Why Ditching Ultra-Processed Foods Can Rebalance Your Hormones, Energy, And Mood
Ever wonder why some foods feel impossible to stop eating? We pull back the curtain on how ultra-processed products are engineered to hook your taste buds, spike your blood sugar, and keep you coming back—while quietly nudging up your risk for type 2 diabetes, mood swings, and gut disruption. With nutritionist Julie Ruelle from Go Coco, we translate the science into everyday choices that protect your hormones, energy, and sanity.
We start by separating helpful processing—like freezing vegetables or turning milk into yogurt—from ultra-processed foods packed with dyes, stabilizers, artificial sweeteners, and ingredients your grandparents wouldn’t recognize. Julie breaks down the label tricks behind words like “healthy” and “vegan,” and shows how to scan ingredient lists before nutrition panels. From there, we explore the gut-brain axis: why additives and quick carbs can inflame your microbiome, trigger cravings, and derail your mood and focus. You’ll learn how probiotic foods (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut) and prebiotic fibers (whole grains, beans, veggies, fruit) rebuild your gut—and how noticeable improvements often start within two weeks.
For midlife women, we dig into protein targets, healthy fats, and smart swaps that fit a real schedule. Think 65–100 grams of protein spread across the day, pairing lean proteins with olive oil, avocado, nuts, and seeds to improve absorption and satiety. We share practical ideas: replace the 60-gram sugar coffee drink with a home version using cinnamon and vanilla, upgrade cereal by choosing short-ingredient options and adding nuts and berries, and swap fruit bars for whole fruit plus seeds. We also talk organic priorities for meats and dairy, and why calorie counting can mislead you when nutrient density is the bigger lever.
If you’re ready to step off the sugar-crash roller coaster and build meals that steady your energy and mood, this conversation gives you the roadmap—clear, doable, and built for real life. Subscribe for more expert-backed insights, share this episode with a friend who’s label-curious, and leave a review to tell us the one swap you’ll try today.
Bio
Julie Ruelle is a Registered Dietitian with over 20 years of experience helping people make informed food choices that support long-term health. She currently works with GoCoCo, where she focuses on simplifying nutrition and empowering people to eat well.
Website and Social Media
https://www.linkedin.com/company/gococoapp
https://www.instagram.com/gococoapp/
https://www.facebook.com/GoCoCoApp/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieruelle/
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