How to Stop Binge Eating: Why Abstinence Works Better Than Moderation | Ellen Bennett

In this episode, I sit down with Ellen Bennett — registered dietitian, addiction-informed practitioner, researcher, founder of the Liberate program, and food addict in recovery. Ellen has spent years training as a clinician, and finally conducting groundbreaking research that's challenging everything that the field of eating disorders has taught us about food, moderation, and recovery. Ellen brings something rare to this space: lived experience grounded in rigorous science. She didn't just survive food addiction — she spent years asking the medical establishment for evidence it even existed, and when they told her there was none, she went back to school, worked on her doctorate, and created that evidence herself. Here's what we cover in the episode: Ellen's childhood foundation — allergen restrictions that kept her safe, then the moment at age seven when processed foods became accessible, and how her body responded The progression of her food addiction through adolescence — constant mental preoccupation, hip surgery, weight gain, and the shame that followed her into adulthood Why commercial diet programs made everything worse — "moderation" meant nothing to her addicted brain, and no one asked why How she became a dietitian, and why asking doctors for evidence of food addiction changed her life trajectory The Liberate program: what it is, how it differs from traditional diet and eating disorder programs Her groundbreaking research findings — 46% reduction in food addiction severity, 44% reduction in binge eating symptoms, and what that means for the moderation vs. abstinence debate Why traditional eating disorder treatment got it backwards — and the story of a woman forced to prove she could eat in moderation to be discharged, who found relief through abstinence instead How abstinence-based approaches can actually reduce binge eating (contrary to everything the field of eating disorders warned us about) Meeting people where they are — why one-size-fits-all moderation doesn't work for everyone, and why informed choice matters Her future research plans — nutrient density studies, her dream retreat center for food addiction recovery, and getting Liberate into the NHS Why finding community matters when your family doesn't understand — and how the growing addiction-informed food community is making space for people walking this path Come to the Meat & Movement Retreat in Costa Rica! https://www.MeatandMovement.com Follow Beyond Binge Eating Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/ Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/ Keep in touch with Kristina: https://www.DrKristinaDobyns.com Connect with Ellen: https://www.liberatetoday.org Timestamps: 00:00 | Intro & Guest Introduction 01:10 | Personal Story Begins 01:47 | Childhood: Allergen Restrictions & the Shift at Age 7 02:33 | Weight Gain Progression: A Stone Per Year 03:15 | Hip Surgery & First Diet Attempts 03:45 | The "Unlimited Chips" Diet Trap 04:21 | Low-Fat Diet Failures & Doctor Blame 05:00 | The Stealing Realization (HOOK) 05:17 | Orlistat Medication Side Effects 05:46 | Sugar-Free Chocolate Bus Story 18:00 | Asking for Evidence: The Turning Point 20:14 | What is Liberate Program 20:49 | How Liberate Differs: No Weight Talk, It's About Coping 29:09 | Research Results: 46% Reduction in Food Addiction 30:11 | Research Results: 44% Reduction in Binge Eating 30:56 | The Woman Forced to Prove Moderation 34:03 | Low-Carb Stabilizes Blood Sugar & Mood 37:50 | The Creation and Validation of CRAVED 42:30 | Food Addiction and Type II Diabetes 47:55 | Future Dreams: Retreat Center & NHS Integration 52:54 | How to Connect & Next Steps Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.