Food Junkie

Diet

GLP-1 Medications: Conversations and Considerations

Nicole Avena Ph.D. on January 15, 2026

The discussion surrounding GLP-1 medications needs to change to one that emphasizes science-based research and compassion.

The discussion surrounding GLP-1 medications needs to change to one that emphasizes science-based research and compassion.

Diet

Are "Ultra-Processed Products" the New Name for UPFs?

Nicole Avena Ph.D. on December 17, 2025

Food manufacturers utilize deceptive marketing tactics to make their products even more desirable. Referring to UPFs as ultra-processed products may provide clarity for consumers.

Food manufacturers utilize deceptive marketing tactics to make their products even more desirable. Referring to UPFs as ultra-processed products may provide clarity for consumers.

Diet

How to Navigate Sugar Consumption During the Festive Season

Nicole Avena Ph.D. on December 3, 2025

It is easy to go overboard during the year-end season without even noticing. Discover simple strategies on how to savor the season without sacrificing your health.

It is easy to go overboard during the year-end season without even noticing. Discover simple strategies on how to savor the season without sacrificing your health.

Diet

Kava vs Sugar: A Healthier Way to Unwind?

Nicole Avena Ph.D. on November 15, 2025

Kava and sugar both help manage stress and alter mood, though their mechanisms differ.

Kava and sugar both help manage stress and alter mood, though their mechanisms differ.

Addiction

When Casual Substance Use Becomes Complicated

Nicole Avena Ph.D. on June 18, 2025

Legality and prevalence don’t equate to harmlessness. Substances can have very different effects depending on the user, the frequency of use, and individual vulnerabilities.

Legality and prevalence don’t equate to harmlessness. Substances can have very different effects depending on the user, the frequency of use, and individual vulnerabilities.

Dopamine

When We Experience Cravings, We Grab What’s In Reach

Nicole Avena Ph.D. on April 1, 2025

We all experience cravings. Sometimes, our cravings prompt undesirable behaviors, which can contribute to negative consequences over time.

We all experience cravings. Sometimes, our cravings prompt undesirable behaviors, which can contribute to negative consequences over time.

Diet

What’s Going On in Our Current Food Supply?

Nicole Avena Ph.D. on February 25, 2025

Our food system has been placed under increasing scrutiny. It is clear that our food supply is far more complex and concerning than we often realize.

Our food system has been placed under increasing scrutiny. It is clear that our food supply is far more complex and concerning than we often realize.

Diet

Doom Spending: When Food Choices Turn Risky

Nicole Avena Ph.D. on February 12, 2025

While impulsive spending may offer temporary relief from daily pressures, it can lead to long-term financial strain and increased stress over time.

While impulsive spending may offer temporary relief from daily pressures, it can lead to long-term financial strain and increased stress over time.

Diet

Sugar: The Harmful Substance Our Government Subsidizes

Nicole Avena Ph.D. on January 29, 2025

Research has demonstrated the negative consequences of excessive added sugar intake, yet the government continues to support sugar intake through subsidies and permissive policies.

Research has demonstrated the negative consequences of excessive added sugar intake, yet the government continues to support sugar intake through subsidies and permissive policies.

Health

Beating 'Winter Blues' the Healthy Way

Nicole Avena Ph.D. on January 22, 2025

Wintertime is known to cause the "winter blues," which can negatively impact many people's health and wellness. Incorporating these healthy habits can make all the difference.

Wintertime is known to cause the "winter blues," which can negatively impact many people's health and wellness. Incorporating these healthy habits can make all the difference.

Consumer Behavior

Apples vs. Apple Jacks

Nicole Avena Ph.D. on November 7, 2024

Marketing tactics minimize big differences among substances, including food products.

Marketing tactics minimize big differences among substances, including food products.

Addiction

The Evolving Landscape of Addiction and Where Processed Food Fits

Nicole Avena Ph.D. on July 17, 2024

The landscape of addiction is changing as behavioral addictions have emerged and have been recognized.

The landscape of addiction is changing as behavioral addictions have emerged and have been recognized.

Addiction

Why Isn’t Food Addiction in the DSM?

Nicole Avena Ph.D. on May 9, 2024

Food addiction is not yet recognized by the DSM despite research-backed evidence that demonstrates the addictive properties of food.

Food addiction is not yet recognized by the DSM despite research-backed evidence that demonstrates the addictive properties of food.

Diet

Places Sugar May Be Hiding in Your Diet

Nicole Avena Ph.D. on April 15, 2024

Sugar can be sneaky, and it may just be hiding where you least expect it. Let's discuss some common places where sugar may be hiding and some better-for-you alternatives.

Sugar can be sneaky, and it may just be hiding where you least expect it. Let's discuss some common places where sugar may be hiding and some better-for-you alternatives.

Diet

Managing Social Pressures Around Sugar

Nicole Avena Ph.D. on April 1, 2024

Breaking sugar dependence can be challenging, and social pressures can certainly make it more difficult. Fortunately, there are ways to navigate social pressures and see success.

Breaking sugar dependence can be challenging, and social pressures can certainly make it more difficult. Fortunately, there are ways to navigate social pressures and see success.

Alcoholism

Sugar Withdrawal: How Does It Occur?

Nicole Avena Ph.D. on March 19, 2024

The withdrawal symptoms seen in situations of drug and alcohol addiction may manifest in situations of sugar dependence.

The withdrawal symptoms seen in situations of drug and alcohol addiction may manifest in situations of sugar dependence.

Diet

What's the Scoop on Fructose?

Nicole Avena Ph.D. on March 4, 2024

The intake of excessive amounts of processed foods and beverages that are rich in sugar and fructose can be detrimental and result in negative health outcomes.

The intake of excessive amounts of processed foods and beverages that are rich in sugar and fructose can be detrimental and result in negative health outcomes.

Diet

Sugar's Best Friend: Alternative Sweeteners

Nicole Avena Ph.D. on February 20, 2024

Fighting sugar dependence can be challenging. Are alternative sweeteners a good option?

Fighting sugar dependence can be challenging. Are alternative sweeteners a good option?

Diet

The Connection Between Added Sugar and Chronic Disease

Nicole Avena Ph.D. on February 12, 2024

Excessive sugar intake has been linked with chronic diseases. Making small, sustainable changes to your diet can decrease your risk of developing chronic diseases.

Excessive sugar intake has been linked with chronic diseases. Making small, sustainable changes to your diet can decrease your risk of developing chronic diseases.

Diet

Sugar Is in Almost Everything—Hiding in Plain Sight

Nicole Avena Ph.D. on February 6, 2024

Sugar is hiding in plain sight—sometimes where you least expect it. Being able to identify foods that contain added sugar is vital in your fight against sugar dependence.

Sugar is hiding in plain sight—sometimes where you least expect it. Being able to identify foods that contain added sugar is vital in your fight against sugar dependence.