Скачать или смотреть Food Junkies Podcast: Bitten Jonsson and Vera Tarman on the history of food addiction services, 2025

What to hear our stories? Vera Tarman and Bitten Jonsson tell all!
Welcome to the Food Junkies Podcast. My name is Dr Vera Tarman, and I am your host for today, interviewing myself and Bitten Jonsson about our history with food addiction and recovery - a walk down the memory lane of food addiction
Bitten Jonsson is a Swedish pioneer in food addiction treatment with nearly 40 years of experience in addiction medicine. She is a registered nurse, addiction specialist, creator ond trainer for the Holistic Medicine Program and the SUGAR® diagnostic tool, which assesses pathological use of sugar, flour, and processed foods. She is also the author of Sugar Bomb and Sugar Bomb Cookbook, as well is the creator of the Facebook group: Sugarbomb in Your Brain.
Though I have been food addicted since my 20s, I identified as a food addict for the last seventeen years. I have working in addiction medicine for twenty years. My book Food Junkies is soon to enter its third edition, I have a Sugar and Food Addiction course that runs annual at Adapt Your Life, and I have a facebook group called Im Sweet Enough: sugar Free or Life. You can also find me on you tube at VeratarmanMD channel

💡 What You’ll Hear In This Episode:
When and how Vera and Bitten each first realized they had a problem with food
Bitten’s early days applying addiction models to sugar use in Sweden
Vera’s turning point from bulimia and obsession to scientific clarity
The evolution of treatment approaches—from restrictive diets to holistic care
Why the addiction model matters—and how it still faces resistance
Stories of frustration, discovery, and determination
The roots of their pioneering programs, books, and diagnostic tools
What’s next for food addiction science and how professionals can catch up
And yes, the dogs that helped heal their hearts 🐶

🧠 Key Takeaways:
“Food addiction” is too broad—refined sugar and flour are the real psychoactive substances
Early recovery often mimicked diet culture—freedom came through connection and knowledge
Recovery is not just physical or behavioral—it’s metabolic, neurological, psychological, and spiritual
Both Vera and Bitten believe we’re at a turning point: a renaissance in food addiction awareness and professional training

🌍 Where Do We Go From Here?
Vera and Bitten envision a future where every doctor, nurse, therapist, and policymaker is trained in recognizing and treating food addiction. They call for compassion, clarity, and connection in how we talk about—and treat—this misunderstood condition.

🐾 And yes, there are dogs. Because sometimes, unconditional love and a wagging tail really can help us stay the course.

🎧 Listen now and share with someone who needs to hear they’re not alone.
Let’s end the shame—and start the healing.

💌 Email us at foodjunkiespodcast.com

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.