The Jordan Harbinger Show

1139: Fad Diets | Skeptical Sunday

Apr 13, 2025

In this discussion, Nick Pell, a writer and researcher known for debunking misconceptions, explains the truth behind fad diets like keto and paleo. He emphasizes that these diets often lead to temporary results through caloric restriction rather than any magical metabolic process. Pell challenges the myths surrounding dieting, including the role of seed oils and the supposed health benefits of detox diets. By highlighting the importance of sustainable nutrition over quick fixes, he encourages listeners to rethink their dietary choices and understand the real foundation of health.

01:00:46

Episode guests

Nick Pell

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Fad diets primarily succeed through accidental caloric restriction rather than metabolic changes, making sustainable eating a better long-term strategy.

Extreme diets like the carnivore diet can lead to health issues and nutritional deficiencies due to lack of dietary variety and fiber.

The success of popular diets often stems from misleading marketing tactics that emphasize quick fixes instead of promoting balanced, sustainable eating habits.

Deep dives

Understanding Fad Diets

Fad diets are characterized by their rapid rise in popularity, often relying on gimmicks rather than scientific backing. These diets suggest that there is a one-size-fits-all solution to weight loss and health, leading people to believe that specific foods or food groups are inherently bad. Unlike established diets, which have been around for long periods, fad diets gain traction quickly due to social media and influencer endorsements, creating a misleading narrative around their effectiveness. Many people fall into the trap of believing these diets will provide miraculous results without considering the importance of balanced nutrition and long-term lifestyle changes.

Intro

4min

The Reality of Fad Diets

15min

Understanding Dietary Fats and Podcast Sponsorships

2min

Seed Oils: The Controversy and Health Implications

2min

The Fad Diet Dilemma: Navigating Misconceptions and Sustainability

15min

Debunking Fad Diets and Detox Myths

3min

Debunking Detox and Diet Myths

11min

Navigating Diet Myths and Ocean Depths

8min

Fad diets work — until they don't. On this Skeptical Sunday, Nick Pell reveals why a sustainable regimen always beats restriction for lasting weight loss!

Welcome to Skeptical Sunday, a special edition of The Jordan Harbinger Show where Jordan and a guest break down a topic that you may have never thought about, open things up, and debunk common misconceptions. This time around, we’re joined by writer and researcher Nick Pell!

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1139

On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss:

Most fad diets work primarily through inadvertent caloric restriction, not some kind of metabolic magic. When you eliminate entire food groups (per keto's commandments) or shrink eating windows (as with intermittent fasting), you're essentially performing a disappearing act on hundreds of daily calories. The weight loss isn't mysterious — it's mathematical.
These diets often resemble nutritional extreme sports — thrilling at first, but impossible to maintain over the long term. Like trying to hold your breath underwater, eventually you come up gasping for carbs.
The Standard American Diet (ironically abbreviated S.A.D.) sets such a dismally low nutritional baseline that almost any structured eating plan looks miraculous by comparison. When researchers celebrate a diet's success, they're often comparing it to a nutritional landscape where frozen pizza qualifies as a vegetable serving.
Many of these diets carry surprising biological price tags — keto's potential kidney damage, carnivore's digestive rebellion (pooping "once every three days" is less a feature than a warning sign), and nutritional blind spots that could leave your body wondering what happened to all those essential micronutrients it once enjoyed.
The most effective diet isn't the most restrictive or trendy, but simply the one you'll actually maintain. Like finding your soulmate, the best nutritional approach matches your lifestyle and preferences while gently steering you toward better choices. The best diet is the one that you'll stick with. Consider finding your personal sweet spot between nutrition science and real-life application by making modest, consistent improvements rather than dramatic overnight overhauls. Your future self will thank you for the balanced approach.
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