PCOS can feel like a maze: irregular cycles, relentless fatigue, cravings that don’t make sense, and advice that’s loud but rarely helpful. We invited Registered Dietitian and Nest and Nurture founder Trista Chan to map the terrain with clear science, practical nutrition, and a lot of compassion.

We start by decoding what PCOS actually is and how it’s diagnosed through the Rotterdam criteria—then we get honest about why care can feel inconsistent. Trista explains the nuance behind insulin resistance, why insulin isn’t the enemy, and how gentle, real-world strategies like timing your carbs and pairing them with protein and fats can steady energy and support hormones. We talk inflammation without fear, focusing on addition over restriction: more plants, more omega-3s, more variety that fits your life.

From there, we tackle the big myths: you don’t need to cut gluten or dairy unless you have a true intolerance; “hormone balance” isn’t a fixed state because healthy hormones naturally fluctuate; and carbs are not the villain—they’re your body’s primary fuel, especially if you’re active. We also zoom out to the bigger picture: genetics, stress, and the built environment shape symptoms, and acknowledging those forces helps you find your real locus of control. Expect practical starting points: which labs to request, how to track symptoms with purpose, and how to build a supportive care team that sees you as a whole person.

If you’re tired of rigid rules and ready for sustainable tools, this conversation will help you choose clarity over confusion and addition over restriction. Subscribe, share with someone who needs a kinder approach to PCOS, and leave a review to tell us which myth you want us to bust next.

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Cravings can feel like a tidal wave—loud, urgent, and impossible to ignore—yet they’re far from random. We dig into what a craving actually is, how it differs from hunger, and why your brain can fixate on sweetness or crunch even when you “should” be fine. As a registered dietitian and certified intuitive eating counselor, I break down the science in plain language and show how biology, mindset, and environment combine to create that intense pull toward specific foods.

We start with the body’s signals: how undereating lowers blood sugar and flips on a survival response, why cutting carbs makes your reward circuits hypersensitive to sugar, and how hormones like ghrelin and leptin change with dieting, stress, and poor sleep. Then we look at psychology—the scarcity effect that turns “off-limits” into irresistible, the hidden power of mental restriction and food labels, and the all-or-nothing patterns that fuel the binge–restrict cycle. You’ll also hear how environmental cues, social media, and habitual routines (Netflix snacks, anyone?) train cravings even when you’re not hungry.

Most importantly, we lay out practical, sustainable steps. You’ll learn how regular meals and snacks stabilize energy and mood, why adding carbohydrates back into meals often quiets the sweet tooth, and how to loosen rigid rules without abandoning nutrition. We’ll practice mindful pauses to identify whether you’re hungry, seeking comfort, or responding to a cue—and how to honor each scenario with care. The goal isn’t perfect control; it’s trust. When you treat cravings as information, not evidence of failure, they lose their edge and you gain freedom with food.

If this resonates, hit follow, share with a friend who’s stuck in the craving–restriction loop, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. Your stories and questions shape future episodes—what cue triggers your cravings most?

Learn more at behindtheplate.ca

Grab the free Hunger & Fullness Cues Guide: behindtheplate.ca/hunger-fullness-cues

Explore The Empowered Eating Journey: behindtheplate.ca/empowered-eating-journey

Shame says emotional eating is a flaw; we say it’s a signal. Heather Soman, registered dietitian and certified intuitive eating counselor, explores why turning to food during big feelings is both human and understandable—and how to respond with compassion while adding better tools.

We unpack how childhood patterns, cultural scripts, and media moments shape comfort eating, from cookies after hard days to the classic breakup-and-ice-cream trope.

Along the way, Heather shares reflective prompts to build an emotional vocabulary, spot body cues like tight chests or restless energy, and identify the unmet needs beneath cravings.

We dig into common scenarios where food becomes the go-to: long days that end with snacks and streaming, or ADHD brains chasing stimulation with screen-stacking and grazing.

Instead of moralizing food, we explore what those moments are asking for—rest, boundaries, connection, novelty, or creative engagement—and how to meet those needs with a broader toolkit.

If emotional eating feels like your only coping strategy, Heather offers gentle next steps, including therapy support, reflection questions, and resources to reconnect with hunger, fullness, and satisfaction cues.

If this resonated, subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so others can find the show. Want more tools? Check the show notes for the Empowered Eating Journey, our free hunger and fullness guide, and the weekly newsletter.

Learn more at behindtheplate.ca

Grab the free Hunger & Fullness Cues Guide: behindtheplate.ca/hunger-fullness-cues

Explore The Empowered Eating Journey: behindtheplate.ca/empowered-eating-journey