How to Confidently Outsmart Big Food and Navigate the Grocery Store with Julie Ruelle, RD

In this episode of the Super Self Podcast, Pete Ferrari sits down with Julie Ruelle, a registered dietitian with over 20 years of experience and the U.S. nutrition lead for Go Coco, a food-scanning app designed to help people make more informed choices at the grocery store. Together, Pete and Julie break down why nutrition feels more confusing than ever, how food labels can be misleading, and why ultra-processed foods are such a major issue in the modern American diet. Julie explains the difference between processed and ultra-processed foods, how added sugars hide under dozens of names, and why “healthy” marketing claims are not always what they seem. This conversation is not about fear, perfection, or restriction. It is about awareness, better choices, and using simple tools to take back control of what you and your family are eating. **Episode Highlights:** - 03:38 — Why nutrition feels more confusing than ever - 09:03 — Processed vs. ultra-processed foods explained - 19:11 — Food dyes, children’s behavior, and the mental health connection - 22:54 — How sugar hides on food labels under different names - 36:28 — How to eat healthier without breaking the grocery budget - 40:16 — The “healthy smoothie” trap and why health halos can be misleading - 43:42 — Heart healthy, fat free, sugar free, and other food marketing myths - 49:40 — How quickly people may start feeling better after improving food choices - 52:48 — Why consistency matters more than perfection **Key Takeaways:** - Nutrition does not need to be complicated, but the food industry has made it confusing. - Processed and ultra-processed foods are not the same thing. - Food labels are designed to sell, not necessarily to educate. Terms like “heart healthy,” “low fat,” “sugar free,” or “natural” can create a health halo. - Instead of overhauling everything at once, Julie recommends starting with one simple change, such as improving your morning coffee, swapping a breakfast item, or choosing a less processed version of something you already eat. - Healthy eating does not have to mean expensive eating. - Eat the natural rainbow. **About the Guest:** Julie Ruelle is a registered dietitian with over 20 years of experience in nutrition, clinical health, and food education. She now leads nutrition in the U.S. for Go Coco, an app designed to help people cut through misleading food marketing and make more informed decisions at the grocery store. Her approach is simple, practical, and science-backed: no fear mongering, no food guilt, and no gimmicks. Just better information so people can make better choices. Connect with Julie Ruelle: - Website: https://www.gococo.app/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieruelle/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gococoapp/ Special Offer for Super Self Listeners Julie has generously provided Super Self listeners with free access to Go Coco Premium. iOS users: Get 1 year of Go Coco Premium free using this link: https://apps.apple.com/redeem?ctx=offercodes&id=1446005742&code=SUPERSELF Android users: Use code SUPERSELF for 90 days free. This code can be used 4 times to equal 1 full year of Go Coco Premium. Code: **SUPERSELF** *This episode is brought to you by Jaca Rare Sugar.* Jaca is a revolutionary, rare sugar called allulose with 0 net carbs, 0 glycemic index (diabetic & keto friendly), and 90% fewer calories than sugar. Jaca tastes, cooks and bakes like old school sugar with none of the harmful effects.  www.jacasugar.com