In this conversation, Zoë Harcombe and Stephen Thomas discuss the evolution of dietary guidelines, the importance of understanding risk in health studies, the role of fiber in our diet, and the myths surrounding calorie counting. They emphasize the need for individuals to educate themselves about their health and nutrition, challenging conventional wisdom and advocating for a more informed approach to diet and lifestyle choices.

Chapters

00:00 Calories: The Misconception of Energy and Weight

09:37 Introduction to Zoë Harcombe

15:51 Dissecting Studies: Understanding Evidence Levels

21:51 Conflicts of Interest in Nutrition Research

29:58 Fiber: The Misunderstood Nutrient

Takeaways

People may look back in 50 years and question current dietary guidelines.

Understanding absolute vs. relative risk is crucial in health studies.

Fiber is essentially indigestible and not necessary for our diet.

There are no essential carbohydrates, unlike fats and proteins.

The narrative around fiber is used to justify high carbohydrate intake.

Fighting the misconception of fiber is essential for health.

Believing in calorie counting can lead to poor health outcomes.

Interpretation of health data is often more important than the data itself.

Education is key to making informed dietary choices.

Challenging mainstream dietary advice can lead to better health.

https://www.zoeharcombe.com/