Real Food Stories

Real Food Stories

Real Food Stories is where we stop overcomplicating food, and start getting honest about what actually works. Hosted by culinary nutritionist Heather Carey, this podcast is a grounded, real-life take on eating well in midlife. If you’re tired of conflicting advice, wellness trends that promise everything, and the constant pressure to “optimize” your body, you’re in the right place. Here, we talk about real food - how to cook it, how to enjoy it, and how to trust yourself around it again. But we also go deeper. Into the stories we’ve been told about weight, health, and aging. Into the habits that no longer serve us. And into the noise of the wellness world that can subtley pull us further away from what we actually need. Heather brings her experience as a nutritionist and chef, along with her own lived experience of midlife, to cut through the confusion. You’ll hear conversations about metabolism, menopause, food trends, and the everyday reality of trying to take care of yourself without turning it into a full-time job. This isn’t about perfection, restriction, or chasing the next fix. It’s about finding a steadier, more realistic way to eat - one that supports your health and still leaves room for your life. Because at the end of the day, food shouldn’t feel this hard, and it doesn’t have to. Send questions and connect with Heather at heather@heathercarey.com or visit her website at www.heathercarey.com

Episodes

June 17, 2026 32 mins

You can sleep eight hours, eat healthy foods, and still feel completely exhausted.

In this episode of Real Food Stories, we're talking about the hidden reasons so many women feel tired, overwhelmed, and drained during midlife.

If you've ever wondered why your energy feels low despite doing "all the right things," this conversation is for you.

We explore the invisible energy drains that often go unnoticed, including decision fatigue, e...

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Have you ever felt that intimacy and desire take a backseat during menopause? You're not alone. Join host Heather Carey in this enlightening episode of Real Food Stories as she welcomes Lori Davis, a board-certified family nurse practitioner and certified sex counselor, to explore the often-taboo topic of intimacy during menopause and midlife. Together, they dive deep into the emotional and physical challenges women face during thi...

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Are you tired of the misleading narratives about weight loss and menopause flooding your social media feeds? Join host Heather Carey, a passionate nutritionist and chef, as she cuts through the noise and unveils the truth behind weight gain during midlife. In this enlightening episode of Real Food Stories, Heather addresses the pervasive myths surrounding menopause health, particularly the misguided belief that hormonal changes, sp...

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Are you feeling overwhelmed by the supplement hype surrounding menopause? You're not alone! In this enlightening episode of Real Food Stories, host Heather Carey dives deep into the misleading wellness culture that often targets women, particularly those navigating the complexities of midlife and menopause. With a keen focus on the misinformation that floods social media, including supplement hype, Heather sheds light on the danger...

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Are you feeling overwhelmed by the latest wellness trends like peptides and the pressure to conform to springtime dieting? Join host Heather Carey in this enlightening episode of Real Food Stories as she navigates the seasonal shift into spring and its profound impact on our eating habits and health. As a seasoned nutritionist and chef, Heather shares her personal food journey, reflecting on the confusion surrounding peptides and t...

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Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the conflicting nutrition advice out there, especially as you navigate the unique challenges of midlife? Join host Heather Carey in this enlightening episode of Real Food Stories, where she shares her nearly three-decade journey in nutrition and wellness. Heather reflects on her evolving beliefs about food and health, emphasizing the transformative power of real food and sustainable eating practice...

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What if embracing midlife could unlock a treasure trove of joy, connection, and healthy eating? Join host Heather Carey in this inspiring episode of Real Food Stories as she dives deep into a heartwarming conversation with Anita and Dario, the dynamic duo behind the Mediterranean lifestyle movement, Live Your Life. They share their powerful insights on how midlife is not a time of decline but a unique opportunity for growth and tra...

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What if the secret to true body positivity lies not in the number on the scale, but in how we nourish our bodies and embrace ourselves as we are? Join host Heather Carey in this thought-provoking episode of Real Food Stories, where she delves into the cultural obsession with thinness, particularly in light of the recent rise of GLP-1 medications that promise effortless weight loss. As a culinary nutritionist, Heather shares her ins...

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What if the secret to vibrant health and connection lies in the meals we share? Join host Heather Carey in this enlightening episode of Real Food Stories, where she converses with the inspiring Chef Rachel Adina Mullen, an award-winning plant-based chef and the author of the best-selling cookbook series, Vegan Flavors of the World. Together, they explore the transformative power of vegan cooking and how it can nourish not just our ...

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Are you feeling overwhelmed by the changes your body is going through during menopause? You're not alone! Join host Heather Carey as she sits down with Dana Culp, a certified menopause expert and founder of Thrive Midlife Medicine, to unravel the complexities of menopause and explore the transformative power of hormone replacement therapy. This episode of Real Food Stories dives deep into the common confusions women face regarding ...

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Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed by food choices and the constant pressure of diet culture? Join host Heather Carey in this enlightening episode of Real Food Stories, where she delves into the complexities of food and wellness for women in midlife. Heather’s mission is to transform the narrative around food from one of fear and anxiety to a source of nourishment and joy. As a culinary nutritionist, she critiques the perva...

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Are you feeling overwhelmed by the changes that come with menopause and midlife? You're not alone! Join host Heather Carey in this enlightening episode of Real Food Stories as she engages in a heartfelt conversation with Angela Burke, an award-winning marketing strategist and author of the empowering book, Real Girls Guide to Midlife. Together, they dive deep into the complexities of midlife, exploring the emotional upheaval, ident...

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Are you curious about how GLP-1 medications can transform your weight loss journey and overall health? Join host Heather Carey as she engages in an enlightening conversation with registered dietitian Anna Reisdorf, who shares her personal experience of losing 40 pounds with GLP-1 medications. This episode of Real Food Stories dives deep into the science behind GLP-1s, exploring how these medications mimic hormones that regulate app...

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Are you tired of the confusion and fear surrounding menopause, especially those pesky hot flashes that seem to come out of nowhere? Join host Heather Carey in this empowering episode of Real Food Stories, where she unravels the mysteries of menopause, hot flashes and offers practical, actionable advice for women navigating this significant life transition. As a culinary nutritionist, Heather understands that menopause is a natural ...

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What if the key to unlocking your best health in midlife lies in simplifying your journey? Join Heather Carey in this enlightening episode of Real Food Stories, where she shares her personal recovery from hip replacement surgery and dives deep into the complexities of women's health as we approach 2026. With an overwhelming amount of health information at our fingertips, it can be easy to feel lost in the noise of wellness trends. ...

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Have you ever found yourself reaching for food during moments of emotional distress, only to feel guilty afterward? You're not alone. In this enlightening episode of Real Food Stories, host Heather Carey sits down with Jane McGinnis, a registered clinical counselor and author of the transformative book Always Hungry. Jane's inspiring journey of overcoming emotional eating and body image issues led her to lose an incredible 103 poun...

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Are you feeling overwhelmed by the latest trends in diet culture that seem to promise quick fixes but leave you more confused than ever? Join host Heather Carey in this enlightening episode of Real Food Stories as she navigates the complex nutrition and wellness landscape of 2025. With a keen eye on the shifting tides of food beliefs and diet culture, Heather dives deep into the resurgence of extreme diets and the obsession with we...

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Are you ready to embrace midlife nutrition as a time of opportunity rather than a crisis? Join host Heather Carey in this empowering episode of Real Food Stories as she sits down with the inspiring Tina Coleman, a fearless advocate for women's empowerment in midlife. Together, they dive deep into Tina's remarkable journey of resilience and reinvention, sharing powerful insights on how to navigate the challenges of aging with grace ...

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Are you feeling the weight of holiday expectations this Thanksgiving? You're not alone! Join host Heather Carey in this enlightening episode of Real Food Stories as she navigates the emotional complexities that often accompany this cherished holiday. Thanksgiving is a time filled with joy, but it can also bring feelings of overwhelm and pressure, especially when it comes to food and family dynamics. Heather, a culinary nutritionist...

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Have you ever felt trapped in a cycle of pain and emotional turmoil, desperately seeking a way to break free? Join host Heather Carey in this enlightening episode of Real Food Stories as she converses with Ethan Reisbord, a board-certified hypnotherapist who transformed his own life after suffering from debilitating migraines and depression due to post-concussion syndrome. Discover how hypnotherapy emerged as a beacon of hope, guid...

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