Real Talk with Dana | Nutrition, Health & Fitness with a healthy side of sarcasm

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Dana Monsees, CNS, MS is a Nutritionist and Body Image Coach teaching women how to heal their relationship with food and their bodies, ditch the diet cycle for good, heal and thrive with real food, one delicious meal at a time. Dana is the creator of realfoodwithdana.com, where she shares nutrition,…

Dana Monsees


    • Jul 10, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 47m AVG DURATION
    • 287 EPISODES

    4.8 from 481 ratings Listeners of Real Talk with Dana | Nutrition, Health & Fitness with a healthy side of sarcasm that love the show mention: whole30, whole 30, found dana, food freedom, love dana, listening to dana, host of the real, sensitivities, episode 56, dana s podcasts, thanks dana, relationship with food, adrenal fatigue, leaky gut, dana's, quitting, thank you for saying, love her honesty, eating disorders, disordered eating.


    Ivy Insights

    The Real Talk with Dana podcast is truly inspiring and packed with amazing content. Dana consistently delivers episodes that are motivational, uplifting, and inspiring. The podcast features a wide range of guests and interviews that provide valuable insights into health and wellness. It is a must-listen for anyone looking for actionable advice and incredible insight. I highly recommend this podcast.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is Dana's refreshing realness when it comes to health and wellness. She challenges the "new year, new me!" diet culture and offers a different perspective on our relationship with food. Her rebuke of diet culture had me shouting "YES!" at my phone. This authenticity cuts through the noise and provides listeners with actionable advice that can help them find peace and relaxation in their body, both physically, emotionally, and mentally.

    While there are so many great aspects to The Real Talk with Dana podcast, one potential downside is that not everyone may agree 100% with everything discussed in each episode. However, even if you don't agree with everything presented, there is still a wealth of knowledge to be gained from listening to the podcast regularly.

    In conclusion, The Real Talk with Dana podcast is a highly recommended listen for anyone interested in health, nutrition, and overall well-being. With its inspiring content, valuable insights from guests, and authentic approach to challenging diet culture, this podcast offers a fresh perspective on our relationship with food and our bodies. Dana's humor adds a lightness to deep topics, making it relatable and enjoyable to listen to. Don't miss out on this incredible resource for improving your health and wellness journey!



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    Latest episodes from Real Talk with Dana | Nutrition, Health & Fitness with a healthy side of sarcasm

    Summer reading recs ’24 – our all-time favorites {with Kara!}

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024 82:46


    This summer reading recommendations episode is a little bit different than what we've done previously – this is an episode filled with great recommendations, but mostly not from what we've been reading this year. We wanted to spotlight more amazing books that aren't talked about as much, books that live in our heads rent free...

    SOS – Summer Body Image

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2024 47:32


    This week on the podcast, we are talking all things summer body image – not surprising because all those summer clothes have everyone in their feels.  This episode is full of tips, support and ways to check in with yourself on how your body image is faring so far.  It's action packed and full of...

    A missing link in eating disorder treatment with Dr. Jennie Wang-Hall

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2024 48:07


    Eating disorder psychologist Dr. Jennie Wang-Hall joins us to talk about what might be missing in your eating disorder treatment. We dive into how parts work is essential to understanding the roots of your eating disorder and how our eating disorders are bred from a protective part of us. Listen to learn more about how Dr. Jennie...

    Listener questions – Oprah making a mess again, gut diversity and adaptogens

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2024 45:06


    This week we have a listener questions episode! You all asked us about gut diversity, the new Oprah special, adaptogens for autoimmune disease and more! Listen in for our thoughts on eating 30 plants per week for the gut microbiome, how Oprah is making a mess again, and so much more. Join our Patreon community...

    The problem with food as a reward

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2024 26:54


    In this episode we discuss why we view “food as a reward” with a side of skepticism and conflicting feelings. From childhood treats to adult indulgences like alcohol and retail therapy, we're exploring why we feel the need to earn every bite. Why do we think of “food as a reward” as a bad thing?...

    Social media, AI and body image with Sarah Egan & Amanda Bolton

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2024 45:41


    Today we're diving into social media, AI and body image with Sarah Egan and Amanda Bolton from Eating Disorders Training Australia! We'll be talking about what the research says on the impact of social media on negative body image, the crazy world of AI, and tools you can use to set boundaries on social media...

    Raising kid food explorers with Dani Lebovitz

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2024 51:45


     In today's episode, we're thrilled to have Dani Lebovitz, the passionate force behind Kid Food Explorers, joining us. As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Pediatric Dietitian, Dani is on a mission to empower parents in raising confident and adventurous eaters. Today, we're exploring how to navigate the often-conflicting expectations and information surrounding children's nutrition. Dani...

    Natural ozempic – does it exist?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2024 51:40


    This week we're doing a deep dive on tools, foods, and supplements that are being touted as ” natural ozempic “, including oats, berberine, akkermansia, and continuous glucose monitors (CGM's) . Does a natural ozempic even exist? How do these tools work in the body, and do they actuallly work as social media says they...

    Aging, botox and body image with Dr. Colleen Reichmann

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2024 50:07


    Dr. Colleen Reichmann joins us again this week for a very needed, very nuanced conversation around aging, self-care, botox and body image! We talk about how it's normal to experience conflicted feelings about aging and ‘tweakments' like botox, fillers, red light therapy, etc. We also discuss how insisting people should just love their bodies as...

    Big Food and anti-diet influencers?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2024 51:19


    This week we have a nutrition in the news episode all about Big Food and anti-diet influencers & dietitians! A juicy article came up on Washington Post that we *needed* to dig into, titled: As obesity rises, Big Food and dietitians push ‘anti-diet' advice – and you KNOW we were going to have some opinions...

    Breaking down gut health trends (part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2024 45:58


    In this episode we're breaking down more gut health trends, gut supplements, testing, and more – inspired by your questions! In this episode we're covering: food sensitivity testing, stool testing, hydrogen water, Seed probiotic, $100 probiotics (from Pendulum), and at-home breath testing for symptom management. Don't forget to check out part 1 – Colostrum, creatine,...

    Negative Body Image: Is your gut health to blame?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2024 51:59


    This week we're doing a deep dive on the negative body image and gut health connection! It's natural when things aren't going great internally with your body that you're not going to feel good about your body image. Why is this? We're digging into the gut-brain connection, how and why having a diagnosis (or cluster...

    Cycle syncing and shark bait OOH HA HA

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2024 48:27


    We're bringing you another trending topic in the nutrition and wellness world this week – cycle syncing! This is a recently re-popularized trend where more functionally-minded circles are sharing how you can live, eat, exercise, etc. in line with the four phases of the menstrual cycle. And while it's refreshing to see more information out...

    Colostrum, creatine, and 75 no thanks I’m busy that day {listener questions}

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2024 54:53


    Today we have an episode driven by your questions on a lot of recent nutrition and wellness trends lately: we're digging into 75 hard, colostrum, creatine, and collagen! What do the studies actually say? Are these worth the hype? And what would we avoid with a 100-foot pole? PS – check out the studies mentioned...

    Managing IBS and stress overload with Kate Scarlata, RD

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2024 44:19


     Kate Scarlata joins us to talk about managing IBS and stress overload, the gut-brain axis, IBS mimickers, and when to re-examine your gut symptoms with your doctor. What do you do when you feel like you've tried everything to manage IBS, and you're still experiencing symptoms? We also discuss: the more stressful the diet is...

    Why millennials can’t love their bodies

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2024 32:40


    This week we have a body image-centered episode for Valentines' Day week – Why Millennials can't love their bodies. We know a lot of millennials can relate to the “oh that's cool for them, but not for me” to embrace body acceptance and neutrality. We're digging into the layered impact that diet and wellness culture...

    When resolutions lead to burnout (and what to do about it)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2024 41:11


    If you're feeling like your resolutions or intentions for the new year have already crashed and burned, or if you're feeling on very shaky ground – you're not alone! On this week's episode we're talking about when resolutions lead to burnout, and what we can do about it. Raise your hand if you feel like...

    Is dry January the new Whole30?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2024 41:43


    On this week's episode we're discussing: is dry January the new whole30? And how to examine your relationship with alcohol in a non-diet way. We talk about the similarities and differences between dry January and strict food elimination protocols, and how dry January *can* be used in a way to examine your relationship with alcohol....

    Body image healing through somatic experiencing and IFS with Meg Doll

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2024 53:06


    Meg Doll joins us to dive into the world of trauma healing, somatic experiencing and IFS, which have been super hot button topics on social media lately. Meg is helping us demystify these concepts, sharing insights into why trauma healing is gaining popularity, and dispelling misconceptions surrounding its connection to weight loss. Meg sheds light...

    Unf*ckwithable confidence: science backed body image work with Kara Loewentheil

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2024 52:05


    Kara Loewentheil joins us to dive into the intricacies of de-programming and re-programming the mind and science backed body image work. We're discussing the internalized belief that a woman's life hinges on the other side of a weight loss journey, and how sexist thinking can trap you in a body image spiral. Kara is the...

    Building happy hormones with Kaely McDevitt

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2024 50:19


    We're doing a deep dive into women's health and building happy hormones with Kaely McDevitt. We're talking about – what are some common things that hold you back from “building happy hormones” – especially if you feel like you're someone who's “doing all the things”? What's the big deal about progesterone, and how do you...

    When you know too much about diet culture (and you don’t know what to do now)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2024 46:43


    This one goes out to all the people who are stuck in limbo! Whether you're listening to this at the beginning of January or not – what do you do when you know too much about diet culture and don't want to participate in that any more…BUT. You still care about your health, maybe you...

    Favorite Books of 2023!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2023 79:26


    Hey readers & listeners! It's time for our favorite books of 2023, plus some surprises and recommendations. Tune in for our list of: are these hyped books worth it?? Plus our major disappointments of this year, and how we're planning on turning our reading years around in 2024. Check out the full list of the...

    Gallbladder health 101 & the gallbladder-hormone connection with Olivia Haas

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2023 39:42


    On today's episode we are interviewing Olivia Haas, a Gallbladder and Fatty Liver specialist Nutritionist so we can dig into all things gallbladder health and the gallbladder-hormone connection. This episode is both for people who do and don't have gallbladders! We're discussing some of the main reasons why people may have to get their gallbladder...

    Managing chronic health symptoms during the holidays

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2023 56:09


    As two practitioners with celiac who work with people with chronic health conditions, we know how hard it can be to manage chronic health symptoms during the holidays. Today we're bringing you practical tips for holiday eating with food restrictions, how to make holiday meals more enjoyable, and how to go in with a plan... The post Managing chronic health symptoms during the holidays first appeared on Dana Monsees Nutrition.

    Burnout-proof your holidays with Dr Crystal Frazee

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2023 54:52


    We invited Dr. Crystal Frazee to join us again to talk about how to burnout-proof your holidays. We discuss: what to do if you're already burned out going into the holidays, and how to assess and protect your own capacity, especially if you're the main person who's “bringing the magic. We also highly recommend you... The post Burnout-proof your holidays with Dr Crystal Frazee first appeared on Dana Monsees Nutrition.

    Protecting kids from disordered eating conversations during the holidays with Zoe Bisbing

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2023 63:33


    As parents, we've worked hard to create a more body-positive and food-neutral environment for our kids. However, during the holidays, we often find ourselves surrounded by family members who may not share the same values or have caused harm in the past. This can leave us feeling protective of our children and wondering how to... The post Protecting kids from disordered eating conversations during the holidays with Zoe Bisbing first appeared on Dana Monsees Nutrition.

    Boundary setting for holiday food and body conversations

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2023 38:11


    We know that holidays can be a really tough time if you've been working on your relationship with food and body image. Today we're discussing how to set some boundaries for holiday food and body conversations! We also have a ton of resources to help support you, and a bonus episode coming out this weekend... The post Boundary setting for holiday food and body conversations first appeared on Dana Monsees Nutrition.

    Navigating body image and business in fashion with Denise Lee

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2023 42:06


    Denise Lee, the founder of Alala clothing, joins us this week to talk about navigating body image and business in fashion, and overcoming body image struggles as someone who works in the fashion industry. We discuss the pressure to change your body to “look the part”, whether it's the fashion industry, fitness, nutrition, etc., and... The post Navigating body image and business in fashion with Denise Lee first appeared on Dana Monsees Nutrition.

    Dinnertime SOS: making meal times less stressful with Amy Palanjian

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2023 45:42


    Amy Palanjian from Yummy Toddler Food joins Cristina this week to talk about her newest cookbook written specifically for families with young children, “Dinnertime SOS”.  In this episode, she discusses the inspiration behind her book and the added pressure of making dinner. She also emphasizes the importance of embracing shortcuts in meal prep and cooking,... The post Dinnertime SOS: making meal times less stressful with Amy Palanjian first appeared on Dana Monsees Nutrition.

    Are you addicted to cortisol?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2023 58:32


    On this week's episode we're discussing – are you addicted to cortisol? It's been a while since we did an entire episode on burnout, so we're diving right in. Are you burnt out and you don't even know it? Or are you totally burnt out and have no idea what to do about it? We're... The post Are you addicted to cortisol? first appeared on Dana Monsees Nutrition.

    An olympic athlete's journey to body neutrality in dietetics with Jourdan Delacruz

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2023 50:36


    On today's episode we're talking relationship with food, body image and body neutrality in dietetics from olympic athlete and soon to be dietitian Jordan Delacruz. Today we're talking about – wow do you balance the principles of intuitive eating, non-diet, and supporting positive body image while in a weight class dependent sport? Jordan talks about... The post An olympic athlete's journey to body neutrality in dietetics with Jourdan Delacruz first appeared on Dana Monsees Nutrition.

    Nutrition for Multiple Sclerosis and avoiding orthorexic traps with Danielle Bourgeon

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2023 47:44


    Danielle Bourgeon shares her personal insights on nutrition for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and common misconceptions surrounding this condition. She discusses the fear of feeling overwhelmed when getting diagnosed, and the pitfalls of trying to do all the things in a perfectionist way to try to “cure” the disease or stop its progression. We also touch... The post Nutrition for Multiple Sclerosis and avoiding orthorexic traps with Danielle Bourgeon first appeared on Dana Monsees Nutrition.

    Unpacking nutrition for autoimmune disease

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2023 62:54


    On today's episode we're unpacking nutrition for autoimmune disease, and discussing how we can manage autoimmune disease without the all-or-nothing, functional medicine mentality. How can we incorporate evidence-based nutrition information into our lives when we're struggling with a chronic health condition, without it becoming perfectionistic or dogmatic? How do you decide if even these evidence-based... The post Unpacking nutrition for autoimmune disease first appeared on Dana Monsees Nutrition.

    Combatting anti-fat bias and AAP guidelines at school with Dr. Rachel Millner

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2023 43:33


    Dr. Rachel Millner joins Cristina this week to discuss the recent American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines that are setting the stage for major physical, mental, and emotional health ramifications for both parents and children as young as 2 years old. Dr. Rachel discusses how these guidelines are rooted in fatphobia, weight stigma, and extreme privilege,... The post Combatting anti-fat bias and AAP guidelines at school with Dr. Rachel Millner first appeared on Dana Monsees Nutrition.

    Conquering fall reset season

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2023 36:22


    We're chatting about navigating overwhelm and decision fatigue in fall reset season. This is part 2 to our previous episode: do you need a fall reset? (Linked here!) Today, we're talking about – what you think you need to reset in the fall or after a vacation, VS what you actually need, and where body... The post Conquering fall reset season first appeared on Dana Monsees Nutrition.

    Unpacking eating disorders on campus with Anita Dharwadkar

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2023


    Anita Dharwadkar joins us today to talk about the Freshman 15 to College Crisis: Unpacking Eating Disorders on Campus. Whether you're in college right now, you're a parent listening to this episode, or someone who personally struggled with this in college, this episode is for you! Join us for the Whole-Hearted Eating Non-Diet Meal Planning... The post Unpacking eating disorders on campus with Anita Dharwadkar first appeared on Dana Monsees Nutrition.

    Do you need a fall reset?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2023 39:19


    Welcome to Season 7 of the Whole-Hearted Eating Podcast! On this episode, Dana and Cristina jump right into the concept of the ‘fall reset'. Why does it feel so good and comforting to think about a reset going into the fall? And if this is you – even if you're trying to get away from... The post Do you need a fall reset? first appeared on Dana Monsees Nutrition.

    Mid-Year Best Books & Summer Reading Recommendations

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2023 90:03


    We're back for another bonus episode to talk about books & summer reading recommendations! Dana and Kara are back to talk about their favorite books of the year so far, biggest disappointments, plus – what they're most looking forward to reading the rest of the year, including most anticipated releases! Check out the whole list...

    How to fix your body image in the summer 

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2023 54:37


    On today's episode we're chatting about – how to fix your body image in the summer: whole-hearted eating edition. We've been conditioned to believe our bodies are broken and they need to be fixed; and the only way to fix this is to change our bodies so we're more comfortable with the way that they...

    The perfectionism and autoimmune disease link with Paige Lavell

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2023 55:27


    Paige Lavell joins Dana to discuss the connections between perfectionism and autoimmune disease in women, and the difficult all-or-nothing road this leads people down when they're searching for healing modalities. We talk about how this leads to jumping from practitioner to practitioner, protocol to protocol, and spending thousands of dollars without getting answers or solutions....

    the Endometriosis and IBS connection with Christie Lee

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2023 59:15


    Endometriosis Dietitian Christie Lee joins Dana today for a conversation all about the Endometriosis and IBS connection. We do a breakdown of endometriosis 101, how to know if it's endometriosis or ‘normal' period pain, an overview of the most cost common “treatments” for endo and why they don't provide long-term success (or even pain reduction)...

    Nutrition for Pregnancy Real Talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2023 43:59


    On today's episode, Dana interviews Cristina about pregnancy nutrition troubleshooting and nutrition for pregnancy real talk! There's so much nutrition information out there about pregnancy, and sometimes it can have a little bit of a rose-colored glasses vibe. As someone who is a parent of 2 (Cristina), it can be really frustrating to not have...

    Pelvic floor dysfunction and gut health troubleshooting with Liz Miracle from Origin

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2023 42:35


    On today's episode Dana interviews Liz Miracle from Origin, an inclusive pelvic floor-focused physical therapy practice, to talk about pelvic floor dysfunction and gut health troubleshooting. We cover the main signs and symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, why women don't seek care for PFD, the pelvic floor and endometriosis connection, and the types of clients...

    How do you know if you're eating enough? + listener questions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2023 48:01


    Time for a listener questions episode! On today's episode we're focusing on a main topic of: how do you know if you're eating enough? We also cover… Timestamps for questions: Recommendations & Resources Mentioned Join our Patreon community for only $5 to get access to a bunch of the bonus resources we mention in this episode!...

    The people pleasing and binge eating connection, with Jessi Jean

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2023 51:39


    On today's episode, Cristina and Dana interview Jessi Jean all about the people pleasing and emotional eating connection. In today's interview we're digging into how our nervous system plans a role in binge eating and emotional eating, and how nervous system regulation tools can be used to help clients understand and work through their own binge...

    Anti-diet vs weight neutral nutrition care, with Maria Sylvester Terry

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2023 55:36


    Maria Sylvester Terry of Vitamin Ri joins Dana today for a fun mix of a clinical discussion of Anti-diet vs weight neutral nutrition care, and some lighthearted banter about the current (sometimes problematic) state of the intuitive eating and anti-diet space on social media. Ri and Dana are chatting about how they work with gyms...

    ARFID: it’s not just picky eating, with Stefanie Ginsburg and Rebecca Thomas

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2023 62:25


    This week Cristina interviews the ARFID RD's, Stefanie Ginsburg and Rebecca Thomas, all about Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. We clarify what exactly ARFID is, why you may not have ever heard of it, and the biggest misconceptions around the newest eating disorder on the block. We talk about why ARFID goes mislabeled and misdiagnosed...

    Non-diet PCOS management with Amanda Huynh

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2023 50:35


    Today we have a highly requested topic by our listeners and clients – non-diet PCOS management! Joining us today is Amanda Huynh, a registered dietitian in australia who practices from a non-diet approach.She helps women combat restrictive eating patterns and PCOS problems using a unique intuitive eating and hormone balancing nutrition approach so they can...

    Chronic symptom management and cultivating resilience with Whole-Hearted Eating

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2023 43:42


    Welcome to part 3 of our discussion on functional medicine, lab testing, and chronic symptom management from a Whole-Hearted Eating Approach! In this episode we discuss how when you're dealing with chronic symptoms or labs that are out of range, doctors place a huge emphasis on removing everything inflammatory – foods, lifestyle factors, etc. So...

    The messiness of motherhood with Dr. Colleen Reichmann

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2023 55:45


    On today's episode Cristina and Dr. Colleen Reichmann have a candid chat about the messiness of motherhood! They're talking about motherhood is such a humbling experience and can be extremely overwhelming, how not to get bogged down in the mess of it, or trying to ‘heal yourself' before giving yourself permission to parent around complex...

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