Overcoming Food Addiction with Denise Vega

Food addiction and ultra-processed foods are increasingly recognized as complex issues influenced by the brain’s reward system, food formulation, and our modern food environment. In this episode of the NTI PodTalk, Dianne Koehler talks with NTI graduate, Denise Vega, about the science and experience of food addiction. Rather than framing the issue simply as a matter of willpower, Denise and Dianne emphasize awareness, nutrient density, supportive strategies, and understanding the factors that can make certain foods particularly difficult to resist.

About Denise:

My mother got us started eating healthy using a book she had gotten from her mother, our grandmother. As I grew into adulthood, I became more interested in nutrition and explored a few workshops and classes before committing to some longer form certification programs.

While I have been very healthy overall, my relationship with food wasn’t always healthy. I found myself having “food noise” (though there wasn’t a name for it back then) and also realized I was addicted to certain highly processed, highly palatable snack foods. Focusing on food addiction and weight management is a passion for me, and I would love to support those who struggle in these areas.

I received my Nutrition Therapy Master certification from the Nutrition Therapy Institute in 2025. I also completed the T. Colin Campbell Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate Program, the Stanford Nutrition Science Online short course, and Rouxbe’s online professional plant-based cooking course.

In addition to my passion for good nutrition and health, I am a children’s book author and writing instructor/coach. I have experience teaching small and large workshops, speaking at conferences, and developing courses and workshops.

Connect with Denise:

Sprout Sisters

in**@***********rs.com

Dianne and Denise discuss food addiction and ultra-processed foods:

01:51 – Denise’s journey to holistic nutrition and NTI
07:42 – What is food addiction?
11:16 – Signs of food addiction
15:22 – The role of the brain’s reward system
19:13 – What are ultra-processed foods?
30:00 – The withdrawal symptoms
32:42 – Your brain is seeking out specific nutrients
38:40 – How Denise worked through her own food addiction
41:29 – The importance of being aware of your environment
46:39 – Connect with Denise

Mentioned in this episode:

Bring a Friend Back to School Sale! Refer a friend who enrolls and begins a course between August 17, 2026, and October 19, 2026 and both of you receive 50% off a course! Full details can be found here.

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More on how the brain works and addiction:

NTI PodTalk with Kelly Miller, NTM – Nutrition for Addiction Recovery

The Connection Between Brain Activity & Body Weight

Start Your Journey to Holistic Wellness

Nutrition Therapy Institute has been the leader in holistic nutrition education since 1999. Join us for an informational webinar to learn how the Nutrition Therapist Master Certification is the most in depth holistic nutrition certification available.

This discussion is not intended to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy, nor in any way imply that Nutrition Therapists who graduate from NTI are qualified to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy. The scope of practice for graduates of NTI is to deliver therapeutic nutrition guidance to our clients which helps support their natural biology to achieve optimal function in whatever wellness path they are on.