The Eat With Grace Podcast

In this FINAL episode of the Eat With Grace Podcast, we discuss orthorexia, which is also known as an unhealthy obsession with healthy eating. It involves rigid eating patterns accompanied by fear of "unhealthy" foods. We share how the answer to orthorexia is eating with grace, and what that looks like in practical terms.

We thank you for listening and supporting the podcast. The Eat With Grace Podcast will remain available, so you can go back and listen or share an episode at anytime. If you need to reach out to us, you can find us at our websites below.

In this episode, we interview Kasey Shuler, fitness instructor and co-founder of the Joyful Health Collective, about joyful movement. She shares her story about how she overcame an unhealthy relationship with food and exercise and turned it into a ministry.

You can find Kasey:

In this episode, we discuss the two toxic extremes of diet culture and the anti-diet culture movement. On one hand, diet culture is so focused on weight loss that it disregards health and nutrition leading to an unhealthy relationship with food. On the other hand, the anti-diet movement is so sensitive to diet culture that it will throw out anything health-promoting as "diet culture" often leading to rebellion or apathy in its followers. Listen is as we discuss why neither of these extremes is a healthy place to be.

In this episode, we discuss the popularity of the homesteading movement. If you didn't know, it's all over social media and more and more people are being drawn to this lifestyle. There are many pros and cons to homesteading, but some of our favorite things about it is the emphasis on whole foods and scratch cooking, family, and depending on God to supply all of your needs.

In this episode, we chat with Heather Creekmore, a Christian author and podcaster, about her journey with body idolatry. She shares how we often replace the "Truth of scripture" with the "truth of diets" by believing that we will find peace, joy, and contentment in a smaller body. She provides some practical tips to avoid falling into the trap of comparison and find lasting freedom.

Connect with Heather Creekmore here:

In this episode, we tackle a whole slew of topics around finding lasting peace. We discuss the need to surrender self-seeking behaviors and focus on God and other people. We talk about entitlement and self-sufficiency, condemnation versus conviction, and the need to hold a loose a grip on dogmatic beliefs around food and nutrition. It's a heavy conversation, but we hope you will be blessed by it.

In this episode, we discuss the first step in learning to eat intuitively. Rejecting the diet mentality is necessary in order to learn how to trust your body again. If you have relied on external food rules to dictate your eating, a mindset shift is required to learn how to recognize your God-given hunger and fullness signals. Just as we are called to flee from temptation, we can choose to flee from dieting and surrender our health to God.

In this episode, we discuss multiple causes of anxiety in eating, including texture aversions, picky eating, and even therapeutic diets. Anxiety stems from a fear of something, and when food is involved, it is often related to a fear of choking, a fear of an unpleasant taste, or a fear of an unwanted symptom. The Bible tells us to not be anxious and to cast our cares on the Lord. Listen in as we provide both spiritual and practical tips for reducing anxiety around food.

In this episode, we discuss the rising market of electrolyte supplementation. More and more people are adding electrolytes to their water or buying drinks to replenish their electrolytes, but are they even necessary? Listen in as we discuss the importance of maintaining electrolyte balance and how to do it naturally using whole foods.

In this episode, we interview Grace Lee, author and Christian dietitian, about her work in nutrition for tennis players. She shares her experiences and tips for fueling that led her to write her book. As you will hear, she has a deep love of God and his creation. We hope you enjoy!

In this episode, we talk about biblical stewardship as a way of glorifying God by taking care of what He has given us - including our bodies. In a culture of self-care and "putting yourself first", it is difficult to walk the fine line between stewarding our bodies well and making them an idol. Stewarding God's creation not only includes our bodies, but also the land, our financials, our relationships, and serving other people.  

In this episode, we interview AJ and Kellie Blair who are award winners farmers from Iowa. They are known for their forward-thinking, cutting edge practices in agriculture. We discuss topics such as antibiotics, hormones, GMOS, land and water conservation, and the future of farming practices. 

In this episode, we discuss the differences between spiritual fasting and fasting for weight loss. We tackle questions like "Is there a "right" way to fast?" or "How do you fast and honor your hunger at the same time?"  

Originally published 2.19.21.

In this episode, we talk about the food and nutrition trends we hope to see this year. In a world where everything is becoming more extreme, there is something comforting about getting back to the basics. Listen in as we share what trends we would like to see, but also which ones we expect to see throughout 2023.  

In this episode, we discuss the importance of bone health. Our bones provide the structure for our body, and unfortunately, most of our bone building is done during our childhood, when we don't have a care in the world about it. But is there anything you can do for your bones later in life? Listen in as we discuss the nutrients and lifestyle factors that can positively impact your bone health at any age.  

In this episode, we discuss the rise in popularity of weight loss medications. Like fad diets, weight loss medications are often a "quick fix" for someone wanting to lose weight. They almost always result in weight loss, but for how long and at what cost? 

In this episode, we discuss the foods and nutrients often promoted to improve cognition and mental health. Cognitive decline is a natural part of aging, and there are some things that you can do to reduce your risk. But overall, what is good for your body, is also good for your brain.  

In this episode, we discuss ways to help you meet your health goals without "dieting". Too many people take on a complicated eating or exercise plans this time of year and then feel like failures when they can't sustain it. The assumption is that the more extreme the changes, the better the results; however, research shows that consistency is most important. Changing your mindset and having a plan that is sustainable is going to result in the best outcomes long term. 

In this episode, we discuss finding a balance between grace and discipline in your eating. Black and white thinking about food and health stems from perfectionism and is often unsustainable, while grace is a form of self-compassion that allows for missteps and keeps you moving forward without beating yourself up. The problem arises when we have too much of either. Listen in as we share how to find a balance that works for you. 

In this episode, we discuss the new year and the endless possibilities that go with it. People often take this time of year to evaluate where they have been and where they want to go. We discuss everything from resilience to leaving a legacy. Listen in as we share our plans for the year and provide actionable steps for you to do the same. 

100 episodes!! Can you believe it? In this episode, we discuss our favorite things from food products and kitchen gadgets to things we enjoy doing with friends and family. We hope you enjoy this little glimpse into our lives. 

In this episode, we address corruption in nutrition and medical research. We share the downfall of Brian Wansink as a famous nutrition researcher and the recent discovery of fraudulent Alzheimer's research out of the University of Minnesota. In our culture, absolute truth is no longer the standard, so even scientific research is affected by personal bias and the wicked human heart, leading many people to no longer trust in science. Listen in as we share our thoughts on how to navigate scientific findings in today's world. 

In this episode, we discuss the calorie. Are all calories created equal, and do calories even matter? The old understanding was that calories in versus calories out was a basic math equation, but time has shown us that it's not that simple. There are many variables that affect the way our bodies absorb, process, and utilize calories, which makes calorie counting a futile process. 

In this episode, we discuss the topic of night eating. Do you find yourself snacking all evening? If so, there are some things that you can do to prevent that. Brooke and Jacque review the research on circadian rhythms and how light affects your metabolism and hormones.  

In this episode, we address some common misunderstandings about intuitive eating. The way it is portrayed by some on social media leads people to think it's all ice cream and donuts, but it's really not. Just because you give yourself permission to eat all foods, doesn't mean that you HAVE to.  

In this episode, we discuss what to do when you want to make changes to your health, but you are feeling overwhelmed about where to start. We emphasize the importance of self-evaluation and making small changes as the first step. We also discuss the pros and cons of incorporating other health and weight loss tools. As always, it's most important to focus on HOW you are taking care of your body, rather than physical outcomes that may be out of your control. 

In this episode, we discuss carbohydrates. So many fad diets demonize carbs, and why? Is there any reason for it? Listen in as we discuss the different types of carbohydrate and the role they play in our bodies. 

November is American Diabetes Month. In this episode, we discuss the diabetes disease process, risk factors, and ways to prevent it. It is a complex disease that depends on many variables - some that are in our control and some that are not. If you know you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, it's important to learn how to take care of your body to reduce your risk.

With Halloween coming up, there are lots of people who struggle with how to deal with the influx of candy in their homes. Do you let the kids eat as much as they want? Do you hide it from them? Maybe YOU find yourself out of control around candy, and you dread holidays where candy is readily available. Listen in as we share our personal and professional experiences with candy. 

In this episode, we discuss the rising food prices as a result of inflation and supply chain issues. We provide practical tips on living within your means without sacrificing your health. 

In this episode, we expand on our conversation with Jenn Bryant (from episode 89) on how the fruits of the Spirit relate to how we take care of our bodies. From finding joy in eating, making peace with food, being patient in all things, and exhibiting self-control, we discuss how the Holy Spirit works through us as we abide in Christ. 

In this episode, we interviewed fellow dietitian, Jennifer Bryant. She has a faith-based nutrition practice in New Mexico where she helps her clients learn how to take care of their bodies in a God-honoring way.  She shares her journey with body dissatisfaction and disordered eating patterns, and how intuitive eating and her faith broke the cycle. She also shares how she incorporates the fruits of the Spirit into her counseling practice to help her clients both spiritually and physically.

In this episode, we talk about the common practice of turning to food during times of stress. Food is not the solution and can sometimes make the situation even worse. We will never be able to live a stress-free life on this side of heaven, but we can learn how to deal with it on this earth. Finding rest in Jesus and laying our burdens at his feet is a great place to start.  

In this episode, we tackle the subject of seed oils. They are getting a lot of attention in the media as something we should avoid. Listen in as we explain what seed oils are and the theories surrounding them. 

In this episode, we dive into a recent research study that showed that nonnutritive sweeteners may raise blood sugars in some people. Jacque shares her expertise on the research study itself and how we should interpret the results in a practical way. We also discussed the purpose of these sweeteners, and the role they may play in our health. There are a lot of differing opinions on this topic, so we hope to have brought a nuanced, balanced viewpoint on this issue. 

In this episode, we talk about the struggle to find contentment on this earth, especially when it comes to our bodies. Dieting is often a symptom of someone who is discontent with their body, but it is not the answer. As Christians, we are called to be content in all things, even when things don't go the way we want them too. We should be focusing on gratitude and acceptance as we seek to honor God with our bodies.  

In this episode, we talk about food rules and how they are growing in popularity. We also discuss the Old Testament laws about food and whether Christians should follow them based on what the Bible says and how personal conviction may play a role. 

In this episode, we take a little break from food and nutrition and discuss how our careers and passions have changed over the years. We push back against the culture of nutrition, but we also find ourselves working in the trenches of it. Brooke shares how her career priorities have changed, especially through the pandemic, and Jacque explains how her career has supported her love of food, but not necessarily nutrition.  We discuss seasons, deserts, and how to say "no".  

In this episode, we discuss everything from leaky gut to constipation and diarrhea. Gut health has received increased attention over the past decade as we learn more about our microbiome and how it plays a role in our overall health. With skyrocketing sales of colon cleanses and probiotics, it's obvious that gut health is a major concern. Listen in as we discuss the facts about our GI system and the best and most natural way to take care of it.  

In this episode, we discuss the concept of "Christian" diets. There are many of them out there promoting that they are "biblically-based", but what does that mean? We briefly review the Daniel Plan, the New Life Promise plan, and First Place 4 Health. We discuss the pros and cons of each of them, and how they are (or are not) different from mainstream diets. 

In this episode, we talk about the conflict that often occurs in relationships when one person goes on a fad diet. Is it ever okay to tell give them your opinion about it or is it better to keep your mouth shut? Is a diet ever worth ruining a relationship over? Listen in as we share our stories and words of wisdom on how to handle these difficult situations.  

If this episode, we discuss the new buzz phrase "intensive lifestyle change". What does it mean and is it any different from a diet? The conversation then goes to the sanctification process and if we should feel shame around food. Happy listening!

In this episode, we tackle the debate around diets and lifestyle changes. Many diet companies are rebranding to include "lifestyle changes" into their programs. Are they different or are they the same thing? 

In this episode, we discuss common issues that people worry about in regards to food. From pesticide use to processing to potential food shortages, we as Christians need to make sure we are putting our hope in Christ and trusting God to supply our needs.

In this episode, we discuss the attack on the dairy industry and the rise of plant-based milks. Many people are moving toward dairy alternatives for multiple reasons, including animal rights, taste, allergies, and because they think they are healthier. Listen in as we discuss the benefits of dairy as an unprocessed, whole food provided for us by our Creator, and how the plant-based alternatives will never stack up.  

In this episode, we continue our conversation about avoiding the extremes in our behaviors, including exercise. God created our bodies to move and we know that regular activity is good for us. Listen in as we discuss how to make exercise a regular part of your routine. 

In this episode, we define the meaning of food and diet as God intended, and how it has been co-opted by diet culture to be come something to worship or fear. Throughout the Bible, food is described as a blessing and abundance is a gift from God. Rather than categorizing food and diets as good or bad, embrace the nuance and enjoy the food that God has provided. 

In this episode, we talk about the benefits of red meat from both a nutrition and environmental perspective. Here are some links for you to learn more about beef: 

In this episode, we talk about the vegan diet and why it is getting so much attention in our current culture. Jacque shares a couple of stories about her experience with vegan research and propaganda. We also discuss the nutritional inadequacies of the diet and why eating animal products is actually good for us.