Episode 214: Dr. Kim Dennis - The Future of Ultra-Processed Food Use Disorder & Eating Disorder Treatment

Dr. Kim Dennis returns to the Food Junkies Podcast to discuss the evolving understanding of Ultra-Processed Food Use Disorder (UPFUD) and its intersection with clinical psychiatry, eating disorders, trauma, and harm reduction approaches. With mounting research pointing to the undeniable effects of ultra-processed foods on mental and physical health, Dr. Dennis provides insight into how treatment for food use disorder and eating disorders can evolve to better serve patients. She dives deep into the controversies within the eating disorder and addiction treatment fields, including: ✅ The impact of ultra-processed foods on mood disorders, anxiety, and overall health ✅ The role of trauma-informed care in addiction and eating disorder recovery ✅ How adaptive dietary restraint challenges the “all foods fit” model in traditional eating disorder treatment ✅ The three treatment approaches used in her clinic: treatment as usual, harm reduction, and abstinence-based recovery ✅ How clinicians can balance avoiding diet culture while addressing the reality of harmful food choices Dr. Dennis also shares new research and emerging treatments, including the use of ketogenic meal plans for anorexia, and how individualized care can be the key to better long-term outcomes. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in bridging the gap between eating disorder treatment and food addiction recovery while ensuring compassionate, science-backed, and trauma-informed care. 🩺 About Dr. Kim Dennis: Dr. Kim Dennis is a board-certified psychiatrist, addiction specialist, and eating disorder expert. She is a fierce advocate for integrating food addiction into mainstream treatment and leads a clinic that treats eating disorders, substance use disorders, and mental health conditions holistically. With her lived experience in eating disorder and addiction recovery, she brings a unique and powerful perspective to the conversation.   🔗 Connect with Dr. Dennis: 💻 www.suncloudhealth.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPiWE--B6TQ4-4gqUXDpvng/videos Published Research Literature:  ☑Dismantling the myth of "All Foods Fit" in Eating Disorder Treatment  ☑Food addiction screening, diagnosis and treatment: a protocol for residential treatment of eating disorders, substance use disorders and trauma-related psychiatric comorbidity 🔗 Connect with the Food Junkies Podcast: 📢 Subscribe & Leave a Review – Your feedback helps us spread awareness and reach more people on their recovery journey. 📩 Join the Conversation – Connect with us on social media and let us know your thoughts on today’s episode! Email us: foodjunkiespodcast@gmail.com   The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

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Welcome to the "Food Junkies" podcast! Here we aim to provide you with the experience, strength and hope of professionals actively working on the front lines in the field of Food Addiciton. The purpose of our show is to educate YOU the listener and increase overall awareness about Food Addiction as a recognized disorder. Here we discuss all things recovery, exploring the many pathways people take towards abstinence in order to achieve a health forward lifestyle. Most importantly how to THRIVE rather than just survive. So stay positive, make a change for yourself, tell others about your change, and hopefully the message will spread. The content on our show does not supplement or supersede the professional relationship and direction of your healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder or mental health concern.