Food, We Need To Talk - podcast cover

Food, We Need To Talk

A science-based, humor laced approach to health and fitness. With the help of top researchers from the health and wellness fields, Juna Gjata and Dr. Eddie Phillips break down the science behind good nutrition, exercise, stress, sleep, and more. Includes a generous helping of sarcasm (Juna), dad jokes (Eddie), and pristine sound design (our awesome producers).

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Episodes

Hacking Your Blood Sugar

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Wendy and Jessica from the Diabetes Digital Podcast to explore practical ways to manage blood sugar. We discuss the science behind dietary strategies, like the role of fiber and food pairing, the effects of timing in meals, and small lifestyle shifts that can make a big difference. Eddie shares his own journey with blood sugar awareness, and Wendy and Jessica explain how focusing on daily choices can help people with pre-diabetes and diabetes ma...

Nov 18, 20247 min

Here's What You Need to Know About Diabetes

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 l...

Nov 11, 202443 min

What Is Burn Out and How To Overcome It

In this episode, we talk to Professor Gloria Mark about the complexities of attention and the toll of burnout. We explore how burnout differs from depression, noting that while both involve a lack of motivation and energy, burnout often stems from ongoing demands and lack of resources. Professor Mark shares insights into how systemic factors, not individual shortcomings, often drive burnout, especially in high-stress fields like healthcare. We also talk about the importance of breaks and how to ...

Nov 04, 20245 min

If You're Feeling Tired and Distracted, Listen to This (with Gloria Mark)

In this episode, we're tackling burnout and attention overload with Professor Gloria Mark from UC Irvine. Ever feel like you’re drowning in distractions—from Slack messages and emails to the endless scroll of social media? Professor Mark helps us break down the science behind why our focus is constantly slipping and what’s driving us to the brink of exhaustion. We dig into everything from the myth of multitasking to why our attention spans are shorter than ever. Plus, we get some practical strat...

Oct 28, 202442 min

We Took This Health Advice Too Far... And It Backfired

Today, we continue our conversation about healthy habits that ended up becoming unhealthy for us. We’re talking about fasting for too long, lifting weights that are too heavy, becoming overly obsessed with getting perfect sleep, and even meditating too hard... Is that a thing? Today, finding the right balance with health advice. To hear the rest of this week’s bonus episode, come join the Foodie Fam! https://www.patreon.com/FWNTT Thank you for your support, it’s what keeps the show going! Check ...

Oct 21, 20246 min

When Do "Healthy" Habits Become Unhealthy?

In this episode, we’re exploring a question we don’t ask enough: when does good health advice go too far? We break down the risks of taking advice to the extreme, whether it’s about diet, fitness, or everyday wellness habits. We also tackle the stress of trying to follow health trends that may be doing more harm than good. If you’ve ever wondered when “healthy” starts to feel unhealthy, this episode is for you! For weekly episodes, come join the Foodie Fam! https://www.patreon.com/FWNTT To get o...

Oct 14, 202433 min

Is Metabolism Genetic?

Today, we're continuing our conversation about metabolism, this time diving into aging and genetics. Ever wondered if you can actually control your metabolism or if it's just something you inherit from your parents? And what’s the deal with feeling like your metabolism was faster when you were younger? We're getting to the bottom of it all in this episode. Tune in to find out the truth! To hear the rest of this week’s bonus episode, come join the Foodie Fam! https://www.patreon.com/FWNTT Thank y...

Oct 07, 20245 min

Is My Metabolism Just Slow?

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! Join our newsletter ! Episodes mentioen...

Sep 30, 202441 min

Who Needs Therapy + How Politics Impact Our Mental Health

Today, we continue our conversation with Dr. Robert Waldinger from Harvard Medical School. In this part of the discussion, we dive into therapy—what it's good for, when you might need it, and when you might not. We also explore how our current political climate is affecting our mental well-being. To hear the rest of this week’s bonus episode, come join the Foodie Fam! https://www.patreon.com/FWNTT Thank you for your support, it’s what keeps the show going! Check out our book: https://read.macmil...

Sep 23, 20243 min

How Your Childhood Impacts Dating, Relationships, and More with Dr. Robert Waldinger

In this episode, we’re tackling an often overlooked aspect of health: relationships. We sit down with Dr. Robert Waldinger, Director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, to explore how your childhood shapes your adult relationships. From romance to friendships to work, we break down how attachment styles affect every connection. We dive into the origins of attachment theory, the latest research, and practical tips to help you move towards a more secure style. Whether you’re dating, in a re...

Sep 16, 202443 min

Vitamin D Debunked: What You Need to Know

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Dr. JoAnn Manson, but this time we're diving into all things Vitamin D. Sure, you’ve heard it’s great for your bones, but did you know it might also play a role in cancer and heart health? We’re breaking down the latest research from the VITAL study to find out what’s real and what’s hype. Wondering how much Vitamin D you really need? And should you be getting it from the sun, supplements, or both? We’ll chat about what counts as a healthy level...

Sep 09, 20243 min

Are Omega-3s a Myth?

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 refriger...

Sep 02, 202434 min

Why Weight Loss Medications Are Shaking Up the Food Industry

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Marion Nestle. We discuss why food companies are scrambling due to the rising popularity of the new weight loss medications. We explore how our food system is designed more for animal feed and fuel than for human consumption. Finally, we talk about finding hope for the future of our food environment, even when it might seem like there's not much to be hopeful about. To hear the rest of this week’s bonus episode, come join the Foodie Fam! https:/...

Aug 26, 20244 min

Big Food vs. Your Health: The Power Struggle

oday, 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...

Aug 19, 202440 min

Plastic, Blue Light, and Prioritizing Mental Health

We finally finish our series on what we've learned from hosting the podcast! Today we discuss our infamous episode with Cezmi Akdis and his revelations about our cleaning products, as well as the detrimental effects of blue light for sleep, even if you can't see it! To hear the rest of this week’s bonus episode, come join the Foodie Fam! https://www.patreon.com/FWNTT Thank you for your support, it’s what keeps the show going! Check out our book: https://read.macmillan.com/lp/food-we-need-to-talk...

Aug 12, 20243 min

Weight Stigma, the Best Cardio, and Mindset: What We've Learned from the Podcast Pt. 2

Today, we continue our conversation about what we have learned from six years of hosting this podcast. Last time, we went over all our food epiphanies. Today, we go through how the podcast has changed our approach to weight and weight stigma, exercise, relationships, and mindset. To hear the rest of this episode, come join the Foodie Fam! https://www.patreon.com/FWNTT Episodes we mentioned: The Health Effects of Being Called "Fat" How NOT to Hate Cardio Exercise Is Not About "Not Being Fat" The ...

Aug 05, 202434 min

The Shocking Way Japan Solved the Obesity Crisis

Today, we continue our conversation with Johann Hari. Part of Johann's journey in writing The Magic Pill was to visit Japan, one of the wealthiest countries in the world with virtually no childhood obesity. His biggest questions: Why and how? From the way the Japanese educate their children about nutrition, to draconian practices in Japanese workplaces, it appears that there are solutions to our current obesogenic environment, although some measures may be shocking. To hear the rest of this week...

Jul 29, 20244 min

The Incredible Upsides and Disturbing Downsides of the New Weight Loss Medications with Johann Hari

Today, we speak to Johann Hari , author of the new book The Magic Pill . The new weight loss medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy have been exploding in popularity over the past couple of years. Unlike dieting, these drugs can cause rapid weight loss with seemingly little effort from the person taking them. However, they also come with a wide array of risks that don't often get discussed. What are the implications these medications have for people with eating disorders? Why are they associated...

Jul 22, 202447 min

Dark Chocolate, Mindful Eating, and Avocado Toast

Today, we continue our conversation about what we learned from six years of hosting the podcast. Should you compare things you eat? How can we engage in mindful eating without chewing every bite twenty times? What does the science say about dark chocolate? To hear the rest of this week’s bonus episode, come join the Foodie Fam! https://www.patreon.com/FWNTT Thank you for your support, it’s what keeps the show going! Check out our book: https://read.macmillan.com/lp/food-we-need-to-talk/ Chat wit...

Jul 15, 20243 min

Caffeine, Protein, and Ice Cream: What We've Learned from Six Years of Hosting a Health Podcast

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. To hear the rest of this episode, come join the Foodie Fam! https://www.patreon.com...

Jul 08, 202438 min

Sleep Divorce, Melatonin, Watching TV Before Bed and More

Today, we continue our conversation with Professor Frank Scher from Harvard University. This episode, we focused on your questions! Should you consider sleep divorcing your partner? Is it okay to take melatonin for a long time? What about watching TV before bed? And the most important question of all, at conferences, do the sleep scientists party?! Find out in today's episode! To hear the rest of this week’s bonus episode, come join the Foodie Fam! https://www.patreon.com/FWNTT Thank you for you...

Jul 01, 20244 min

Why Am I Always Tired with Harvard Sleep Professor Frank Scheer

Today, we talk to Professor Frank Scheer from Harvard University all about one of the most important things that we do every day: sleep. For many of us, sleep may seem like a waste of time or an inconvenience. In fact, sleep is one of the most vital ways to maintain our health. Today, we learn why sleep quality is just as important as sleep quantity. What are the different phases of sleep and their functions? How do caffeine, alcohol, and sleeping pills affect our slumber? Are alarms good or bad...

Jun 24, 202442 min

Plastic, Detergents, and Air Purifiers

Today, we discuss our last episode with Cezmi Akdis. Needless to say, the episode was quite shocking for the both of us. Rinsing our dishes after the dishwasher, switching from plastic wrap to silicone, checking our detergents' ingredients--we go over which practices we will be trying to implement in our own routines and what surprised us the most. Cezmi's Boston Globe article "Scrubbing Away Our Collective Health" To hear the rest of this week’s episode, come join the Foodie Fam! https://www.pa...

Jun 17, 20243 min

Why Autoimmune Diseases Are on the Rise

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. For weekly episodes, come join the Foodie Fam! htt...

Jun 10, 202439 min

Ozempic, Addiction, Glucose Monitoring and More

Today, we continue our conversation with Professor Jud Brewer. We talk about whether or not the new weight loss medications make awareness practices redundant, how these medications may affect addiction, how tools like glucose monitors can help us become more mindful, and why sometimes, to stop a behavior we don't want to do, we have to actually keep doing it. To hear the rest of this week’s episode, come join the Foodie Fam! https://www.patreon.com/FWNTT Thank you for your support, it’s what ke...

Jun 03, 20244 min

Overcoming Cravings and the Habit of Overeating with Jud Brewer

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. To hear the ...

May 27, 202448 min

The Truth About Olive Oil

We're continuing the conversation with Mauro! In this episode, we talk about the relationship between inflammation and obesity, whether or not olive oil is indeed a super food, and our new favorite concept: nutritional kindness. Hope you enjoy as much as we did! To hear the rest of this week’s episode, come join the Foodie Fam! https://www.patreon.com/FWNTT Thank you for your support, it’s what keeps the show going! Check out our book: https://read.macmillan.com/lp/food-we-need-to-talk/ Chat wit...

May 20, 20245 min

The Truth About Superfoods and Antioxidants with Mauro Serafini

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? For the rest of our conversation with Mauro Serafini, come join the Foodie Fam! https://www.pat...

May 13, 202441 min

Spices, Salt, Woks, Tofu, and More with J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

This is a continuation of our delightful conversation with food extraordinaire J. Kenji Lopez-Alt. We talked all about spices, why salt is so important, how to use induction ovens, the best ways to cook tofu, simulating a smokey "grill" flavor in your apartment and more! (Also how to set your apartment on fire.) To hear the rest of this week’s episode, come join the Foodie Fam! https://www.patreon.com/FWNTT Thank you for your support, it’s what keeps the show going! Check out our book: https://r...

May 06, 20244 min

The Science of Cooking Well with J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

As you all know, over here at FWNTT, we are not the most kitchen savvy individuals. But after today… we just might be! J. Kenji Lopez-Alt shares with us some insights from his incredible career as a chef, food writer, and food science enthusiast. We learn the best ways to improve our cooking, why knife skills matter, why you shouldn’t feel bad for taking longer than the recipe time suggests, and when to use high vs. low heat. For the rest of our converstation with Kenji, head over to the members...

Apr 29, 202439 min
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