Women Mastering Midlife

In this episode, Victoria sits down with Julie Ruelle, a registered dietitian with more than 20 years of experience in nutrition & metabolic health, to unpack one of the most confusing & misunderstood topics in midlife nutrition: ultra-processed foods. Julie currently serves as a registered dietitian for GoCoco, a consumer education app designed to help people make informed food choices by identifying ultra-processed ingredients & offering healthier alternatives without calorie counting or restrictive tracking. Together, they explore how ultra-processed foods differ from simply “processed” foods, why ingredient quality matters more than calories alone in perimenopause and menopause, & how daily food choices influence insulin resistance, inflammation, gut health, brain health, & hormone balance. This conversation is especially relevant for midlife women who feel overwhelmed by nutrition advice, burned out by dieting, or frustrated by changes in energy, weight, & metabolic health. What You’ll Learn in This Episode The critical difference between processed foods & ultra-processed foodsHow ultra-processed foods contribute to insulin resistance, blood sugar swings, fatigue, & inflammation in midlifeWhy calories alone don't reflect metabolic health during perimenopause & menopauseHow ingredient lists & added sugars reveal more than front-of-package marketing claimsCommon “health food” trapsWhy fiber & protein should come primarily from whole foodsThe connection between gut health, estrogen metabolism, mood, & brain fogPractical, realistic ways busy women can reduce ultra-processed foods without perfectionism or burnoutHow the GoCoco app empowers women to make confident grocery store decisions without macro tracking 📱 About the GoCoco App (Listener Bonus) Julie explains how the GoCoco app allows users to: Scan barcodes to rate foods from 0–10 based on ultra-processed ingredients Identify added sugars, refined carbohydrates, & inflammatory additives Receive healthier swaps within the same food category Photograph meals to see the percentage of real food versus ultra-processed food Learn which additives are banned in Europe or restricted in certain U.S. states  Exclusive Listener Offer Women Mastering Midlife listeners receive one full year of GoCoco Premium free. Use code: WMML iOS 1 year (use this link)https://apps.apple.com/redeem?ctx=offercodes&id=1446005742&code=WMML   Android 90 days (type in the below code. This code will work 4 times to equal 1 year. Android doesn't allow year length codes) Code: WMML 🔗 Connect with Julie Ruelle LinkedIn GoCoCo Let’s Keep the Conversation Going: If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, & share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe to Women Mastering Midlife on your favorite podcast platform to receive weekly conversations that help you navigate perimenopause, menopause, & midlife health with clarity & confidence. Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community and let’s grow stronger together. Get your FREE guides HERE: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/free-guides  Share your thoughts & stories on our social channels and tag us @WomenMasteringMidlife  & @misvictoriabyrd Let’s rewrite the narrative together!   Find more information on our website: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com  Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs & courses Disclaimer   This podcast is for entertainment, educational, & informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, & experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.   Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. *Women Mastering Midlife* is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.