Stop Counting Calories: What Nutrition Science Really Says About Weight Loss with Dr. Ahmad Saedisomeolia | EPS 007

Jun 18

Podcast Episode Description

🥗 Are you tired of failed diets and conflicting nutrition advice? Join Dr. Steven Stolz and nutrition expert Dr. Ahmad Saedisomeolia as they expose the truth behind diet culture myths and reveal evidence-based weight loss strategies that actually work.

In this game-changing interview, Dr. Ahmad—with decades of research at McGill University and as Associate Professor at Education Centre of Australia—separates nutrition science from marketing hype to help you achieve sustainable weight loss without obsessing over calories.

🎧 What You'll Discover:

Why the Food Pyramid failed and what nutrition guidelines actually work
The calorie counting trap and why it sabotages weight loss
How your genetics affect weight (and when they don't matter)
Evidence-based weight loss strategies for lasting results
Why BMI is misleading and better ways to measure health
The truth about trending diets: keto, intermittent fasting, Mediterranean
How modern lifestyle sabotages healthy eating (and how to fix it)
Food psychology secrets: why you crave certain foods and how to change
Pharmaceutical weight loss options like semaglutide (pros and cons)
The gut-brain connection and its impact on mood and weight

Chapters:

00:00 | Introduction: The Diet Culture Deception | Why conflicting nutrition advice keeps you stuck

03:16 | Meet Dr. Ahmad: McGill Nutrition Expert | Credentials that matter: research-backed expertise

05:28 | Food Pyramid Exposed: Why 30-Year Guidelines Failed | What nutrition science reveals about outdated advice

08:18 | The Genetics Factor: Does DNA Control Your Weight? | When family history matters (and when it doesn't)

10:40 | Calorie Myths Busted: Why Men Need 2,500 and Women Need Less | The science behind individual energy requirements

12:45 | Metabolism Slowdown: Fact or Fiction? | What really happens to your metabolism with age

15:31 | Satiation Secrets: How to Feel Full and Satisfied | Evidence-based strategies to control hunger naturally

17:03 | Color Psychology and Eating: Visual Hunger Triggers | How your eyes influence food choices

19:30 | The Midlife Weight Gain Mystery | Why your 30s and 40s bring extra pounds

21:07 | Stress Eating Exposed: The Cortisol-Weight Connection | How stress hormones sabotage weight loss

23:20 | Food Preference Psychology: Rewiring Your Taste Buds | Science-backed ways to crave healthy foods

25:55 | Raising Healthy Eaters: Evidence-Based Parenting | How to get kids to choose nutritious foods

28:47 | Eating with Your Eyes: Visual Food Psychology | Why presentation affects nutrition and satisfaction

30:46 | When All Diets Fail: Solutions for Chronic Dieters | Evidence-based advice for people who've tried everything

32:34 | BMI vs Waist Measurement: Better Health Indicators | Why body mass index misleads and what works better

34:47 | BMI Pros and Cons: The Complete Analysis | When to use BMI and when to ignore it

36:28 | Trending Diets Decoded: Mediterranean, Keto, Intermittent Fasting | Science-based analysis of popular diet approaches

39:15 | Diet Selection Strategy: Finding Your Perfect Match | How to choose sustainable eating patterns

42:12 | Diet Timeline: When Do You See Results? | Evidence-based expectations for weight loss progress

44:53 | Weight Loss Medications: Semaglutide and Beyond | Pharmaceutical options, benefits, and risks

46:30 | Food-Mood Connection: Eating for Mental Health | How nutrition affects anxiety, depression, and brain function

50:30 | Hydration Science: Optimal Water Intake Guidelines | Evidence-based recommendations for daily fluid needs

52:30 | Gut-Brain Axis: Your Second Brain's Role in Health | How gut bacteria influence mood, weight, and wellbeing

53:50 | Mood Disorder Nutrition: Foods for Mental Health | Evidence-based eating strategies for depression and anxiety

56:30 | Expert Book Recommendations | Dr. Ahmad's top nutrition science resources

59:42 | Key Takeaways and Implementation | How to apply evidence-based nutrition starting today

Why This Matters

The Weight Loss Industry is Broken. With millions searching for nutrition and weight loss solutions monthly, most people are trapped in cycles of failed diets, conflicting advice, and marketing manipulation. This Episode Changes Everything. Dr. Ahmad brings decades of McGill University research to expose why 95% of diets fail and what actually works for sustainable weight loss. Whether you're frustrated with yo-yo dieting, confused by contradictory health claims, or ready to try a science-based approach, this conversation provides the clarity you've been searching for. You'll Never Look at Nutrition the Same Way. From debunking the calorie myth to understanding your gut-brain connection, this isn't just another diet podcast—it's your roadmap to food freedom based on actual research, not marketing hype.

***Stop Counting Calories: What Nutrition Science Really Says About Weight Loss with Dr. Ahmad Saedisomeolia***

Recommended book by Dr. Ahmad:

Simpson, S. J., & Raubenheimer, D. (2012). The Nature of Nutrition: A Unifying Framework from Animal Adaptation to Human Obesity. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

📖 Book Overview

This groundbreaking book presents the "Geometric Framework for Nutrition" - a revolutionary approach that explains eating behavior across all animal species, from insects to humans. Rather than focusing on individual nutrients or calories, Simpson and Raubenheimer demonstrate how organisms navigate complex nutritional landscapes to balance multiple dietary needs simultaneously.

🔬 Why It's Worth Reading

Revolutionary Perspective: The book challenges traditional nutrition thinking by showing how animals (including humans) don't simply seek calories or single nutrients, but instead balance protein, carbohydrates, fats, and other nutrients in sophisticated ways. This explains why simplistic "calories in, calories out" approaches often fail.

Scientific Rigor: Based on decades of research across species - from locusts to primates to humans - the framework provides a unified theory that explains eating behaviors that have puzzled nutritionists for generations.

Practical Insights: The geometric framework explains modern obesity epidemics, why ultra-processed foods are problematic, and why certain eating patterns succeed where others fail. It reveals how food manufacturers exploit our biological programming.

Predictive Power: Unlike descriptive nutrition advice, this framework can predict how dietary changes will affect eating behavior and health outcomes.

👥 Who Should Read This Book

Nutrition Professionals: Dietitians, nutritionists, and researchers seeking a deeper theoretical foundation beyond conventional nutrition science.

Academic Researchers: Scientists in nutrition, biology, psychology, or public health looking for a unifying framework to understand eating behavior.

Policy Makers: Those developing food policies or public health interventions who need to understand why traditional approaches often fail.

Serious Health Enthusiasts: Individuals frustrated with conflicting nutrition advice who want to understand the fundamental principles governing eating behavior.

Medical Professionals: Doctors and healthcare providers treating obesity, eating disorders, or metabolic conditions who need deeper insights into why people eat the way they do.

⚠️ Important Note

This is a dense, academic text requiring scientific background. It's not a popular diet book or practical eating guide, but rather a theoretical framework that revolutionizes how we understand nutrition at the most fundamental level.

Bottom Line: If you want to understand why humans and animals eat the way they do from an evolutionary and biological perspective, this book provides the most comprehensive framework available. It's essential reading for anyone serious about understanding nutrition science beyond surface-level advice.

🔍 About Our Guest: Dr. Ahmad Saedisomeolia

Dr. Ahmad Saedisomeolia is Associate Professor and Dean of Scholarship and Research at the Education Centre of Australia's College of Health Sciences, where he leads cutting-edge nutrition research and shapes the next generation of health professionals. His unique position bridges academic rigor with practical application, making complex nutrition science accessible to both professionals and the public.

🎓 Academic Excellence & Leadership

Previously serving as Senior Researcher/Lecturer at McGill University's prestigious School of Human Nutrition (2020-2023), Dr. Ahmad contributed to one of Canada's leading nutrition research institutions. His tenure at McGill involved groundbreaking research in nutritional biochemistry and public health nutrition, collaborating with international teams on projects that influence global nutrition policy.

With a PhD in Nutrition and both Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Public Health Nutrition and Nutrition Sciences, Dr. Ahmad represents the gold standard of evidence-based nutrition expertise. His academic journey spans multiple continents and research methodologies, providing him with a uniquely comprehensive perspective on nutrition science.

🔬 Research Impact & Expertise

Dr. Ahmad's research portfolio spans several critical areas of modern nutrition science:

Metabolic Nutrition: Investigating how different dietary patterns affect metabolic health, insulin sensitivity, and long-term disease prevention.

Public Health Nutrition: Developing population-level interventions to address obesity, malnutrition, and diet-related chronic diseases.

Nutritional Biochemistry: Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind how nutrients interact with human physiology and gene expression.

Cultural Nutrition: Examining how traditional dietary patterns can inform modern evidence-based nutrition recommendations.

💡 Practical Translation of Science

What sets Dr. Ahmad apart is his exceptional ability to translate complex research findings into actionable guidance. He has worked extensively with healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and real-world application. His approach combines rigorous scientific methodology with cultural sensitivity and practical wisdom.

🌍 Global Perspective

Dr. Ahmad's international experience provides him with insights into diverse nutritional traditions and challenges. This global perspective informs his understanding of how nutrition science must adapt to different populations, economic conditions, and cultural contexts - making his advice relevant across diverse communities.

📚 Commitment to Evidence-Based Practice

Throughout his career, Dr. Ahmad has maintained an unwavering commitment to evidence-based nutrition, consistently challenging popular trends and fad diets with peer-reviewed research. His work focuses on sustainable, long-term health outcomes rather than quick fixes or commercially-driven solutions.

Why This Matters: In an era where nutrition information is often conflicting and commercially influenced, Dr. Ahmad represents the rare combination of deep scientific expertise, practical experience, and commitment to truth over trends. His insights cut through diet culture noise to reveal what nutrition science actually demonstrates about human health and sustainable eating patterns.

📖 Key Topics Explored in "Stop Counting Calories: What Nutrition Science Really Says About Weight Loss with Dr. Ahmad Saedisomeolia"

Part 1: Foundation Knowledge

Understanding modern nutrition science vs. outdated guidelines, the role of genetics in weight management, and why individual calorie needs vary dramatically between people.

Part 2: Practical Application

Evidence-based satiation strategies, managing midlife metabolism changes, and the psychology behind food preferences and cravings.

Part 3: Advanced Strategies

In-depth analysis of popular diets (keto, intermittent fasting, Mediterranean), pharmaceutical weight loss options, and the fascinating gut-brain connection.

Part 4: Implementation

Sustainable approaches for long-term success, evidence-based resources, and how to apply nutrition science in your daily life.

👥 Who Should Listen

Frustrated Dieters: Anyone tired of failed diets, yo-yo weight cycling, and conflicting nutrition advice that never seems to work long-term.

Health Professionals: Dietitians, nutritionists, doctors, and coaches seeking evidence-based guidance to better serve their clients and patients.

Sustainable Weight Seekers: People struggling with weight management who want scientifically-backed strategies rather than quick fixes or fad approaches.

Science Enthusiasts: Those interested in understanding the fascinating science behind food, metabolism, and how our bodies actually process nutrition.

Truth Seekers: Individuals wanting to separate legitimate nutrition science from marketing myths, diet culture hype, and commercial misinformation.

🧠 Why This Matters

The Nutrition Information Crisis: In an era of information overload and diet culture confusion, understanding evidence-based nutrition isn't just helpful—it's essential for long-term health and sanity.

Your Path to Food Freedom: Whether you're exhausted from yo-yo dieting, overwhelmed by conflicting advice, or simply seeking sustainable approaches to healthy eating, this episode cuts through the noise to provide science-backed insights for lasting wellness.

Beyond Diet Culture: This isn't another trendy diet discussion—it's your roadmap to understanding how nutrition actually works in your body, empowering you to make informed decisions based on evidence rather than marketing claims.