82. When Disordered Eating Becomes Policy: from 'Ultra Processed Foods' to 'Longevity Medication' with Deb Benfield, M.Ed., RDN, LDN

Episode 82 of Body Justice Podcast is a follow up conversation with Deb Benfield, a registered dietitian and author of Aging Body Liberation, about the intersection of diet culture and ageism; as well as the covert ways disordered eating is becoming embedded into policy in the U.S.

We discuss our thoughts on: ultra-processed foods, seed oils, longevity medication and more.

More about Deb:

Deb Benfield, M.Ed., RDN, LDN, RYT, is a Registered Dietitian, nutrition therapist, and body image coach with 40 years of experience helping people heal their relationship with food, movement, and their bodies. Her work sits at the intersection of anti-ageism, body liberation, and trauma-informed care, offering a radically compassionate alternative to anti-aging, diet, and wellness culture, especially for those in midlife and beyond.

After turning 60, Deb began questioning the dominant narratives around aging, vitality, and beauty—and quickly realized how many resources still centered weight loss and youthful appearance as ultimate goals. In response, she created what she couldn’t find: a framework for nourishing the body that honors inner wisdom, prioritizes quality of life, and embraces the full spectrum of aging.

She’s the author of Unapologetic Aging: How to Mend and Nourish Your Relationship with Your Body and offers individual and group coaching to help others age unapologetically—on their own terms.

Disclaimer: this podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. This is not a replacement for individual therapy or medical advice. 

As always, you can find the host of this podcast, Allyson, on her website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.eatingdisorderocdtherapy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ or IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@bodyjustice.therapist.⁠⁠⁠

Educational resources mentioned:

Maintenance Phase- Ultra Processed Foods Episodes

Emily Oster- Seed Oils

Emily Oster- Microplastics