
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).
Latest episodes

Jul 29, 2024 • 4min
The Shocking Way Japan Solved the Obesity Crisis
Johann Hari, an insightful author known for tackling societal issues, dives into Japan's unique approach to preventing childhood obesity. He explores how the country manages to maintain low obesity rates through rigorous nutrition education and government initiatives. Surprisingly, he discusses some strict workplace practices that contribute to this success. By contrasting Japan's methods with those of the U.S., he reveals intriguing solutions to combat the global obesity epidemic, showcasing the need for innovative strategies.

Jul 22, 2024 • 47min
The Incredible Upsides and Disturbing Downsides of the New Weight Loss Medications with Johann Hari
Author Johann Hari discusses the rise of new weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, highlighting their rapid weight loss effects and associated risks. Topics include implications for people with eating disorders, muscle mass loss, and potential impact on depression. The complex calculation posed by these medications is explored, showcasing the dangers and benefits of using pharmaceutical solutions for weight management.

Jul 15, 2024 • 3min
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/FWNTTThank 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 with us on IG!https://www.instagram.com/foodweneedtotalk/?hl=enBe friends with Juna on IG and Tiktok!https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata
Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Jul 8, 2024 • 38min
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/FWNTTCheck out our book:https://read.macmillan.com/lp/food-we-need-to-talk/Chat with us on IG!https://www.instagram.com/foodweneedtotalk/?hl=enBe friends with Juna on IG and Tiktok!https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata
Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Jul 1, 2024 • 4min
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/FWNTTThank 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 with us on IG!https://www.instagram.com/foodweneedtotalk/?hl=enBe friends with Juna on IG and Tiktok!https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata
Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Jun 24, 2024 • 42min
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? Should we be taking naps? If you feel tired all day, or can't seem to get a good night's rest, this is the episode for you!To hear the rest of our conversation with Frank, come join the Foodie Fam!https://www.patreon.com/FWNTTCheck out our book:https://read.macmillan.com/lp/food-we-need-to-talk/Chat with us on IG!https://www.instagram.com/foodweneedtotalk/?hl=enBe friends with Juna on IG and Tiktok!https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata
Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Jun 17, 2024 • 3min
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.patreon.com/FWNTTThank 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 with us on IG!https://www.instagram.com/foodweneedtotalk/?hl=enBe friends with Juna on IG and Tiktok!https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata
Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Jun 10, 2024 • 39min
Why Autoimmune Diseases Are on the Rise
In this engaging discussion, Professor Cezmi Akdis, a leading expert on autoimmune diseases and allergies, reveals the alarming rise of conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. He emphasizes the critical role of environmental factors, from plastic pollution to dietary choices, in exacerbating these health issues. The conversation dives into how pollutants and food additives contribute to chronic inflammation. Akdis also highlights the importance of air quality and the hidden dangers of common skincare products, urging listeners to reconsider their health habits.

Jun 3, 2024 • 4min
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/FWNTTThank 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 with us on IG!https://www.instagram.com/foodweneedtotalk/?hl=enBe friends with Juna on IG and Tiktok!https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata
Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

May 27, 2024 • 48min
Overcoming Cravings and the Habit of Overeating with Jud Brewer
Jud Brewer, a Brown University professor specializing in mindfulness and addiction, shares valuable insights into food cravings and overeating. He explains how emotional triggers, such as stress and boredom, can lead to mindless eating. The conversation covers the neurobiology behind cravings, the importance of compassion in changing habits, and how mindfulness can help reframe our relationship with food. Brewer also introduces his app, Eat Right Now, which aims to assist users in overcoming unhealthy eating patterns.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.