The Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast

EP 085: Sugar, Sugar - Retrain to Regain Control

Let's have an honest conversation about sugar. Not the dramatic "never touch it again" version. Not the fluffy "everything in moderation" script that keeps you stuck year after year. Just truth. In this episode of the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, Jamie Belz, FNTP, MHC, breaks down what's really happening when you say, "I just need something sweet at night." A sweet tooth is not a personality trait. It is a neurological and metabolic pattern. And that is good news, because patterns can be retrained. Jamie walks you through: * The 0 to 90 minute biochemical timeline of a sugar hit * How dopamine spikes create urgency, not satisfaction * Why crashes feel like irritability, anxiety, fogginess, and more cravings * How insulin resistance, poor sleep, stress, and nutrient deficiencies intensify the cycle * How modern candy is engineered to override your nervous system * How childhood reward wiring shapes adult cravings * Why artificial sweeteners and "zero sugar" swaps keep the addiction loop alive * What taste bud rehabilitation actually looks like * The NTA-inspired "avoid, okay, better, best" framework for treats * Practical nutrient-dense dessert ideas that nourish rather than hijack your brain This is about empowerment to break free from the vicious "blood sugar rollercoaster." Sugar lights up the same reward pathways as addictive substances. That is neuroscience, not exaggeration. But your body is adaptable. When you lower your sweetness threshold, fruit tastes sweeter, dark chocolate becomes satisfying, and ultra-processed candy starts to feel like too much. If you are ready to reshape your relationship with sugar instead of white-knuckling it, this episode is for you. ____________________ Additional Resources: ⁠Episode 28⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nutritional-therapy-and-wellness-podcast/id1733339864?i=1000678868802] – Blood Sugar 101 Episode 29 [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/az3PFOEoHZb] - Quick Tips for Blood Sugar Regulation Episode 62 [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/Z9m1vNEoHZb] - Quick Tips From Your Blood Sugar Bestie Find a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP): ⁠NTA Practitioner Directory⁠ [https://practitionerdirectory.nutritionaltherapy.com/entity/grid?EntityTypeId=e6b1de3a-72c3-4b0a-97a4-6919bacbad5d&ListingId=ba949308-2f17-44f0-8d13-d0e4a8f4ca0a&SmartSearchId=2707aa25-ba65-4c53-b02b-2b6ab9431c5c] Work with a practitioner directly through the NTA. Book a consultation: NTA HEALTH [https://www.nutritionaltherapy.com/nta-health] __________________ Please hit SUBSCRIBE, leave a 5-Star review, and connect with us on22 Spotify comments!

Ep 084: Be Before You Do

In this special episode of the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, CEO of the Nutritional Therapy Association, Mike Belz, steps into the lead host seat for a powerful, practical conversation with executive coach and high-performance strategist Michael Vasquez, while show host Jamie takes a supportive back seat. Michael shares his real-world journey from alcohol, smoking, and prescription-drug usage to a life built on purpose, discipline, and "thrilling vision," and explains how that transformation led him into coaching, including training through Jay Shetty Coaching (accredited by the Association for Coaching) and deeper work in ontological coaching through the Meta Performance Institute. Together, Mike, Michael, and Jamie unpack why more information is rarely the missing piece in health, habits, and personal growth, and why implementation breaks down even when people "know what to do." You'll learn how a great coach helps reveal blind spots, disrupt limiting beliefs, and build integrity through commitments, especially "broken commitments," which become valuable data for identifying patterns and closing the gap between current reality and future goals. The conversation covers the ontological framework of be–do–have (instead of do–be–have), the role of language in performance (including insights from The Three Laws of Performance), and how identity, shame, and old stories quietly cap what you believe is possible. You'll also hear a timely discussion on modern numbing mechanisms, including alcohol and doom-scrolling, and why true restoration often requires silence, solitude, and intentional inputs. Mike, Michael, and Jamie connect these coaching principles back to whole-person health, relationships, boundaries, and the long game of rewiring habits (with nods to concepts popularized in Atomic Habits). Michael closes by describing who he coaches best, how breakthrough work actually happens over time, and how listeners can connect with him for a vision-driven coaching conversation. If you're an entrepreneur, leader, high performer, or anyone stuck in repetitive cycles, this episode offers a clear roadmap for mindset shifts, behavior change, and sustainable growth, without shame, without perfectionism, and without the illusion that more content will finally fix it. Connect with Michael: https://www.mvlifecoach.com/ [https://www.mvlifecoach.com/] Attend a Nutritional Therapy Association Webinar! [https://www.nutritionaltherapy.com/webinars] Please hit SUBSCRIBE, leave a 5-Star review, and connect with us on Spotify comments!

Ep 083: How to EAT REAL FOOD for Your Health

The newest dietary guidelines have officially been released, and for the first time in a long time, the language is shifting toward what is real and truly health-promoting — what the Nutritional Therapy Association has been teaching since 1997. In this episode of The Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, Jamie Belz breaks down what it means to "eat real food" and shares the NTA's longstanding, scientifically backed, ancestrally aligned, tried-and-true nutrition teachings. Jamie walks through how nutrition messaging became complicated, commercialized, and disconnected from human physiology, and how ultra-processed, hyper-palatable, food-like substances and industrial chemicals found in today's Standard American Diet have been engineered for profit, shelf stability, and addiction rather than nourishment. This episode brings clarity to what "eat real food" actually means in real life. You'll learn: * What the new dietary guidelines say and what they still don't define clearly * Why "permitted" or "regulated" does not mean safe or health-promoting * How the GRAS system allows industrial chemicals into the food supply * Why calories are fuel, while nutrients are information * The NTA's clear definition of whole foods and nutrient-dense eating * How bio-individuality explains why one diet never works for everyone * The difference between macronutrients and micronutrients * Why traditional fats support health and industrial seed oils undermine it * How digestion, hydration, stress, and food preparation determine nourishment * Why alcohol is never neutral when healing is the goal * How to read ingredient labels without fear or obsession Jamie also connects the dots between modern food processing, chronic disease, metabolic dysfunction, mental health struggles, and the rising dependence on medications, while offering a grounded, hopeful path forward rooted in education and foundational health principles. This episode isn't about chasing trends or waiting for policy to catch up. It's about understanding nutrition TRUTH. If you're overwhelmed by nutrition advice, confused by labels, or tired of swinging between trends, this episode will help you simplify and reset. Listen now and return to the foundations that have supported real healing long before the guidelines caught up. Topics Covered: New dietary guidelines explained Whole foods vs ultra-processed foods Nutrient-dense eating Bio-individual nutrition Macronutrients and micronutrients Traditional fats and seed oils Food additives and GRAS Digestion and nutrient absorption Hydration and mineral balance Alcohol and metabolic health Foundations of Health Other Episodes and Resources Mentioned: * "Dehydration Nation" episode * Ep 82 - Total Load Theory [https://open.spotify.com/episode/54vZadmwIpdYMgcbkTgROu?si=276de13ca3c043ba] * Ep 81 - Wellness 101 [https://open.spotify.com/episode/4JaXdLw44kCTVVDlUT8IeM?si=n-ZQxb8JTYuAHjL6h5zZKw] * Ep 80 - Digestive Hell [https://open.spotify.com/episode/4sCXLiHM3Dc8rvXH4djTQ9?si=477afdfd53564024] * Ep 79 - Optimal Digestion [https://open.spotify.com/episode/2W6orH7XJIcbE8hSILURqL?si=1286a01b7e1345a7] * Ep 70 - Getting Started with Meal Planning and Eating Healthier Overall [https://open.spotify.com/episode/1PEigshxghpThUgJm1FILt?si=d6c362cdab8445c6] * Ep 69 - Who Was Dr. Weston A Price? [https://open.spotify.com/episode/2ZZTLEoTIA8h1kuXkA5vO6?si=830c1a8411334473] * Ep 17 - Big Food Buzzwords [https://open.spotify.com/episode/13FffrwR1xc95vfhrwLRQD?si=7ef24ecd4ed3469f] * BOOK: Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon Morell [https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/nourishing-traditions--the-cookbook-that-challenges-politically-correct-nutrition-and-the-diet-dictocrats_sally-fallon/249546/item/46474815/?mkwid=%7cdc&pcrid=76897258815619&pkw=&pmt=be&slid=&product=46474815&plc=&pgrid=1230353765528421&ptaid=pla-4580496734886475&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping+%7c+NEW+condition+books&utm_term=&utm_content=%7cdc%7cpcrid%7c76897258815619%7cpkw%7c%7cpmt%7cbe%7cproduct%7c46474815%7cslid%7c%7cpgrid%7c1230353765528421%7cptaid%7cpla-4580496734886475%7c&msclkid=06aeaf9ff2b4151696dfc6f00e0ab805#idiq=46474815&edition=32637845] (MANY AVAILABLE NOW!) SUPERFOODS EXAMPLES Foods rich in vitamins: liver (beef or chicken), sweet potatoes, salmon, avocados, cooked spinach. Foods rich in minerals: nuts and seeds, shellfish, legumes, dark leafy greens, whole grains, mineral-rich spring water. Foods rich in polyphenols: herbs and spices (cloves are especially high), cocoa powder, black olives, blueberries, hazelnuts. Probiotic foods: yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso. Omega-3 sources: cod liver oil, flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, walnuts, salmon, sardines. _______________ Attend a Nutritional Therapy Association Webinar! [https://www.nutritionaltherapy.com/webinars] Please hit SUBSCRIBE, leave a 5-Star review, and connect with us in Spotify comments!

Ep 082: Total Load Theory — The Body's Breaking Point—Where Symptoms Begin

In this episode of The Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, host Jamie Belz sits down with Patricia ("Patty") Lemer for a wide-ranging, hope-filled conversation on Total Load Theory, introducing and unpacking many of the topics covered in Patty's recently released book, Total Load Theory: Transforming Lives in Autism, ADHD, LD, SPD, and Mental Health. Patty Lemer is a pioneer and internationally recognized authority on identifying root causes and applying a holistic, systems-based model of care to autism, ADHD, learning differences (LD), sensory processing disorder (SPD), and mental health. She was among the first to apply the term "Total Load Theory" to mental health disorders, an engineering concept describing how the body accumulates an overload of stressors that eventually leads to dysfunction. Patty co-founded one of the first online non-profit organizations offering accessible information to families, helped establish a center for young adults in Kuwait (2012–2014), and has recorded over 100 episodes of her bi-monthly podcast, The Autism Detectives. Her work bridges decades of clinical observation with practical strategies, grounded in the fundamentals taught at the Nutritional Therapy Association (NTA): nutrient-dense diet, digestion, blood sugar regulation, sleep, stress, and movement. These "Foundations of Health" apply to all, not only those with difficult diagnoses. When viewed through a bio-individual lens, each of us can begin to see symptoms of dysfunction dissipate as balance is restored to the body. Together, Jamie and Patty unpack how compounding stressors - from poor sleep and blood sugar swings to environmental toxins, mold exposure, nervous system dysregulation, EMFs, trauma, screen overload, and chronic inflammation - can accumulate until the body reaches a breaking point and symptoms become the dash lights we can't ignore. This episode also explores why sleep may trump nutrition, how a dysregulated nervous system can block healing (even with the "right protocol"), the role of polyvagal theory and vagus nerve regulation, and why detoxification must be gentle, foundational, and consistent - not trendy or extreme. In this episode, you'll learn: * What Total Load Theory is and how "compounding stressors" lead to chronic symptoms * Why symptoms often show up when the body hits a breaking point * How stress includes far more than emotions: sleep debt, toxins, trauma, inflammation, screens, EMFs, and more * Patty's perspective on sensory and vision therapies * Why sleep hygiene can determine whether the body can heal, especially in kids and teens * How nervous system dysregulation (fight/flight) can block progress in nutrition, detox, and therapy * Practical starting points: reduce exposure, support elimination, prioritize sleep, and begin one step at a time * Why healthy fats matter for brain and nervous system function (myelin, seizures, metabolic psychiatry) * How to think like a "health detective" and trace symptoms back to root causes * How to access Patty's new AI companion that searches her intellectual property and points listeners to relevant chapters and podcast episodes Resources mentioned in this episode: * Patricialemer.com [http://patricialemer.com/] * Multi-Media Content [https://www.patricialemer.com/multi-media.html] * Podcast: Patricia Lemer: The Autism Detective [https://open.spotify.com/show/2aHgSXx0LuDl8a4Q6QGy82] * Patty's AI companion: ai.patricialemer.com [http://ai.patricialemer.com/] * Patty's books: Outsmarting Autism [https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/outsmarting-autism-revised/19208871/?resultid=74e7e63b-214e-424b-813a-bfb8f876c05e#edition=20462344&idiq=43525370] and Total Load Theory: Transforming Lives in Autism, ADHD, LD, SPD, and Mental Health [https://www.amazon.com/Total-Load-Theory-Transforming-Autism/dp/1648212034/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1XR0OE41SJGVX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZvWHzasxLh4Mb4-c9yhCFMnPU9BAn8Q7dSLoLDqZDU3pkc1aMtoK4cmBvLIq4oIl4RlQZ46OnfbnJnl6tc09RIRa0qxlLuT7KPCC1nPEMxJwIEZ1Z3XKkx8Kmu2SI6XRHgzA8iVK1x6WShvQYE_qEqWT2zaVAGmfSbaLXbtH8wCjvbA17b5G1zdpqla33do_quAL9RPYiuZGOqMk4G98HSleg4JVuK6mJu2T41hFQpc.bOpZClHLTTbPhj3Cft-lZtMUzk53gj9120yAymnDklw&dib_tag=se&keywords=total+load+theory&qid=1768327442&sprefix=total+load+theory%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-1] * Book Mentioned: The Sensitive Patient's Healing Guide [https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-sensitive-patients-healing-guide-top-experts-offer-new-insights-and-treatments-for-environmental-toxins-lyme-disease-and-emfs/56124587/#edition=73771602&idiq=85683950] by Dr. Neil Nathan * Documenting Hope [https://documentinghope.com/] * Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast - Wellness 101 (Help getting started with the Foundations of Health) [https://open.spotify.com/episode/4JaXdLw44kCTVVDlUT8IeM?si=39840bcd72504df5] * Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast on Circumcision [https://open.spotify.com/episode/2MWef8jcx8cFq7QgbJdf89?si=e5227608a32b4ca6] Attend a Nutritional Therapy Association Webinar! [https://www.nutritionaltherapy.com/webinars] Please hit SUBSCRIBE, leave a 5-Star review, and connect with us on Spotify comments!

Ep 081: Rapid Replays - Wellness 101 - Start Working on Your Foundations of Wellness

This episode marks the conclusion of our recent Rapid Replay Series of condensed episodes, carefully curated as a launchpad for anyone wanting to level up in wellness. In this replay episode of The Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast (originally Episode 46), host Jamie Belz, FNTP, MHC, and CEO of the Nutritional Therapy Association, Mike Belz, break down the Foundations of Wellness into common-sense action steps for anyone looking to level up. If you've been nodding along with the wellness movement but still aren't sure how to take your first real step - or you want to double-check what you're doing to ensure you're not missing anything - this episode is your warm welcome in. People everywhere are waking up to a simple truth: real health doesn't come from pills, shakes, or short-term programs. Most of us have tried them - spent the money, followed the plans - only to end up frustrated or right back where we started. The missing piece? A strong foundation. And the good news is, it's not complicated - just a few practical, common-sense shifts can spark real, lasting change. This episode is packed with real talk, science-backed wisdom, and practical tips to help you pick your own adventure in a doable way. No more "all or nothing" attempts. Start over for the last time with one or a few of the easy but effective action steps you can incorporate today. If you're ready to stop feeling overwhelmed and finally start your wellness journey, this episode breaks it down into six simple, sustainable categories - what we call the Foundations of Wellness. You'll learn how to: * Eat a nutrient-dense diet rooted in real, whole foods (not calorie math), following Weston A. Price principles and honoring your bio-individual needs. * Optimize digestion, the root of all health, by chewing thoroughly, practicing mindful eating, and supporting stomach acid and enzyme function. * Balance blood sugar with small, daily habits like walking after meals and pairing carbs with protein and fat. * Improve sleep through calming evening routines, avoiding stimulants before bed, and aligning with your circadian rhythm. * Reduce stress with tools like the 4-7-8 breath, gratitude practices, and brain dumping. * Incorporate movement you actually enjoy - walking, dancing, or strength training—while supporting lymph flow, bone density, and energy. Podcast Episodes Mentioned (Besides the Rapid Replay Episodes): ⁠⁠Episode 28⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nutritional-therapy-and-wellness-podcast/id1733339864?i=1000678868802] – Blood Sugar 101 ⁠Episode 29⁠ [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/az3PFOEoHZb] - Quick Tips for Blood Sugar Regulation ⁠Episode 62⁠ [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/Z9m1vNEoHZb] - Quick Tips From Your Blood Sugar Bestie ⁠Episode 74 - ⁠ [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/576VagepHZb]Dehydration Nation Find a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP): ⁠⁠NTA Practitioner Directory⁠⁠ [https://practitionerdirectory.nutritionaltherapy.com/entity/grid?EntityTypeId=e6b1de3a-72c3-4b0a-97a4-6919bacbad5d&ListingId=ba949308-2f17-44f0-8d13-d0e4a8f4ca0a&SmartSearchId=2707aa25-ba65-4c53-b02b-2b6ab9431c5c] Work with a practitioner directly through the NTA. Book a consultation: ⁠NTA HEALTH⁠ [https://www.nutritionaltherapy.com/nta-health] Jamie's Rapid Replay Series BONUS Episodes (These are the episodes people tell us they skipped because they "didn't want to hear it."): ⁠Mystery Episode One⁠ [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/Jnty2C0oHZb] ⁠Mystery Episode Two⁠ [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/4Jo1AwYoHZb] ⁠Mystery Episode Three⁠ [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/AX769zUoHZb] ⁠Mystery Episode Four⁠ [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/uvVPYc9oHZb] Please hit SUBSCRIBE, leave a 5-Star Review, and connect with us on Spotify comments!