Nutrition For Mortals

What if the secret to living longer was simply… eating less? Nearly a century ago, researchers discovered that severely restricting calories could dramatically extend the lives of laboratory animals. Decades later, a small but devoted group of people decided they didn’t want to wait around to find out whether it worked in humans. What followed was one of the strangest chapters in the history of longevity science: a charismatic researcher, eight people sealed inside a dome, an online community devoted to eating as little as possible without becoming malnourished, and eventually a landmark human trial that put calorie rest...

For decades, oatmeal has been the poster child for a heart-healthy breakfast: inexpensive, filling, packed with fiber, and boring enough that no one really thought to argue about it. But lately, the internet has decided that oatmeal might actually be… bad for you. Depending on which influencer you ask, oats are loaded with lectins and “antinutrients,” they spike your blood sugar, and are actually little more than “peasant food” that we’ve somehow been tricked into eating. So how did one of the most ordinary foods in America suddenly become so controversial? And is there any truth behind these claims? So j...

For a while, the glycemic index seemed like it might change everything we thought we knew about carbohydrates. Suddenly, foods weren’t just “healthy” or “unhealthy”—they came with a number predicting how dramatically they would raise your blood sugar. What started as a tool for diabetes management soon became the foundation for bestselling diets, low-GI foods, and a whole new way of thinking about carbs. And then… we mostly stopped talking about it. So join us, two registered dietitians, as we trace the surprising rise and fall of the glycemic index, why it became such a nutrition phenomenon, and what it ca...

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Long before chiropractors were selling supplements, hormone protocols and detoxes on social media, the field of chiropractic had already mastered something surprisingly familiar: convincing people that mainstream medicine was missing the real cause of their health problems. More than a century later, chiropractic has changed enormously—but some of its earliest ideas about natural healing, medical distrust, and treating the “root cause” of disease sound remarkably similar to the language of today’s wellness influencers. So join us, two registered dietitians, as we travel from magnetic healing and the first chiropractic adjustment to supplement empires and TikTok nutrition gurus—and explor...

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According to Fast Like a Girl, women have been fasting all wrong. Written by chiropractor and wellness influencer Dr. Mindy Pelz, this bestselling book promises to teach women how to fast in a way that “works with” their hormones—by syncing fasting windows, carbs, and even specific foods to different phases of the menstrual cycle. There’s “ketobiotic” eating, “hormone feasting,” six different types of fasts, and, for the particularly ambitious, a 72-hour fast that Pelz claims can help reboot your immune system. It’s an impressively detailed roadmap. There’s just one question: does the science actually support it? So join us, two...

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This episode was originally released 4/29/2026
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And if you are looking for the support of a registered dietitian you can always contact our ⁠⁠real, live nutrition counseling practice⁠⁠, Oceanside Nutrition to learn more about working with us!
**This podcast is for information purposes only, is not a substitute for individual medical or mental health advice, and does not constitute a patient-provider...

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This episode was originally released 3/18/2026
Want to support the show and get bonus episodes EVERY MONTH? ⁠⁠Join our Patreon!⁠⁠
Don’t want to miss any episodes in the future? Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!
And if you are looking for the support of a registered dietitian you can always contact our ⁠⁠real, live nutrition counseling practice⁠⁠, Oceanside Nutrition to learn more about working with us! 
**This podcast is for information purposes only, is not a substitute for individual medical or mental health advice, and does not constitute a patient-provider

This episode was originally released 2/18/2026
Want to support the show and get bonus episodes EVERY MONTH? ⁠⁠Join our Patreon!⁠⁠
Don’t want to miss any episodes in the future? Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!
And if you are looking for the support of a registered dietitian you can always contact our ⁠⁠real, live nutrition counseling practice⁠⁠, Oceanside Nutrition to learn more about working with us! 
**This podcast is for information purposes only, is not a substitute for individual medical or mental health advice, and does not constitute a patient-provider

Head to our Patreon to hear the rest of this episode and dozens of other full-length bonus episodes for only $3!

This episode was originally released 10/1/2025
Want to support the show and get bonus episodes EVERY MONTH? ⁠⁠Join our Patreon!⁠⁠
Don’t want to miss any episodes in the future? Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!
And if you are looking for the support of a registered dietitian you can always contact our ⁠⁠real, live nutrition counseling practice⁠⁠, Oceanside Nutrition to learn more about working with us! 
**This podcast is for information purposes only, is not a substitute for individual medical or mental health advice, and does not constitute a patient-provider

This episode was originally released 9/3/2025
Want to support the show and get bonus episodes EVERY MONTH? ⁠⁠Join our Patreon!⁠⁠
Don’t want to miss any episodes in the future? Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!
And if you are looking for the support of a registered dietitian you can always contact our ⁠⁠real, live nutrition counseling practice⁠⁠, Oceanside Nutrition to learn more about working with us!
**This podcast is for information purposes only, is not a substitute for individual medical or mental health advice, and does not constitute a patient-provider...

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Dr. Eric Berg has built one of the biggest nutrition empires on the internet. With millions of YouTube subscribers and billions of views, his videos on keto, fasting, “hidden toxins,” and miracle health hacks reach an audience larger than many major media outlets. To his fans, he’s the calm, trustworthy doctor explaining the “real truth” about health that mainstream medicine doesn’t want you to hear. But the deeper we dug into the world of Dr. Berg, the stranger the story became. What starts as nutrition advice quickly turns into an Alice in Won...

Across headlines, documentaries, and social media posts, nitrate-cured processed meats are often talked about with the same language once used for cigarettes. Bacon, hot dogs, deli turkey, pepperoni—foods many people grew up eating—are now linked in people’s minds with colon cancer and claims that nitrates are “poisoning” us. Meanwhile, Americans consume billions and billions of dollars of processed meat each year. So what gives? How should we think about nitrates and processed meats? And are “uncured” meats really safer? Join us, two registered dietitians, as we explore what the research actually says about the connection between processed meat...

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Across TikTok, Reddit, and podcast circuits, young men are being sold a blueprint for increasing their testosterone. Known as ‘T-maxxing’, this trend is a mix of diet rules, supplement stacks, gym routines, and lifestyle hacks all centered around boosting testosterone as the ultimate marker of health. But behind the steak, organ meats, and anti-soy rhetoric is a more complicated story—one that blends kernels of physiology with a heavy dose of misinformation, cherry-picked science, and cultural anxiety. So join us, two registered dietitians, as we unpack the science of testosterone, break down the foods and supplements at the center of T-m...

Joel Wallach built an empire on a wild promise: that EVERY single human disease is simply the result of a mineral deficiency. Through his lectures and various supplement companies, his message reached millions and made him a central figure in one of the most controversial corners of the wellness world. From his “90 essential nutrients” claim to the spread of COVID-19 pseudoscience, this story isn’t just unusual—it’s a case study in how confidently presented misinformation can evolve, expand, and ultimately shape the way people think about health.  So join us, two registered dietitians, as we dig into the science...

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Released April 1st, 2026

In this episode, we sit down with a totally real, definitely credible “expert” and author of Are These Foods SECRETLY Trying to KILL YOU Until You Are Dead?, a groundbreaking exposé claiming that the true enemies of human health have been hiding in plain sight all along: tomatoes, mozzarella, and bread. In this very serious interview, our special guest will walk us through how these everyday foods are waging a coordinated attack on your body—from the “acidic chaos” of tomatoes, to the “mucus-forming menace” of mozzarella, to bread, which he assures us is basically just...

Cortisol is one of the most misunderstood hormones on the internet. From adrenal fatigue to diet recommendations to supplement suggestions, claims abound regarding what you should be doing to regulate your stress response. But is there actually evidence to support these diet and supplement recommendations? And what behaviors truly help support and normalize cortisol levels? Join us, two registered dietitians, as we explore the origins of the adrenal fatigue theory, the science behind the body’s stress response, and why real endocrine conditions like Adrenal Insufficiency are very different from the wellness version of “burned-out adrenal glands.”

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For decades, the French Paradox has suggested that a diet loaded with cheese, butter, and other saturated fats can coexist with low rates of heart disease—if you just sip a little wine. But, as with many nutrition headlines, the truth is far more complicated. So join us, two registered dietitians, as we explore how red wine became a “health” beverage, unpack what the science really says about alcohol and health, and examine why resveratrol, observational studies, and the way health data is recorded can make it tricky to separate fact from fiction.

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Are there really places in the world where people routinely live past 100—and if so, do they hold the secret to longevity? Enter the Blue Zones. From Sardinia to Okinawa, these regions have been held up as proof that specific diets and lifestyles can dramatically extend life. But it turns out, the Blue Zones story isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. So join us, two Registered Dietitians, as we explore the fascinating, unexpected, and surprising story of the Blue Zones—and unpack what they can (and can’t) teach us about health and longevity.

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If you’ve ever left a medical appointment feeling dismissed, judged, or like your body size became the diagnosis... then this episode is for you — and honestly, for your doctor too. In today’s episode, we’re talking about the very real stigma larger-bodied people face in health care settings—and how often weight bias gets in the way of actual care. We’re joined by you, our listeners, through powerful voicemails sharing both painful and healing experiences with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers. From being told to “just lose weight” to finally being listened to and taken seriously, these...

The new dietary guidelines are out, and if you felt a mix of confusion, skepticism, and mild dystopian dread… you’re not alone. From the upside-down food pyramid (yes, South Park called it) to a big reversal on saturated fat, these new guidelines are chock-full of both nutrition and philosophical issues. So join us, two Registered Dietitians, as we dig into concerns around ‘healthy fats’, conflicts of interest and a blatant disregard of health equity and real-world access to food. 

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In diet culture, hormones are frequently blamed for everything from weight gain and fatigue to irregular periods and mood changes. Scroll long enough and you’ll find promises to “balance your hormones” through food rules, cleanses, or cutting out entire macronutrients. But what actually supports hormone health, and what’s just another diet in disguise? In this episode, Matt sits down with endocrinologist Dr. Gregory Dodell for a grounded conversation on hormone health, GLP-1 medications and how to approach endocrinology through a non-diet lens. 

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Happy Holidays! Today we are sharing a full bonus episode as a little holiday gift. You can hear Part 2 and access our full back-catalog of bonus episodes on Patreon for only $3!

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Leave us a voicemail that may be featured on a future episode! Call us at (562)-N4M-POD1 (562-646-7631).  *Right now we are asking for stories about times when a doctor’s care didn’t feel very… caring. Perhaps there was an over-focus on weight/BMI and an under-focus on why you were seeking care? Were you given questionable nutrition, diet, or exercise advice? Were assumptions made about your behaviors based on limited information? Give us a call and share your story! 

This week wraps up our two-part deep dive into one of nutrition’s most talked-about controvers...

This episode kicks off our two-part deep dive into one of nutrition’s most talked-about controversies: the idea that “Big Sugar” reshaped health policy, redirected blame toward dietary fat, and helped create the low-fat food era many of us grew up in. Did the sugar industry really “rewrite the rules of health” or is there more to this story? Join us, two Registered Dietitians (and friends!) as we embark on a time travelling investigation and get to the bottom of this! 

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Can the way you combine foods really change how your body digests them—or even help you lose weight? For well over a century, food combining diets have claimed exactly that. From the early natural hygiene movement to the wildly popular Hay Diet, to the celebrity-fueled Beverly Hills Diet of the 1980s, these plans have promised better digestion, improved energy, and rapid weight loss all by simply avoiding consuming certain combinations of foods. But what does science say about food combining? And is there any evidence that separating foods helps your digestion or metabolism? Join us, two Registered Dietitians, as...

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Few nutrients get as much hype as vitamin D. It’s been promoted for everything from stronger bones and better mood to reduced risk of chronic disease and cancer prevention. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, a wave of self-proclaimed “vitamin D truthers” took things further—claiming massive doses could prevent or even cure the virus. But what does the science actually say about how much Vitamin D you should be taking? And are there truly health benefits of mega-dosing Vitamin D? Join us, two Registered Dietitians, as we dig into the ‘sunshine vitamin’ and shed light on the facts (and fiction...

Microplastics are having a major moment in the headlines, but there’s a lot of confusion about what they actually mean for our health. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Katie Pelch, Senior Scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council, to unpack the truth about microplastics—what they are, how they get into our food and water and what the current research says about their risks to humans. So join us, two Registered Dietitians (and one environmental scientist!) as we break down the evidence and make sense of the growing conversation around plastics in our food and bodies...