Cristina Castagnini, PhD, CEDS

Cristina Castagnini, PhD, CEDS Dr.Castagnini is a licensed psychologist in CA. Specializing in the treatment of eating disorders as well as general mental health issues.

She hosts tge weekly podcast, Behind the Bite, which is part of the The Los Angeles Tribune podcast network. As I licensed psychologist, I specialize in giving you the tools to navigate life's bumpy roads. We all struggle with roadblocks and I'm completely focused on you finding a solution. My style is focused, practical and results-driven. I have particular success with clients struggling with eating disorders and insomnia. If you're ready for help, I'm available. My office is centrally located in San Ramon, Ca.

NEW PODCAST!⁠ 🎤 ⁠ ⁠ ⁠⁠WHEN THE NEW FOOD GUIDELINES SOUND LIKE YOUR EATING DISORDER WITH STEFANIE MICHELE ⁠In this episod...
02/28/2026

NEW PODCAST!⁠ 🎤 ⁠ ⁠ ⁠
⁠
WHEN THE NEW FOOD GUIDELINES SOUND LIKE YOUR EATING DISORDER WITH STEFANIE MICHELE
⁠
In this episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Binge Eating Recovery Coach Stefanie Michele to discuss the alarming parallels between modern "wellness" food guidelines and eating disorder behaviors.

They dismantle the fear-mongering around carbohydrates, the elitism of "clean eating," and the dangers of new inverted food pyramid trends that demonize essential macronutrients.

Stefanie shares her personal 25-year battle with eating disorders and how she finally found recovery at age 40.

Together, they explore the dangerous intersection of GLP-1 medications and restrictive diet culture, offering a compassionate perspective on why you might feel stressed about food and how to find your way back to balance.

To listen click: https://behindthebitepodcast.com/when-the-new-food-guidelines-sound-like-your-eating-disorder-with-stefanie-michele-ep-275/

This week´s podcast guest Stefanie Michele is a Binge Eating Recovery & Body Image Coach specializing in helping people ...
02/27/2026

This week´s podcast guest Stefanie Michele is a Binge Eating Recovery & Body Image Coach specializing in helping people overcome food and body image issues.

She holds degrees in Human Development Psychology and Occupational Therapy with a certification in Integrative Health Coaching and Intuitive Eating Counseling, and is currently working towards her certification in Somatic Experiencing.

After struggling with multiple eating disorders for 25 years, Stefanie experienced her own recovery with the help of a coach and plenty of self-exploration.

She considers her "boots-on-the-ground" experience of recovery her most teachable asset.

KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED:

- Why the new "inverted" food pyramid guidelines often mimic eating disorder rules rather than promoting health.

- The danger of moralizing food and how "wellness" has become a status symbol.

- How restricting carbohydrates impacts women's hormones and brain function.

- The "perfect storm" created by the combination of GLP-1 medications and restrictive food rules.

- Why the stress of trying to eat "perfectly" often causes more harm to the body than the food itself.

Listen here: https://behindthebitepodcast.com/when-the-new-food-guidelines-sound-like-your-eating-disorder-with-stefanie-michele-ep-275/

This week's podcast guest is Robby Wallace, a Masters prepared, Board-certified Registered Nurse, and Medical Oncology &...
02/25/2026

This week's podcast guest is Robby Wallace, a Masters prepared, Board-certified Registered Nurse, and Medical Oncology & Infusion Services Nurse Educator for a highly reputable academic health organization and most recently the Founder/CEO of the mdrn patient, a private nurse concierge group focusing on top tier care advisory and healthcare consulting services for the more senior or executive level patient across all ambulatory areas including oncology and geriatric populations.

He has a combined 15 years of clinical, public health and health care compliance experience across corporate medicine, government, and tech spaces.

His work has primarily focused on improving quality access to care and enhancing clinical outcomes with patient-centered approach.

KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED:

- How cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation impact body image, from skin changes to weight fluctuations.

- The critical distinction between "anorexia" as a medical symptom of cancer versus Anorexia Nervosa, and how they can overlap.

- Why conversations about fertility preservation and sexual health are often skipped by doctors but are vital for patients.

- The "Corporate Greed" aspect of healthcare and why patients often fall through the safety nets.

- Practical advice on how to advocate for yourself when you are feeling your most vulnerable.

Listen Here: https://behindthebitepodcast.com/3469-2/

For National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, we honor not just recovery but rebellion against a culture that normalizes...
02/25/2026

For National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, we honor not just recovery but rebellion against a culture that normalizes control, silence, and starvation.

When Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu said, “No one’s going to starve me or tell me what I can or can’t eat,” she wasn’t just making a personal choice.
She was making a statement.

In a sport long shadowed by rigid body standards and unspoken pressure, Alysa stepped away from figure skating because she was exhausted, not just physically but mentally.

Tired of being told what to eat. Tired of being controlled. Tired of shrinking herself to fit someone else’s expectations.

And then she came back.
Not on a diet.
Not on anyone else’s terms.
Not trying to be smaller.
She returned choosing what she eats. Choosing how she trains. Choosing joy. Choosing autonomy.
And she won gold.
That matters.

Because eating disorders thrive in environments where control is disguised as discipline and restriction is praised as dedication. They whisper that your body must be micromanaged to be worthy. That success requires suffering. That hunger is weakness.

Alysa’s comeback disrupts that narrative.

She shows young skaters and all of us that power is not in shrinking.

It is in choosing.
It is in fueling.
It is in saying no.
You can be strong without starving.
You can be elite without erasing yourself.
You can succeed without surrendering your body autonomy.

This week especially, we remember:

✨ Your body is not a project.
✨ Food is not a moral issue.
✨ Discipline should never mean deprivation.
✨ Recovery is not weakness, it is courage.

Whether you are an athlete, a dancer, a high achieving woman, or simply someone who has spent years battling food rules in your own head, you deserve freedom.

Alysa Liu is a role model not just because she stands on a podium, but because she stood up for herself first.
And that is gold.🏅

NEW PODCAST!⁠ 🎤 ⁠ ⁠ ⁠⁠WHEN YOUR BODY CHANGES AFTER CANCER: BODY IMAGE, IDENTITY, AND THE QUESTIONS NO ONE TELLS YOU TO A...
02/24/2026

NEW PODCAST!⁠ 🎤 ⁠ ⁠ ⁠
⁠
WHEN YOUR BODY CHANGES AFTER CANCER: BODY IMAGE, IDENTITY, AND THE QUESTIONS NO ONE TELLS YOU TO ASK WITH ROBBY WALLACE
⁠
In this poignant episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with oncology nurse educator Robby Wallace to discuss the often-overlooked physical and emotional toll of cancer treatment.

While medical teams focus on eradicating the disease, patients are frequently left to navigate profound shifts in their body image, identity, and daily functionality on their own.

Robby sheds light on the gaps in the current healthcare system, explaining why patients often feel lost in medical jargon and why having a patient advocate is crucial.

From the trauma of hair loss to the complexities of fertility and intimacy, this conversation offers a compassionate look at what it truly means to heal the person, not just the patient.

To listen click: https://behindthebitepodcast.com/3469-2/

This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week 🤍This week is about compassion.It’s about awareness.It’s about rem...
02/23/2026

This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week 🤍

This week is about compassion.

It’s about awareness.

It’s about remembering that healing is not linear and no one should have to struggle in silence.

Eating disorders don’t have a “look.”

They don’t discriminate by age, size, background, or success.

They often hide behind perfectionism, control, high achievement, or “being healthy.”

If you’ve ever battled with food, your body, or your reflection, you are not weak.

You are not dramatic.

And you are absolutely not alone.

Healing begins with honesty.

With safe conversations.

With choosing nourishment over punishment.
With choosing self-compassion over criticism.

This week, let’s:

✨ Check in on our friends
✨ Speak kindly to our bodies
✨ Unlearn toxic narratives around food
✨ Support recovery resources
✨ Normalize asking for help

Your worth has never been defined by your weight, your plate, or your willpower.

If this resonates, share this post or send it to someone who may need to feel less alone today 🤍

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2010 Crow Canyon Place, Suite 100
San Ramon, CA
94583

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+19252525808

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As I licensed psychologist, I specialize in giving you the tools to navigate life's bumpy roads. We all struggle with roadblocks and I'm completely focused on you finding a solution.

My style is focused, practical and results-driven. I have particular success with clients struggling with eating disorders and insomnia.

If you're ready for help, I'm available. My office is centrally located in San Ramon, Ca. Please visit my website: https://www.freedomtowellness.com