What’s missing in obesity care? It’s not another diet plan or more willpower.

In this episode Colleen is joined by Dr. Robyn Pashby, clinical health psychologist and co-author of The New Food Fight, to unpack the mental and emotional side of obesity care (the part most clinicians were never trained to address)

Together, they break down why shame, stigma, and oversimplified “just eat less and move more” messaging continue to derail patient progress, even in the era of GLP-1 medications. Dr. Pashby introduces the powerful concept of food noise vs. shame noise, explains why some patients feel safer seeking care from pop-up prescribing clinics, and shares practical, trauma-informed strategies clinicians can use, even in short visits.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why willpower is the wrong framework for behavior change and weight management
• How to talk about weight without triggering shame or damaging trust
• The difference between food noise and shame noise and why medications don’t fix both
• Language clinicians should avoid (and what to say instead) in weight conversations
• How to support patients on GLP-1 and anti-obesity medications beyond the prescription
• What Health at Every Size gets right and how to practice health at many sizes
• Red flags for disordered eating in patients of all body sizes

If you want patients to stay engaged in care, feel safe coming back, and make sustainable progress, this conversation will give you a new lens

Resources:

Obesity Medicine Nutrition Course - use code POD15 for 15% off!

Connect with Dr Pashby

Any Questions? Send Me a Message

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Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

The 2026 Dietary Guidelines for Americans just dropped and the new upside-down food pyramid caused quite the chatter online this week.

In this special Nutrition Newsroom roundtable, Colleen Sloan, PA, RDN, brings together nine nutrition experts to break down what the new guidelines actually are (and what they’re not), what stayed the same, what changed, and what’s missing.

You’ll hear respectful disagreement, real-world clinical concerns, and practical talking points you can use the next time a patient says, “So… butter is healthy now?”

Here’s what we discuss:

• What the Dietary Guidelines are designed to do and how they’re created. Plus what was different about the 2026 process
• Why the new pyramid graphic is creating mixed messages for clinicians and consumers
• The most controversial updates: saturated fat, full-fat dairy, added sugar guidance for kids, new protein targets, and alcohol recommendations
• How to translate all of this into patient-friendly counseling without fearmongering or food shaming
• What experts say the guidelines missed: fiber, cultural diversity, access/affordability, and community surrounding meals

What are your thoughts on the new guideline?

Resources:

Dietary Guideline Advisory Committee Process

Scientific Foundation for the New Guidelines

New Dietary Guidelines

Connect with the experts:

Jennifer Van Zant

Christina Link

Crystal Duque

Barbara Ruhs

Tony Castillo

Marina Chaparro

Krystal Zuniga

Gisela Bouvier

Dustin Moore

Any Questions? Send Me a Message

Support the show

Connect with Colleen:
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LinkedIn
Sign up for my FREE Newsletter - Nutrition hot-topics delivered to your inbox each week.

Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

Today’s episode is a mashup of my favorite moments, quotes, and “clinic gems” from the year. These are the tools that made conversations easier, built more trust, and helped patients actually follow through… and I’m bringing all eight of them with me into 2026.

Inside this episode, you’ll learn:

• The simple mindset shift that instantly reduces clinician burnout
• The question that uncovers barriers faster than any advice ever will
• How to start tough conversations about weight without creating defensiveness
• The one identity-based exercise that helps patients move beyond the scale
• The exact line I use to avoid feeling cornered by those last-minute “oh by the way…” questions

Resources Mentioned:

Obesity Medicine Nutrition Course - use code POD15 for 15% off!

132 | It’s Not Your Job to Make Patients Change with Staci Belcher

67 | Is Your Patient Noncompliant or Just Struggling? with Laura Koller

68 | The Right Way to Talk Weight with Nina Crowley

134 | Weight Doesn’t Equal Worth, But It Still Impacts Health with Dr Doron

Sneak Peek Week Mini-Series (Goal-Weight Exercise with Jeannie Boyer)

Any Questions? Send Me a Message

Support the show

Connect with Colleen:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Sign up for my FREE Newsletter - Nutrition hot-topics delivered to your inbox each week.

Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.