Food Psych #199: PCOS and Food Peace with Julie Duffy Dillon
Fat-positive dietitian Julie Duffy Dillon joins us to discuss common misconceptions about managing polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), how weight stigma harms people with PCOS, why you shouldn’t believe the hype about certain foods causing inflammation, the connection between PCOS and binge eating, the importance of considering that PCOS occurs in people of all genders, and so much more! Plus, Christy answers a listener question about the problems with a particular multi-level-marketing diet and the concept of “accountability” in the fitness world.
Julie Duffy Dillon is a Fat Positive Dietitian, Eating Disorder Specialist, and Food Behavior Expert who partners with people along their Food Peace journey. Julie began specializing in treating Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in 2005 after noticing the connection with weight bias and eating disorders. She sought training on the physiology and endocrinology from pioneering experts willing to not focus on weight loss and diets to treat the complicated condition. This insight has provided people with PCOS to advocate for their physical and emotional health without torturing themselves with diets.
Julie hosts the weekly podcast Love Food. It is a Dear Abby show for those with eating concerns hoping to rewrite their fate. Listeners pen a letter to food outlining their complicated relationship. Julie and sometimes a guest discuss solutions before Food writes back.
She speaks around the country about anti-diet approaches to PCOS while running a group practice in Greensboro North Carolina. She was the featured expert dietitian and PCOS expert on TLC's documentary My Big Fat Fabulous Life. Find her online at JulieDillonRD.com.
We Discuss:
The effects of weight stigma in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) management and support
PCOS and My Big Fat Fabulous Life
Common misconceptions about PCOS management
The psychological consequences of PCOS
Julie’s practice-based evidence of PCOS management
Research on PCOS and weight
The updated evidence-based guidelines for PCOS management
The role of omega-3 supplementation for people with PCOS
Inflammation as it relates to PCOS
Why inflammation and “anti-inflammatory diets” are the latest bogus diet trend
Falsely blaming weight for medical conditions
The effects of weight cycling on health
Carbohydrate cravings among people with PCOS
High insulin levels in people with PCOS and what that means
Research on binge eating and PCOS
Christy’s experience with a misdiagnosis of PCOS
How sexism affects PCOS support from healthcare providers
Current research that may change the way PCOS is diagnosed
The importance of considering that PCOS occurs in people of all genders
Why it is important to have gender-affirming care for all health conditions, including PCOS
Resources Mentioned
Some of the links below are affiliate links. Affiliates or not, we only recommend products and services that align with our values.
Submit your questions for a chance to have them answered on the podcast!
My online course, Intuitive Eating Fundamentals
Help spread the anti-diet message by subscribing to the podcast
Julie Duffy Dillon’s PCOS and Food Peace E-Course
Julie Duffy Dillon’s PCOS and Food Peace for Dietitians
Julie Duffy Dillon and Kimmie Singh’s PCOS and Food Peace Podcast
Julie’s exclusive bonus for Food Psych listeners that shares tips about advocating for better PCOS care
Reality television show that featured Julie Duffy Dillon (CW: This show may contain the use of o-words, specific numbers, and possibly other fatphobic language and images)
Research that reports people with PCOS likely have high insulin levels (CW: As with all scientific research, use of o-words, specific numbers, and possibly other fatphobic language)
Research used to determine new recommended guidelines for people with PCOS (CW: As with all scientific research, use of o-words, specific numbers, and possibly other fatphobic language)
Updated evidence-based guidelines for PCOS management (2018) (CW: As with all scientific research, use of o-words, specific numbers, and possibly other fatphobic language)
Research about PCOS and binge eating (CW: As with all scientific research, use of o-words, specific numbers, and possibly other fatphobic language)
Kimmie’s blog post responding to the assertion that people with PCOS should not receive a diagnosis unless they are trying to conceive
Listener Question of the Week
What is your opinion on programs like Beach Body, and should I stop using and paying for them? Why does this program make you feel bad about yourself? Why is it important to give yourself permission to walk away from programs like this? How is this program different from a diet? How is the concept of accountability related to diet culture? How is movement different from exercise? How are the business practices of these types of program unethical? How are these businesses harmful to the coaches and clients of these programs?
(Resources Mentioned:
Food Psych episode with Julie Duffy Dillon about her relationship with food and being a Health at Every Size Dietitian
Food Psych episode with Julie Duffy Dillon and Rebecca Skritchfield about dieting and Health at Every Size
Food Psych episode with Jessi Haggerty that discusses joyful movement and healing from over-exercise
My online course, Intuitive Eating Fundamentals
Pre-order Christy’s book, Anti-Diet: Reclaim Your Time, Money, Well-Being, and Happiness Through Intuitive Eating)