RAW

The Cheeky Clean

The Real Ass Word - aka RAW - is a juicy little podcast on conscious living in a toxic world. Hosted by Ali, the founder of @thecheekyclean a wellness brand connecting intentional consumers with the purposeful brands of the future. Through the power of shared resources, connection, community and REAL experience - each episode will provide tangible tips for detoxing the mind, body and spirit to elevate the collective and easily navigate the oversaturated wellness business. Your BS free resource for living longer, lighter and more holistic.

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20 episodes
Updated July 24

Episodes20

Newest first

July 24 · 58 min
The Other Side of Addiction ft. Marisa Barber
Addiction doesn't just affect the person struggling — it affects every single person who loves them. In this episode, Alison sits down with Marisa Barber, author of The Other Side of Addiction and Senior Manager of Patient Support Services for a telehealth addiction treatment program, to talk about the grief, shame, and silence that families carry when someone they love is struggling with substance use. Marisa draws from her professional experience in addiction recovery and her own devastating personal loss — the overdose death of her partner — to explore what healing actually looks like for families. They discuss boundaries, recovery, Al-Anon, medication-assisted treatment, stigma, and the radical power of telling the truth about our stories. Whether you've walked this road yourself or love someone who has, this conversation will remind you that you are not alone. Connect with Marisa Barber: 📖 Book: https://amzn.to/4fgcRLm 📝 Substack: https://substack.com/@theothersideofaddictionxx 👥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Other-Side-of-Addiction/61591663271324/ 🍑 THECHEEKYCLEAN + CONSCIOUS CART Learn more: https://www.thecheekyclean.com Shop smarter: https://www.consciouscart.com Join the Cheeky community: https://instagram.com/thecheekyclean 📝 Show Notes + Other RAW Resources: This Week's Episode: https://www.thecheekyclean.com/podcast/episodes/ All Episodes: https://www.thecheekyclean.com/podcast 🛒 Sponsored by TheCheekyClean Collagen. Use code RAW10 for 10% off at consciouscart.com.
July 17 · 37 min
LIVE at THRIVE - conversations on Health, Healing and Low-Tox Living
Recorded live at THRIVE: A Women’s Wellness Experience, this special episode of RAW the Podcast captures four inspiring conversations from a day dedicated to advancing women’s health. From functional and integrative medicine to clean beauty, supportive cancer care, and conscious consumerism, each guest shares a unique perspective on what it means to live healthier, ask better questions, and advocate for yourself. Together, these conversations highlight the power of education, community, and everyday choices in shaping the future of women’s wellness. Join us for this special live episode as we bring the energy, inspiration, resources, and real conversations from THRIVE directly to you. Follow RAW + TheCheekyClean: https://www.instagram.com/thecheekyclean & https://www.instagram.com/rawthepod 🛒 Sponsored by TheCheekyClean Collagen. Use code RAW10 for 10% off at consciouscart.com. 🎙️ Show Notes + Other RAW Resources: This Week's Episode: https://www.thecheekyclean.com/podcast/episodes/ All Episodes: https://www.thecheekyclean.com/podcast Jen Kanaba : owner of Root Cause integrative wellness and founder of the Heal Conference https://www.instagram.com/rootcauseintegrativewellness/ https://www.healconference.org/ Jamie Kowit: owner of manifest manicures and founder of Nish Body Care https://www.instagram.com/manifest_cle/ https://www.instagram.com/nishbodycare/ Denise Nicolay: Cancer survivor and advocate https://www.instagram.com/big_dee09/ Rachel Kovach: Owner of Mindful Merchantile, a non toxic refillery. https://www.instagram.com/mindfulmercantileco/ Women’s wellness, women’s health, functional medicine, integrative health, root-cause wellness, clean beauty, non-toxic beauty, low-tox living, cancer support, cancer survivor story, conscious living, sustainable living, women-owned businesses, Cleveland wellness, THRIVE women’s wellness
July 10 · 1 hr
Building ENERGI: Gia Rossi on Strength, Healing, and Creating a Studio with Soul
In this episode of RAW, host Alison Hite (Thacker) – founder of TheCheekyClean and Conscious Cart – sits down with Gia Rossi, founder of Energi Studios, a new Pilates, yoga, and strength training studio opening in Ohio City, Cleveland. Gia shares her journey from New York to Cleveland, how movement became a healing outlet after losing both of her parents, and why she believes fitness should feel supportive, empowering, and rooted in community. Together, Ali and Gia talk about grief, body image, eating disorder awareness, women’s strength training, entrepreneurship, and the power of creating spaces where people feel safe in their bodies. Gia opens up about losing her mother to an eating disorder, losing her father in a tragic motorcycle accident, and how yoga, Pilates, walking, breathwork, and strength training helped her reconnect with gratitude, purpose, and self-trust. This conversation is a powerful reminder that movement is not just about changing your body — it can be a pathway back to yourself. Follow Gia: https://www.instagram.com/energi.studios & https://www.instagram.com/gialiveswell energistudios.co Follow RAW + TheCheekyClean: https://www.instagram.com/thecheekyclean & https://www.instagram.com/rawthepod 🛒 Sponsored by TheCheekyClean Collagen. Use code RAW10 for 10% off at consciouscart.com. 🎙️ Show Notes + Other RAW Resources: This Week's Episode: https://www.thecheekyclean.com/podcast/episodes/healing-through-movement-grief-strength-energi-studios-gia-rossi All Episodes: https://www.thecheekyclean.com/podcast
June 26 · 1 hr 13 min
Purpose, Grief & Advocacy — ft. Natalie Herbick
Natalie Herbick — host of New Day Cleveland, Fox 8 news anchor, and early detection cancer advocate — joins host Ali for one of the most powerful conversations this show has had. Natalie opens up about losing her mother to ovarian cancer, navigating her own breast cancer diagnosis after testing negative for genetic markers, and the advocacy work born from both experiences. Together, Ali and Natalie talk dense breast tissue, self-advocacy in the medical system, grief as a portal to purpose, nervous system healing, and the upcoming Thrive Conference on July 11th. This one hits the soul. 🎟️ Thrive Conference — July 11th: healconference.org | Code: cheeky for 20% off through 7/3 Follow Natalie: https://www.instagram.com/natalieherbick Follow Ali: https://www.instagram.com/thecheekyclean & https://www.instagram.com/rawthepod 🛒 Sponsored by TheCheekyClean Collagen. Use code RAW10 for 10% off at consciouscart.com. 🎙️ Show Notes + Other RAW Resources: This Week's Episode: https://www.thecheekyclean.com/podcast/episodes/grief-purpose-womens-health-advocacy-natalie-herbick All Episodes: https://www.thecheekyclean.com/podcast
June 12 · 1 hr 13 min
The Body Keeps Score — ft. Jess Patz
What happens to your body when it's been surviving for years? Jess Patz — speaker, nervous system educator, TEDx presenter, and lupus patient — joins Alison Hite (Thacker), host and founder of TheCheekyClean, for a raw, honest conversation about domestic violence, chronic stress, autoimmune disease, and what healing actually requires. Jess shares her journey from leaving an abusive marriage to navigating post-separation abuse, a lupus diagnosis, stroke recovery, and the deep work of teaching her body that it is finally safe. This one will stay with you. Follow Jess: instagram.com/_jesspatz & jesspatz.com Join the movement for conscious living: instagram.com/thecheekyclean & instagram.com/rawthepod 🌿 TheCheekyClean Lifestyle Detox Course is now live! 👉 thecheekyclean.com/lifestyle-detox-course — Use code DETOX20 to save. 🛒 Sponsored by TheCheekyClean Collagen. Use code RAW10 for 10% off at consciouscart.com. 🎙️ Show Notes + Other RAW Resources: This Week's Episode: https://www.thecheekyclean.com/podcast/episodes/trauma-nervous-system-autoimmune-disease-jess-patz All Episodes: https://www.thecheekyclean.com/podcast
June 5 · 42 min
Healthy Made Simple - LIVE Podcast! Ft. Dr. Jeremy Watson
What would it look like if being healthy were the norm instead of the outlier? In this LIVE recorded episode of RAW, Alison Hite (Thacker) founder of TheCheekyClean, sits down with Dr. Jeremy Watson — chiropractic physician, functional medicine doctor, and community health advocate — to explore why your symptoms are signals, how root-cause medicine changes the conversation around chronic disease, and what the simplest version of a healthy lifestyle actually looks like. From comprehensive labs to the power of local food systems, this conversation makes the case that health doesn't have to be complicated — it just has to be consistent. 🍑 TheCheekyClean Lifestyle Detox Course is now live! 👉 thecheekyclean.com/lifestyle-detox-course — Use code DETOX20 to save. Follow along: https://www.instagram.com/thecheekyclean & https://www.instagram.com/rawthepod Connect with Dr. Watson: https://www.instagram.com/drjeremywatson https://www.watsonwellness.net 🛒 Sponsored by TheCheekyClean Collagen. Use code RAW10 for 10% off at https://www.consciouscart.com. 🎙️ Show Notes + Other RAW Resources: This Week's Episode: https://www.thecheekyclean.com/podcast/episodes/healthy-made-simple-functional-medicine-dr-jeremy-watson All Episodes: https://www.thecheekyclean.com/podcast
May 29 · 21 min
Hard Launch: Love, Healing & TheCheekyClean Lifestyle Detox
In this solo episode, Alison Hite (Thacker) steps into a new era — publicly sharing her relationship with functional medicine doctor Dr. Jeremy Watson and officially launching the TheCheekyClean Lifestyle Detox Course. Ali reflects on why fear is often the signal that something meaningful is ahead, and how discomfort has been the catalyst for every real evolution in her life. She dives into the philosophy behind the Lifestyle Detox Course — reframing detox not as restriction, but as reclamation of your natural state of health. Covering everything from food and water to mindset, energy, and environment, this episode is a vulnerable, practical reminder that healing starts with awareness and small, consistent choices. If you've been waiting for a sign to go deeper into your wellness journey, this is it. Follow along: https://www.instagram.com/thecheekyclean & https://www.instagram.com/rawthepod 🌿 TheCheekyClean Lifestyle Detox Course is now live! 👉 thecheekyclean.com/lifestyle-detox-course — 20% off introductory week only! (no code needed) 🛒 Sponsored by TheCheekyClean Collagen. Use code RAW10 for 10% off at consciouscart.com. 🎙️ Show Notes + Other RAW Resources: This Week's Episode: https://www.thecheekyclean.com/podcast/episodes/hard-launch-love-healing-lifestyle-detox-course All Episodes: https://www.thecheekyclean.com/podcast
May 22 · 1 hr 11 min
The Truth About Organic, Local Food & Living Better ft. Kawai Bitto
What if the most powerful thing you could do for your health was simply knowing where your food comes from? This week, Ali sits down with Kawai Bitto, Director of Market Operations at North Union Farmers Market, for a rich conversation on local food systems, food access, seasonal eating, and the real-life impact of supporting small farms and local makers. They dig into why local often beats organic, how farmers markets serve every budget (SNAP, WIC, and Produce Perks included), how motherhood shapes food choices, and what it means to vote with your dollars — one market visit at a time. 🍑This episode is brought to you by TheCheekyClean Collagen. Use code RAW10 for 10% off at consciouscart.com. Connect with Kawai: 📱 Instagram: instagram.com/waianiani | instagram.com/northunionfarmersmarket 🌐 Website: northunionfarmersmarket.org Connect with Ali: 📱 Instagram: instagram.com/thecheekyclean instagram.com/rawthepod ───────────────────────────── Show Notes + Other RAW Resources: This Week's Episode: https://www.thecheekyclean.com/podcast/episodes/organic-vs-local-food-farmers-markets-kawai-bitto All Episodes: https://www.thecheekyclean.com/podcast
May 15 · 56 min
When You Change Yourself, You Change the World — ft. Tony Kost
In this powerful episode of RAW, host Alison Hite (Thacker) – founder of TheCheekyClean and Conscious Cart – sits down with Tony Kost — Cleveland hospitality leader, event coordinator at Cordelia, and nearly 10 years sober — for one of the most honest conversations about addiction and recovery the show has hosted. Tony shares his full story: alcoholism in the restaurant industry, rock bottom, detox, shame, relapse, therapy, grief, and the long, nonlinear work of building a life from the inside out. Together, he and Ali explore how comparison, disconnection, and social pressure keep people stuck — and why sobriety, community, and radical self-honesty are what set people free. This episode is for anyone questioning their relationship with alcohol, supporting someone in recovery, or simply trying to live more authentically. Follow Tony: https://www.instagram.com/tony_and_oscarjames/ Follow TheCheekyClean: https://www.instagram.com/thecheekyclean 🌿 This episode is sponsored by TheCheekyClean Collagen — use code RAW10 for 10% off Collagen at https://www.consciouscart.com ───────────────────────────── Show Notes + Other RAW Resources: This Week’s Episode: https://www.thecheekyclean.com/podcast/episodes/sobriety-addiction-recovery-self-love-tony-kost All Episodes: https://www.thecheekyclean.com/podcast/episodes
May 8 · 1 hr 18 min
The Reality of Adoption — ft. Becca Gordon
In this episode of RAW, host Alison Hite (Thacker) – founder of TheCheekyClean and Conscious Cart – sits down with Becca Gordon — mom, entrepreneur, and founder of Bloom Social Haus and Stella and Shay Beauty Bar in Cleveland — to share the unfiltered story of her journey to motherhood through infertility, private adoption, foster care, failed placements, and finally, the day she became a mom to twin daughters. Becca talks about what the process of adoption and fostering actually looked like — the paperwork, the uncertainty, the grief, the love — and why more families need to hear the real story, not just the highlight reel. This is a conversation about resilience, community, surrender, and a motherhood that looked nothing like she planned — and became exactly what was meant for her. Follow Becca: https://instagram.com/itsbeccagordon Follow TheCheekyClean: https://instagram.com/thecheekyclean SHOP Clean Collagen: https://www.consciouscart.com/ ───────────────────────────── Show Notes + Other RAW Resources: This Week’s Episode: https://www.thecheekyclean.com/podcast/episodes/adoption-foster-care-infertility-motherhood-becca-gordon All Episodes: https://www.thecheekyclean.com/podcast
April 30 · 54 min
Why Real Food Brands Are Hard to Build — ft. Rawia Abdel Samad
In this episode of RAW, host Alison Hite (Thacker) from TheCheekyClean sits down with Rawia Abdel Samad — founder of Beituti, a modern Lebanese pantry brand bringing bold, clean-label Middle Eastern flavors into everyday cooking. Rawia shares her journey from growing up in Lebanon, where food was seasonal and deeply tied to family, to leaving a corporate consulting career and building a food company as a mom of three — one with no seed oils, no added sugars, and no shortcuts. They unpack the honest reality of what it takes to build a mission-driven food brand, why clean ingredients are structurally harder to work with, and what it means to carry your culture on a product label during conflict back home. This conversation is about food — and so much more than food. 🔗 Shop Beituti: https://eatbeituti.com 💰Code FIRSTBITE20 for 20% off your first order Follow Beituti: https://instagram.com/eatbeituti Follow TheCheekyClean: https://instagram.com/thecheekyclean Shop TheCheekyClean Collagen: ConsciousCart.com ───────────────────────────── Show Notes + Other RAW Resources: This Week’s Episode: https://www.thecheekyclean.com/podcast/episodes/clean-label-food-brand-eat-beituti-rawia-abdel-samad All Episodes: https://www.thecheekyclean.com/podcast
April 23 · 1 hr 8 min
The War on Women's Health — ft. Emily Sadri, NP
In this episode of Raw, host Alison Hite (Thacker) – founder of TheCheekyClean and Conscious Cart – sits down with Emily Sadri, CNM, APRN, founder of Aurelia Health, to unpack why so many women feel dismissed, confused, and underserved when it comes to health. From early perimenopause symptoms like anxiety, brain fog, and sleep disruption, to the failures of conventional women's healthcare, this conversation makes one thing clear: your symptoms are not random. They are signals. Emily shares her journey from working inside the traditional medical system to building a hormones-first telemedicine practice, and breaks down what women deserve to understand about estrogen, metabolism, ovulation, postpartum depletion, birth control, and root-cause hormonal care. This episode is for every woman who has been told her labs are "normal" when her body is telling her something different. ⁠🔗 Work with Emily⁠ 💰 Code CHEEKY100 for $100 off the Hormone Deep Dive ⁠Follow Emily⁠ ⁠Follow TheCheekyClean⁠ More Clean Living Resources ⁠⁠Shop Clean Essentials You Can Trust ⁠⁠ perimenopause, menopause, hormone imbalance, women’s hormones, estrogen, progesterone, HRT, metabolism, insulin resistance, anxiety, sleep issues, fertility, birth control, autoimmune, women’s health, functional medicine, hormone therapy, midlife health, root cause healing
April 16 · 40 min
Letting Go Creates Expansion
In this solo episode of RAW, host Alison Hite (Thacker), founder of TheCheekyClean and Conscious Cart LLC, shares a deeply personal life update — and the internal shifts that are redefining her path in business and in life. She opens up about what it truly means to go all in on your purpose: the fear, the identity unraveling, the uncertainty that doesn't resolve cleanly. From releasing control patterns rooted in childhood, to building a conscious relationship, to stepping fully into entrepreneurship — this episode is about surrender, alignment, and becoming the version of yourself the life you want actually requires. Ali also shares her decision to pursue her Integrative Health Practitioner certification, bridging the gap between clean living and true root-cause healing. If you're standing at the edge of a change you can feel but aren't ready to name — this one is for you. Follow The Cheeky Clean More conscious living resources Shop Cheeky conscious living, personal growth, letting go, nervous system, health, entrepreneurship, authenticity, abundance, mindset, self-care, detox
April 9 · 1 hr 24 min
What the Fitness Industry Gets Wrong About Your Health ft. Adrienne Smith
In this episode of RAW, host Alison Hite (Thacker), founder of TheCheekyClean and Conscious Cart, sits down with human engineering specialist Adrienne Smith — gym and recovery center owner, and expert in aging, performance, and quality of life — to challenge everything the fitness industry gets wrong about health. Adrienne shares her personal story of healing her own gut and transforming her health, and unpacks the root-cause drivers most people never address: food quality, gut function, mineralization, circadian rhythm, muscle mass, and individualized recovery. This conversation reframes fitness as an internal practice — one built on how the body functions, not just how it looks. If you've been doing the work and still not feeling your best, this episode will show you what's actually missing. Follow Adrienne Adrienne's Website Follow TheCheekyClean More conscious Living Resources gut health, human engineering, longevity, nutrition, gut microbiome, quality food, wellness, anti-aging, gut dysbiosis, biohacking, fitness
March 26 · 1 hr 3 min
The Truth About GLP-1s ft Gretchen Spetz, RD
In this episode of RAW, host Alison Hite (founder of TheCheekyClean and Conscious Cart) sits down with registered dietitian and functional nutrition specialist Gretchen Spetz to break down the smart, sustainable approach to GLP-1 weight loss. They cover why GLP-1 medications like semaglutide are not a magic fix, and what your body actually needs to lose weight without sacrificing muscle, metabolism, or long-term health. From protein and fiber to sleep, gut health, strength training, and nervous system regulation — this episode is a complete framework for anyone navigating midlife health, hormonal shifts, or metabolic changes. If you're on GLP-1 medication, considering it, or just want to understand what sustainable weight loss really requires, this conversation is for you. 🔗 Gretchen's GLP-1 Success Roadmap: Use code CHEEKY for $10 off. Follow Gretchen: Follow Gretchen Follow TheCheekyClean: Shop clean products GLP-1, weight loss, semaglutide, women’s health, midlife health, metabolism, protein, fiber, blood sugar, insulin resistance, hormones, gut health, strength training, sleep, functional nutrition
March 19 · 1 hr 1 min
Healing Chronic Illness and Finding Purpose - ft. Drew Kanaba
Drew Kanaba spent years as a prisoner to his own body - battling a childhood autoimmune diagnosis that conventional medicine could only partially address. In this episode of RAW, he joins host Alison Thacker (Hite) - founder of TheCheekyClean - to share how a relentless search for root cause answers led him to rebuild his health through integrative wellness, faith, and a deep understanding of the body's chemistry. Drew is now co-owner of Root Cause Integrative Wellness in Berea, Ohio, where he helps others do what he once thought was impossible. This conversation covers the difference between symptom management and true healing, the importance of bio-individuality, gut health, MTHFR, environmental toxicity, and why pain — when faced head-on — can become the most powerful form of purpose. Root Cause Integrative Wellness 📲IG 💚 Exclusive offer: 15% off any treatment — mention RAW when booking !! More Podcasts and Conscious Living Resources from theCheekyClean Shop the toxin free essentials for your daily routine at Conscious Cart Join the Community on a mission for Healing Holistic health, autoimmune, personalized medicine, root cause healing, integrative wellness, functional medicine, health innovation, longevity, disease, healing modalities
March 12 · 1 hr 19 min
You Are What You Eat - A Guide to Safe Sourcing!
In this episode of Raw, host Alison Hite (Thacker) – founder of TheCheekyClean and Conscious Cart – and Jen Rudolph, friend and business owner of Proper Roots Studio, explore the impact of diet, sourcing, and lifestyle on health and longevity. They discuss the value of conscious food choices, the realities of industrial farming, and practical tips for sourcing quality, sustainable food to live better and longer. Breaking down diet culture, greenwashing, and influencer marketing are themes of this episode. This conversation is an overview on the reality of mass production, and provides key tips for modern consumers to make more empowered, healthy choices- including grocery store staples and local farm options to explore. LOCAL SOURCING GUIDE!!! Episode Blog Conscious Living Resources Shop Clean Staples Join the community! Neighborhood Pets! Not sponsored, just love health, nutrition, sustainable food, regenerative farming, longevity, conscious eating, food sourcing, wellness, documentary insights, holistic health
March 5 · 1 hr 14 min
The Foundation for Lighter Living ft. Ceci Roman
In this episode of Raw, host Alison Hite (Thacker) – founder of TheCheekyClean and Conscious Cart – chats with Ceci Roman, owner of Bronze and Beauty, about her journey to creating a clean beauty brand, the importance of conscious living, and the power of faith and community in personal transformation. Ceci opens up about finding courage to take a leap into building a purpose driven business later in life after overcoming health challenges that grounded her faith in herself and the higher plan, and how that experience shifted her perspective on what beauty really is. The women discuss habits to shift your mindset, routines for reducing toxin loads, and how to build courage and master the art of trust to manifest your desires. Discover insights on holistic health, sustainable beauty practices, and foundational tools for reaching your potential. 50% off a better-for-you spray tan @ Bronze and Beauty with code CHEEKY More Conscious Living Resources Shop Clean Essentials Join the Cheeky Community! clean beauty, conscious living, holistic health, spray tanning, small business, personal growth, spirituality, community, sustainable products, wellness
February 20 · 57 min
Behind the Label: What Beauty Brands Don’t Tell You ft. Laura Ashley
In this episode of Raw, host Alison Hite (Thacker) – founder of TheCheekyClean and Conscious Cart – interviews Laura Ashley, CEO of LaJAshley, a natural hair and skin care brand that specializes in high-quality, vegan, and organic products. They discuss Laura's journey from a chemist to an entrepreneur, the importance of using natural ingredients, and the challenges faced in the beauty industry. The conversation emphasizes the need for consumer education about product ingredients and the role of community support in entrepreneurship. Laura also shares her innovative approaches to creating inclusive beauty products and her commitment to empowering the next generation and revolutionizing an industry that needs to change through education. Shop TheCheekyClean Collagen and Raw Podcast Merch Join the Cheeky Community clean beauty, entrepreneurship, natural ingredients, hair care, consumer education, sustainable products, beauty industry, community support, STEM education, health and wellness
February 13 · 1 hr 12 min
The Recipe for Building a Dream ft. Jonida Preka Morelli
In this episode of Raw, host Alison Hite (Thacker) – founder of TheCheekyClean and Conscious Cart – interviews Jonida Preka Morelli of Tricks in the Kitchen, a passionate cook and entrepreneur who shares her journey from growing up in communist Albania to becoming a successful cooking content creator in the U.S. They discuss the importance of authenticity in social media, the challenges of parenting, and the joy of cooking with simple ingredients. Jonida emphasizes the value of community support and the lessons learned from her experiences, including her time on MasterChef. She inspires us with easy tips for healthy cooking made simple, reminds us that challenges breed resilience, and shows us how to remain genuine when starting a business. The conversation inspires listeners to embrace their creativity and pursue their passions without fear. Learn and Connect with Tricks In The Kitchen More Resources for Living Consciously Join the Cheeky Community! Shop Clean Collagen and RAW the Podcast Merch Sponsored by Green Farm Juicery! cooking, resilience, immigrant experience, parenting, authenticity, social media, community support, MasterChef, Mediterranean cuisine, healthy eating