Let’s talk about the thing no one wants to talk about…Belly fat.

It shows up quietly, settles in like an uninvited guest, and refuses to leave — no matter how “healthy” you try to be.

So what actually causes it?
👉 Diet?
👉 Lack of exercise?
👉 Hormones, stress, age, medications, soda?

You might be surprised.

This week on the Healthy Looks Great on You podcast, I’m diving deep into the unexpected root cause of belly fat — and why it’s not about willpower, calories, or crunches.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through:
✅ Why stress and busyness are more to blame than your sweet tooth
✅ How the “no plan = takeout again” cycle keeps your body stuck
✅ Why ultra-processed foods are a symptom — not the root problem
✅ The plant-powered pantry staples that can turn dinner stress into dinner success

And if you’re tired of that 5PM “what’s for dinner” panic, I created something that can help you take back control (without dieting or spending hours in the kitchen):

🍲 Get the Free Pantry Guide: https://healthylooksgreatonyou.com/pantryguide

It’s filled with 10 go-to items to keep in your pantry, 10 freezer essentials, 10 spices & add-ons, and 3 quick recipes — so you can prepare easy, healthy meals in minutes (even when you forgot to plan).

Because when you feed your body with real nourishment, everything changes:

Your energy. Your hormones. Your cravings. Your confidence.

And healthy? It looks really great on you.

💛 blessings,
Dr. Vickie

Let’s talk about it.

That stubborn, uncomfortable, sometimes embarrassing belly fat that creeps in seemingly overnight.

You didn’t change your eating.
You didn’t stop moving.
But your body changed, and no one can really explain why.

This week on Healthy Looks Great on You, I’m sharing: 

✔️ The real causes of belly fat (not what you think)
✔️ My personal story of prednisone, cheesecake, and Dr. Pepper
✔️ Why stress, sleep, and hormones matter more than calorie math
✔️ What TikTok got wrong
✔️ A practical plan rooted in the 6 pillars of Lifestyle Medicine

This episode is honest and practical. No shame, no gimmicks.

Because your belly isn’t a punchline, it’s your body asking for help.

Subscribe HERE

Find Out If Your Belly Fat is In the Danger Zone —and What to Do About It

First things first:

❌ You don’t need a clock.

❌ You don’t need another app.

✅ You just need a tape measure.

(And a little honesty.)

Here’s how to check — the right way:

How to Measure Your Belly Fat Accurately

1. Grab a flexible tape measure (the kind used for sewing, not the metal construction one from the garage!).

2. Stand up straight, but relax. No sucking it in like a before-and-after photo. Inhale, exhale, and let your body be.

3. Find your measuring spot:

○ Place the tape measure right around your belly button, just above your hip bones.

○ Make sure it’s snug but not cinched tight. It should rest comfortably against your skin — not digging in.

4. Look straight ahead and read the measurement — no tilting your head or pulling tighter.

Honesty is power here.

🚩 What Your Measurement Means

● For women: A waist circumference greater than 35 inches (89 cm) signals an unhealthy amount of visceral (belly) fat, increasing your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other serious health issues.

● For men: Over 40 inches (102 cm) is considered unhealthy.

The greater the waist measurement, the higher the health risks.

👉 If you’re over 35 inches (ladies) or over 40 inches (gentlemen), it’s time to take action — but not with shame or crash diets — with smart, sustainable shifts that work with your body, not against it.

🍴 Let’s work on this together!

Eating plant-based can be a challenge, but for me the challenge is eating out. But if I back up a step, the real problem is that I didn’t plan, so we hop in the car.

And I can promise what you eat in a restaurant, order for take-out, or pull out of a package is NOT healthy for any part of your body, including your waistline.

What you need is not willpower. You need a plan and I’m here to help. Make sure you are on my email list. I’m sharing super-helpful tools and recipes.

Subscribe HERE for all the tips and recipes

Belly fat is a signal, not a life sentence.

To reach any destination, you have to know where you are starting. Later, we can map out the steps to get there.

🌟 Your Next Step

Listen to this episode, where I invite you to join my journey to lose a few inches. I recently did this successfully, and I’d like to share more with you, including recipes, so make sure you are on my email list.

Subscribe HERE

Stay tuned next week. I’ll talk more about belly fat causes and cures. You’ve got this. And healthy looks great on you.

You’re trying to eat healthy—and that’s amazing.
But what if I told you the grocery store is full of labels that sound healthy… but aren’t?

Phrases like “multigrain,” “lightly sweetened,” and “made with real fruit” seem trustworthy, but they’re often designed to trick you into buying foods that aren’t nearly as good for you as they claim.

HEALTHY FOOD? THINK AGAIN

In this week’s episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, we’re heading back to mini medical school.
I’m breaking down the 8 most common deceptive marketing terms you’ll see on food packages—and showing you exactly how to spot the real deal instead.

🎧 You’ll learn:
✅ What “multigrain” really means (spoiler: it’s not the win you think it is)
✅ Why “natural” isn’t always natural at all
✅ How “no added sugar” can still be packed with sugar
✅ And so much more.

If you want to feel confident about what you’re putting into your body—and outsmart the marketing hype—this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode, I mention the importance of learning to read a food nutrition label. Here’s episode 115 for reference.

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