Carolyn speaks with clinical nutritionist Susie Allen about what divorce and chronic stress actually do to your body – and what you can do about it. Susie draws on her own experience of two divorces and her clinical work to explain how the nervous system responds to prolonged pressure, why so many women find themselves wired but exhausted, and how simple nutritional choices can help break that cycle.
We talk about adrenaline and fight-or-flight, the gut-brain axis, protein at breakfast, resistant starch (and how potatoes can actually be your friend OMG), sleep disruption, alcohol, and quick meals for when you're running on empty.
Key takeaways
- Running on adrenaline depletes magnesium, B vitamins, and the building blocks for key neurotransmitters
- Protein at breakfast – within 30 to 60 minutes of waking, before coffee – sends a safety signal to your nervous system
- Cooking potatoes, rice, and pasta the day before and refrigerating overnight converts them to resistant starch – better for your gut and absorbed differently
- Late-night sugar and alcohol spike cortisol, disrupting sleep and contributing to the 3am wake-up (booooo!)
- Morning sunlight triggers the melatonin cycle and supports better evening sleep
Guest
Susie Allen — Nutritionist, Your Vitality Nutrition
- Website: www.yourvitalitynutrition.com.au
- Instagram & Facebook: @yourvitalitynutrition
- Ebook: Suddenly Single: https://yourvitalitynutrition.thrivecart.com/suddenly-single-ebook/
Resources mentioned
- Susie's ebook: Suddenly Single – https://yourvitalitynutrition.thrivecart.com/suddenly-single-ebook/ (or FREE inside the Women's Divorce Academy membership – www.womensdivorceacademy.com/our-program)
- Wholesomeness (Queensland, Northern NSW, Sydney, Melbourne) – wholesomeness.com.au
- Youfoodz – https://www.youfoodz.com/
Send Carolyn a text
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Information
- Show
- FrequencyUpdated Weekly
- PublishedMarch 30, 2026 at 7:00 PM UTC
- Length46 min
- Season1
- Episode6
- RatingClean
