Food for Thought with Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

While Southern Italy is the land of sun-drenched tomatoes and olive oil, Northern Italy offers a completely different culinary landscape. Characterized by the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites, the mist of the Po Valley, and the sophisticated canals of Venice, the North is a region of rich history and hearty, “stick-to-your-bones” fare.

In this final installment of our Italian culinary tour, we head to the cooler climates of regions l...

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Our culinary tour of Italy continues in Tuscany, a region whose cypress-lined landscapes and medieval hill towns define the quintessential Italian dream. This episode focuses on a cuisine where the philosophy of cucina povera meets world-class agricultural products, creating a table that is naturally plant-forwa...

Our culinary tour of Italy continues as we head into Central Italy, a region defined by rolling hills, ancient forests, and a deep agricultural heritage. Comprising Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio, Abruzzo, and Le Marche, this area moves away from the tomato-heavy south toward a rustic palette of beans, grains, and earthy foraged treasures.

What This Episode Covers:

* We explore the temperate climate and topography of regions like Tuscany and...

When many Americans think of Italian food, they immediately picture heavy, meat-laden dishes like chicken parmigiana, spaghetti and meatballs, and rich cheese sauces. But the reality of traditional Italian cuisine—especially in the South—is entirely different!

In this episode, we dive deep into the culinary heartbeat of Southern Italy and explore how its sun-drenched climate, rich volcanic soil, and fascinating history naturally cre...

Pollinators are in serious decline—from monarch butterflies to native bees—and the consequences are profound, and in today’s episode, we talk about how you can help—starting right where you are. Specifically, how to create a pollinator sanctuary in your own backyard. Unlike so many global challenges, this is something we can actually impact—right in our own yards, balconies, and communities.

In this episode, we talk about:

* why poll...

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In today’s episode, we take a closer look at DEXA scans — what they measure, what the numbers actually mean, and whether getting one is worth it.

These scans are becoming more common in fitness and wellness settings, providing insight into body fat, muscle mass, visceral fat, bone density, and even something call...

In today’s episode, we talk about why bone density begins to decline and what actually builds strong, resilient bones — at every age and every stage of life, including perimenopause and postmenopause.

Now, before you think, “Well, that’s not me — I’m in my 20s… my 30s… my 40s,” please give this episode a listen, because the strength of your bones at 60 is determined by what you do at 25.

This is Part 1, focused on nutrition and hormo...

In today’s episode, we look at why Valentine’s Day—long before chocolates and cards—was rooted in the natural world and inspired by birds! And we explore how food, desire, and romance became intertwined with love, pleasure, and compassion.

It’s a fun, playful, and historical episode, grounded in the senses, and—of course—rooted in compassion.

Happy Valentine’s Day… or happy any day you choose to celebrate love. 💗

(And enjoy the roman...

Before we talk about symptoms, hormones, or interventions we have to examine the words we use to describe women, aging, and the most natural biological transitions of our lives. Because language doesn’t just reflect our attitudes—it actively shapes how we experience our bodies, our worth, and our place in the world.

Drawing from personal experience, cultural history, etymology, and media portrayals, I explore why menopause and women...

What does it actually mean to be vegan? For most people, the answer is simple—until it isn’t.

This week on Food for Thought (celebrating 20 years!), I explore what happens after someone stops eating animal products…when the (seemingly) neat definition starts running into the messy reality of the world we live in.

Most of us don’t actually live by strict definitions, but when real-life scenarios arise that defy simple answers, conflic...

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Food for Thought podcast remains listener-supported. To support this work and receive perks and exclusive engagement, please consider becoming paid subscriber (but don’t go anywhere if you’re a free subscriber)!

Welcome to 2026—and to the 20th anniversary year of Food for Thought! I’m kicking off the new year with an episode about stretching our comfort zones through small, intentional pra...

This podcast is listener-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode of Food for Thought, I explore the long, often-forgotten history of abstaining from meat during Advent and other Christian fasting periods, and how that tradition actually aligns beautifully with a modern vegan lifestyle.

Drawing from my own Catholic upbringing, I look at how rites and rituals lik...

As part of our deeper series on protein, perimenopause, and hormone health, this episode kicks off a multi-part exploration of soy—one of the most misunderstood yet most powerful foods in our plant-based toolkit.

This podcast is listener-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

There’s so much confusion around soy—does it act like estrogen? Does it affect hormones? And what abo...

In this episode, we return to protein—this time looking at how to use it strategically to build and maintain muscle, especially as we age (or level up, as I like to say).

If you haven’t yet listened to Are You Getting Enough Protein? Part One and Are You Getting Enough Protein? Part Two, I highly recommend doing so — they lay the foundation for this deeper dive into how protein works in the body, how much we actually need, and why a...

In this episode of Food for Thought, we’re separating fact from fear when it comes to omega-3s, omega-6s, and seed oils. I share what I’ve learned from testing my own Omega-3 Index, what the results mean, and how I’m adjusting my diet and supplements for both heart and brain health.

We’ll talk about why omega-6s aren’t inherently bad, how to bring balance back through whole foods and direct EPA/DHA sources, and why testing (not gues...

In this episode, I share why I’ve been off mainstream media (and feel calmer, clearer, and more engaged), how I stay informed on my terms, and what the Tao Te Ching and Stoicism taught me about hope that does the work.

We’ll look at the “doom loop,” why outrage isn’t engagement, and how to channel energy into real life—voting, volunteering, showing up for people you love—without pretending everything’s fine.

Along the way, I unpack...

You may not know this, but I’m a huge Lord of the Rings fan—both the novels and the film—and this episode springs from one of the most powerful lines in both the books and the movies. When the world feels heavy—politics, climate, cruelty—that sentence brings me back to what I can actually choose: my response to it all.

I also share some of my favorite thoughts from one of my favorite Stoic philosophers that align with that concept.

T...

In this updated episode of Food for Thought—Omega-3s: Skip the Fish, Boost Your Brain (and Get Enough!)—we talk about these incredibly important fatty acids that are vital for brain, heart, mood, eye, and overall health.

You’ve probably heard recommendations to eat fish to get your omega-3 fats, but listen to understand exactly what these fats are—and why skipping the middle fish is beneficial.

What’s also essential is getting an am...

Today’s episode is an update of one I produced a few years ago—so you have the most accurate, up-to-date, science-based information about how to eat as healthfully as possible and how to use supplements to complement an already healthy diet.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

* Why I prefer targeted essentials over one-size-fits-all multivitamins

* The non-negotiables I prioritize (and why), including B12, D3, DHA/EPA, Creatine, and more

...