The Rebel Nutritionist

Today we're breaking down the hidden psychological and metabolic effects of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy and why silencing hunger isn't the same thing as healing your relationship with food or repairing your metabolism. If you're taking these medications, considering them, or terrified of what happens when the "food noise" comes back, this episode dives into the deeper conversation no...

Hello!   Peptides are everywhere right now.   Your social feed, your gym, your doctor's office. Weight loss. Healing. Anti-aging. Longevity. The promises are bold.  The before-and-afters are convincing.    And the questions are piling up.   So let's cut through the noise.   In this episode, Meryl goes deep on what peptides actually are, how they work in your body, and ,critically, what you need to...

Today we're diving into one of the most confusing shifts women experience in midlife: rising cholesterol during menopause. If your labs suddenly changed and you were told "that's just aging" or handed a statin without much explanation, this episode is for you. This conversation goes far beyond estrogen. It's about understanding menopause as a full metabolic recalibration. How belly fat redistribut...

Today we're breaking down what really happens after GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, and why appetite suppression isn't the same as metabolic repair. If you're losing weight on these medications—or thinking about coming off them. This episode explains the deeper metabolic work needed to rebuild insulin sensitivity, restore metabolic flexibility, support mitochondria, and make weight loss...

Today we're diving into one of the most misunderstood topics in women's health: hormones and the rush toward HRT. If you've been told "it's just perimenopause" but you're still dealing with fatigue, bloating, mood swings, weight gain, or waking at 3AM, this episode is for you. This conversation is about realizing it's not always just estrogen. It's about understanding the bigger picture — stress,...

Hey everyone, Meryl here. Welcome to the Rebel Nutritionist Podcast. Today we are going deep into one of my favorite topics: hormones. If you have ever been told your labs are fine, but you still feel tired, moody, puffy, or just off, this episode is for you. This is part of a new series we're launching. It's all about the fact that you don't need another basic blood panel. You need a blueprint. S...

Ever feel like cooking healthy meals is overwhelming or that you just don't have the time? You're not alone! That's exactly why I was so excited to sit down with   Chef Jeremy Rock Smith   for this week's podcast episode. Jeremy spent years in high-pressure restaurant kitchens before experiencing a   midlife cooking crisis   that completely changed his relationship with food. His journey led him t...

Ever feel like the journey to better health can feel overwhelming at times?    You're not alone! That's exactly why I was thrilled to join Coaches Michele and Amanda for a powerful Instagram LIVE session earlier this week.   We dove deep into some of the most transformative topics in wellness today: How we can make changes from the inside, but also how to remove the toxins around us. The impact of...

We all need to eat to survive. We assume that eating is second nature. But did you know that there are many factors that impact how a person consumes food?  We often hear the term "picky eater," it's often just an assumption that this type of behavior goes along with childhood development. But did you know that there is more to this issue than meets the eye? I talked with Jacklyn Penderson, the CE...

I never truly knew or understood how impactful body work could be until I interviewed Faysal Abi today on my podcast.   Faysal is a leader in the area of understanding the human body's design, function, pain and the mind-body connection to it. If you are dealing with any type of chronic pain issue you are going to want to listen to this fascinating conversation.   If you want to better understand...

I love the incredible amount of detail I learn from a client's genetic report. From there I create a DNA blueprint that takes all that technical knowledge and turns it into something they can  understand and use to create real change in their lives. So many people come to me having spoken to other doctors or health professionals who suggest something generic - that doesn't work for them. Meanwhile...

Were you ever prescribed a medication and didn't question why or for how long or even what it was for exactly? Did you have a say in this decision? Would you prefer to NOT be on any medications at all? Well if you answered yes to any of these you will want to listen to this podcast.  Today I talk with Howie Kra, who has been on his health journey for 3 ½ years now and has made amazing progress. Ho...

There's a lot of buzz going around on social media about our food.  Specifically around the quality of our food and how so many chemicals have made their way into the supply chain of the foods we eat.  The impact of this is far reaching and has significant health consequences both for adults and children.  The rise of serious health conditions such as certain cancers can also be linked to these to...

With so many of our clients on the GLP-1 medications, we figured it was time to address the elephant in the room. How do you maintain weight loss once you come off of the medications? It is a well known fact that the majority of people on GLP-1 medications see rapid weight gain once they stop taking them. So how do you keep the weight off?  This week I talked with one of our coaches, Michele Baron...

I am always inspired by the guests I get to interview for this podcast.  Today was no different, but my conversation with Kelly Ryerson was particularly impactful for me.  Kelly defines what it means to be an advocate for health and for industry transparency. Take a listen to how Kelly's own health crisis led her down the path of exposing the dangerous chemicals in our food supply, specifically gl...

I think you are going to love this conversation I had with Dr. Eva Brown and her husband Paul.   This was Part 2 of my conversation with Eva, and having her husband Paul on the podcast to provide his insight, his perspective and his wisdom was fantastic.  We covered so many topics, pertinent to the issues that couples face, no matter what stage they are in their relationship. We talk about communi...

I've always been so proud of our unique model here at the Brandwein Institute. We pair my expert guidance in relation to interpreting test results with the accountability and feedback from a health coach. We work in tandem, building up and supporting each other's strengths, all for our clients' benefits. If you want to know more about how our health coaches are an important part of the coaching we...

I truly love hearing about success stories, especially when it comes to someone's health and wellbeing.  We are all unique and experience healing very differently and this podcast guest is no different.  I was excited to talk with Dr. Setare Taabodi about her experience with the Medical Medium and how it led her down the road to recovery from her mystery illnesses. Dr. Setare shares her health bat...

Let's face it, raising kids can be challenging. We all want the best for our children, and teaching them how to take care of themselves is an important job for us parents. Speaking from experience, I know what it's like to get the push back from not only my kids, but from society itself.  We are endlessly inundated with mixed messages and false advertising from the food industry, and sometimes, tr...

I truly do love talking with experts in their fields of study and this week was no different. I had the sincere pleasure of speaking with world-renowned cardiologist Dr. Joel Kahn. Dr. Kahn. is an interventional cardiologist whose focus is centered around the idea that a plant-based diet is the most powerful source of preventative medicine on the planet. Today Dr. Kahn and I address the topic of p...

We hear about inflammation, we know it's not good for you, but do you really understand what it is and how it impacts your health? Did you know that ongoing inflammation will impact your longevity? Do you know there are specific tests you can take that show levels of inflammation?  Are you aware of the many factors that contribute towards inflammation?  Are you curious about how nutrition and life...

There is a lot of buzz about anti-aging skin care products and they seem to be everywhere.   Are you one of those people who falls for those clever marketing ploys, do you believe everything you hear? I mean if a well known Hollywood star endorses it, it must be great, right? Well what if that was wrong? What if those fancy products were all just hype?  In this episode, I talk with Dana Paz. Herba...

Is weight loss the key to healthy and wellbeing? One of my most favorite things to do is talk to clients about their amazing success stories with us.  But, our success stories aren't just about weight loss. As a matter of fact, most of the time, weight loss is the side effect of adopting new habits, a new way of looking at food and nourishment.   More importantly it's about the time, effort and en...

Protein, protein, protein.  This topic is everywhere. And I literally mean everywhere.  It is one of the most trending topics on social media, and people are talking about it wherever I go. Yet have you ever wondered where we get the recommendations that we do?  Have you ever thought about whether or not what you have been told is correct?  Seems like there are so many so-called experts out there,...

It's 4th July week, and that means some of you will be hanging out with family, going to parties, and maybe having a tough time with regulating your emotions in relation to relationships or food. So I figured it was the perfect time to do a Rebel Rewind of this part 2 of this conversation I had with Shari Coltune in 2022. We talk about how we handle our emotions and the brain body connection. We c...