Healthy Looks Great on You

The Right (and Wrong) Way to Nap – What Science Says About Catching Zzz’s Are naps good for you, or are they a sign of something more serious? In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, we’re talking about the science behind napping. We explore the surprising health benefits of short power naps and the potential red flags associated with long or frequent daytime sleep. You’ll learn: How long y...

Food Is the Best Sleep Medicine—What If the Answer Is in Your Pantry? You’ve scanned labels and sipped sleepy teas, but what if the secret to better sleep is already on your plate? In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, we bust myths and get real about how everyday foods affect your sleep-wake cycle. From caffeine hiding in decaf drinks to that heavy steak sabotaging your slumber, I take y...

Sleep and gut health are in a constant tug-of-war, with each affecting the other.  In this episode, we unpack how poor sleep can inflame your gut (hello, GERD and IBS flare-ups), disrupt hormones like leptin and ghrelin, and fuel cravings.  At the same time, an unhealthy gut can disturb your circadian rhythm, trigger insomnia, and even contribute to sleep apnea.  We spotlight key gut bacteria tied...

Why Healthy Habits Don’t Stick—And What to Do About It Ever felt like you’re stuck in a cycle of starting over—again and again? You’re not alone. In this honest and hope-filled episode, Dr. Vickie shares her own health wake-up calls and reveals 7 surprising reasons we struggle to stick with healthy habits (even when we know exactly what to do). From all-or-nothing thinking to decision fatigue, she...

Episode 178: More Than a Gut Feeling — The Gut-Brain Axis Explained In this episode of Healthy Looks Great On You, Dr. Vickie takes you on a mini-medical school field trip through the fascinating world of the gut-brain axis. Starting with the wild true story of Alexis St. Martin — the fur trapper who literally had a window into his stomach — you'll learn how early experiments paved the way to our...

In this week’s episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, we dive into the deep connection between belly fat, body image, and mindset. Dr. Vickie discusses how visceral fat is a serious health concern—but also how obsessing over your waistline can spiral into shame. Her guest shares an empowering 5-R framework to help you: 📍 Recognize the root of distorted thinking 📍 Reclaim the lens of truth 📍 Res...

Could gut health be the cornerstone of your overall health? In this week’s Healthy Looks Great on You podcast, I take you on a behind-the-scenes journey of your gut microbiome—where trillions of organisms help with digestion, immunity, mood, sleep, and even weight. I cover how to maintain a balanced microbiome: Prebiotics to feed good bacteria Probiotics add the helpful microbes Caution around ant...

You Are What Your Microbes Eat: Gut Health 101 This week, we’re talking about your gut—home to trillions of microbes that can help you sleep better, lose belly fat, and reduce inflammation… or wreak havoc. We’ll explore: 🧬 The Stanford twin study on plant-based diets 🦠 Good gut bugs (like Mitzi Nitzi, Mama Bif, and Lactobacillus) 🔥 Bad bugs (hello, C. Diff and Bilophila!) 🍽️ What to eat to feed...

Plant-Based Living in a Carnivore Household Ever tried to introduce more plant-based meals at home, only to face resistance from your meat-loving partner? You're not alone. In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, I share my personal journey of guiding my husband towards embracing plant-based eating—without any ultimatums or food battles. We'll discuss: The Power of Hybrid Meals: How combini...

Healing Lupus and Autoimmune Disease Through Nutrition with Dr. Brooke Goldner Today, I’m bringing you a truly special conversation that every woman facing chronic illness, autoimmune struggles, or daily inflammation needs to hear. I’m joined by Dr. Brooke Goldner — bestselling author of Goodbye Lupus, Goodbye Autoimmune Disease, and a physician who has helped thousands of people reverse autoimmun...

Let’s talk about the thing no one wants to talk about…Belly fat. It shows up quietly, settles in like an uninvited guest, and refuses to leave — no matter how “healthy” you try to be. So what actually causes it? 👉 Diet? 👉 Lack of exercise? 👉 Hormones, stress, age, medications, soda? You might be surprised. This week on the Healthy Looks Great on You podcast, I’m diving deep into the unexpected...

Let’s talk about it. That stubborn, uncomfortable, sometimes embarrassing belly fat that creeps in seemingly overnight. You didn’t change your eating. You didn’t stop moving. But your body changed, and no one can really explain why. This week on Healthy Looks Great on You, I’m sharing:  ✔️ The real causes of belly fat (it’s not what you think) ✔️ My personal story of prednisone, cheesecake, and Dr...

Find Out If Your Belly Fat is In the Danger Zone —and What to Do About It First things first:   ❌ You don’t need a clock.   ❌ You don’t need another app.   ✅ You just need a tape measure.   (And a little honesty.)   Here’s how to check — the right way: How to Measure Your Belly Fat Accurately 1. Grab a flexible tape measure (the kind used for sewing, not the metal construction one from the gara...

 You want to eat healthy and you're doing your best. But the grocery store, it can feel like a minefield of marketing buzzwords, multi-grain, all natural, lightly sweetened or made with real fruit. They all sound healthy, right? But are they? We are going to look at the sneaky and misleading world of food marketing under a magnifying glass today so that you know how to shop smart at the grocery st...

You’re lying in bed. Your body is exhausted, but your mind is replaying things you wish you’d said in a conversation earlier that day, rehearsing conversations that haven’t even happened, or mentally writing tomorrow’s to-do list. Sound familiar? You’re not broken. You’re not alone. And you’re not powerless. In this week’s episode of the Healthy Looks Great on You podcast, I’m joined by my friend...

  Your brain is the muscle you’re forgetting to train We talk a lot about physical fitness — steps, reps, squats, smoothies. But how often do you work on brain fitness? Here’s the truth: You can’t afford to ignore it. I’ve seen the negative impacts of cognitive decline up close — the slow fade of memory, decision-making, even personality changes. Dementia doesn’t just steal thoughts. It steals con...

When you see medical information, how do you know if it's true or just hype? You're often told to do your own research, but how?    I'm Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper. If you're ready to take control of your health, you're in the right  place. Whether you're focused on prevention or you're trying to manage a condition. I'll give you practical steps to start your own journey toward better health because he...

 Have you ever seen a therapist or maybe you've wanted to see a therapist and you haven't? Well, in today's episode, you are going to visit with Shelly Forney, and she is a licensed therapist who specializes in solution focus brief therapy.   Now, I'm not gonna promise that you're going to have all the tools you need to navigate whatever stress is going on in your life, but if you're trying to mak...

 Do you ever feel like the Tin man needing some WD 40 just to get moving? Let's talk about what causes joint pain and how to prevent and treat it.  I'm Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper. If you're ready to take control of your health, you're in the right  place. Whether you're focused on prevention or you're trying to manage a condition. I'll give you practical steps to start your own journey toward better h...

 You've gone to the doctor and had your cholesterol checked, but what do all those numbers mean? And is there anything you can do to lower your cholesterol without medications? I'm so glad you asked.  I'm Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper. If you're ready to take control of your health, you're in the right  place. Whether you're focused on prevention or you're trying to manage a condition. I'll give you prac...

 Are you struggling with insomnia? Do you just wish you could fall asleep as soon as you lay your head down on the pillow? Or maybe you go to sleep, but then you wake up and you can't go back to sleep?  Do recurring spinning thoughts in your head keep you awake at night, and have you struggled with insomnia for so long that you dread going to bed because you just know you're not going to sleep?  L...

 Are you laying in bed exhausted but wide awake? Maybe it's pain racing thoughts or waking up gasping for air. Your insomnia may be due to an underlying medical condition more than stress  or bad sleep habits. Today we will look at four medical conditions that can disrupt your sleep.   I'm Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper. If you're ready to take control of your health, you're in the right  place. Whether y...

 You've restricted your calories to the point of hunger, and you're a familiar face at the gym. But you're still struggling with unwanted weight. Could sleep be the answer? Stay tuned to learn more about maintaining a healthy weight by improving your sleep.     I'm Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper. I practiced obstetrics and gynecology for 20 years until I landed on the other side of the sheets as a very si...

Have you ever thought having a drink helps you relax and sleep better? Stay tuned to learn more about how alcohol affects your sleep, other aspects of your life, and what you can do about it. My guest today has been featured on NBC News, Good Morning America, The New York Times, NPR, CNN, and Huffington Post. Stay tuned. You're in for a treat.    I'm Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper. If you're ready to take...

 You're at the end of your rope, so you head to the pharmacy for the help you so desperately need to sleep. But wait, you aren't sure if it's safe, if it works, and if there's a better way.  Stay tuned to learn about the benefits, side effects, and risk of sleep aids.   I'm Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper. If you're ready to take control of your health, you're in the right  place. I'll give you practical s...