eating disorder dietitian. She talks about: The early influences on her relationship with food, including a brief experience with disordered eatingHow her career evolved from a desire to work as a sports dietitian to working in eating disordersThe personal and professional experiences that shaped her understanding of eating disorders and recoveryIf you’ve ever felt confused by conflicting nutrition advice or questioned your relationship with food, this podcast will help you feel less alone and open the door to a more compassionate, flexible way of thinking about food. New episodes drop every Thursday.  Stay nourished.  Connect with Talia: Talia’s Instagram: @tcnutritionFood Is Food Instagram: @foodisfoodpodWebsite & Mailing List: www.taliacechele.com Clinic Enquiries: https://www.taliacecchele.com/contact Support the Podcast: If this episode resonated with you, you can support Food is Food by: Following or subscribing to the podcastLeaving a 5* reviewSharing this episode with someone who might find it helpfulDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for individual medical or dietetic advice.

    19 min

  9. Apr 14

    Welcome To Food Is Food!

    Are you frustrated by the amount of nutrition misinformation that you hear?  Me too.  I'm Talia Cecchele, specialist eating disorder and disordered eating dietitian and founder of the TCN clinic. I support people to overcome food rules, stop restrictive dieting and stop feeling so out of control with food and eating. In this podcast, I really want to bring nuance to the conversations that we have about nutrition because our relationship with food is so complex and it can be really harmful to view food in a black and white or all or nothing way. We'll be chatting about all things nutrition, intuitive eating, body image, diet culture, psychology and the consequences of under-eating and all through a non-diet and weight inclusive lens. I really hope to create space that allows us to better understand how our thoughts, emotions and life experiences shape our relationship with food and our bodies.  So if you're feeling a little bit lost about how to eat normally or you feel like food is overtaking your life, then you're in the right place.  Welcome to Food Is Food! Connect with Talia: Talia’s Instagram: @tcnutritionFood Is Food Instagram: @foodisfoodpodWebsite & Mailing List: www.taliacechele.com Clinic Enquiries: https://www.taliacecchele.com/contact Support the Podcast: If this episode resonated with you, you can support Food is Food by: Following or subscribing to the podcastLeaving a 5* reviewSharing this episode with someone who might find it helpfulDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for individual medical or dietetic advice.

    2 min

Trailer

About

Food Is Food is a compassion-led podcast hosted by specialist eating disorder dietitian and founder of the TC Nutrition Clinic, Talia Cecchele. This podcast will support you to ditch diet culture, break free from food rules and debunk nutrition misinformation.    Each week, we will cover topics that delve deeper into nutrition, intuitive eating, psychology, diet culture and the consequences of undereating, all through a non-diet and weight-inclusive lens. Our relationship with food is complex and is influenced by our thoughts, emotions and life experiences, which is why healing from disordered eating is about more than just food.   Whether you’re in recovery from an eating disorder, curious about intuitive eating, or simply wanting a kinder, more connected relationship with food — you're in the right place.

Information

  • Creator
    Talia Cecchele
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 TC Nutrition Ltd
  • Show Website
    Food Is Food

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