The Body Aligned Podcast
The Body Aligned Podcast is your go-to space for faith-based, no-fluff wellness coaching that helps you ditch the all-or-nothing cycle and walk in lasting peace with food, movement, and your mindset.
Hosted by registered dietitian and Christian health coach Erin Coates, this show speaks to the woman who’s ready to anchor her health journey in truth, grace, and simple strategies that actually work.
Each episode is packed with powerful mindset shifts, science-backed strategies, and biblical encouragement to help you:
- Rewire self-sabotaging thoughts
- Build sustainable rhythms with food + movement
- Feel strong in your body again (without extremes)
- Invite God into your health — and trust Him with it
If you’ve ever thought, “I know what to do, I just can’t seem to stick with it,” this podcast was made for you.
You’re not starting over — you’re just getting started.
The Body Aligned Podcast
Why Ultra-Processed Foods Feel Addictive (But You’re Not an Addict): The neuroscience, hormones, and Biblical framework behind the UPF struggle.
This episode breaks down what ultra-processed foods do inside your body — from appetite hormones to reward pathways to visceral fat. We explore the top clinical trials, why UPFs feel so hard to stop eating, how they affect mood and metabolism, and how quickly your body can heal when you shift toward whole foods. You’ll walk away with Christ-centered clarity, compassion, and simple steps to lower UPFs without shame or restriction.
References (Studies Mentioned)
1. Hall et al., 2019 — NIH Randomized Controlled Trial on Ultra-Processed vs. Unprocessed Diets
Hall, K. D., et al. (2019). Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake. Cell Metabolism.
2. Hamano et al., 2024 — UPFs and Hunger/Fullness Hormones (GLP-1, PYY, CCK)
Hamano, M., et al. (2024). Effects of Ultra-Processed Foods on Appetite-Regulating Hormones: A Randomized Controlled Feeding Study.
3. Rego et al., 2023 — Teen Dopamine & Reward Response to UPFs
Rego, A., et al. (2023). Adolescent Neurobiological Responses to Ultra-Processed Foods in Controlled Feeding Trials.
4. Cell Metabolism Trials, 2025 — Short-Term Metabolic Disruption from UPFs
(2025). Ultra-Processed Food Intake Rapidly Alters Metabolic and Hormonal Response: Controlled Short-Term Trials. Cell Metabolism.
5. Green Mediterranean RCT (DIRECT-PLUS) — ~14% Visceral Fat Reduction
Rosenbaum, M., et al. (DIRECT-PLUS). Effect of Green-Mediterranean Diet on Visceral Adiposity.
6. Optimized Nutri-Dense Meals Study (2023–2024)
(2023–2024). Impact of Nutrient-Dense Whole Foods on Visceral Fat Reduction in 4 Weeks.
7. Observational U.S. Population Studies on UPF Intake & Abdominal Fat
Various U.S. cohort analyses (NHANES, 2020–2024) linking higher UPF intake to increased visceral and abdominal fat.