The Good Clean Nutrition Podcast

Making Health Goals Your Own: Letting Go of Outside Voices and Self-Criticism with Psychotherapist Megan Rafuse, MSW, RSW (ep – 80)

What does healthy really mean to you? If you haven’t checked in with your definition lately, let this episode be your sign that it might be time to reevaluate.In this episode, psychotherapist and CEO of Shift Collab, Megan Rafuse, returns for an important conversation about understanding health in 2026 from beyond the scale, trends, and external voices. Together, Megan and Ginger start by exploring our roots and how health messaging has shaped our relationship with food over decades, from the diet culture of the early 2000s to the perfectionism on today's social media feeds. Megan and Ginger dive into why so much of this work comes down to reframing our internal dialogue, from the clothes we wear to the comparison traps we get caught in, to the language we use when talking about our bodies and the bodies of others. If your day could use a little less comparison and a whole lot more understanding, this episode is a great place to start.In this episode, we’ll cover: [00:00:03] How our definition of “healthy” is shaped[00:02:35] The lasting impact of diet culture and generational body messaging[00:08:24] When “healthy” behaviors become harmful[00:11:21] Body image, comparison culture, and the pressure to bounce back[00:13:14] Releasing shame tied to body changes[00:20:05] Social media and how comparison affects self-worth[00:23:07] How core beliefs shape the way we see ourselves and others[00:32:14] A grounding first step for body image and healthConnect with Dr. Ginger Hultin on Instagram, LinkedIn or her website. Connect with Megan Rafuse on Instagram, LinkedIn or website. Disclaimer: The material presented in this podcast, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should seek the recommendation of a medical professional regarding a medical condition or treatment or before starting a new nutrition and/or health regimen. Orgain, LLC is providing these episodes on an "as is" basis and makes no representations or warranties of any kind with respect to the podcast episodes. Orgain, LLC nor any of its directors, employees or other representatives will be liable for damages arising out of or in connection with the use of this document. This is a comprehensive limitation of liability that applies to all damages of any kind, including (without limitation) compensatory, direct, indirect or consequential damages, loss of data, income or profit, loss of or damage to property and claims of third parties.

How to Set Health Goals That Fit Your Real Life, with Megan Rafuse, MSW, RSW (ep – 79)

How are those New Year’s resolutions going? Have you started working toward everything you hoped for this year? If those questions bring up a little discomfort, take a breath — you’re not alone.In this episode, Dr. Ginger Hultin dives into realistic, compassionate goal-setting with psychotherapist and CEO of Shift Collab, Megan Rafuse. When it comes to health goals, it’s easy to slip into cycles of self-criticism, perfectionism, and shame, especially for high-achieving, motivated people. Together, Ginger and Megan unpack why this happens and, more importantly, what actually helps. From shrinking goals into manageable steps, to evaluating the season of life you’re in, to building the right support systems, this conversation offers a practical framework for change.In this episode, we’ll cover: [00:00] Why health goals feel overwhelming in the new year[03:44] How to set realistic health goals that actually fit your real life[06:25] Why most health goals fail[08:20] Perfectionism, high achievers, and the pressure of “doing health right”[10:46] Behavioral activation, micro-goals, and taking tiny steps[15:19] Season-of-life goal setting and sustainable, supportive tradeoffs[18:40] Creating a support system for health goals[21:23] Why being human is part of successful behavior changeConnect with Dr. Ginger Hultin on Instagram, LinkedIn or her website. Connect with Megan Rafuse on Instagram, LinkedIn or website. Disclaimer: The material presented in this podcast, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should seek the recommendation of a medical professional regarding a medical condition or treatment or before starting a new nutrition and/or health regimen. Orgain, LLC is providing these episodes on an "as is" basis and makes no representations or warranties of any kind with respect to the podcast episodes. Orgain, LLC nor any of its directors, employees or other representatives will be liable for damages arising out of or in connection with the use of this document. This is a comprehensive limitation of liability that applies to all damages of any kind, including (without limitation) compensatory, direct, indirect or consequential damages, loss of data, income or profit, loss of or damage to property and claims of third parties.

Check Out the New Approach to The Good Clean Nutrition Podcast!

Nutrition advice is everywhere, but trustworthy, evidence-based guidance can be hard to find. That’s where season four of The Good Clean Nutrition Podcast comes in! Host Dr. Ginger Hultin returns alongside an incredible lineup of experts to help you make sense of the latest in nutrition science. This season, you’ll hear more from Ginger throughout each episode as she shares reflections and insights along the way, translating research into realistic, meaningful steps. If you’re looking for grounded guidance, thoughtful conversations, and realistic wellness strategies you can actually use, this season is for you! Connect with Dr. Ginger Hultin on Instagram, LinkedIn or her website. Disclaimer: The material presented in this podcast, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should seek the recommendation of a medical professional regarding a medical condition or treatment or before starting a new nutrition and/or health regimen. Orgain, LLC is providing these episodes on an "as is" basis and makes no representations or warranties of any kind with respect to the podcast episodes. Orgain, LLC nor any of its directors, employees or other representatives will be liable for damages arising out of or in connection with the use of this document. This is a comprehensive limitation of liability that applies to all damages of any kind, including (without limitation) compensatory, direct, indirect or consequential damages, loss of data, income or profit, loss of or damage to property and claims of third parties.

A Dietitian’s Guide to Unpacking the Processed Food Panic with Elizabeth Ward, MS, RD (ep – 78)

If you follow health and nutrition conversations online, you’ve likely seen the debates about “processed” and “ultra-processed” foods. But what’s grounded in science, and what’s simply clickbait?In this episode, Dr. Ginger Hultin is joined by fellow myth-buster, registered dietitian, and nutrition communicator Elizabeth (Liz) Ward to bring essential nuance back into the processed-food conversation. Together, they break down what these terms really mean, where modern classification systems like NOVA fall short, and why saying “no” to all processed foods can actually limit accessibility and overlook major public-health wins. From long ingredient lists to hard-to-pronounce additives, Liz and Ginger unpack the facts versus fear, and walk through everyday foods that are often labeled “good,” “bad,” or somewhere in between. In this episode, we’ll cover: [00:00:00] What ultra-processed food research really shows [00:01:50] Defining processed foods: from whole to ultra-processed[00:02:52] The NOVA classification system explained[00:05:46] How processing improves nutrition: fortification and public health[00:08:35] Why some ultra-processed foods can still be nutritious[00:11:29] Common food label myths and how to read ingredients wisely[00:13:45] Access, convenience, and the role of processed foods in real life[00:22:03] Final takeaways: moving beyond fearConnect with Dr. Ginger Hultin on Instagram, LinkedIn or her website. Connect with Elizabeth Ward on Instagram, LinkedIn or website. Disclaimer: The material presented in this podcast, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should seek the recommendation of a medical professional regarding a medical condition or treatment or before starting a new nutrition and/or health regimen. Orgain, LLC is providing these episodes on an "as is" basis and makes no representations or warranties of any kind with respect to the podcast episodes. Orgain, LLC nor any of its directors, employees or other representatives will be liable for damages arising out of or in connection with the use of this document. This is a comprehensive limitation of liability that applies to all damages of any kind, including (without limitation) compensatory, direct, indirect or consequential damages, loss of data, income or profit, loss of or damage to property and claims of third parties.

How Ultra-Processed Foods and Added Sugars Influence Mental Health with Dr. David Wiss, PhD (ep – 77)

If counting calories and cutting out “bad” foods haven’t led to lasting change, it may be because nutrition is far more complex than simple math. In this episode, Dr. David Wiss returns for an eye-opening conversation with host Dr. Ginger Hultin that challenges mainstream narratives about weight, willpower, and what “healthy eating” really means.Together, they unpack why the calorie model continues to dominate despite its limitations, and how it overlooks the roles of neurobiology and lived experience. From the science and controversy of ultra-processed foods to the connection between added sugars, fiber, and mood, this episode offers a refreshingly compassionate and systems-focused approach. If you’re ready to shift away from reductive nutrition advice and gain a better understanding of the social forces that shape eating behaviors, this conversation will leave you feeling informed, empowered, and deeply understood.In this episode, we’ll cover: [00:00:00] Count fiber, not calories[00:00:31] Setting up the calorie + ultra processed food conversation[00:02:48] Why the calorie model falls short[00:05:35] What “ultra-processed” really means[00:08:59] Values-based eating approach[00:10:54] Added sugar, fiber & mental health link[00:13:17] When nutrition advice becomes triggering[00:14:14] Trauma-informed nutrition care[00:15:41] Final takeaway: let your nutrition evolveConnect with Dr. Ginger Hultin on Instagram, LinkedIn or her website. Connect with Dr. David Wiss on Instagram, LinkedIn or Website. Disclaimer: The material presented in this podcast, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should seek the recommendation of a medical professional regarding a medical condition or treatment or before starting a new nutrition and/or health regimen. Orgain, LLC is providing these episodes on an "as is" basis and makes no representations or warranties of any kind with respect to the podcast episodes. Orgain, LLC nor any of its directors, employees or other representatives will be liable for damages arising out of or in connection with the use of this document. This is a comprehensive limitation of liability that applies to all damages of any kind, including (without limitation) compensatory, direct, indirect or consequential damages, loss of data, income or profit, loss of or damage to property and claims of third parties.