In this episode of our podcast, we delve into the complex and often misunderstood world of food addiction. I had the pleasure of hosting two incredible guests, Paige Alexander and Jamie Reno, co-founders of Real Food Recovery. Both Paige and Jamie shared their personal journeys with food addiction, providing insights into how they've navigated their struggles and found a path to healing. Jamie opened up about her lifelong battle with food addiction, which manifested in morbid obesity from a young age. At 33, she weighed over 400 pounds and faced severe depression and anxiety. Jamie chose to forgo medical interventions like surgery and pharmaceuticals, instead opting for counseling and dietary changes. Over four years, she lost 200 pounds, but it was then that her food addiction truly intensified. She realized that moderation with processed foods was not an option for her, leading her to embrace a whole food plant-based lifestyle and eventually lose another 50 pounds. Paige's story contrasted with Jamie's, as she didn't struggle with weight until menopause. Her addiction to sugar was the driving force behind her food-related issues. Paige described her journey through various diets and her eventual realization that abstinence from sugar and plant-based sweeteners was necessary for her recovery. She emphasized the importance of planning and preparing food in advance as a key strategy for managing her addiction. Together, Paige and Jamie created the Real Food Recovery podcast and a 16-week course that evolved into a supportive community focused on recovery. They highlighted the importance of addressing food addiction from a holistic perspective, incorporating elements like spirituality, daily movement, sleep, and community connection into their program. Looking to lose weight? Then join my free 21-day weight loss challenge today, visit: https://www.drmarbas.com/21dayweightlosschallenge To work with me: https://www.drmarbas.com/ To connect with Jamie & Paige: https://www.realfoodrecovery4u.com A Big Thank You To Our Sponsors: To work with the world's best plant-based coach, Maxime Sigouin visit his website: www.fitvegancoaching.com To learn plant-based cooking and get your medical questions answered join The Healing Kitchen taught by Brittany Jaroudi and me! Click here to learn more: https://www.drmarbas.com/the-healing-kitchen To be a part of a community of people living a plant-based lifestyle to improve their health and who support each other, join the Dr. Laurie Marbas Facebook Group. Click here to join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2243918745797935