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
155 episodes
Here's the Truth: Menopause Does Not Cause Weight Gain
In this episode, we take a closer look at one of the biggest myths circulating online: that menopause itself is the main cause of midlife weight gain. We unpack why this message has gone viral, what the research actually says, and how wellness ...
Unmasking Supplement Hype: Real Food Stories and Nutrition Insights for Women Facing Menopause Challenges
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, p...
What Are Peptides and Why Is Everyone Talking About Them?
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...
The Nutrition Rules I Don’t Believe Anymore (Especially in Midlife)
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 th...
Embracing Midlife: Nourishing Your Body and Soul with Mediterranean Lifestyle Insights and Healthy Eating Tips
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 ...
From Diet Culture to Self-Acceptance: Real Food Stories on Embracing Body Positivity in Midlife Women
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 i...
Discovering the Joy of Vegan Cooking: A Personal Food Journey with Chef Rachel Adina Mullen on Real Food Stories
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-b...
When to Start Hormone Replacement Therapy: Protecting Your Heart, Bones, and Brain in Perimenopause with Dana Culp, DNP
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 t...
It's Not What Food Can Do To You, It's What Food Can Do For You in Midlife
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 ...
Menopause Isn’t A Boss Battle You Beat In 12 Months with Angela Burk
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...
Unpacking GLP-1 Medications: Nutrition Insights and Real Food Stories for Sustainable Weight Management
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 exper...
Hot Flashes Aren’t A Personality Trait And Other Truths About Menopause
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...
Navigating Women's Health in 2026: Empowering Midlife Women Through Real Food and Supportive Communities
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 ...
Emotional Eating and Body Image: Jane McGinnis on Healing Through Compassionate Nutrition and Mindful Eating Practices
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 r...
From Diet Culture to Real Food: Heather Carey's Journey in Nutrition, Wellness, and Women’s Health Empowerment
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 nutr...
Reclaiming Power in Midlife: Nutrition, Self-Care, and Tina Coleman's Inspiring Stories of Transformation
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 ...
Mindful Eating Strategies for a Joyful Thanksgiving: Nourishing Your Body and Soul Amidst Family Dynamics
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 ho...
Healing Through Hypnotherapy: A Personal Journey to Overcome Pain and Emotional Eating Challenges in Midlife
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-certifi...
Healing Through Mindfulness Practices: Reconnecting with Your Body and Emotions for Midlife Wellness
Have you ever felt emotionally disconnected, only to find that it manifests in your body in unexpected ways? Join host Heather Carey in this enlightening episode of Real Food Stories as she welcomes Brittany Sesser, a practitioner of somatic ac...
Embrace Joyful Eating: Strategies for a Grounded, Nourished Holiday Season Amidst the Chaos
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the holiday season's demands while trying to maintain your health and joy? Join Heather Carey in this enlightening episode of Real Food Stories, where she shares her personal journey through the challenges ...
Empowering Women's Health: Navigating Midlife Through Real Food and Community Support for Lasting Wellness
Are you a woman navigating the transformative journey of midlife and seeking to reclaim your joy and health? Join host Heather Carey in this enlightening episode of Real Food Stories, where she delves into the vital connection between food, com...
Midlife Nutrition Made Simple: Overcoming Diet Myths and Embracing Healthy Eating for Women 40+
Are you ready to reclaim your relationship with food and nourish your body during midlife? Join host Heather Carey in this enlightening episode of Real Food Stories as she dives deep into the unique challenges women face regarding midlife nutri...
Rethinking Food and Cooking Habits in Midlife: Heather Carey's Insights on Nutrition and Joyful Eating Practices
Are you feeling like your cooking habits no longer align with your body’s needs as you transition into midlife? Join Heather Carey, a culinary nutritionist and passionate advocate for women’s health, as she dives deep into the essential upgrade...
Transform Your Midlife Health: Nourishing Nutrition Tips for Women Embracing Change and Health Together
Are you ready to transform your relationship with food as you navigate the changes of midlife health? Join host Heather Carey in this enlightening episode of Real Food Stories, where she dives deep into the essential dietary shifts that can emp...
Empowering Women 40+: Real Food Strategies for Navigating Menopause and Weight Management Challenges
Are you a woman 40+ feeling overwhelmed by the changes that come with menopause and weight management? You’re not alone, and in this enlightening episode of Real Food Stories, host Heather Carey dives deep into the unique challenges faced by mi...