A newsletter guided by compassion, grounded in science.

Hi friend,

I’m packing my bags soon, and my heart feels both excited and deeply thoughtful as I prepare to travel to Baltimore for the 2026 iaedp Foundation Annual Global Symposium. Link to Symposium:
​https://iaedpfoundation.com/events/2026-symposium/​

The symposium begins with a welcome reception on the evening of the 19th and continues through the 21st at the beautiful Baltimore Waterfront Marriott. This year’s theme — Evidence, Empathy, and Evolution — couldn’t be more meaningful or timely for the work I do and the community I serve.

On Saturday the 21st, I’ll be speaking as both a moderator and panelist for a presentation titled:

“Ultra-Processed Food Use Disorder in Eating Disorder Treatment.”

This is an important, complex, and sometimes emotionally charged conversation within the eating disorder field right now.

For decades, treatment has rightly worked to dismantle harmful diet culture, food fear, and restrictive thinking. The message that “all foods fit” has helped many people rebuild trust with their bodies and step out of cycles of shame and deprivation. That work has been essential and life-changing for countless individuals.

And at the same time, we are beginning to see — through both clinical experience and emerging research — that some individuals struggling with binge eating and loss-of-control eating are not finding relief within traditional models. For a portion of this population, ultra-processed foods appear to activate reward and craving pathways in ways that closely resemble addiction-like responses. If you’d like a deeper, compassionate exploration of this topic, I wrote about it here:
​Understanding Binge Eating Disorder in the Age of Ultra-Processed Foods​

This topic can evoke strong reactions. It challenges long-held beliefs, raises concerns about stigma, and asks the field to wrestle with nuance rather than simple answers. But the intention of this panel is not to divide the field — it is to expand it.

My passion in participating in this conversation comes from the clients I have sat beside for decades — individuals who are working incredibly hard to heal yet often feel unseen when their experiences don’t match standard treatment pathways. These are people who are not lacking motivation or willpower. They are navigating complex biological, neurological, emotional, and environmental influences that require personalized, compassionate care.

What excites me most is that our field is evolving. We are learning that recovery is not one-size-fits-all. We are discovering how nervous system science, metabolic understanding, trauma-informed care, and harm-reduction models can work together to support people more effectively.

I feel deeply honored to help represent this perspective and to bring these conversations forward with both scientific curiosity and human compassion.

Traveling to conferences like this always reminds me of why I do this work. Behind every research study, every panel discussion, and every clinical debate are real people longing for peace with food, with their bodies, and with themselves.

Thank you for trusting me to walk alongside you in this evolving conversation. I’m looking forward to learning, listening, and bringing back insights that continue to support the healing journeys I care so deeply about — including yours.

With gratitude and heart,
Kari

PS. If you’ve been curious about learning this work at your own pace, I want you to know that the self-paced version of The Cravings Calm Method™ is currently available.

This option allows you to move through the material on your timeline while still receiving the full framework and tools.

Enrollment for the self-paced experience will remain open through March 31. If you feel called to explore it, you can learn more here:

Have a question or want to learn more? Let's chat about coaching! Contact me