Eating, Interrupted

For some people with EoE, every meal comes with uncertainty. Food sticks. Swallowing hurts. Daily food routines become difficult to manage. In this episode, sponsored by Regeneron and Sanofi, we take a look into eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) through Dan’s story of living with unexplained symptoms and his long search for answers, alongside clinical insight from gastroenterologist Dr. Kumkum Patel that helps explain what’s happening in the body with EoE. Together, they trace how EoE shows up in everyday life, why it is often overlooked, and how understanding the condition and seeking appropriate treatment can help. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether you're training for your next marathon, hitting the gym, or heading out for a casual jog, exercise can put your digestive system to the test. For endurance athletes especially, GI issues like cramping, nausea, bloating, and even diarrhea are surprisingly common—and they can derail months of training in an instant. On this episode of Eating Interrupted, host Cynthia McFadden explores the fascinating connection between exercise and digestion. Why do GI issues happen during physical activity? Can you actually train your gut? And what can you eat– or avoid eating– to perform at your best? Tune in to hear ultramarathon legend Dean Karnazes share unbelievable stories from the trail, including the time a race through Death Valley ended in spectacular digestive disaster. Plus, gastroenterologist Dr. Mark Pimentel breaks down the science of fueling, hydration, and keeping your gut working with you, not against you. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mickey Trescott thought she was just tired. Then she started losing weight, losing strength, and struggling to get through the day. After years of unanswered questions and costly doctor visits, she finally discovered the reason: her immune system was attacking her own body. On this episode of Eating, Interrupted, host Cynthia McFadden explores the fascinating world of the immune system–how it works, what happens when it goes off track, and why it can sometimes turn against us. We’ll unpack what autoimmune diseases are, how food can influence symptoms, and how Mickey rebuilt her life while learning to live with three autoimmune conditions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the food on your plate could influence more than just how you feel physically, but also your mental health, mood and anxiety? For years, people have talked about the gut-brain connection as a “gut feeling” or “butterflies in your stomach.” Today, scientists are digging deeper into the biology behind that relationship, exploring how the foods we eat and the microbes living in our gut (the gut microbiome) may be linked to mental health conditions like anxiety and stress. In this episode, Dr. Mark Pimentel helps us separate what we know from what we’re still learning about the complex gut-brain connection. Then, we hear from Lex, a therapist who experienced regular panic attacks and began investigating whether his diet could be playing a role. Could food be one piece of the puzzle when it comes to mental health? And how can we explore that connection without jumping to conclusions? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over 30 million Americans live with food allergies. More than a quarter say they have intolerances. Throw in “sensitivities”? It starts to feel like everyone has some kind of dietary restriction. But what do these labels really mean? In the premiere of Eating Interrupted, host Cynthia McFadden sits down with gastroenterologist Dr. Mark Pimentel to break down the differences between allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities, what’s happening in the body, and what trends we are seeing in the allergy world. We also meet Mia, a creator and advocate living with more than 50 food allergies, who shares what it’s like to navigate dating, dining out, and the constant risk of anaphylaxis, while using her platform to challenge misinformation and help others feel less alone. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join veteran journalist Cynthia McFadden as she explores what happens when food stops feeling simple. From chronic illness to food allergies to the hidden connection between the gut, brain, and immune system, Eating, Interrupted unpacks the science, and the personal stories, behind the ways our bodies respond to what we eat. Listen to Eating, Interrupted every other week, starting this summer, July 9th, on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.