PCOS, Eating Disorders, and GLP-1's with Julie Duffy Dillon, MS, RDN, NCC, LDN, CEDS-C
If you’ve ever wondered why PCOS feels so confusing…
Why the symptoms don’t line up, why the advice is contradictory, why the solutions feel like guesswork, you’re not imagining it. PCOS is one of the most misunderstood conditions out there, and the internet has not helped. Everywhere you turn, there’s another promise to “balance your hormones,” another restrictive plan, another fear-based warning about what will happen if you don’t get it “right.”
Listen to the Episode Now
If this post resonates with you or makes you feel something, share it with a friend! My hope is that we can keep this important conversation going long after the post is over.
That’s exactly why I brought back Julie Duffy Dillon, registered dietitian, author, and host of Find Your Food Voice, to cut through the noise. Julie has a rare way of talking about PCOS that immediately makes your shoulders drop: it’s science-based, deeply compassionate, and totally free of judgment or quick fixes.
In this episode, we talk about what’s actually true versus what’s trendy, how to work with your body instead of against it, and why intuitive eating can be a powerful tool even for those navigating PCOS. Whether you’re someone living with PCOS, a clinician wanting to support your clients better, or just curious about the connection between hormones and food, this episode will leave you feeling informed and empowered, not overwhelmed.
Julie Duffy Dillon is a Registered Dietitian and Host of Find Your Food Voice®, a popular long-running nutrition podcast. Through speaking and writing, she helps people with a complicated relationship with food strategize how to remove the shame and blame dumped on them from the diet industry. Her work has been featured on TLC and in the New York Times, Outside Magazine, Shape, and other outlets. She is the author of the book, Find Your Food Voice (Hachette, March 2025.)
In this episode, we’re talking about:
What PCOS actually is and why it’s an endocrine disorder, not necessarily a reproductive one.
The connection between insulin, inflammation, and cravings.
Why dieting often makes PCOS symptoms worse in the long run.
Supplements Julie recommends (like inositol and omega-3s) and how they can help.
How to lower inflammation and support insulin levels without restriction.
The truth about insulin resistance, weight, and why “calories in, calories out” doesn’t tell the whole story.
The complicated relationship between PCOS and eating disorders.
GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic) — who they can help, what to know, and where we still don’t have answers.
The role of Metformin, how it works, and when it might be a good fit.
The pros and cons of birth control for PCOS management.
Fertility and pregnancy with PCOS — what we actually know.
How to approach movement in a way that supports your body instead of exhausting it.
Why understanding your own body’s version of PCOS is key to long-term care and self-advocacy.
If you have PCOS, suspect you might, or work with people who do, this conversation will give you clarity in a space where clarity is hard to come by and maybe even a sense of relief you didn’t expect.
Tweetable Quotes
“ So many people are led to believe that it's just a problem with their ovaries, but really, PCOS is an endocrine disorder that starts in the brain, not in the ovaries. It's something that someone's born with and they're, they die with it too.” - Julie Duffy Dillon
“We don't have a lot of research. Doctors don't always have the answers, and there's a lot of weight bias in there, too. And unfortunately, most people just know about the reproductive interventions. They don't know about all the other ones.” - Julie Duffy Dillon
“I do feel like with PCOS, you have to advocate for yourself more. It’s annoying.” - Julie Duffy Dillon
“PCOS is the number one cause of anovulatory infertility.” - Julie Duffy Dillon
“ If you're eating enough with PCOS, adding movement is something that can really help with your insulin levels. But if you are someone who's painfully tired or your insulin levels are really high, so you have these cravings all the time, adding exercise or movement is just gonna make things worse.” - Julie Duffy Dillon
Resources
Julie’s Website: https://julieduffydillon.com/
Free Tools: https://julieduffydillon.com/voice/
Julie’s Podcast: https://julieduffydillon.com/podcast/
Book: https://julieduffydillon.com/book/
Book bonus downloads: https://findyourfoodvoicebook.com
PCOS Membership: https://julieduffydillon.com/pcos-power-course/
Bergen Mental Health Group Inc. is hiring! If you think you’d be a great fit, check it out!
Looking for a speaker for an upcoming event? Let’s chat!
Now accepting new clients! Find out if we're a good fit!
Related Episodes
Episode 178. How to Quiet the Food Noise
Episode 139. Fertility and Nutrition with Rachelle Mallik
Episode 133. GLP with Dr. Kim Dennis
Episode 122. Ozempic, Wegovy, & Mounjaro with Laura Cipullo
Episode 29. PCOS and Disordered Eating with Julie Duffy Dillon MS, RD, NCC, LDN, CEDRD-S
Newsletter update: If you’re not already signed up for my newsletter, then I’m not sure what you’re waiting for! I’m ✨obsessed ✨ with it. In an effort to keep things fun and fresh, we’re going to monthly newsletters rather than weekly. If you have any feedback on what you want to see in the newsletters, reply back to one or send me a message!
Grab my FREEBIE!: As you navigate recovery, you may be feeling like something is missing. You're doing a lot of work challenging yourself with the food, your body, and exercise. You're probably working on lots of other things at the same time, like stuff at work or relationship issues.
But, still, something doesn't feel like you're getting to the bottom of it. Grab my free journal prompts below and begin to work through the emotions of healing.
More From Rachelle
Hey there! I’m Rachelle, the host of the Understanding Disordered Eating Podcast. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I work with clients to make sense of life’s messy emotional experiences.
I believe in the power of deep work and its positive impact on your life in the long term. Learn more about how we can work together here.
Sign up for my weekly newsletter for even more!
You can connect with me on Instagram, through my website or email me directly clicking the links below.
Subscribe & Leave A Review!
If you enjoyed this episode, you can show your support by leaving a review, subscribing, or sharing with someone who may need help. Click here to open this show in iTunes and leave a five star rating and review.