Breaking Free from the Food Guilt Cycle with Ali Shapiro

Today, Kathleen and Sonia bring you a fascinating chat with Ali Shapiro –  health coach, speaker, and creator of Truce with Food. Together, they dig into the highs, lows, and everything in between when it comes to cravings, food, and the ways alcohol plays into it all.

In this episode, they tackle questions we all ask ourselves: Why do I crave sugar after a long day? What’s really behind that urge to snack? and How can I start eating in a way that feels right for me? Ali shares practical insights on how to understand cravings, balance blood sugar, and build a healthier relationship with food that doesn’t feel like a battle.

Listeners will get practical tips about blood sugar balance, ways to know the difference between “I need this” and “I want this,” and how to make food choices that feel natural. Ali also talks about her own journey with food, revealing how a health challenge as a kid shaped her approach to nutrition today. Whether you're struggling with cravings or just looking to feel more in tune with your body, there’s something here for you.

This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our Substack for extra tips, tricks, and resources.

Time-Stamped Highlights

[00:01:00] Meet Ali Shapiro and her unique take on food and cravings
[00:01:10] How blood sugar and alcohol mess with our cravings
[00:02:00] Why emotional cravings happen and how to spot them
[00:03:12] The never-ending cycle of caffeine and exhaustion
[00:04:15] What’s the difference between wanting a snack and needing one?
[00:05:23] Ali’s thoughts on why “intuitive eating” isn’t always so intuitive
[00:06:54] Getting real about our emotional ties to food
[00:07:52] Food as a way to connect with others – why it matters
[00:08:10] Kathleen shares how food helped her through a hard time
[00:09:19] How meals can help us slow down and feel more grounded
[00:10:12] Finding balance when it comes to emotional eating
[00:11:23] Ali’s “three types of hunger” approach – it’s not just about food!
[00:12:42] How blood sugar balance can reduce cravings
[00:13:56] Ali’s breakfast experiment – try it for yourself!
[00:15:27] Peptides and insulin – breaking down what it all means
[00:17:04] Why strength training is a midlife game-changer
[00:18:29] Understanding how hormones impact our cravings
[00:20:15] Building muscle to support a healthy weight
[00:21:59] Busting the myth of calorie-counting diets
[00:24:48] Separating health and weight without judgment
[00:28:55] Ali’s Truce with Food program – what it’s all about
[00:34:43] A sneak peek at Ali’s thoughts on gut health

Links

Get In Touch With Ali - 

• Free breakfast experiment
• Truce with Food group program

• Sisters In Sobriety Substack - find more tips, tricks, resources, and community
• Sisters In Sobriety Email
• Sisters In Sobriety Instagram
• Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast
• Kathleen’s Instagram

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