Podcasts > The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett > Most Replayed Moment: Calories In, Calories Out Is A Myth! Why Most Diets Fail - Dr. Jason Fung

Most Replayed Moment: Calories In, Calories Out Is A Myth! Why Most Diets Fail - Dr. Jason Fung

By Steven Bartlett

In this episode of The Diary Of A CEO, Dr. Jason Fung challenges the common belief that weight loss is simply about counting calories. He explains how the traditional "calories in, calories out" model fails to account for the body's hormonal responses, particularly the role of insulin in determining whether calories are stored as fat or used for energy.

Fung discusses how hormones affect weight regulation and metabolism, explaining why many traditional diets lead to a cycle of temporary weight loss followed by regain. He presents intermittent fasting as an alternative approach that works with the body's natural processes, describing how fasting periods can help regulate insulin levels and maintain metabolic health without triggering the metabolic slowdown often associated with conventional dieting.

Most Replayed Moment: Calories In, Calories Out Is A Myth! Why Most Diets Fail - Dr. Jason Fung

This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Oct 31, 2025 episode of the The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

Sign up for Shortform to access the whole episode summary along with additional materials like counterarguments and context.

Most Replayed Moment: Calories In, Calories Out Is A Myth! Why Most Diets Fail - Dr. Jason Fung

1-Page Summary

Limitations of the "Calories in, Calories Out" Model

Jason Fung challenges the traditional calories-based approach to weight loss, explaining that simply reducing calorie intake isn't effective because the body adapts by lowering its calorie expenditure. He points out that this model overlooks crucial hormonal factors, particularly [restricted term]'s role in determining whether calories are stored as fat or burned for energy.

Hormones, Especially [restricted term], in Weight Regulation

Fung emphasizes how [restricted term] levels significantly impact weight management. He explains that high [restricted term] levels, typically caused by frequent snacking and high-carb foods like bread and pasta, prevent the body from burning stored fat. This can lead to weight gain even when following a calorie-restricted diet. Conversely, during fasting periods, lower [restricted term] levels allow the body to access and burn stored fat for energy.

The Benefits of Intermittent Fasting For Weight Loss

According to Fung, intermittent fasting effectively promotes weight loss by regulating [restricted term] levels and enabling fat burning. He notes that extended fasting periods can actually increase the body's basal metabolic rate, contrary to common misconceptions about fasting leading to "starvation mode."

Yo-yo Dieting and Its Impact on Metabolism

Traditional restrictive dieting often leads to a slower metabolism, making it difficult to maintain weight loss. Fung suggests that intermittent fasting offers a solution to this problem. Unlike conventional diets that can lower metabolic rate, fasting helps maintain a healthy metabolism while supporting sustainable weight management by preventing the constant food consumption that typically leads to metabolic slowdown.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • [restricted term] plays a crucial role in weight management by regulating how the body stores and uses energy from food. High [restricted term] levels, often triggered by carb-rich meals, can hinder fat burning and promote fat storage. Lower [restricted term] levels, such as during fasting, allow the body to access stored fat for energy, aiding in weight loss. Understanding [restricted term]'s impact on metabolism is key to effective weight management strategies.
  • High [restricted term] levels prevent the body from burning stored fat by signaling the body to prioritize using glucose for energy instead of tapping into fat stores. When [restricted term] levels are elevated, the body is in a state where it stores excess energy as fat rather than breaking down fat for fuel. This can hinder weight loss efforts as the body is less inclined to burn stored fat when [restricted term] levels are high. Lowering [restricted term] levels through strategies like intermittent fasting can help shift the body towards utilizing stored fat for energy.
  • Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the amount of energy your body needs at rest to maintain vital functions like breathing and circulation. Fasting can impact BMR by potentially increasing it, as the body may prioritize burning stored fat for energy during fasting periods. This can lead to a temporary rise in BMR as the body adjusts its energy utilization in the absence of incoming food.
  • "Starvation mode" is a term used to describe the body's response to prolonged calorie restriction, where metabolism slows down to conserve energy. This adaptive mechanism aims to preserve fat stores and reduce energy expenditure to prevent starvation. In contrast, intermittent fasting differs as it involves short periods of not eating, which can actually boost metabolism and promote fat burning without triggering the same metabolic adaptations seen in prolonged calorie restriction.
  • Traditional restrictive dieting can lead to a slower metabolism over time. This occurs because the body adapts to lower calorie intake by reducing energy expenditure. As a result, weight loss may plateau, making it harder to maintain or continue losing weight. This metabolic slowdown is a common challenge in long-term weight management for individuals following traditional calorie-restricted diets.

Counterarguments

  • The "Calories in, Calories Out" (CICO) model is supported by the law of thermodynamics, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed. While hormonal factors affect how calories are used, the basic principle that a calorie deficit is necessary for weight loss is still widely accepted in the scientific community.
  • Some studies suggest that the body's metabolic adaptation to calorie restriction is not as significant as some claim, and that a well-designed calorie-restricted diet can still lead to sustainable weight loss.
  • The role of [restricted term] in weight gain is complex, and while it does affect fat storage, it is not the only hormone involved in weight regulation. Other hormones and factors, such as leptin, ghrelin, and individual genetics, also play significant roles.
  • Not all high-carb foods have the same effect on [restricted term] levels. Complex carbohydrates with high fiber content, for example, have a less dramatic impact on blood sugar and [restricted term] than refined carbohydrates.
  • The effectiveness of intermittent fasting for weight loss is still a subject of research, and while some studies show benefits, others find it to be no more effective than other forms of calorie restriction.
  • The claim that intermittent fasting increases basal metabolic rate is contested, with some research indicating that any form of calorie restriction, including fasting, can eventually slow down metabolism if it results in significant weight loss.
  • The concept of "starvation mode" from fasting is a simplification; while prolonged calorie restriction can reduce metabolic rate, short-term fasting may not have this effect, and the body's response can vary widely between individuals.
  • While intermittent fasting may help some individuals with weight management, it is not suitable for everyone, and some people may struggle with hunger, low energy, or other issues during fasting periods.
  • The long-term sustainability of intermittent fasting as a lifestyle change is not well-established, and some individuals may find it difficult to adhere to over time, potentially leading to weight regain.
  • The idea that yo-yo dieting is solely the result of traditional dieting overlooks other factors that contribute to weight cycling, such as psychological, behavioral, and environmental influences.

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free
Most Replayed Moment: Calories In, Calories Out Is A Myth! Why Most Diets Fail - Dr. Jason Fung

Limitations of the "Calories in, Calories Out" Model

Reduced Calorie Intake Lowers Expenditure, Limiting Weight Loss

Fung challenges the traditional weight loss advice predicated on the energy balance equation, which suggests people lose body fat by eating fewer calories than they expend. He asserts that this "calories in, calories out" model is false because reducing calorie intake causes the body to burn fewer calories in response—an adaptive process involving the basal metabolic rate. This means that if one reduces their calorie intake by 500 calories a day, the body may adjust by burning 500 fewer calories, which limits weight loss.

"Calorie Model Ignores Hormonal Factors in Weight Control"

Furthermore, Fung criticizes the calorie model for failing to acknowledge hormonal factors, particularly [restricted term], that play a critical role in weight management. He explains that [restricted term] has a regulatory effect on whether calories are stored as fat or burned for energy. Foods that ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
Start your free trial today

Limitations of the "Calories in, Calories Out" Model

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the amount of energy your body needs to maintain basic functions at rest. It represents the calories your body burns to keep your organs functioning, maintain body temperature, and support other essential processes. BMR is influenced by factors like age, gender, body composition, and genetics. When you reduce calorie intake, your body may lower its BMR in response to conserve energy, which can impact weight loss efforts.
  • [restricted term] is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells for energy or storage. When [restricted term] levels are high, the body prioritizes storing excess calories as fat rather ...

Counterarguments

  • The "calories in, calories out" model is an oversimplification, but it is not entirely false; it is a foundational principle of thermodynamics that cannot be violated. Weight loss still fundamentally requires a caloric deficit.
  • The body's metabolic adaptation to reduced calorie intake is typically not a one-to-one reduction; the decrease in metabolic rate is often smaller than the caloric deficit.
  • Hormonal factors like [restricted term] do play a role in weight management, but they do not operate independently of caloric balance. Hormones influence hunger, satiety, and fat storage, but they do not negate the need for a caloric deficit for weight loss.
  • While [restricted term] levels can affect fat storage, they are not the sole determinant of weight gain or loss. Total caloric intake and expenditure still matter, even when considering [restricted term]'s effects.
  • The impact of different foods on [restricted term] levels can vary widely among individuals, suggesting that a one-size-fits-all dietary approach may not be appropriate.
  • Some studies suggest that when calorie intake and prot ...

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free
Most Replayed Moment: Calories In, Calories Out Is A Myth! Why Most Diets Fail - Dr. Jason Fung

Hormones, Especially Insulin, in Weight Regulation

Jason Fung highlights the crucial role that [restricted term] plays in weight regulation, discussing how dietary choices influence [restricted term] levels and, consequently, the body's ability to burn fat.

High [restricted term] From Frequent Snacking and High-Carb Foods Prevents Fat Burning

Fung emphasizes that consistent high [restricted term] levels, typically resulting from the consumption of high-carb foods and frequent snacking, inhibit the body's capacity to utilize stored fat for energy. Eating patterns that cause [restricted term] spikes prevent the body from tapping into its fat reserves, even when caloric intake is limited.

High [restricted term] Levels Favor Storing Calories Over Burning, Causing Weight Gain Even on a Calorie-Restricted Diet

Fung explains that elevated [restricted term] levels compel the body to prioritize storing calories over burning them. This mechanism can lead to weight gain because high [restricted term] levels, induced by consuming foods like bread and pasta, maintain the body's focus on calorie storage. Thus, even with a calorie-restricted diet, people may gain weight because they are eating the wrong types of foods—particularly those that spike [restricted term] levels and prompt the body to store rather than burn calories.

Fasting Lowers [restricted term], Enabling Fat Burning For Energy

Fung distinguishes between the body's response to eating and fas ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
Start your free trial today

Hormones, Especially Insulin, in Weight Regulation

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • [restricted term] is not the only hormone involved in weight regulation; leptin, ghrelin, cortisol, and others also play significant roles.
  • The calorie-in vs. calorie-out model is still supported by many experts as a fundamental aspect of weight management, suggesting that total energy intake is critical regardless of [restricted term] levels.
  • Some studies suggest that the timing of food intake and the quality of the diet overall can be as important as, or more important than, [restricted term] levels alone for weight loss.
  • The role of carbohydrates in weight gain is complex, and not all high-carb foods have the same effect on [restricted term] or fat storage (e.g., fiber-rich whole grains versus refined carbs).
  • The impact of [restricted term] on weight gain can vary significantly between individuals due to genetic differences, lifestyle factors, and underlying health conditions.
  • Fasting may not be suitable for everyone, and it can have negative effects if not d ...

Actionables

  • You can track your eating habits with a photo food diary to visualize [restricted term]-spiking patterns. Snap a picture of everything you eat throughout the day and review the photos weekly to identify trends, such as frequent snacking or high-carb meals, that may contribute to elevated [restricted term] levels. This visual record can help you spot and reduce instances where your dietary choices might be inhibiting fat burning.
  • Experiment with time-restricted eating by setting an eating window. Start with a 12-hour window, such as 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and gradually reduce it to an 8-hour window if comfortable, allowing your body to enter a fasting state for the remaining hours. This can help lower [restricted term] levels and shift your body's energy source from glucose to stored fat without the need for prolonged fasting.
  • Create a swap-out chart for high-[restricted term ...

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free
Most Replayed Moment: Calories In, Calories Out Is A Myth! Why Most Diets Fail - Dr. Jason Fung

The Benefits of Intermittent Fasting For Weight Loss

Intermittent fasting has become a popular approach to weight loss, and Jason Fung, as a proponent of this method, provides insight into why it is effective.

Fasting Regulates [restricted term] and Burns Fat

Fung points out that eating frequency significantly impacts hormonal balance, suggesting that intermittent fasting can positively influence this balance, leading to weight loss. He emphasizes the need to extend periods of fasting to lower [restricted term] levels, which allows the body to switch to fat burning for energy.

Extended Fasting Drops [restricted term], Triggers Fat Use For Energy

Explaining the mechanics, Fung clarifies that fasting leads to a drop in [restricted term] levels, signaling the body to start using stored energy, which results in body fat being burned. He articulates that when you don't eat, [restricted term] falls, enabling the body to use the calories it has stored, which is crucial for weight loss.

Intermittent Fasting Boosts Metabolism, Prevents "Yo-yo Dieting"

Fasting, unlike many diet strategies, does not lead to the much-feared "starvation mode." Fung discusses myths related to intermittent fasting, including the assumption that it can lower the basal metabolic rate and result in weight gain upon returning to normal eating habits.

Fasting Boosts Basal Metabolic Rate, Aiding Weight Loss Maintenance

Instead, Fung mentions a study where an individual's caloric burn rate increased after a fasting period, illustrating that intermittent fasting may actually elevate the basal metabolic rate. He notes that ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
Start your free trial today

The Benefits of Intermittent Fasting For Weight Loss

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the amount of energy the body needs to maintain basic functions at rest. This includes processes like breathing, circulation, temperature regulation, and organ function. BMR varies based on factors like age, weight, height, and body composition. It represents the minimum energy required to sustain life when the body is at complete rest.
  • "Starvation mode" is a term used to describe the body's response to prolonged calorie restriction, where the metabolism may slow down to conserve energy. This concept suggests that the body adapts to lower calorie intake by reducing energy expenditure, potentially hindering weight loss efforts. However, the idea of a true "starvation mode" as commonly portrayed in popular media may oversimplify the body's complex metabolic responses to calorie restriction.
  • Hormonal balance plays a crucial role in weight management as certain hormones, like [restricted term], regulate how the body stores and uses energy. When [restricted term] levels are high, the body tends to store more fat, while lower [restricted term] levels can promote fat burning for energy. By understanding and optimizing hormonal balance through methods like intermittent fasting, ...

Counterarguments

  • Intermittent fasting may not be suitable for everyone, and individual responses to fasting can vary.
  • Some studies suggest that the weight loss benefits of intermittent fasting are comparable to other calorie-restricted diets, and it may not be superior in terms of long-term weight loss.
  • The claim that intermittent fasting boosts metabolism is contested; some research indicates that any increase in metabolic rate may be temporary or not significant enough to affect weight loss maintenance.
  • The role of [restricted term] in weight loss is complex, and while lowering [restricted term] levels may help with fat burning, it is not the only factor involved in weight loss.
  • Fasting can be difficult to sustain and may lead to disordered eating patterns in some individuals.
  • The long-term effects of intermittent fasting on overall health are not fully understood ...

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free
Most Replayed Moment: Calories In, Calories Out Is A Myth! Why Most Diets Fail - Dr. Jason Fung

Yo-yo Dieting and Its Impact on Metabolism

Yo-yo dieting can have adverse effects on metabolism, often leading to a cycle of weight loss and gain. Experts like Jason Fung highlight how different approaches to dieting can impact this cycle.

Restrictive Dieting Reduces Metabolism, Hindering Weight Maintenance

Restrictive diets can significantly slow down the body’s metabolism, potentially leading to weight regain and even additional weight gain.

Slower Metabolism After Restrictive Diet Leads to Regained and Added Weight

When individuals reduce their caloric intake on a diet, their metabolism adjusts by slowing down to match the reduced calorie consumption. Jason Fung implies that this lowered metabolism persists even after the diet has ended. If a person raises their calorie intake after dieting, even if it's still below their original pre-diet intake, they might gain weight due to the body burning calories at this newly reduced metabolic rate. This effect can lead to a frustrating cycle of regaining weight, commonly referred to as yo-yo dieting.

Intermittent Fasting Prevents "Yo-yo Dieting" By Maintaining a Healthy Metabolic Rate

Intermittent fasting may be a solution to avoid the pitfalls of traditional restrictive dieting by maintaining a stable metabol ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
Start your free trial today

Yo-yo Dieting and Its Impact on Metabolism

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Yo-yo dieting, also known as weight cycling, is a pattern of losing weight through dieting and then regaining it shortly after. This cycle can negatively impact metabolism, leading to a slower metabolic rate over time. The body adjusts to reduced calorie intake by burning fewer calories, making it easier to regain weight. This pattern can create a frustrating cycle of weight loss and gain, affecting long-term weight management goals.
  • Restrictive diets can slow down metabolism by reducing calorie intake. This metabolic slowdown can persist even after the diet ends. When calorie intake increases post-diet, weight gain can occur due to the body burning calories at a slower rate. This cycle of weight loss and regain is known as yo-yo dieting.
  • When individuals reduce their caloric intake, their metabolism adjusts by slowing down to match the reduced calorie consumption. This lowered metabolism can persist even after the diet ends. If a person increases their calorie intake post-diet, they may gain weight due to the body burning calories at the reduced metabolic rate, leading to weight regain.
  • Intermittent fasting involves cycling between periods of eating and fasting, focusing on when to eat rather than what to eat. Traditional calorie restriction diets involve reducing daily calorie intake without specific timing restrictions. Intermittent fasting can help maintain or increase metabolic rate, while calorie restriction diets may lead to a decrease in basal metabolic rate over time. Fasting periods in intermittent fasting can vary ...

Counterarguments

  • The relationship between yo-yo dieting and metabolism is complex, and individual responses to dieting can vary widely; some people may not experience significant metabolic slowdown.
  • The assertion that restrictive diets always lead to a slower metabolism and subsequent weight gain is an oversimplification; other factors such as diet composition, exercise, and genetic predisposition can influence this outcome.
  • The claim that intermittent fasting categorically prevents yo-yo dieting and maintains a healthy metabolic rate may not hold true for everyone; some individuals might find fasting unsustainable or experience negative side effects.
  • The idea that fasting increases metabolic rate is contested; some studies suggest that the met ...

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free

Create Summaries for anything on the web

Download the Shortform Chrome extension for your browser

Shortform Extension CTA