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.