This episode will walk you through five powerful studies that challenge diet culture and reshape the way we think about food.

These studies highlight how health is influenced by connection, compassion, satisfaction, and beliefs — not just calories or nutrients.

I cover:

• The Rabbit Study and how kindness can influence health outcomes
• The Roseto Effect and the role of community in protecting heart health
• Research on Thai vs. Swedish women showing that satisfaction impacts nutrient absorption
• The Sugar Drink Study proving that beliefs about food can affect blood sugar levels
• Mann et al.’s review of long-term dieting outcomes and why diets rarely work long-term

Resources mentioned:

• Join my self-paced course, The Return
• Download your free research guide PDF: https://leahkernrd.kartra.com/page/8Tz18
• Lived Experience with Ozempic— Jamie's Story: https://podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/lived-experience-with-ozempic-jamies-story-an/id1616910063?i=1000617648346
• Why your relationship with food matters on a physiological level: https://leahkernrd.com/how-intuitive-eating-impacts-your-metabolism-and-digestion/

More From Leah:

• 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Pack
• Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program
• Join my self-paced course, The Return
• Subscribe to Leah's Youtube Channel
• Subscribe to my personal Substack
• Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd
• Visit my website to learn more about my coaching offerings
• Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.
• Send me a voice message on Speakpipe
• Email me: [email protected]

🥂 What if 2026 was the year you stopped starting over with food? Join a low-cost anti-diet workshop with Leah Kern, RD to feel normal around eating. (Use code PODCAST at checkout to get 10% off)