Episode 12: Is Intuitive Eating Appropriate for PCOS/PMOS?

Episode 12: Is Intuitive Eating Appropriate for PCOS/PMOS?

Can you be an intuitive eater and still manage insulin resistance? *Disclaimer: This episode was filmed prior to the recent 2026 renaming of PCOS--> PMOS. You will hear us referring to PMOS as PCOS throughout the episode. In this episode, we're separating myths from science and exploring how to support both metabolic health and a healthy relationship with food when living with PCOS/PMOS. While intuitive eating can be a valuable framework for healing your relationship with food, insulin resistance—a hallmark feature of PCOS/PMOS—can make hunger, fullness, cravings, and energy levels feel less predictable. In this episode, we're unpacking the nuanced relationship between intuitive eating and PCOS/PMOS. We'll explore how insulin resistance affects hunger regulation, why blood sugar management involves more than just carbohydrates, and how to approach nutrition in a way that supports both metabolic health and food freedom. Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been navigating PCOS/PMOS for years, this episode will help you understand why intuitive eating may feel challenging at times—and how to make it work for you rather than against you. In This Episode, You'll Learn: * What insulin resistance is and why it's so common in PCOS/PMOS * Why insulin resistance can exist even when your A1C is normal * The difference between insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, and diabetes * Why carbohydrates aren't the only foods that influence insulin * The labs and tests that may provide insight into insulin resistance * How insulin resistance can impact hunger, fullness, cravings, and energy * Why intuitive eating can feel more difficult with PCOS/PMOS * Practical ways to build meals that increase satisfaction and satiety * How to integrate intuitive eating principles while supporting metabolic health Love the show? Subscribe to Eat Kale and Cupcakes for expert conversations on PCOS/PMOS, eating disorders, intuitive eating, nutrition, body image, and women's health. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a rating and review and share it with someone who may benefit from this discussion. Every review helps others discover the podcast. Follow us on instagram: @eatkaleandcupcakes Learn more about our work and online courses: www.lauracipullo.com

Episode 11: The Top 5 PCOS/PMOS Myths

We have a big conversation for you this week—and a major update in the world of women’s health. A quick note before you listen We recorded this episode just weeks before the official renaming—so you’ll hear us refer to PCOS throughout, with a little teaser of what was coming 😉 Breaking news! Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been recently renamed to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovary Syndrome (PMOS). This historic change shifts the way we conceptualize the condition. For years, we have been discussing how PCOS/PMOS is much more than a reproductive condition.  In fact, at Laura Cipullo Whole Nutrition we think of the condition as an endocrine or metabolic condition with reproductive comorbidities or symptoms. The renaming of the condition now finally reflects that.  Poly - multiple, many Endocrine - hormonal systems Metabolic - affecting or related to the metabolism (i.e. think insulin resistance and energy regulation!) Ovary - the reproductive component  Syndrome - cluster of symptoms  What the new name adds is that the condition impacts multiple bodily systems - including hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive - and it removes cysts from the name, as the condition was never actually about having cysts on the ovary.  This shift has been a long time coming—and it changes how we understand the condition at its core.  In this episode, we cover: * What this condition actually is (beyond the name) * How diagnostic criteria differ for adolescents vs. adults * The top 5 myths we hear all the time—and what the research really says This episode is all about cutting through the noise, challenging outdated narratives, and helping you understand PCOS/PMOS in a more accurate (and compassionate) way. We want to hear from you What myths or misconceptions have you heard about PCOS/PMOS? Let us know or tell us what questions you want us to cover in a future episode. Your support truly means the world to us. If this episode resonated, we’d be so grateful if you: * Subscribe to Eat Kale & Cupcakes * Leave a rating or review * Share it with a friend or client who could benefit We’re so excited to keep having these conversations with you.

Episode 10: The Four Hungers - Understanding Why We Eat

In this episode of Eat Kale and Cupcakes, we’re diving into one of the core frameworks we use every day in our work with clients: The Four Hungers. Originally developed by Laura Cipullo for her book Women's Body Clock, this model helps uncover the many reasons behind eating beyond simply “being hungry.” We explore how hunger is not just physical — it can also be emotional, behavioral, or hedonic . Understanding these different types of hunger can help reduce shame around eating, improve body awareness, and create a more compassionate and sustainable relationship with food. In this episode, we break down: * Emotional Hunger How emotions like chaos, comfort, and celebration influence eating patterns — and why emotional eating is not inherently “bad.” * Behavioral Hunger The role of habits, routines, schedules, dieting history, and learned behaviors in shaping how and when we eat. * Hedonic Hunger Why we crave foods for pleasure, satisfaction, novelty, and enjoyment, even when our physiological need for nutrition has been met. Also, how metabolic adaptations such as insulin and leptin resistance affect our experience of hunger. * Physical Hunger The body’s biological need for nourishment and how to recognize physical hunger and fullness cues. We also discuss how the Four Hungers framework can help clients: * Build awareness without judgment * Reduce all-or-nothing thinking around food * Better understand binge eating and overeating patterns * Improve attunement with their body * Develop a more flexible, realistic approach to nutrition Whether you’re struggling with emotional eating, trying to reconnect with your hunger cues, or simply curious about the psychology of eating, this episode offers practical insights and compassionate guidance. * The origin of the Four Hungers framework * Why understanding why you’re eating matters * Examples of each type of hunger in everyday life * How we use this framework with clients in practice * Why food satisfaction and pleasure are essential parts of nutrition Follow the podcast and share this episode with someone who’s ready to better understand their relationship with food. For more nutrition education, counseling resources, and our online course offerings, visit: Laura Cipullo Whole Nutrition Services [https://lauracipullo.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Connect with us at info@lauracipullo.com or on Instagram: @lauracipullo @shannonherbertrd

Episode 9: PCOS: What It Is, Shannon’s Story, and What’s Missing in Research & Care

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common, and often misunderstood, hormonal conditions. In this episode, we break down what PCOS actually is and how it’s diagnosed. Shannon shares her personal experience living with PCOS and how it shaped her path into doctoral research. We also take a critical look at the current PCOS literature, where it’s helpful, where it falls short, and what we consistently see in real-life clinical practice that isn’t being captured in the research. Whether you’re a clinician, someone navigating a diagnosis, or just trying to better understand hormone health, this episode offers a more nuanced, whole-person perspective on PCOS. We discuss: * What PCOS is (and what it’s not) * Common symptoms and presentations * How PCOS is diagnosed (and limitations of current criteria) * Shannon’s personal PCOS journey * What led to her dissertation research in PCOS * Gaps and limitations in existing PCOS research * What we see clinically that research often misses * The role of nutrition, metabolism, and behavior patterns * Why individualized, whole-person care matters * PCOS is not one-size-fits-all * Research doesn’t always reflect lived experience * Metabolic, hormonal, and behavioral factors are deeply intertwined If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who might benefit or leave a review—it helps more people find the show. You can learn more about our work at www.lauracipullo.com Our Be Your Own Nutritionist [https://lauracipullo.com/online-course/] course helps you build a personalized, sustainable approach to eating—grounded in science and self-awareness. And if you’re navigating or considering GLP-1 medications, our GLP-1 Masterclass [https://laura-cipullo-agans.mykajabi.com/offers/jG2ktc2p/checkout] breaks down everything you need to know—from metabolic changes to maintaining muscle, stabilizing blood sugar, and supporting long-term health.

Episode 8: Menopause Hormone Therapy Explained: Benefits, Risks & Women’s Health with Dr. Anna Barbieri

Menopause is having a moment—but with so much conflicting information about menopause hormone therapy, it can be hard to know what’s actually evidence-based. In this episode, Dr. Shannon Herbert and Laura Cipullo are joined by Dr. Anna Barbieri to unpack the science and nuance of menopause hormone therapy, including who it’s for, potential benefits and risks, and how it impacts metabolism, mood, bone health, and cardiovascular health. We also explore the often-overlooked intersection between perimenopause, eating behaviors, and body image, and why a whole-person, individualized approach is essential when supporting women through this transition. Whether you’re navigating symptoms yourself or supporting clients, this episode offers a grounded, clinically informed perspective on women’s health, hormones, and menopause care. 📌 Resources & Links * Follow the podcast for more conversations on hormones + nutrition * Learn more about working with us. [https://lauracipullo.com/] * Explore our online course: Be Your Own Nutritionist [https://lauracipullo.com/online-course/] * Explore our GLP-1 & Metabolic Health Masterclass [https://laura-cipullo-agans.mykajabi.com/offers/jG2ktc2p/checkout] * Connect with Dr. Anna Barbieri. [https://www.annabarbieri-md.com/]