Julia Belluz

Joining the conversation are Kevin Hall, a former NIH nutrition researcher known for his work on ultra-processed foods, and Julia Belluz, a veteran health journalist with insights into how policies impact our food environment. They discuss how American health issues stem from inadequate food policies rather than just personal choices. Kevin shares findings from controlled trials on overeating driven by ultra-processed diets, while Julia highlights the historical roots of food regulation. Together, they advocate for targeted policies to improve food safety and nutrition.

Health journalist Julia Belluz, author of Food Intelligence, dives into the complexities of weight loss and nutrition. She challenges the simplistic view of calories, explaining how metabolic rates can slow significantly post-dieting. Belluz discusses the role of environmental factors in shaping eating habits, highlighting how ultra-processed foods contribute to health issues. She advocates for governmental intervention to promote healthier choices, urging a compassionate understanding of personal agency in food decisions.

Julia Belluz, a health journalist and co-author of Food Intelligence, joins to debunk common myths about diet and metabolism. She reveals that metabolic slowdown is a reaction to weight loss, not the cause of it. Julia critiques the obsession with protein, emphasizing most people consume enough without needing to overdo it. She discusses how both carbs and fats impact weight similarly and highlights how our brain and environmental cues drive our eating choices more than willpower. Finally, she explains how food marketing and economics shape our eating behaviors.