In today’s episode, in honor of World Diabetes Day, we’re diving deep into diabetes. Did you know that one in two people in the United States have either prediabetes or diabetes? This means that even if you don’t have diabetes, someone you love probably does. Today, we break down what diabetes is, the differences between type 1 and type 2, whether prediabetes and diabetes are reversible, and most importantly, why having diabetes should never be a source of shame. We’re joined by the two lovely ladies from the Diabetes Digital Podcast, and if you have more questions, you can find additional information on their website.

In this episode, we're diving deep into a topic that ties into everything we discuss: metabolism. We're breaking down this often misunderstood concept and answering some of the most common questions—like, does metabolism really slow as you age? And why do some people seem to have a "faster" metabolism than others? Whether you're curious about boosting your metabolism or just want to learn more, this episode is full of tips and facts you won’t want to miss!

In this episode, we dive into the murky waters of omega-3 supplements with the esteemed Dr. JoAnn Manson from Harvard MEdical School. Are fish oils the miracle cure they’re hyped up to be, or are we all just falling for another health fad? We’re breaking down the biggest myths, diving into what the research actually says, and figuring out who really benefits from these supplements. Plus, we’re answering your burning questions: Are plant-based omega-3s just as good? Do you really need to refrigerate that pricey bottle? Find out in today's episode. 

Today, we talk to esteemed food and public health advocate Marion Nestle about the politics of food. No, this has nothing to do with political parties and ballots; it’s about who has the power to decide what goes on your plate. While you may think you’re the one making the decisions, there’s a whole host of hidden influences shaping the food we eat. From government dietary guidelines to nutrition labels and even how supermarkets are set up, we are often the last to be involved in our food choices. Why is nutrition research often driven more by money than health? Who truly controls the U.S. dietary guidelines? How did we contribute to creating the obesity epidemic? And what do Big Food and Big Tobacco have in common? Tune in to find out.

We've been hosting this podcast for a long time. In over eighty episodes with over sixty experts, we've learned A LOT. In this episode, we wanted to discuss what we've learned from all our years of doing Food We Need to Talk. In this podcast, we focus specifically on diet. What has stuck with us over the years? How have our habits around caffeine, ice cream, Starbucks, and protein changed? Stay tuned to find out. 

If you feel like autoimmune disorders have seemed to be on the rise recently, you may be right. Over the past couple decades, we've seen skyrocketing rates of autoimmune disorders such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, type I diabetes and so on. What could be causing this recent increases in autoimmune disorders and allergies? Today, we talk to Professor Cezmi Akdis all about the environmental factors that might be responsible.

Do you ever find yourself eating when you're not hungry? Perhaps it's because you're bored, tired, stressed, or sad? Do your food cravings sometimes feel unbearable? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this is the episode for you. Today we talk to Professor Judson Brewer from Brown University all about food cravings and why we eat. We discuss the neurobiology of why eating food feels so good, why it so hard to change our eating habits, and how we can begin to change them. 

Perhaps you have succumb to the kale craze or the acai acclaim. But what makes these foods “superfoods?” A lot of the time, the answer seems to be antioxidants. Today, we talk to Professor Mauro Serafini to get to the bottom of the superfood and antioxidant obsession. What are antioxidants? Why are they important for our health? What do they have to do with superfoods? And are superfoods a real thing?

Today, we are talking to a real-life cookbook author all about how to get your kids to eat healthy! We are constantly getting questions from parents about how to help their kids to eat better. It can be tricky, especially when kids are surrounded by friends who maybe don’t eat the same way they do at home. Today, we talk to Sally Sampson from Chop Chop Family Magazine all about how to get your kids to love cooking!

Today, we bring back one of our favorite episode format: the Q&A. What are our thoughts on weight loss shakes and meal services? How does cortisol impact weight loss? What is our best advice for starting a podcast? And, how can we push through fitness plateaus?

Today we speak to Dr. Walter Willett from Harvard T.H. Chan’s School of Public Health. Walter is the most cited nutritionist in the world. Our conversation goes over some of nutrition science’s greatest successes: the banning of trans fats. We also talk about what the biggest problem in our diet today is, what nutrition science has gotten wrong, why there seems to be so much conflicting information about what to eat, and more.

There are a few things nutrition researchers agree on: Plants are "good" for us. Processed meats are "bad." But plant-based meat alternatives...? They raise some important questions: Are plant-based meat alternatives ultra-processed foods? Are processed meats any worse than processed meat alternatives? With the rise of Impossible Meat, the Beyond Burger, and growing concerns about the climate emergency, we tackle a complicated topic: if or when meat alternatives should replace meat. With Professor Christopher Gardener from Stanford University, we get to the meat of the issue.

How many times have you heard that we need to cut down on salt? But... do we actually? What does the science say about salt, our health, and who needs to worry about it? Is pink salt healthier than white salt? Is there such a thing as too low-sodium? In this episode, we chat with Dr. Robert Hunter, a nephrologist and researcher at the University of Edinburgh, to demystify the world of dietary salt. This is everything you need to know about sodium and the real challenge of reducing intake when it's hidden away in the places you least expect it. Get ready to shake up everything you thought you knew about your favorite seasoning.

Sugar is often among the first things people ditch in the New Year, and the most common replacement? Artificial sweeteners. But what if replacing sugar with its calorie-free counterpart is actually doing more harm than good? For this episode, we speak to Dr. Jotham Suez, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Johns Hopkins University, all about artificial sweeteners. How do they work? What are the metabolic effects of artificial sweeteners vs. sugar on our bodies? How do these sugar alternatives potentially negatively affect our microbiome, blood sugar control, and even cause weight gain? Turns out artificial sweeteners might not be so sweet after all.

We now know that what you do when you’re pregnant has profound implications for the health of your baby, and yourself. But the information and advice surrounding pregnancy is seemingly never-ending and often contradictory. What does a healthy pregnancy actually look like? Should we be changing the way we eat? Exercising? How much weight should we gain during pregnancy? What about prenatal vitamins? Today, we will be speaking to Professor Beth Murray-Davis from McMaster University about what we need to know to increase our chances of having a happy and healthy pregnancy and baby.

This episode is dedicated to the sexiest macronutrient of the time: PROTEIN. We talk to the king of protein research himself, Professor Stu Phillips from McMaster University about all the most common questions we get about protein. How much do you need? Should you spread it out throughout the day? Do you need a protein supplement? Is animal or vegan protein better? What's the deal with collagen, and more. Find out how a higher protein diet impacts your overall health, your weight, and your metabolism. (Plus, how to not waste your money on things that don't work.)

This episode is dedicated to the sexiest macronutrient of the time: PROTEIN. We talk to the king of protein research himself, Professor Stu Phillips from McMaster University about all the most common questions we get about protein. How much do you need? Should you spread it out throughout the day? Do you need a protein supplement? Is animal or vegan protein better? What's the deal with collagen, and more. Find out how a higher protein diet impacts your overall health, your weight, and your metabolism. (Plus, how to not waste your money on things that don't work.)

This episode is dedicated to the sexiest macronutrient of the time: PROTEIN. We talk to the king of protein research himself, Professor Stu Phillips from McMaster University about all the most common questions we get about protein. How much do you need? Should you spread it out throughout the day? Do you need a protein supplement? Is animal or vegan protein better? What's the deal with collagen, and more. Find out how a higher protein diet impacts your overall health, your weight, and your metabolism. (Plus, how to not waste your money on things that don't work.)

The metabolism may seem like a magical concept: some people eat whatever they want and don’t gain weight. Others so much as look at a dessert and feel the pounds creeping on. But what do we know about our metabolism? Can it speed up? Can it slow down? Does yo-yo dieting damage our metabolisms? On this episode, Juna and Eddie talk to Dr. Herman Pontzer, Associate Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at Duke University all about the ins and outs of human energy expenditure, and what hunter gatherer tribes can teach us about how our metabolism works.

The metabolism may seem like a magical concept: some people eat whatever they want and don’t gain weight. Others so much as look at a dessert and feel the pounds creeping on. But what do we know about our metabolism? Can it speed up? Can it slow down? Does yo-yo dieting damage our metabolisms? On this episode, Juna and Eddie talk to Dr. Herman Pontzer, Associate Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at Duke University all about the ins and outs of human energy expenditure, and what hunter gatherer tribes can teach us about how our metabolism works.